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This article is relevant to anybody who wants to further their career in the financial services and general insurance industries, whether you are at Certificate Level or Diploma Level.
 Asking whether exams really achieve anything may seem like a strange question coming from a business that provides learning resources to help individuals to pass their exams first time. But it’s not actually that strange. We’re here to help you to pass your exams, knowing full well that most of you have no choice but to sit them. And we are very aware of the stress and strain that some of the new exam requirements are placing on many of you. We want to help you get through this necessary evil as painlessly as possible. It’s a bit like being at school and having to do your GCSEs. You have no choice but to sit them, so it’s better to make the best of it!
The majority of you have no choice but to sit exams at both Certificate AND Diploma level. Not just because of the requirements of the Retail Distribution Review (in the case of financial services exams), but also because of demand from employers. We are hearing from an increasing number of individuals who haven’t sat an exam in many years, and who don’t understand why they should start now. I understand their point of view. If they’ve been working in the industry for 20-odd years then why should they suddenly have to prove themselves by sitting exams? Surely working in the “real world” for such a length of time is proof enough that they are competent?
It’s a bit like the argument about academics in universities sitting in their ivory towers commenting on business. If they haven’t actually worked in the “real world” then how on earth can they possibly comment? So how can sitting and passing exams, prove you are good at your job? It’s an argument that is extremely strong, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that most people’s “knowledge” is measured through exams. Rightly or wrongly, that’s the way the industry is going – for now.
This is great for people who are very good at exams. They study easily, absorb information like a sponge, and then sit the exam and invariably pass first time. However, that person may have ZERO “real life” experience of working in the industry. But they will now be deemed as suitably qualified to work in their industry. Compare this with another individual who has been working for 20 years, has gained a high level of knowledge, and has done a good job. They may now be required to sit a whole host of exams to carry on working. Unfortunately, given that this individual hasn’t sat an exam for a long long time, and possibly struggles with exams and is more suited to “real world” working, then this person may struggle. But who is better “qualified” for the job? An academic who has sat the exams and passed but has no industry experience, or someone who has 20 years of industry experience but happens to perform badly when sat at an exam desk with a pen in hand?
Just because an individual isn’t good at exams, doesn’t mean they don’t have the required knowledge. Here at Brand Financial Training we come across many intelligent, experienced people who ‘freeze’ on exam day. Their mind goes blank, and they fail.
We can argue for a lifetime about how unfair exams are. They allow those who are good at exams to pass, and those that may be very knowledgeable but lousy at exams to fail.
“It’s not fair”. True. It’s not. But unfortunately that’s the way it is, and there seems to be little sign of this changing. The unfairness of exams has been going on for a long, long time. We can carry on shouting “it’s not fair”, or we can choose to grin and bear it whilst pushing for change. Let’s not cut of our nose to spite our face.
 For those of you in financial services who need to achieve the Diploma by 2012, you won’t need us to tell you that time is tight. And for those of you who have been given a deadline for certain exams by your employer, in these uncertain times it would probably be best not to argue! Our aim here at Brand Financial Training is to help EVERY type of individual to pass their exams first time. We are constantly working on a range of learning resources that will enable different types of people to get through their exams whether you are an exam ‘wonder-kid’ or an exam ‘disaster’. Don’t despair, we CAN help you and we CAN get you through your exams.
Firstly, take a look at our website www.brandft.co.uk and navigate to your exam using the menu bar to find out how we can help you to pass first time. Secondly, email us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to help you so make sure you use us as much as you need.
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Studying always seems harder when the sun is shining. Unfortunately basking in the sun doesn’t get us through our exams! Late Spring and Early Summer can be difficult months when exams can seem even more of a ‘pain’ than usual. Just do your best to keep going and keep your eye on the ultimate goal – getting that qualification done and dusted! 
