New CII Graduates Hit Six Session High
The U.K.’s Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) reports that the number of candidates graduating with either a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma in Insurance is the highest for six examination sessions.
Results of April’s examination session reveal that 213 candidates completed the exam requirement for the Advanced Diploma (ACII) against 116 in October 2001. Similarly the Diploma (DipCII) completions rose to 275, up from 109 six sessions ago.
The CII runs two main exam sessions each year in April and October. It also noted than another 891 candidates received its new Certificate in Insurance, launched at the beginning of the year. The certificate allows the holder to be eligible to apply for qualified CII membership and the right to use the designatory letters “CertCII.”
CII qualifications director Lucy Courtenay commented: “These are spectacular results that confirm the growing importance of qualifications as the industry embraces training and competence requirements. This also backs the findings of the CII’s recent Company Education Support report which found that demand for qualifications is set to rise over the next five years.”
The bulletin also noted that “candidates completing the CII’s continuous assessment option – where prior study and assessment can count towards a percentage of the final exam mark – fared better with 77 percent achieving a pass, against 41 percent who did not use the facility.”
“This demonstrates that there is no substitute for a proper study programme” Courtenay observed. “Continuous assessment ensures that candidates complete their studies well in advance of the exam, allowing time for revision and exam preparation. Most pass with flying colours and do not need the continuous assessment contribution.”
Financial planning exam candidates also performed well with 370 completing the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate to become eligible to join the CII’s financial services arm – the Society of Financial Advisers – as members (MSFA); 67 becoming Associates (ASFA) and 16 Fellows (FSFA). A total of 8654 Diploma and Advanced Financial Planning Certificate exam scripts were marked.