Press Release

ONLINE EXAMS START EARLY

14 November, 2006     

CII announces a special advanced exam session before official launch

The CII is to bring forward the introduction of its new online exams service by arranging special advanced sessions across November and December, prior to the official launch of the facility in January next year.

The CII has 1,000 entries which are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The exams will be held at 46 centres throughout the UK between November 20 and December 19. A list of the available centres is at www.cii.co.uk/online

CII deputy director general Bob Bullivant says, "We have completed our development work ahead of schedule and so are able to run these special sessions over the next few weeks as an additional service. I am sure it will be popular and I expect the places to go fast."

On January 8, 2007 the CII will officially launch its new online exam service to replace all of its existing paper-based multiple-choice exams in the UK. One of the many benefits is that CII candidates will be able to enter for an exam at a date that is convenient to their individual study programme, rather than be restricted to sitting the exam at one of the traditional quarterly sessions.

The format of the exams themselves remains unchanged and the quality and standard of the online service is consistent with the paper-based approach and fully reflects best practice for online exams.

Bookings for 2006 and 2007 can be made online at www.cii.co.uk or by contacting Customer Service on 020 8989 8464.

Uniquely, the CII is also offering companies the opportunity to establish an online testing centre within their own organisation. This will allow them the flexibility to schedule exams as an integral part of an in-house training programme.

"We are receiving a great deal of positive feedback about online exams in general and the employer ‘in-house’ facility in particular" comments Bob Bullivant. "Individuals and companies are equally enthusiastic citing the flexibility of the service which enables the candidate to take the exam when they are ready as a real bonus".

The online exam service covers the Certificate in Financial Planning including lifetime mortgage activities and long-term care insurance units (except unit CF5 which is a written exam), Certificate in Mortgage Advice, the Foundation Insurance Test and all units in the Certificate in Insurance.

Applications for entry can be made up to seven working days in advance of the exam. On completion of the exam candidates will receive an immediate provisional notification of whether they have passed or not.

A free online exams simulation programme is available on the CII website www.cii.co.uk/online to allow candidates to familiarise themselves with the online system.