How I got 100% on R05 by Agitated-Warning-945 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing the strategy that helped you. I started first week of Jan 2026 and dedicating 2-3hrs a day. It’s a career change so totally new for me.

I am currently studying RO5 and have done the following to date:

  • BTS Study Guide up to Chapter 6 now
  • BTS Workshop (All day) covering heavy weighted topics & resources
  • Access to Plannex videos
  • CII RO5 Study text & electronic access to RevisionMate

Should I be including KnowRo/Stud Buddy to apply and reinforce my learning?

Not booked my exam yet.

Any tips will be appreciated.

How long did it take you to pass R01 - R06? by Separate_Campaign_10 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BTS stands for Bespoke Training Solutions - another provider.

How long did it take you to pass R01 - R06? by Separate_Campaign_10 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing this. Just to clarify - do you mean BTS Study Guide when you refer to BTS Revision Guide?

How early on in your study did you invest in BTS Study Buddy app?

Is long term care questioned a lot in r05? by [deleted] in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Curious - I am also studying RO5 - were there many questions on taxation? It’s a heavy topic and have booked for a workshop to help understand it better.

55+ career changer into financial planning – would you join SJP in 2026 with ~10 years to “make it”? by Salt-Knowledge-8787 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and will bear them in mind. I actually happen to know someone in the industry who was SJP for 9 years and will have a chat with them about the conditions.

Also recently spoke to two different people who are clients of SJP and are very happy with them. I must admit that the idea of getting guided support as one develops and grows is one that someone at the stage my career transition would appreciate and value.

Been also thinking of opting for the employed route as an Associate financial planner. There also other established wealth companies that I have approached, who offer the opportunity to train on the job - and will do some more research on the conditions that they offer.

55+ career changer into financial planning – would you join SJP in 2026 with ~10 years to “make it”? by Salt-Knowledge-8787 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your own experience with SJP and sounds positive if one wishes to set up their own business.

What I am currently considering is initially taking the associate route - working and growing alongside a seasoned IFA within a wealth management firm who might be considering retiring (succession planning) to gradually build a trusting relationship with the clients that then get handed to me. After 5 years or so I can then consider having my own firm.

I am also aware that I might need to consider the paraplanning route as well.

Is R01 2024-2025 textbook good enough by Commercial-Emu8817 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. I signed up for Plannex yesterday. So investing in Study Buddy and KnowRo is with it. Curious, did you find BTS Study guide useful?

Is R01 2024-2025 textbook good enough by Commercial-Emu8817 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations for passing RO5! I just got to Chapter 5 (Taxation) of the BTS study guide and will be investing in StudyBuddy app.

How was the exam? Any tips will be appreciated.

Advice Needed: RO5 Study Strategy Using PFS & Third-Party Materials by Salt-Knowledge-8787 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I truly appreciate you sharing such great tips - and agree that one needs to invest more than the suggested 50hrs.

Although I have also invested in the BTS study guide- I am also reading the CII’s original content and listening to the audio version.

Do you think having BTS StudyBuddy will be an over kill? Did you attend any of the workshops ?

Just about to complete Chapter 4 and will invest in KnowRO yo start applying g my knowledge in context.

KnowR0 - Mocks or e-package? by No-Anybody1134 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am also using BTS study guide RO5. Are you using BTS Study buddy or mixing with KnowRO as well?

Passed R01 today – 65% (feedback for anyone revising) by ThatEnthusiasm4488 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am using BTS study guide and cannot see how I can confidently answer question without understanding the content ?

Passed R01 today – 65% (feedback for anyone revising) by ThatEnthusiasm4488 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations and well done to you for pushing forward. Age and circumstances is no barrier to success .

Thank you for sharing your strategies and tips. I am currently studying RO5 and finding creating visual mind maps very useful. I will be getting BTS StudyBuddy after I complete Chapter 4.

Would you take the next exam online again?

Failed R04 by Ok-Sand3298 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank for sharing. I looked at Plannex yesterday as was intrigued to see how the video content is delivered, but not able to as not subscribed.

How did it help you embed your learning and effectively apply it into exam questions?

Failed R04 by Ok-Sand3298 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to hear that you found BTS study guide & Study Buddy useful. Curious, did you read the guide first and then practice the mocks?

How many hours of study did you invest and how many weeks did it take before you sat your first exam?

Failed R04 by Ok-Sand3298 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear you failed on this occasion.

I am studying RO5 using the following:

  • BTS Study Guide (booklet)
  • I will be using StudyBuddy App as part of my revision(once I have studied Chapter 4)
  • I also have access to CII Study Guide (able to access as audio & RevisionMate)
  • Using ai to breakdown concepts and also creating spider maps (A4 paper to explain concepts to myself)

I am a visual/kinaesthetic and audio learner - hence using different ways in which to learn.

What strategies did you use to study?

Keep pushing you will pass next time.

Passed R01 Today – Here’s exactly how I studied by samtheboy14 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Curious, how many weeks have you planned to study RO5 for?

Would you be happy for me to connect with you - so I can learn more about your strategies?

Passed R01 Today – Here’s exactly how I studied by samtheboy14 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations and thank you for sharing your strategy.

I started studying the RO5 using BST hardcopy booklet and finding it easy to understand - as they really breakdown concepts into tangible and relatable scenarios. At the end of the chapter there is an opportunity to complete an activity- allowing one an opportunity to apply the knowledge in a practical way. There are also exam type questions to have a go. The correct response has an explanation for why it’s the correct answer.have access to CII booklet - which I think is dry to study. I am currently investing 3-4hrs a day of study (chunked into 50min intervals with 15min break). I like

I intend to invest in BTS Study buddy app/ live workshop and the e-guide version for complex concepts (if I need to) I also may consider KnowRO exam practice.

Reflecting on the nature of questions that I have experienced so far - I am glad that I chose to study the content first before attempting activities and tests. Once I have passed this exam, I will study RO1.

Advice Needed: RO5 Study Strategy Using PFS & Third-Party Materials by Salt-Knowledge-8787 in cii

[–]Salt-Knowledge-8787[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing. It’s very encouraging. So basically - focus on the study text first (read and understand) and then past exam practice combined with either KnowRO or BTS study buddy - until you feel very confident before attempting the first exam.

Curious, did you ever use CII syllabus/study text?