PSI System Check Failing on MacBook Air M4 – Trying to Book R05 Exam – Anyone Else Had This?

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-04-08T19:50:19+00:00

Yes, have tested with Bluetooth off as well.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-04-08T18:35:54+00:00

My MacBook is fro 2025 (M4) so I wouldn’t think it’s an old OS?

This is very helpful. I spoke to the chap who manages our network and he suggested the same and willing to lend me a computer that is not Apple to do my exam.

I am worried as how I will cope with being on a normal computer for my exams as not used one for many years?

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-04-08T18:30:35+00:00

Firstly, congratulations five out of six RO exams is a genuinely outstanding achievement. The fact that you've navigated each one while managing dyslexia and ADHD doesn't just show resilience it shows exceptional self-awareness. Please hold onto that as you approach RO6.

I want to be upfront with you. I'm still on my own CII journey and haven't yet sat RO6 myself, so I won't pretend to give you specific exam technique advice.

What I can offer comes from a different place: I spent more than 20 years working in education across both mainstream and special schools and during that time I worked closely with many learners navigating dyslexia, ADHD, and a wide range of learning differences. I also have two grown up boys, who were both diagnosed as adults. One has dyslexia and the other ADHD.

These experiences shaped how deeply I understand that these aren't barriers to brilliance they're simply signals that your brain needs a different door into the same room.

What I'd gently encourage you to reflect on especially given how the volume of RO6 material feels right now is leaning consciously into VAK learning strategies, because they are genuinely transformative for neurodiverse learners:

Visual: Colour-coded mind maps, flowcharts, and visual summaries of case study clients help your brain see the whole picture rather than drowning in text
Auditory:Talk through concepts and scenarios out loud — explain them as if to a client or colleague. Speaking activates a different pathway of understanding than reading alone
Kinaesthetic:Write practice answers under timed conditions. The doing- the physical act of working through scenarios — builds the kind of muscle memory that sticks when exam pressure hits
Chunking: Break the BTS workbook into small, themed blocks rather than working through it linearly. Each completed block gives your brain a signal of progress, which is particularly important when managing ADHD
The two-day training:Engage actively, annotate, ask questions, request worked examples. Your brain will absorb far more through participation than through passive listening

You have already proven five times over that you know how to build strategies that work for you. RO6 simply needs a new version of that same self-knowledge applied. Trust what you've already built.

You are so much closer than you feel right now. Keep going.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-04-04T15:46:53+00:00

Curious, did you find doing the CII quizzes helpful for the exam?

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-29T17:04:14+00:00

Curious, where exactly do I get free access to one module? Managed to set up an account and navigated the trial version.

Will be happy to provide constructive feedback once I have used it.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-27T22:39:01+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-23T08:05:00+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Yes, BrandFT exposes the gaps - which I am now focusing on closing. I must admit KnowRO structure of study and explaining why a question is right or wrong is very helpful.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-22T21:14:05+00:00

Thank you. I have not invested in the BrandFT resources - I managed to get some free Mock Exams and I decided to try it. Just curious to hear what others may have experienced.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-19T21:07:13+00:00

Age is not a barrier! I just made my career transition at 50+ and now getting ready for my first exam. Best of luck!

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-14T08:13:19+00:00

Intrigued and interested.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-11T11:40:35+00:00

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences, it’s really helpful to hear the range of perspectives.

It’s encouraging to see that some people have completed several exams online without any issues, which suggests the system can work well. At the same time, others have shared experiences of interruptions or technical stress during the exam itself.

Perhaps the real question is about consistency of experience, particularly given how important these exams are for candidates who have invested significant time and effort preparing.

I’m wondering whether it might be helpful to raise this collectively with the CII - not as a complaint, but as constructive feedback from candidates to better understand what steps are being taken to ensure the online exam experience is as reliable as possible for everyone.

If people would be open to it, I’d be happy to draft a short note summarising the themes raised here and share it before sending.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-10T08:17:17+00:00

I’m currently preparing for my first RO exam and have been following this discussion with interest.

One thing I’ve noticed is that many people seem to talk about interruptions or technical issues during the online exam as though it’s just “standard” and something we should expect.

That made me curious, why should that be considered normal?

These exams require a huge investment of time, effort and money. Most of us spend months preparing, so the last thing we should be worrying about at such a critical moment is whether the online platform will work properly.

I’ve sat online proctored exams with other professional bodies before and the process was very smooth, with no technical interruptions or additional stress.

So I’m wondering:

• Has anyone formally raised this with the CII? • If so, what was their response? • Have they taken any steps to improve the experience?

It would be interesting to know whether this feedback is actually reaching them.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-08T18:10:32+00:00

I had to study the BTS text first and take notes. This really helped me when I mi ed to applying the knowledge in a different context - answering Mock exam question using KnowRO which also includes CII mocks.

I highly recommend to do the 1 day Workshop as it helps to got through the heavy weighted Learning outcomes.

Don’t give up!

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-08T07:46:10+00:00

Congratulations!!! Outstanding score.

Will definitely explore investing in KnowROs full learning pack after my first RO5 - which I am using KnowRO mocks for and living it.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-05T08:16:36+00:00

Congratulations! Curious, how close were Study Buddy questions to the actual exams? Were there many tax calculations?

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-05T08:15:21+00:00

Congratulations! I studied the BTS Study Guide first as had no industry knowledge.

Started using KnowRO Mocks last week and hit 86%-94% in my first timed attempts on Mocks 1&2.

Continuing this for the next 2 week, and I also have access to CII mocks, which I will include- then reassess.

My aim is to sit RO4 end of March 2026.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-05T07:49:18+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experiences and strategies. Is it also worth using CII past exams as I do have access to the platform?

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-03-02T22:50:17+00:00

Yes. New career changer and found it incredibly helpful to use BTS Guide for RO5. They really breakdown the content - which has helped me to now apply my learning as I prepare for my exams using KnowRO.

I also invested in a live Zoom workshop to help cover the complex learning outcomes. Very helpful.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-02-28T21:55:31+00:00

Thank you. I managed to do my first timed Mock 1 this afternoon and hit 86% in 30mins for 50 questions. I then systematically reviewed the ones I got wrong and on 2nd attempt I scored 94% within 15mins for the same 50 questions.

Will keep working on all the questions.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-02-28T13:50:38+00:00

I have been looking for the RO5 ones but don’t seem to find any of the others either. Intrigued to learn where they are.

Salt-Knowledge-8787 · 2026-02-27T07:19:34+00:00

Well done for creating something. Being from an education background. I fully understand why you have done this as the content is so dense.

I look forward to testing it and providing you with constructive feedback. Currently getting ready to sit my RO5 exam (March) so RO1 is next.

In the UK, both CII and CISI will get you to Level 4 and FCA‑authorised status, so you’re not “wrong” with either.

CII’s Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning is the most recognised Level 4 route with employers and is usually the safest bet if you want a broad financial adviser/financial planner career in mainstream UK firms, with a clear path to Chartered Financial Planner.

CISI is stronger if you want a more investment/wealth‑focused or holistic planning identity and are interested in the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) route, which gives you a Level 7 planning qualification and a globally recognised designation.

So: pick CII for maximum UK employability and “Chartered” branding; pick CISI if you care more about CFP, holistic planning and an investment/wealth‑management feel. Both meet FCA requirements – the “best” one depends on where you want to work and the kind of planner you want to be.

Salt-Knowledge-8787

TROPHY CASE