The CII J07 October 2019 Exam in Review

Here, we are looking at the CII J07 exam that was sat in October 2019; Supervision in a regulated environment. 

You can find the exam guide here.

Question 1

The exam seemed to start well with a 7-mark question on Key Performance Indicators used by regulated firms to monitor supervisor performance.

Question 2

Next, delegates had to explain how a supervisor has a direct impact on the personal development and performance of advisers in their team.  If candidates were unsure of this question, then it was only for 4 marks.

Question 3

In the next question, we had McGregor Theory X and Theory Y, and an explanation was needed of the assumptions that are made about human nature for both.  This type of question should have been expected and was for 10 marks.

Questions 4 and 5

Question 4 asked for the six stages of a two-way communication process, and Question 5 asked candidates to state and explain the key features of a competency-based interview.  In total, these questions were for 14 marks, and gaining all of them may have been difficult for some candidates.

Question 6

Candidates were asked for the fit and proper requirements for advisers and the key information about a firm the FCA considers when assessing the fitness and propriety of an adviser.  These six marks should have been relatively straightforward at this level.

Question 7

Kolb’s learning cycle was tested next; this was for 8 marks and has been tested before so it should have been straightforward for those using past exam guides to study from.

Questions 8 and 9

Here, candidates were asked for methods of off-the-job training that someone could undertake, including their advantages; this was for 12 marks. For 11 marks, Question 9 tested the key steps of a directive form of coaching.

Question 10

Candidates then had to state the key requirements of a suitability report and when this must be sent following a personal pension recommendation.  These 10 marks should have been straightforward.

Question 11

Question 11 asked for 5 mandatory and 5 desirable actions that must and should be demonstrated by an adviser at the pre-call stage of the sales process.

Question 12

For a total of 9 marks, this question asked candidates to list and explain the three elements of the annual appraisal process.

Questions 13 and 14

Next, Question 13 tested balanced scorecards for a total of 10 marks, and Question 14 asked for an explanation of the key concepts of total quality management, for 11 marks.

Question 15

Finally, for 8 marks, Question 15 tested the steps of the ACAS Code of Practice regarding the disciplinary process.

Comparison with April 2019’s Paper

Let’s compare this with the paper sat by candidates in April last year, which can be found here.

• Key features and methods of indirect supervision
• Herzberg’s hygiene and motivation factors
• Complaints handling
• Key factors that determine whether someone is an employee
• Key areas of a T&C scheme
• Training needs analysis
• Development needs/stages and benefits of documenting a development plan
• Call monitoring systems
• Principles that staff performing a ‘significant harm’ function must adhere to
• Examples of sensitive personal data/data processing
• Corporate objectives/individual objectives/purpose of CSR and business strategy
• Performance-related KPIs for a financial adviser
• Management information
• Unsatisfactory performance examples and types of management intervention
• Grounds for dismissal that would be deemed automatically unfair

The J07 syllabus is wide, with a great level of detail required to gain a pass.  Students should be prepared to use exam guides to help them study to see the type of question that is asked and the range of topics covered.  The paper is challenging, however – particularly the one from October – so it will be interesting to see how the pass rate compares to previous sittings.

Grab the resources you need!

If you’re studying for your CII J07 exam, and you want to be fully prepared, grab our free taster to try out one of Brand Financial Training’s resources for yourself.  Click the link to download the J07 mock paper taster now!