What Candidates Struggle with Most in Exam Prep – and How to Overcome It

Preparing for CII exams takes more than just technical knowledge – it’s a test of focus, discipline, and endurance. Read on to learn the biggest challenges candidates face during exam prep and practical ways to overcome them.

This article is correct as at 4 November 2025.

We recently ran a poll asking our customers: “Which challenge do you struggle with most during exam prep?” The results gave us some fascinating insight into where candidates find things toughest:

• Finding time – 20%
• Staying motivated – 60%
• Technical details – 0%
• Remembering it all – 20%

It’s no surprise that motivation came out on top, but each of these challenges can hold candidates back if not tackled head-on. Below, we share some proven strategies to overcome each one and keep you on track towards CII exam success.

1 – Finding Time

Life doesn’t stop just because you’re studying for exams. Work, family, and everyday commitments often get in the way.

Strategies to overcome it:

• Micro-study sessions: Instead of waiting for a big block of free time, use 20-30 minutes to review flashcards, answer a short quiz, or revise one syllabus topic. Small sessions add up quickly.
• Calendar blocking: Schedule study time into your diary just like a meeting. Protecting those slots makes you far more likely to stick to them.
• Combine with routine tasks: Listen to revision notes or podcasts while commuting, walking, or cooking – passive exposure reinforces learning.

2 – Staying Motivated

The biggest challenge by far. Motivation often dips when the exam feels a long way off, or when progress feels slow.

Strategies to overcome it:

• Set mini-goals: Break down your study into weekly targets (e.g., “complete 30 practice questions” or “review Chapter 4”). Achieving these gives a sense of progress.
• Reward yourself: Pair revision with something enjoyable – a favourite coffee shop, or downtime after hitting your target.
• Connect with others: Join a study group, online forum, or accountability partner. Sharing struggles and wins keeps you engaged and less isolated.
• Visualise the end goal: Remind yourself what passing will mean – career progression, confidence, or even working towards Chartered status. Keeping the “why” front of mind sustains motivation.

3 – Technical Details

Interestingly, none of our poll respondents picked this option. That suggests most candidates feel confident tackling technical material – but it’s worth noting that technical gaps often emerge later in practice questions.

Strategies to avoid this becoming an issue:

• Apply, don’t just memorise: Use mock exams and past papers to practise applying technical knowledge to client scenarios. That’s what the CII examiners are testing.
• Focus on weak spots: Don’t skim the areas you “sort of” know – turn them into strengths.
• Keep updated: Technical changes (pension allowances, ISA rules, tax rates) often appear in exams. Make sure your materials are current and you are using high quality learning resources.

4 – Remembering It All

It’s one thing to understand the material; it’s another to recall it under exam conditions.

Strategies to overcome it:

• Spaced repetition: Revisit topics at intervals (e.g. Day 1, Day 3, Day 7, Day 14). This is scientifically proven to improve long-term recall.
• Active recall: Test yourself regularly without looking at the notes – flashcards, quick quizzes, or “brain dumps” on a blank page.
• Mix it up: Switch between written notes, question practice, and teaching the material aloud. The more ways you engage with the content, the better you’ll remember it.
• Simulate exam conditions: Timed mock papers help you practise recall under pressure, not just in a relaxed study setting.

Our poll shows that the biggest hurdle isn’t technical detail – it’s motivation. Candidates know the material but often struggle to keep going long enough, consistently enough, to pass.

By breaking study into manageable chunks, setting clear goals, and using smart learning techniques like spaced repetition, candidates can overcome all four challenges.

At the end of the day, exam prep for CII qualifications is as much about discipline and mindset as it is about technical knowledge.

Grab the resources you need!

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