Use past exam guides
Past exam guides provide a valuable insight into what candidates do well and where they could do better. They’re therefore an essential part of your preparation for the AF7 exam.
The latest AF7 exam guide (October 2019) offers up two top tips:
Marks are awarded for detail and depth
A lack of detail in candidates’ answers is the most frequently cited reason for not getting high marks in this particular paper.
While the examiner seems to infer that this is down to a lack of knowledge, it’s worth considering it from the perspective of exam technique.
This is where looking at the marking scheme of past papers can help – take a look to see the level of technical detail the examiner is expecting for any given question. It can give you good steer as to the depth of knowledge expected from you in AF7.
Be specific and relate your answer to the client
You must tailor your answer to the information given in the case study and/or the question asked.
For example, in question 9, candidates tended to list generic benefits and drawbacks of transferring, rather than the specific benefits and drawbacks for the client and her particular set of circumstances.
We recommend that you always include the client’s name in your answer to a question. Once you get into the habit of doing this, it acts as a gentle reminder to your brain that you need to be linking your answer to the case study as a matter of course. By the time your exam comes around, you’ll be doing so without a second thought.
Getting the right resources
Study resources exist to help students achieve their exam goals. … In order to study smarter and not harder, solid studying skills blended with the right support will promote better learning and help to alleviate stress. Our award winning resources encourage active learning where we focus on how students learn, not just on what you learn.
