6. Read the whole question first.
If you don’t, you may find that your answer to (a) is really the answer to (b) and you may find yourself writing it all out again. You will only get the marks if they are in the right place.
7. Make sure you are answering the question you are being asked.
Use a highlighter for key words to help you focus your answer. More than anything, answer the question written in front of you, not the one you wish was written in front of you. The most common fault in most written exams is candidates not keeping to the point of the question.
8. Remember to state the obvious.
Spell out the particular tax you’re talking about or which class of national insurance contribution or which product. You know which one you’re talking about; just make sure the examiner knows too so they can award you the mark.
9. Use abbreviations appropriately.
We get asked a lot about the use of abbreviations. Our view is that some are so well used they will be fine, so things such as IHT, NICs, ATR and SDLT. We have been asked about EOW and A2R, and our view is these are not used as a matter of course, so spell out ‘expression of wish’ and use the more common ATR for ‘attitude to risk’.
Lastly, remember there is no negative marking. The CII uses a positive marking system with no marks taken away for incorrect answers. However, if conflicting answers are given, even where one of them is right, you may not be awarded the mark if the examiner feels you have hedged your bets.
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