This page contains details of some of the Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision Qualification. They are grouped under several headings:
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How to register as a Student (Start taking the examinations);
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Studying for the examinations (study manuals and distance learning courses);
The answer to questions not found here can usually be found in the Handbook. However, if you still cannot find an answer to your question please contact the Qualification and Student Services: education@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Please note that if you need to contact PMI in writing, it is often acceptable to do this by e-mail if you prefer. However, on all important matters concerning the examinations we will reply in writing by letter and if you have not received a response you should contact PMI House in case your e-mail did not arrive.
A. How to register as a Student?
How do I register?
Fill out the student registration form available from our website and send this
along with any supporting documents with the registration fee and
annual subscription payment to PMI. You should hear whether you have been
accepted as a Student within three weeks of submitting your application.
How do I re-register?
If you were previously a Student but allowed your membership to lapse it is
possible to re-register and recommence your studies. Fill out the Student
registration form which is available from this website. You must send the form along
with the re-registration fee and annual subscription payment to PMI.
How much does it cost to register or re-register as a Student?
A re/registration fee as well as the applicable annual subscription is payable
when re/registering as a Student. Details of these fees can be found on the fees
page and in the Handbook.
When is the closing date for Student registration or re-registration?
In order to sit Advanced Diploma examinations in April registration must be completed by the
previous November and to sit examinations in October registration must be
completed in the previous May. The exact closing dates for Student registration
are shown on the dates page of the website and in the Handbook.
I won’t be able to register/re-register before the closing date. Can anything be
done?
It may be possible to extend the registration closing dates in exceptional
circumstances and if this may be necessary you are advised to contact the
PMI to explain your situation.
Can I/ do I have to claim accreditation of prior learning (APL) when I register?
Yes it is possible to claim any APL credits to which you may be eligible when you
register, however it is not compulsory to do so and they can be claimed at a
later date. However, we would recommend claiming any credits as soon as
possible to ensure that the issue is not overlooked. Further details can be
found on the APL page of the website.
How long will it take me to complete the qualification?
This varies considerably. Most candidates take two or three examinations each
year and therefore most complete after four or five years.
How much will the whole qualification cost?
This will depend on your choice of study options and the speed at which you
complete the examinations. However, once you have registered as a Student you
will need to pay a membership subscription each year and for each Module you sit
you will need to purchase a study manual, and ideally a distance learning
course, as well as the examination entry fee.
Can I have an invoice for the registration fee/ annual subscription?
It is not the PMI’s normal practice to invoice. You should complete the registration form
and arrange payment so that they can be submitted at the same time.
Do I have to start the qualification from scratch if I am re-registering?
No, those who re-register effectively pick up their membership as it was left
when they lapsed. Therefore, they would receive credits for any previous passes,
subject only to any applicable transitional arrangements applying from any
previous syllabuses.
B. Studying for the examinations
Do the examinations have to be sat in order?
No. However, the examinations do build on each other to an extent and it is
recommended that they are sat in order.
Do I have to/ can I attend evening classes?
No. At present there are no evening classes or similar. Most Students undertake
the distance learning courses. There are revision courses prior to the April and
October examinations, in March and September respectively. The Institute's
regional groups also provide support for Students. Further details on these
options can be found on the website.
What is a distance learning course?
PMI provides a distance learning course for each Module of the Advanced Diploma
examinations. The distance learning course is a series of assignments based on
the syllabus and study manual. The assignments are completed by Students (at a
time and location of their own choosing) and submitted to a tutor assigned by
PMI who provides feedback and guidance and the marked assignment is then
returned to the Student with a set of assignment notes which summarise the
information sought in answers.
The distance learning course assignments cover
the whole syllabus and mirror the examination format in that they are written
and usually take three hours to complete and are pitched at a similar level. The
course concludes with a mock examination. Therefore, the distance learning
course is a very convenient and thorough method of preparing for the
examinations.
How many study hours am I expected to do per year per Module?
We do not make any recommendations for study hours because we have found that it
varies enormously between Students depending on their level of prior familiarity
with the material and between Modules. However, a Student undertaking a distance
learning course of four assignments, each of which requires three hours writing
time, could expect to, at the very least, spend 12-15 hours preparation/reading
time for each one.
Of course, some assignments may take longer, especially those on new
and/or "difficult" areas, and some less time to complete. Therefore, it would take
at least 60 hours to complete the course and on top of this must be added
revision time.
How much does the study material cost?
The costs are outlined in the Handbook and on fees page of the website.
How long will I have to wait for my study material to arrive?
All material is made available online and an e-mail address and internet access
is required.
We aim to despatch access keys by email as soon as possible after an order is
received. This is usually within 10 days.
Is my study manual valid for October examinations?
The study manuals are updated in the summer of each year for use in the
following academic year. Since the October examinations are based on the same
syllabus as the examinations in the previous April study manuals used for April
can also be used for October. For example, a study manual produced in late
summer and with a copyright date of 2007 can be used
to study for the examinations in April and October 2008.
Who can order Study Material at a reduced price?
Those who purchased a
manual in one year can purchase a manual the following year in the same module
at a reduced rate. Updating pages are no longer available or necessary.
How long should I have to wait before I get my assignment back?
We try to ensure that assignments are returned within 14 working days of
submission. If you have not received your assignment back after this time,
please contact PMI so that we can investigate.
I haven’t used my distance learning course - can I get a refund /exchange it for
next years?
No. It is not possible to transfer materials purchased for one year to the
following year. However, it is possible to use a distance learning course
purchased for April toward the October examinations that year but not in a
subsequent year.
I’ve missed the deadline for sending in distance learning course assignments.
Will someone still mark them for me?
The study timetable issued with distance learning courses outlines a series of
suggested assignment submission dates. These suggested dates seek to ensure that
your study is spread evenly throughout the academic year in order to allow
coverage of the whole syllabus and time for revision after the last assignment
is submitted and prior to the examination. The dates are only suggestions and
therefore, it is not necessary to stick to it rigidly although we would
recommend that you try to keep to these dates.
The closing date for submission
of all assignments is much less flexible and whilst some tutors may be willing
to mark after this deadline some understanding will not. You are therefore advised to submit
your last assignment by this deadline. For your own benefit and as a courtesy to
the tutors please do not submit all or several assignments on the eve of this
deadline.
I haven’t completed any of the distance learning course assignments - can you
send me the assignment notes?
You will receive the assignment notes when you have completed the relevant
assignment. The assignment notes are designed to complement the feedback given
by your tutor on your attempt at the assignment. As such preparing for and
completing the assignment and learning from the feedback in conjunction with the
assignment notes is vital to the learning experience.
What do I need to do to attend a revision course?
Half day revision courses are offered in each Module prior to each examination
session. They are run by experienced and qualified pensions professionals, who
often provide a succinct outline of the module content and/or deal with any particular
issues that have been requested.
They provide an opportunity to ask questions
and clarify any issues that have arisen during your studies. A booking form will
be available on the website shortly before the courses begin. Please complete a
form and return it to the PMI with the appropriate fee.
C. Entering / withdrawing from the examinations
What is the date and time of the examination?
The examination timetable is published on the website and in PMI News. This
information will also be contained in the admission permit which is sent about
10 days before the examination.
What centres are there?
A list of examination centres can be found on the website.
What do I need to do to enter the examinations?
Examination entries can only be made by registered Students. Once you have
registered as a Student you can make an examination entry on the appropriate
entry form. The forms are sent to Students with PMI News and can be found on the
website. There are separate forms for the April and October examinations.
Completed forms must be returned to PMI House with the relevant fee by the
closing date.
When is the deadline for entering for examinations?
The closing dates for the April examinations are in the previous January and for
October in the preceding August. The exact dates for each session can be found
in the examination regulations, on the website and in PMI News.
I’ve missed the deadline – can I still enter for the examination?
No – the examination entry closing date is strictly enforced. We must receive
all examination entries before the closing date. Any received after this date
can not be accepted.
I have entered an examination. Can I change centre/ my choice of Module/ defer
to the next sitting?
It is only possible to change your choice of Module or examination centre before
the relevant closing date. Examination entries cannot be transferred from one
session to another.
I can’t sit the examination because I’m ill / too busy etc. – can I get a
refund? If yes, what do I need to do?
A withdrawal from examinations must be confirmed in writing and sent to the
PMI. You may be entitled to a refund depending on how long
before the examinations and the reasons why you withdraw. If you withdraw on
medical grounds a doctor’s certificate must be provided.
I haven’t got my admission permit/ I don’t know where the examination is taking
place.
Your admission permit and information about the examination centre, some
important instructions for candidates and your candidate number will be posted
to you two weeks before the exam takes place. If you still do not have this
information ten days before, please contact PMI and it can be re-issued. You
will not be able to sit the examination without a permit.
Is there a map of the centre available?
If a map is available it will be sent with the admission permit. If you are
unsure of the centre location you are advised to locate it and visit it prior to
the day of the examination. There are many internet map sites which can help
with locating venues.
Is a passport OK as photo-ID?
Yes it is.
I haven’t got a passport or driving license - what can I use as ID?
You will need to bring something with your photo such as a work pass and
something with a signature such as a bank card.
I’ve just got married and all my documentation is in my maiden name (apart from
my admission permit). What can I do?
In this case you would need to bring suitable photo identification along with
evidence of your change of name.
I may require special arrangements when I sit the examination, is this possible
and what should I do?
If you will require special arrangements to enable you to sit the examination
you must inform the PMI in writing as soon as possible to
see if any special arrangements need to be/can be made. If necessary/applicable
you should outline your circumstances and the arrangements you may need. It is
helpful if you could submit details of any similar arrangements that have been
made for you by other examining bodies and also, where appropriate, relevant
medical
assessments.
When are the examination results released?
Results for April examinations are issued in July and for October examinations
in December. The exact dates are published in advance on the website and in PMI
News. Result notifications are sent directly to candidates by first class post
on the day of issue.
Are the examination results available on the website?
The pass list will be available from 9.00am on the website on the day of
publication, which is usually the next working day after the results have been
issued.
Can I phone up and ask for my examination result?
It is possible to call the Qualification and Student Services from 9.00am on the day of
publication. However, the staff will only be able to confirm whether or not that
a name is on the pass list.
What is my exact mark?
It is not the PMI’s policy to publish an individual candidate’s mark.
Can I change the address the result notification is sent to?
Yes. Inform the Qualification and Student Services Department in writing indicating whether the
address is a temporary or permanent change.
What’s the pass mark?
It is not the PMI’s policy to publish the pass marks for
examinations.
When are the examiners’ reports available?
The examiners’ report on the April examinations is published in September and
the examiner’s report on the October examinations is published in February.
They
are both published on the website.
What do the S and T grades mean?
There is only one grade of pass, but there are two grades of failure. These
grades are explained more fully on the examinations page of the website.
Can you tell me if my employee/friend has passed/ failed an examination?
It is not the PMI’s policy to communicate a candidate’s result to anyone else.
The only information of this sort that is published is the pass list. The pass
list confirms the candidate names and Module passed for each session.
I have failed an examination. Can I have some feedback on where I am going
wrong?
It is not the PMI’s policy to provide detailed individual feedback on
examination performances. Feedback will be confined to the examination result
grade (see above) and the comments of the examiner’s report. PMI will provide whatever support
we can to those who have already
undertaken all of the recommended study and preparation guidelines.
What are the main differences for the Advanced Diploma 100, 200 and
300 Syllabus?
The syllabus was revised and restructured for first examinations in 2006. There are 100, 200 and 300
level examinations. Module 101 - Retirement Provision Certificate (RPC) is the
first module of the Advanced Diploma. There are five 200 level examinations which cover all
the pensions technical material, with separate modules for DB and DC schemes. On
completion of the 100 and 200 level examinations the Retirement Provision
Diploma (RPD) is awarded. Completing the necessary 100, 200 and 300 level examinations
fulfils the APMI examination requirement.
What happened to Subject A from the 2002-2005 syllabus and the Retirement
Provision Certificate?
Module 101 - Retirement Provision Certificate is now the introductory
examination for all Advanced Diploma candidates. It is a two hour examination with 120
questions. Those with a pass in Subject A would obtain a credit for Module 101
in the current syllabus. Further information can be found on the RPC section on the website.
What credits have I got in the current syllabus?
The transitional arrangements between the A-J syllabus, examined between 2002
and 2005, and the current syllabus are detailed in the Handbook and on the
website. There is also a credit checking tool on the website. Transitional
arrangements between previous syllabuses can also be found on the website.
What are the main differences for Advanced Diploma Study material from 2006?
The study materials for the 200 level examinations are in a new format with
the study manuals divided into larger sections and students pointed to helpful
outside reading wherever appropriate. The manuals also give more practical
examples and relate facts to a fictional organisation called Colourboxx.
The
correspondence courses were replaced by a series of distance learning
assignments which, in part, ask students to apply their learning to Colourboxx. This approach enhances the learning process and also puts it
more in a business context, which should be of value to both students and
employers.
If you have a question
that is not answered above then please contact the Qualification and Student
Services on
020 7392 7400 or
education@pensions-pmi.org.uk