Are the CII R0 exam guides free to download?

Yes. All six R0 exam guides (R01, R02, R03, R04, R05 and R06) are completely free PDF downloads from R0 Hub. No account or email signup is required.

What is the pass mark for CII R0 exams?

R05 requires 70% to pass. R01, R02, R03 and R04 require 65%. R06 is a written case-study paper marked at the CII's discretion, typically around 55%.

Which CII R0 module should I sit first?

Most candidates start with R01 because it underpins regulation and ethics across every other module. R05 is often paired with R03 or R04 as the shortest paper.

How long does each CII R0 exam take?

R01 and R02 are 2-hour, 100-question online exams. R03, R04 and R05 are 1-hour, 50-question online exams. R06 is a 3-hour written case-study paper.

Are these guides up to date for 2025/26?

Yes. Every R0 exam guide on R0 Hub reflects the 2025/26 UK tax year, the latest pension allowance rules (LSA/LSDBA) and current FCA regulation including Consumer Duty.

Free CII R0 Guides — R01 to R06

Quick-reference PDFs for every CII R0 module. Each guide covers the exam format, pass mark, key syllabus topics, recommended study hours and proven tips — updated for the 2025/26 tax year.

CII R0 Exams at a Glance

Module	Format	Duration	Pass mark	Study hours
R01	100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) sat online	2 hours	70%	60–80 hours
R02	100 questions (mix of standalone MCQs and multiple-response)	2 hours	65%	80–100 hours
R03	50 questions (MCQs and multiple-response, including calculations)	1 hour	65%	40–60 hours
R04	50 questions (MCQs and multiple-response)	1 hour	65%	50–70 hours
R05	50 multiple-choice questions	1 hour	70%	30–40 hours
R06	Written case-study exam (two case studies released 2 weeks before)	3 hours	55% (CII discretionary)	60–80 hours of case-study work

R01 Free Guide — Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics

Free PDF download · Updated 2025/26 · 100 standalone MCQs

Download R01 PDF

R01 is the gateway CII R0 module. It tests your knowledge of the UK financial services framework, FCA regulation, the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR), consumer duty and ethical decision-making. Most candidates sit R01 first because it underpins every other R0 unit.

Format

100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) sat online

Duration

2 hours

Pass mark

70%

Study hours

60–80 hours

Key topics covered in R01

UK financial services industry and key participants
FCA regulation, Principles for Businesses and Consumer Duty
Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR)
Anti-money laundering, data protection and complaints handling
Ethics, professional standards and integrity in financial advice

Read the full R01 exam guide →See R01 practice questions →Read related study insights →

R02 Free Guide — Investment Principles and Risk

Free PDF download · Updated 2025/26 · ~72 MCQs + ~28 multi-response/calculation items

Download R02 PDF

R02 is widely regarded as the toughest knowledge-based R0 module. It covers asset classes, portfolio construction, modern portfolio theory, behavioural finance and investment risk. Strong numerical fluency and exam-style practice are essential.

Format

100 questions (mix of standalone MCQs and multiple-response)

Duration

2 hours

Pass mark

65%

Study hours

80–100 hours

Key topics covered in R02

Equities, bonds, cash, property and alternative investments
Collective investments — OEICs, unit trusts, investment trusts and ETFs
Modern portfolio theory, CAPM, beta, alpha and Sharpe ratio
Risk types, diversification and asset allocation
Investment performance measurement and benchmarking

Read the full R02 exam guide →See R02 practice questions →Read related study insights →

R03 Free Guide — Personal Taxation

Free PDF download · Updated 2025/26 · 50 questions — heavy on calculations

Download R03 PDF

R03 examines UK personal tax: income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, residence and domicile, and the taxation of trusts. Expect numerical questions in almost every section — practising calculations under timed conditions is the single biggest predictor of passing.

Format

50 questions (MCQs and multiple-response, including calculations)

Duration

1 hour

Pass mark

65%

Study hours

40–60 hours

Key topics covered in R03

Income tax — allowances, bands, dividends and savings income
Capital gains tax (CGT) — annual exempt amount, reliefs and rates
Inheritance tax (IHT) — NRB, RNRB, gifts and exemptions
Residence, domicile and the remittance basis
Taxation of trusts and the high income child benefit charge

Read the full R03 exam guide →See R03 practice questions →Read related study insights →

R04 Free Guide — Pensions and Retirement Planning

Free PDF download · Updated 2025/26 · 50 questions covering pensions tax and at-retirement options

Download R04 PDF

R04 covers the full UK pension landscape — DC and DB schemes, the State Pension, annual and lifetime allowances (now LSA/LSDBA), drawdown, annuities and death benefits. Pension rules change frequently, so always study the latest 2025/26 tax-year material.

Format

50 questions (MCQs and multiple-response)

Duration

1 hour

Pass mark

65%

Study hours

50–70 hours

Key topics covered in R04

Defined contribution and defined benefit pension schemes
Annual Allowance, tapering, carry forward and MPAA
Lump Sum Allowance (LSA) and Lump Sum & Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA)
Flexi-access drawdown, UFPLS and annuity options
Pension death benefits and intergenerational planning

Read the full R04 exam guide →See R04 practice questions →Read related study insights →

R05 Free Guide — Financial Protection

Free PDF download · Updated 2025/26 · 50 standalone MCQs

Download R05 PDF

R05 is the shortest CII R0 unit and often passed alongside R03 or R04. It covers life assurance, critical illness, income protection, long-term care and business protection — including underwriting, taxation and how protection fits into a financial plan.

Format

50 multiple-choice questions

Duration

1 hour

Pass mark

70%

Study hours

30–40 hours

Key topics covered in R05

Life assurance, term, whole-of-life and family income benefit
Critical illness cover and income protection insurance
Long-term care funding and immediate needs annuities
Business protection — key person, shareholder and relevant life
Underwriting, taxation of premiums and policy proceeds

Read the full R05 exam guide →See R05 practice questions →Read related study insights →

R06 Free Guide — Financial Planning Practice

Free PDF download · Updated 2025/26 · ~12–14 written questions across 2 case studies

Download R06 PDF

R06 is the capstone CII R0 paper — a written case-study exam that brings together everything you have learned in R01–R05. The CII releases two fact-finds two weeks before the sitting; you must analyse the clients, identify needs and recommend solutions in a structured written format.

Format

Written case-study exam (two case studies released 2 weeks before)

Duration

3 hours

Pass mark

55% (CII discretionary)

Study hours

60–80 hours of case-study work

Key topics covered in R06

Reading and analysing CII case-study fact-finds
Identifying client needs, objectives and shortfalls
Structured written answers — bullet points and justification
Cross-module application: tax, pensions, investment and protection
Time management across two case studies in 3 hours

Read the full R06 exam guide →See R06 practice questions →Read related study insights →