The R06 Financial Planning Practice exam is unlike any other CII module. Instead of multiple-choice questions, you're given case studies based on fictional clients and asked to provide written advice. It's the exam that ties everything together — and the one that causes the most anxiety. Here's what you need to know.
How the exam is structured
R06 is a three-hour exam consisting of case studies. Each case study presents a client scenario — typically a couple or individual with a set of financial circumstances, goals, and concerns. You'll be given details about their income, assets, liabilities, existing policies, and objectives.
From this information, you need to answer a series of questions that test your ability to analyse the situation, identify priorities, and recommend appropriate solutions.
What makes R06 different
With R01 through R05, you're selecting from a list of options. With R06, you're constructing your own answers. That means the examiner is looking for:
- Relevant knowledge — do you understand the products and planning concepts?
- Application — can you apply that knowledge to this specific client's situation?
- Justification — can you explain why your recommendation is suitable?
A common mistake is giving generic textbook answers. The examiner wants to see that you've read the case study carefully and tailored your response to the client's actual circumstances.
How to approach a case study
Before you start writing, spend five to ten minutes reading the case study thoroughly. Highlight key facts: ages, income, existing cover, tax status, objectives. Many candidates rush into answering and miss critical details that change the advice entirely.
When answering, structure your response clearly:
- State what you're recommending — be specific about the product or action
- Explain why it's suitable — reference the client's circumstances directly
- Mention any risks or considerations — show you've thought about the full picture
For example, don't just write "I recommend a pension." Write "I recommend John increases his workplace pension contributions to maximise his employer match, as he is currently only contributing the minimum 5% and his employer will match up to 8%. Given his objective to retire at 60 and his current age of 45, increasing contributions now will significantly improve his projected retirement income."
Common topics that come up
While every case study is different, certain themes appear regularly:
- Retirement planning — pension contributions, tax relief, drawdown vs annuity
- Protection — life cover, income protection, critical illness, relevance to mortgage and dependants
- Investment planning — ISAs, risk profiling, asset allocation, tax wrappers
- Tax planning — capital gains tax, inheritance tax, use of allowances
- Estate planning — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, IHT mitigation
You don't need to be an expert in every area, but you do need a solid working knowledge of each and the ability to apply it to a scenario.
How to practise effectively
The best way to prepare for R06 is to practise writing answers under timed conditions. Read a case study, draft your response, then compare it to a model answer. Pay attention to what you missed and what the model answer included that you didn't.
It's also worth practising with different case study styles. Some focus heavily on retirement, others on protection or estate planning. The more variety you see, the more adaptable you'll be on exam day.
R06 is challenging, but it's also the most rewarding CII exam to pass. It's where you prove you can actually do the job — not just recall facts, but apply them to real client situations. Prepare properly, practise your written answers, and you'll walk into the exam room with confidence.