Examination Pattern (Exam 1 to 4)

The question items in each of component exams, Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3 and Exam 4 will be asked to the extent of 20% (of total marks) from Module I and 80% from individual component module. These items are arranged in five distinct sections and four marks categories. The pattern is explained in the following matrices:

1. To the extent of 20% of total marks in each of exams, Exam 1 – 4 from Module I: Introduction to Financial Planning

Total Items: 17 / Total Marks: 30

To the extent of 80% of total marks in each of exams, Exam 1/2/3/4 respectively from Module II/III/IV/V

Total Items: 60 / Total Marks – Component Module: 120

2. The following table sums up the section-wise distribution of Exam 1/2/3/4

Exam 1/2/3/4 total items: 77

Exam 1/2/3/4 total marks: 150

The following table gives guidance for the testing significance of each of the marks categories. The marks relate to the relative difficulty level of each category in increasing order. The distribution of question items over the marks categories of 1, 2, 3 & 4 marks constitutes the weights of different dimensions and difficulties leading to the justification of assigned Cut Score as the threshold for qualifying the competency of the candidate in individual component.

The mark-wise distribution of items in each of the component exam segregated over Module I and component module would be as follows:

The complexity and difficulty level of question items from 1-mark to 4-mark items would also involve time consumption individually to justify two-hour duration of Exam 1/2/3/4. The expected time consumption of on an average 35 seconds each in 1-mark items, 90 seconds each in 2-mark items, 150 seconds each in 3-mark items and 240 seconds each in 4-mark items, which is desired of a minimally acceptable candidate, would justify the allotted duration to complete the exam.

Examination Pattern (Exam 5)

The format of Exam 5: Advanced Financial Planning is the Case Study format where a candidate would be required to solve a set of 30 question items based on any two of a set of case studies. The probable case studies will be displayed on FPSB India’s website at least 7 days prior to a candidate’s scheduled date of exam. Any two of these case studies would appear (in random selection) for every candidate who logs in to appear in the examination. A total of fifteen question items are based on each case study and shall be in the following pattern distributed over five sections:

Items per Case Study: 15 / Total Marks per Case Study: 50

Total items Exam 5 : 30 / Total Marks Exam 5 : 100

Exam duration: 4 hours

Detailed Testing of Competency over Various Components:

Each case study would be followed by a set of 15 question items spread over 5 distinct sections (above matrix) covering various financial planning components. The distribution of these items over the marks-categories of 2, 3, 4 and 5 marks constitutes the weights of these components in Advanced Financial Planning. These marks categories are broadly ordained to signify as follows which are their testing criteria. Also given alongside is these categories’ total weight per case study.

As can be seen from above and reiterated here is the relatively much higher bias towards testing analytical aptitude and strategic thinking requiring synthesis of various goals of a client in a unified financial plan. The pattern of exam exhorts a candidate to work out optimum solutions in the given financial situation and to carry out various scenario analyses for evaluation of strategies.

The complexity and difficulty level of question items from 2-mark to 5-mark items would also involve time consumption individually to justify four-hour duration of Exam 5. The expected time consumption of on an average 90 seconds each in 2-mark items, 3 minutes each in 3-mark items, 10 minutes each in 4-mark items and 15 minutes each in 5-mark items, which is desired of a candidate possessing enough knowledge, technical skills and strategic thinking to be on the verge of being a professional making and executing financial plans, would justify the allotted duration to complete Exam 5. Enough time is also provisioned to link the question items to the case study, understand the subject household’s financial goals, strategies adopted and available resources to arrive at the most appropriate alternatives.

Permitted Accessories

Students are permitted to use their own calculators – regular / scientific / financial. No exchange of accessories will be permitted during the examination. Students shall also have access to Excel/Calculator with "Spreadsheets" in the computers provided by NSE. Kindly note;

		Students should not carry hard copy of the case studies uploaded on the website, or for that matter any other paper printed or handwritten in the examination hall.
		Students are not allowed to carry Laptop, Palmtop, Log Tables, Annuity tables etc.
		Students are not allowed to use Calculator in their Mobile Phones.
		Mobile phones have to be necessarily kept in the “switched off” mode during the examination.

Examination Results

Results will be declared by the system itself once the student clicks the ‘Submit’ button after the Examination is completed or if the Examination duration is elapsed the system will treat the answer sheet as submitted and result will be displayed on the screen. Students shall get a printout of their result at the test center after the Examination.

Examination Enrolment Process (Exam 1 to 5)

		Login to NSE’s Website by using your NSE-NCFM Username & Password
		Availability: Check for seat availability
		Payment: The payment needs to done directly to NSE on the online platform
		Enrollment: Schedule your examination online i.e. name of the Exam, date, time, venue.
		Students will be eligible to schedule any of the FPSB India’s Exam 1 – 4 online; after passing each of these four exams, a candidate will be eligible to enroll for Exam 5 online
		After the Enrolling for any exam, candidates will receive only e-mails and sms alerts from NSE on their registered email IDs and cell numbers. Students are advised to upload their photos in their NCFM registration form, if not already done. It is advisable to carry one’s Photo ID at the Examination Centre

Major Examination Policies

The results of all candidates who remain unsuccessful shall be kept confidential in the custody of FPSB India. The results would be uploaded in the individual account of the candidate on Online Certification Management System (OCMS), accessible through the website of FPSB India, once in a fortnight. The intimation to successful candidates in Exam 5: Advanced Financial Planning would be sent by mail requisitioning the candidate to fulfill the criteria of experience and adherence to Financial Planner Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

The documents submitted by the candidates at examination hall, viz. rough sheets, back-up sheets, feedback form, etc. are the property of FPSB India. They shall not be subject to any public scrutiny. The same is to preserve the confidentiality of candidate specific information. These are also required for gathering useful information to strengthen our examination system and cross-check the relevant information in case of review or appeals received post-examination.

No question/s or part of the paper which appear on the computer terminal should be copied from the test screen and/or taken out of the examination hall as it shall lead to disqualification of the candidature. In case of serious ambiguity in a question item, the same should be noted down only with the specific approval of exam coordinator in his/her presence. The replies to such queries would be sent without subverting the confidentiality of test items, within 7 days of the receipt of related documents from the Exam Administrator.

2.Non-discrimination Policy

FPSB India follows a policy of non-discrimination among candidates who appear in exams through separate pathways, viz. Regular Pathway and Challenge Status Pathway, and within the Regular Pathway, two modes, viz. through authorized Education Providers and through Self-Study. The on-line testing medium, algorithm used, facilities provided in terms of on-line content and testing and threshold criteria are the same for all candidates. On the strength of the aforesaid, there is no discrimination of any kind among the eligible candidates on the basis of pathway or mode of examination chosen, sector, region, caste, religion, age, gender, or on the basis of additional qualification and experience than those mandated for specific pathway, or on the basis of the allegiance of candidates to institutional entities or authorized educational entities.

Review and Appeals Policy

Candidates who want their score or submitted paper reevaluated may appeal for such a request in writing within 7 days of the date of appearing in the examination. The fee for re‐evaluation is Rs. 1,686 (Rupees One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Six only) to be paid by Demand Draft, in favor of FPSB India. Written request for re‐evaluation should be addressed to FPSB India ‐ Knowledge Management Division. The request must include the candidate’s name, NCFM Number, FPSB India Registration Number, the examination venue, date and time slot. Requests without the fee will not be entertained and any requests received beyond 7 days after the date of the examination shall not be processed.

Specific query related to a particular question, if any, should be pointed out by the candidate during the course of the examination to the test coordinator at the test centre. For this the candidate is expected to submit his/her query in writing to the test coordinator after completing the examination, while submitting all other examination related documents. Subsequent queries through mail or post to FPSB India shall not be entertained.

FPSB India would treat the instances of resorting to unfair means or malpractices noticed during examination very seriously and any candidate found doing so will be expelled from taking the examination and his/her candidature shall be cancelled.

Decisions of FPSB India in all matters pertaining to the examination shall be final and binding.