AF1 Personal tax and trust planning is a level 6 exam and is one of the optional units on the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.
It’s an exam that builds on the knowledge from the level 4 R03 unit to develop specialist knowledge of tax and trusts and application to practical situations. It is a 3-hour written exam comprising of 3 case study based questions. With a 2022 pass rate of 42% it is a tricky exam requiring a critical appraisal of the various financial planning options available.
Passing AF1 needs a very focused approach when it comes to your study plan. This is a challenging exam with a wide syllabus, which means candidate knowledge levels and their ability to apply this knowledge to case studies needs to be good. Last minute cramming will generally not result in an exam pass – a ‘little and often’ approach is recommended, as always with any advanced exam.
The BTS resources provide a structured study path through the AF1 syllabus, covering both the technical knowledge and exam technique required to achieve a pass.
We follow a simple model based on our proven STEP approach to planning your study: Study | Train | e-Learn | Practise
Below you will find an overview of the study support options that make up the BTS approach with details of how the BTS materials can be used to support your learning.
You don’t need to use every element of the BTS approach, but we recommend starting by working through the BTS study guide before attending a workshop in the lead up to your exam sitting. We don’t currently offer an e-Learning option for AF1.
Working through our study guide is the essential first step in your AF1 Personal tax and trust planning study plan.
The BTS AF1 study guide is a complete replacement for the examining body textbook.
How is the BTS AF1 study guide different?
The BTS AF1 study guide follows a similar format to our well-loved R0 study guides. It contains a logical breakdown of the syllabus and is packed full of examples, exercises and activities, all explained in an ‘adults in conversation’ fashion.
It will aid your preparation by looking at how to analyse case study details, and how to link your answers to the case study information. We will review how you should structure your answers, and there will be lots of practice on how to lay out your calculations to maximise marks.
The key to exam success is not just reading and learning technical information parrot fashion.
Think of your BTS study guide as the first step on your very own revision track. You’ll be able to check your progress throughout, using activities, practice questions and end of chapter tests.
As you work through each chapter, you will gradually cover the full AF1 syllabus and practise the required exam techniques through the use of:
You don’t need to purchase the examining body version of the text book – you can opt to sit the exam stand-alone by selecting ‘assessment only’ on the CII website and then order a BTS Study Guide instead.
Our AF1 study plan has been designed to encourage and support your planning as you work through the AF1 unit.
BTS study plans show you how to:
To view the full BTS study plan for AF1, you will need to create a free account on the BTS website. When you login you will have access to our Careers Zone, packed full of information and guidance to support your studies including study plans for every exam we support and online student-led forums so you can chat to others on the same journey.
“Having recently sat (and passed) my AF1 exam, I’m not sure I could have done it without the BTS study guide. The guide was incredibly informative and broke different topics down into a nice, user-friendly manner. In addition, the guide was very helpful at illustrating how questions should be answered in terms of both content and structure. One thing I particularly liked about the BTS study guide is that it was very interactive – each topic would have questions and answers throughout which helped to consolidate your knowledge on the area you were just learning about. These would also build on top of each other so that you could see how different elements of tax planning interacted with others. Overall, I am very pleased with the study guide provided and I look forward to using them again for my next exam.”
“I liked the fact that BTS had broken their course down into sections focussing on each AF8 assignment, so whether you were identifying strengths and weaknesses in A1, suggesting changes pre-retirement in A2 or recommending an income strategy in A3, BTS were able to give very clear pointers around what sort of things to include within each assignment, without falling foul of CII’s plagiarism & collusion rules. It also meant that each section of the course was relevant and specifically aimed towards the assignment I was working on at the time, rather than just regurgitating the same information like you sometimes see with online courses. I essentially used the BTS course as a checklist when reading back through each of my assignments, and once I was happy that I’d covered every pointer that BTS provided, I then submitted the assignment to the CII. Both assignments came back with a pass grade, so BTS’s pointers clearly work!
Many thanks for BTS’s help with me getting AF8 over the line. I’m pretty sure I would be facing a full re-sit without your help, and I would highly recommend BTS’s AF8 course if anyone is looking for that extra bit of help in getting through this tricky advanced diploma unit.”
Just completed reading the BTS AF4 study guide. I cracked on with it as soon as I received it. What a book! I have got my monies worth. I have already spent a fair whack on other materials which have been useful to help me with this extremely difficult unit and by far the money I have spent on this book has been well worth it. The author(s) of this book is/are genius. I love how you have explained some of the themes so clearly. I love how the guide is written, as if I am sat in front of you and you are explaining it to me. I am far more confident now thanks to your study guide.
I’m pleased to say I sat my R03 exam yesterday for the first time & passed! Your Study Buddy App helped me the most, I downloaded both volumes and it’s the best thing out there. I wouldn’t have got the mark I did if it wasn’t for practising the exam style questions on the Study Buddy App.
I enjoyed the R01 workshop because all the learners could interact in the workshop – and we could jump in and ask questions at any point. The BTS R01 Workshop was valuable because it gave a wholesome overview of R01 over the two days and it was not too packed with lots of information and each section became more clarified. Many thanks again!
When I set out to tackle AF7, after receiving the CII study guide, I couldn’t get motivated. It was so uninviting & dry. I saw Luiza ask if anyone was interested in AF7 support when it was launched. The exam style questions covered subjects from all parts of the syllabus & the answers were in a clear, concise format. They helped push me over the line & I’m delighted to say I passed first time. I highly recommend this route & will use them for any future exams. I’m sure the AF7 study guide when launched will be a game changer.
Workshops are scheduled in the weeks leading up to each AF1 exam sitting to enable you to focus your preparation on what the examiner is looking for.
What is the BTS AF1 workshop like?
The AF1 workshop allows you to benefit from a group environment as we go through some of the key elements of tax and trust planning. You’ll see worked examples and can ask questions to consolidate your studies.
You will be amazed at what you learn by being part of the workshop group and ‘having a go’ at the questions.
Technical areas that may come up will be covered and revised, and group discussions around possible questions and answers will help a lot.
AF1 workshop dates are available for each sitting of the exam. If you can’t see a date that works for you, get in touch to ask about more options.
Attending a remote workshop is ideal preparation in the lead up to your AF1 exam sitting.
What makes the AF1 workshop so useful?
A workshop is a live online event where you can benefit not just from the BTS trainer but also from working alongside others studying for the same exam. Discussions within the group can help to reassure you and improve your understanding of key exam areas. You’ll get out of your day as much as you put in (and more!).
After the workshop you will have 120-days access to a set of digital materials including specimen questions and answer feedback. Plus, a selection of technical crib sheets to organise your learning.
You’ll also be able to continue your conversations with your fellow AF1 candidates in our student-led forums. Login to your BTS account and head over to the Careers Zone to access our forums.
Our AF1 study plan has been designed to encourage and support your planning as you work through the AF1 unit.
BTS study plans show you how to:
To view the full BTS study plan for AF1, you will need to create a free account on the BTS website. When you login you will have access to our Careers Zone, packed full of information and guidance to support your studies including study plans for every exam we support and online student-led forums so you can chat to others on the same journey.
Below, you will find a range of recent articles providing insights, help and advice for this unit, we hope you find these useful. Remember if you have any questions on your journey feel free to get in touch with the BTS support team.
