CISI Investment Advice Diploma

CISI Financial Planning and Advice Exam Preparation

Structured preparation for the CISI Level 4 Financial Planning and Advice unit, for exams from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027.

400 Practice Questions Detailed Study Notes Realistic mock exams

Course syllabus information reviewed for 2026. Always check the awarding body’s latest official syllabus and candidate updates before booking or sitting your exam.

Exactly what is included

400 practice questions across 5 mock exams · unlimited retakes
Focus Learn · key areas, pitfalls, exam traps & key numbers
Flashcards · fun, fast and effective recall
Planning references, formulas and worked calculations
Audio Learning · every chapter in audio
AI Analyzer & Mentor · pinpoints your weak areas
Study Mode Exams · learn while you train
AI Chat trained specifically for this exam
Study material organised by syllabus

AI Audio Summaries New

Listen to course modules on the go. Perfect for studying while driving or commuting.

🎧 Audio

* This is a chapter sample. All audio is available in the full version.

Syllabus

Module 1: Financial Planning 21.25% syllabus weight

🎧 Audio

Planning fundamentals, professional relationships, client information, streamlined advice, financial analysis, priorities and existing arrangements.

• Financial-planning process
• Client information and analysis
• Priorities and existing provision

Module 2: Financial Protection 23.75% syllabus weight

Protection needs, life assurance, income protection, critical illness, long-term care and the selection of appropriate solutions.

• Protection planning
• Life and health policies
• Selecting suitable solutions

Module 3: Retirement Planning 30% syllabus weight

Pension provision, scheme taxation and regulation, DB and DC arrangements, State benefits and retirement-income choices.

• Pension structures and taxation
• Pensions law and regulation
• Retirement benefits and income

Module 4: Retirement Solutions 15% syllabus weight

Advice before and after retirement, investment and drawdown strategies, sequencing risk, income sustainability and later-life needs.

• Retirement objectives
• Post-retirement investment
• Income sustainability and risk

Module 5: Financial Planning Recommendations 10% syllabus weight

Developing, justifying, implementing, communicating and reviewing suitable client recommendations.

• Developing recommendations
• Implementation and communication
• Reviewing the client's situation

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Interactive preview

Free CISI Financial Planning and Advice Practice Questions & Exam Preview

Try 15 CISI Financial Planning and Advice practice questions from Retirement Planning

Practice CISI Financial Planning and Advice exam questions with answers and explanations. The full course includes 5 mock exams and chapter study tools.

Exam Preview

Retirement Planning

Question 1 of 15

Why does increasing longevity create a pension-policy challenge?

1 / 15

Flashcards

Card 1 of 10Financial Planning

Question

Why can a financial plan be useful without buying a financial product?

Tap to reveal answer

Focus Learn

Key Examinable Areas7

1.1.1–1.1.3: planning purpose, FPSB sequence and plan components
1.2.1–1.2.2: permissions, engagement, ethics and competence
1.3.1–1.3.4: fact-finding, KYC, suitability and inconsistencies
1.4.1–1.4.2: streamlined advice and third-party evidence
1.5.1–1.5.4: financial status, scenario net worth, surplus and cash flow
1.6.1: agreed SMART priorities and investment objectives
1.7.1–1.7.5: gaps, performance, objectives, risk and tax review

Common Pitfalls to Avoid5

Exam Traps4

Key Numbers10

Chapter 1: Financial Planning

1.1.1 — Purpose, roles and the continuing relationship

Financial planning connects present resources with future needs: budgeting, emergency liquidity, protection against illness and death, suitable investment, retirement and tax efficiency. It is a continuing process, while an individual piece of financial advice is a recommendation at a particular time. A useful plan may rearrange existing affairs without recommending any product. The planner remains responsible for the client relationship and delivery even when a paraplanner researches products, analyses information or drafts the document. The client supplies information, helps define priorities and makes informed decisions; agreed third-party responsibilities should be clear.

1.1.2 — The six-step FPSB cycle

Follow the sequence:…

Unlock all Focus Learn

Open every chapter’s key areas, pitfalls, exam traps and key numbers.

Adaptive study tools

Focus weak topics, learn with feedback, then switch to exam conditions.

Practice modes

Learn first. Then prove you’re ready.

Learn with feedback, then switch to exam conditions.

Study Mode

Instant feedback & explanations

See the answer and explanation after each choice.

Exam Mode

Realistic exam simulation

Use the timer, keep answers hidden, then review your result.

Preparation Package at a Glance

Feature	Exams Academy	Details
Access Period	Lifetime Access	One-time enrollment with no recurring fee
Practice Exams	Unlimited Retakes
Study Support	Instant 24/7 AI Tutor	Self-service AI support; live instructor support is not included
Cost	$151 (One-Time)	One-time payment with no recurring subscription

Frequently Asked Questions

The Level 4 assessment contains 80 multiple-choice questions and lasts 120 minutes. Computer-based tests may include up to 10% additional unscored trial questions with proportionately more time.

The course is designed for exams from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. Candidates sitting before 1 October should use the preceding official syllabus and its applicable updates.

It is one of three technical-unit options. The IAD route combines it with UK Regulation and Professional Integrity and Investment, Risk and Taxation.

Yes. The Certificate in Paraplanning combines Financial Planning and Advice with Investment, Risk and Taxation.

Retirement Planning carries 24 of the 80 questions, followed by Financial Protection with 19 and Financial Planning with 17.

Five chapters, recall cards, searchable references, worked calculations, an AI tutor and five full 80-question papers. The five papers include 400 practice questions. Five English chapter revision summaries are available in male and female voices.

Check CISI Candidate Updates for your exam date. The source and current-rule corrections were checked on 20 September 2026; examples identify the relevant dates and assumptions.

Yes! Test your knowledge and review detailed explanations with the free CISI Financial Planning and Advice Mock Exam Preview below. It contains 15 exam-style questions from one named topic; the full course provides complete mock exams and syllabus coverage.

Key Benefits

Financial-planning pathway

Understand where this technical unit fits within the Investment Advice Diploma and Certificate in Paraplanning routes.

✓ IAD technical-unit option
✓ Certificate in Paraplanning unit
✓ Level 4 assessment

Official weighting plan

Allocate revision time using the nominal five-element distribution across 80 questions; official papers may vary by up to two per element.

✓ Retirement Planning: 24 questions
✓ Financial Protection: 19 questions
✓ Financial Planning: 17 questions

Advice from fact-find to review

Connect client analysis with protection, retirement solutions and the development of suitable recommendations.

✓ Client information and priorities
✓ Protection and retirement
✓ Implementation and review

Exam Format & Details

Assessment	Multiple-choice examination
Duration	120 Minutes
Standard Pass Mark	70%
Level	CISI Level 4
Total Qualification Time	140 hours

Prepare for CISI Financial Planning and Advice

Financial Planning and Advice is a Level 4 technical-unit option in the CISI Investment Advice Diploma. Candidates following this route combine it with the two IAD core units: UK Regulation and Professional Integrity, and Investment, Risk and Taxation. The same unit also combines with Investment, Risk and Taxation in the CISI Certificate in Paraplanning.

The syllabus moves from the financial-planning process and client analysis through protection, pensions, retirement-income strategies and the development, implementation and review of suitable recommendations. The course covers all five elements for exams from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, with detailed teaching, recall cards, worked calculations, searchable references and a syllabus-grounded tutor. Five mock exams contain 400 practice questions. Every paper has 80 questions in 120 minutes. The official pass mark is 70%, equivalent to 56 correct answers out of 80. Dated rule notes distinguish current requirements from future changes.

Who Is This For?

✓ Candidates selecting Financial Planning and Advice as their technical IAD unit

✓ Candidates combining this unit with Investment, Risk and Taxation for the Certificate in Paraplanning

✓ Financial advisers, paraplanners and retirement-planning professionals

✓ Practitioners who need Level 4 knowledge of protection, pensions and suitable client recommendations

Preparation centre

Use these connected guides for the syllabus, exam format, booking and revision strategy.

View all insights

Practice

CISI FPA: How to Solve Financial-Planning Scenario Questions

Prepare for CISI FPA scenario questions by identifying client needs, checking affordability and comparing protection, pension and retirement recommendations.

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