CIOT announces alternative method of passing exam

As part of an ongoing review of its exam structure The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) announces an alternative method of passing the “Chartered Tax Adviser” (CTA) professional examinations. The CIOT is introducing a credit retention system that will take effect from the next sitting in November 2006. Under the new regime there will be two ways to pass the examination, details of which can be found in the notes.

John Cullinane, President of The CIOT, says: “The move to a credit retention system represents a significant opportunity for candidates who do not pass the exams at their first attempt. From this November they will only need to re-sit some rather than all of the papers again.”

Under the new system, a minimum number of marks in each paper will still be required.

John Cullinane adds: “We have not downgraded the qualification and are satisfied that the ‘gold standard’ of our examinations is maintained.”

If, after the two-year period, pass marks have not been achieved in all four papers, the candidate will be required to sit all four papers at his or her next attempt, subject to qualifying for an exemption from any paper.

John Beattie, Chairman of the Institute’s Examination Review Working Party, says: “The changes we have introduced will be welcomed by candidates and their employers, many of whom were consulted recently as part of our wider review of the examination system and structure.”