The pass rate for Paper 1 held on 24 April 2004 was
42.5%, which is the highest to date. Figure 1 shows the
distribution of the exam results.
Figure 1. Exam results distribution for Paper 1 -
April 2004
With the introduction of a series of initiatives to
assist candidates to prepare for LE Paper 1, the pass
rate shows signs of improvement (see figure 2). The HKSI
will continue to look for new ways to provide support to
candidates and to improve the quality of all the study
materials related to the LE.
HKSI's initiatives to assist LE candidates include:
1. "Guidelines for LE Preparation" posted on HKSI's
website
2. Exam results statistical analyses published monthly
on HKSI's website
3. Sample Questions booklets published and available
for sale from HKSI office
4. "On-line Workshop: How to Prepare for the LE" posted
on HKSI's website
Figure 2. Pass rates of LE Paper 1: Jun 03 - Apr 04
Highlights of the Month
1. Well Performed and Poorly Performed Subjects
Our analysis of the exam results continues to show
that candidates are performing solidly in the subject
areas relating to Money Laundering and concepts of the
Listing Rules. However, it also shows that candidates
are still performing poorly in the subject areas
relating to Asset Management and Investor Compensation.
We would again advise candidates to focus on these two
subject areas when preparing for the examination which
are discussed in section 3 of Topic 5, section 4 of
Topic 8 and section 12 of Topic 9 of the Study Manual
for Paper 1.
2. Breaches of Examination Regulations
Recently, there have been a number of basic breaches
of the LE examination regulations. In certain cases,
this has resulted in candidates being disqualified from
their examinations and having their results withheld by
the HKSI.
Observance by candidates of the examination
regulations is essential for the smooth, fair and
efficient administration of the examinations before,
during and after each examination. For this reason, the
HKSI enforces the examination regulations rigorously and
exemptions from penalties for breaches of these
regulations will only be granted to candidates under
exceptional circumstances.
The examination regulations are clearly set out in
the LE Examination Handbook and can also be found on the
HKSI website. In addition, copies of the regulations are
sent to candidates with their Admission Forms for their
examinations. We would urge candidates to read the
examination regulations carefully prior to taking their
examinations and, if in any doubt as to the meaning of
the regulations, to contact the HKSI office for
clarification.
Some of the more common breaches of the examination
regulations are listed below. Candidates should be aware
that each of these breaches may result in
disqualification and in extreme cases will lead to more
severe penalties, including suspension from taking the
relevant examination(s) for a given period.
i. Reporting to the examination centre late:
• Candidates are
advised to report to the examination centre at least 15
minutes prior to the start of the
examination.
• No candidate will be admitted to
the examination hall/room more than 15 minutes after the
scheduled
starting time of the examination.
ii. Leaving the examination centre early:
• Candidates may
only leave once the examination has been in progress for
more than 20 minutes
and only with the approval of an invigilator.
• Candidates are not allowed to leave
the examination hall/room in the last 15 minutes.
iii. Forgetting to bring proof of identification
and/or the Admission Form:
• The Admission
Form and proof of identification identical to that
indicated in writing on the Admission
Form must be presented at the examination centre.
iv. Not switching off mobile phones:
• All mobile
phones must be switched off before entering the
examination hall/room and no
communication devices are allowed to be used inside the examination
hall/room.
v. Use of calculators which are not on the approved
list:
• Only approved calculators
are allowed to be used in the examinations. Candidates
are advised to check
the list of approved calculators (for details, please check the
following link:
http://www.hksi.org/eng/exam/download/List_of_permitted_cal.pdf)
or, if in doubt, to contact the HKSI
direct prior to their examinations.
The Refund Policy
The HKSI has implemented a new refund policy for
certain HKSI examinations, including the LE, effective
as of 5 May 2004. For details of this new policy, please
obtain the "Refund Policy for the HKSI Examinations"
leaflet available at our office or visit the following
page on our website,
http://www.hksi.org/eng/exam/refund_policy.html.
Candidates should take note that in developing this
policy, the HKSI has introduced preset application
deadlines for refunds. Applications for refunds received
after the applicable deadlines will not be processed. If
in doubt as to the relevant application deadlines,
candidates should contact the HKSI office direct.
