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A Chartered Insurance Institute-backed learning system, launched in February, was used by more than 1,000 IFAs taking exams in April

The professional adviser study system, or pass, is run by Scottish Widows and offers help to people planning to take a range of advisory qualifications, including the diploma and advanced diploma in financial planning.

Pass offers intermediaries access to study planning tools, an online resource centre and to a package of CII course material and exam entry.

Diane Reynolds, IFA for London-based Punter Southall Financial Management, sat the pension funding options exam in April. She said: "Scottish Widows offer more courses than other providers, with a wider range of learning tools and study material than their competitors.

"The workshop trainers were excellent, very knowledgeable and patient and the tips on exam techniques helped a great deal. I also appreciated the past papers which were very useful preparation tools."

George Andrew, market relations chief for Scottish Widows, added: "We have had a great response from IFAs to Pass and the system provides practical support to IFAs.

"Looking at the April exam results, those IFAs who use our professional advisor study system as a support tool, achieve a 26 per cent higher pass rate than the national average.

"Pass is a major investment for us and providing services like this helps us build strong and enduring relationships with IFAs."