Doing the knowledge

My mind's gone blank' said Robert Neeve at least half a dozen times in the morning CTA corporation tax revision session that I attended recently. It hadn't of course; it was simply Robert's code for 'repeat back to me the main points that I have taught you so far this morning'. Hearing what the students had learned set me thinking about how well any examinations and particularly the CTA examinations prepare you for life in practice.

Robert teaches at the Reed Business School residential course in Little Compton which I can't resist describing as 'nestled' in the Cotswolds it was so idyllic. I remember some of my own studies many years ago at Caer Rhun Hall and can well appreciate why the students want to get away and study uninterrupted in beautiful surroundings. But will they be ready to advise clients on their return...