CeMAP Synoptic Exam (ASEW/ASSC) Guide
6 min read · facts checked 11 Oct 2026
ASEW/ASSC (Assessment of Mortgage Advice Knowledge) is one of the five units of the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice in the structure Walbrook introduced on 30 September 2025. It sits in the synoptic module. You sit it online, on demand, under remote invigilation, and you need 42 out of 60 (70%) to pass.
The ASEW/ASSC exam at a glance
| Item | ASEW/ASSC |
|---|---|
| Format | 2 hours: 6 client case studies with 10 linked MCQs each |
| Pass mark | 42 out of 60 (70%) |
| Grades | Pass 70%, merit 80%, distinction 90% |
| Booking | None needed: on demand on Brightspace, with remote invigilation |
| Resits | £120 per unit; up to 3 attempts a week and 10 in any 12 months |
What the syllabus covers
- Whole-client advice: home purchase, remortgage and further borrowing.
- Buy-to-let and specialist lending.
- Later-life lending and protection needs.
- Arrears, vulnerability and fair treatment of customers.
- ASEW uses the law and taxes of England and Wales; ASSC uses Scotland's (LBTT, missives, standard securities).
Where candidates lose marks
- Answering from memory instead of the scenario's facts: the right answer for one client is wrong for another.
- Missing a detail in the first paragraph (age, employment, existing mortgage) that changes several answers.
- Running out of time on the last case.
How to prepare
- Give each case 20 minutes and move on when the time is up.
- Note the client's key facts (income, age, deposit, goal, nation) before you read the questions.
- Take this unit last, after MRT1 and MRT2, as Walbrook suggests.
Exam takeaway
Walbrook sets the official syllabus and can change it. Check the current unit specification in your Brightspace account before you sit.
Sources (checked 11 Oct 2026)
MortgagePrep is an independent study aid for CeMAP candidates. It is not endorsed by, affiliated with or approved by Walbrook Institute London (formerly LIBF). CeMAP® is a registered trade mark of its owner and is used here only to describe the exam. All questions are original practice material, not past or live exam questions.
Frequently asked questions
How is the CeMAP synoptic exam structured?
Six client case studies, each with ten linked multiple-choice questions, in two hours. You need 42 out of 60 to pass.
Should I take the synoptic unit last?
Walbrook suggests taking it last because it draws mainly on MRT1 and MRT2, with some FSRE content and protection and adviser skills.
Go deeper: the study notes
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