Hi All - I recently completed my CIPD accredited MA with a Distinction :) 

I am now looking to upgrade my Associate membership to Chartered - I have the requisite professional experience to be competitive.  I can see there's an option to upgrade via a 'paper' based form or telephone assessment, and I was wondering if anyone had any experience or a recommendation about either route? 

My instinct would have been to do telephone as it can be easier to articulate a response and evidence verbally, versus writing on paper within a set word limit. In addition I believe there's a considerably shorter turnaround time to find out if you have passed. In Q1 2021 we'll be going through a considerable restructure at my company, and there would be some comfort in knowing sooner rather than later if I have my Chartered status if I need to look externally (either through force or by desire to compare external opportunities to internal!). 

However, it is free to do the form-based assessment and I'm wondering if I am overthinking this. Not that the financial piece sways me either way - it's more that I presume there shouldn't be a difference in outcome between either route, but there is a reason both are offered...! 

Any views would be greatly appreciated! I did do a search - but wondered if anyone had recent experience.