This question will probably already have been asked, so if someone could point this newbie to the thread, I'd appreciate it.

If it hasn't already been asked (maybe I'm the only one who was confused :-) ), then could someone enlighten me :-)

Just received our first experience points for an adventure.

I understand how to achieve Characteristic Advances (simple enough, pay, get a level, pay some more, get another level!!)

It's the Skill and Talent advance I've got a bit confused on. Not so much about buying a NEW Skill/Talent (fairly straight forward; look in the relevent Rank Career Advances list, and buy the new Skill/Talent for the cost stated.), but what about improving a Skill/Talent the character already has?

If I already have, for example, Awareness as a trained skill, do I just pay the cost (in this characters case, 100XP) and increase the skill to +10% (ticking the +10% box)?

Any help clarifying this poor ol' brain of mine would be REALLY appreciated :-)

If you take a look at your advancement scheme (probably the higher levels of it), there are several advancements directly named "<whateverskill> +10". Surprisingly, buying one of those will upgrade your skill to the +10 version.

The same thing tripped up a number of my players. No, there isn't a way to get the upper levels of a skill until it specificly comes up in the higher ranks of your carrear. The repeats at rank 1 are for elite advances and alternate starts, not for advancing a character at Rank 1.

Aha! Right, so, at Rank 1, I can only buy the skills on the Rank 1 list to Trained level.

Essentially, with these first XP that my character has earned, he can only buy the skills on that list that he DIDN'T buy at character creation, yes?

Correct.

You cannot buy any skill or talent that you have already purchased or were given at creation unless the rank chart entry states that you can (ie Sound Constitution).

It is amazing how many people don't get that.

Remember that little bit in the beginning in the general info about advancement regarding "Elite" Advances. Basically you can buy any power or skill you like as long as you justify it to you DM's content, the base price is 500xp modified by how well you argue your point basically.