Preparing for Exams

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At IPMA-Australia, we recognise that preparing for exams while managing a busy lifestyle can be challenging. Balancing work commitments, family responsibilities, and study time requires careful planning. We have assembled valuable resources to help enhance your learning, reduce stress, and achieve your goals - all without compromising other important aspects of your life.

Revision

Create a realistic revision schedule by assessing how much you need to cover and the time you have available. Break the material down into manageable chunks and aim for at least one hour of revision each day.
Find a revision style that works best for you - whether it's studying alone in a quiet room, having soft music in the background, or revising at your local coffee shop.
Customise your notes to make them more personal and engaging. Try colour coding, using flashcards, or creating diagrams. Whatever helps you understand and absorb the material more effectively.
Familiarise yourself with all competence elements available in the ICB 0.4
Practice mock papers available on the resource website, to test your knowledge and readiness.
Take regular, short breaks. Long study sessions can lead to fatigue, affecting concentration and increasing stress. Short breaks will help you stay calm and focused.

Preparing your exam environment

Minimise distractions to stay focused during your revision and exam.

Close your email inbox and mute any unnecessary notifications.
Use the 'Do Not Disturb' feature on Teams or any other messaging platforms.
Switch off your phone and smartwatch to avoid interruptions.

Ensure your exam space is quiet and free from disturbances:

Book a quiet, private space for your exam.
Take steps to prevent interruptions, such as placing a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door.

Double-check all technical requirements:

Make sure your laptop is fully charged, plugged in, and connected to the internet.
Log into Moodle well in advance to ensure everything works smoothly. If you experience any issues, contact us immediately via email.

Prepare your environment for comfort:

Wear comfortable clothing and adjust the room’s temperature and lighting to suit you.
Stay hydrated by having a glass of water nearby.
Take a bathroom break before starting your exam to avoid distractions.

Time yourself

Before you begin, take a moment to review the entire exam to get a sense of the time needed for each section. For example, if there are 56 questions and 3 hours, aim for approximately 3 minutes per question.
Open-ended questions may take longer to answer, tackle the ones you know first.
If you’re stuck on a question, flag it and move on. Come back to it later when you’ve had a chance to refocus

Conquering Exam Nerves

Try a breathing exercise if you're feeling overwhelmed. Breathe in through your nose for 4 counts, hold it for 2 counts, and breathe out for 7 counts. Repeating this can help you feel calm.
Stay hydrated and well-rested. Good nutrition and sleep can reduce physical stress, helping your mind stay sharp. Avoid caffeine or too much sugar before the exam, as it can cause jitters.
Be present. Instead of worrying about the results, focus on the task at hand. Each question is a chance to showcase your knowledge.