Hi Julia
Sorry to hear that you have been unlucky in taking exams but glad that you're taking the time out to re-think what you want to do.

Interesting - in what you have to say about the personalised examiners report(s). As there were no written details of what a feedback report contained, when I contacted the exam team for information, I was informed that the report would contain feedback on each section of the exam, how I performed and what would have gained me a 'pass' mark. Were you asked for 'feedback' on what you thought of the report etc etc? It would be interesting to know how many students request feedback and pass exams as a direct result of this?

Have a good break and I'm sure you will make a decision that is right for you.
Thanks
Elaine

Hi Claire

I failed 2 modules last year Managing Information for Competitive Advantage and Managing for Results I have gone back to college but yet again I am struggling!!! I have found a dictorphone has really helped however I am nervous as I can do the assignments just not the exams I have found I do not understand the way the questions have been written

So don't worry you are not the only one!!!

Hi Gemma,

Don't forget that it is just a game. The examiners write the questions in a reasonably consistent style so familiarise yourself with as many practice questions as you can, and spend time on interpreting the questions before you even think of trying to put any content to an answer. It's a bit like the difference between hearing what someone says and listening to it - read as though you are listening not just hearing. Does that make sense? I think a lot of students struggle because they answer the question that they wish they had, rather than the one the examiner wanted answered. That is "just" technique, but can be practiced. If you can master the technique of reading the questions you'll have more confidence, with more confidence you are more likely to do well.

Good luck for May - I'm sure you'll get there next time around.

Claire

I just wanted to say thanks to all who have posted on this discussion. I just started the PDS in September and I am beginning to worry about the exams. At the start of the course, I thought all was ok until you realise the amount of work you need to put it. All the comments made have been useful to me and I am truly grateful, thanks again.

Leeanne

Leeanne,

A tutor of mine always told us not to panic, and that as long as we worked hard from January and stuck to it, that we would be fine for May. Obviously it is preferable to have a constant pace from September, but I have noticed that it usually takes until January for students to realise exactly how much they do need to do! I find it really encouraging that people are using the community to help with their studies, and can't help but think that it is the students that don't use it that really should do. The fact that you are reading the posts means that you are taking your studies seriously, and I am sure that you will be fine. Organise yourself from now until May to make sure that your study schedule is realistic - if you think you're going to work all day every Saturday from now until the exams you might be kidding yourself, but if you decide that you're going to do x number of chunks of 2 hours during the week, you're more likely to stick with it and not end up cramming over Easter!

I'd wish everyone luck for May, but it seems pointless - anyone reading this for hints and tips won't need luck!

Claire

Hello all

My name is Ruth Lake and I am the Publishing Manager at CIPD Publishing. We produce a series of Revision Guide that have been designed specifically to aid you in preparing for your examinations.

Based on the experience and skills of the CIPD Chief and Associate Examiners, these guides provide invaluable guidance for you in the lead up to your CIPD examinations. There are opportunities to practise exam technique, assess knowledge levels and benefit from handy tips on improving exam performance.

The guides include:
- Advice on how to prepare for your exams
- Guidance on how to avoid common mistakes and how to maximise your potential
- Advice on how to approach exam questions
- Examples of past exam questions with suggestions on how to answer
- Examples of responses students have given and explanation of why these were good, poor or average

The revision guides are available to purchase at £21.99 (or £17.59 for students who by direct fropm the CIPD) by going to www.cipd.co.uk/bookstore for more information or calling 0870 800 3366 to place your order. Some of the revision guides are only available electronically and can be purchased via the Online resources section of the CIPD bookstore. These should be particularly useful for those visually impaired students.
We also produce a textbook called 'Developing and Applying Study Skills' by Donald Currie and 'Personal Effectiveness' by Diana Winstanley which may also be useful in your studies.

I hope that this is useful to you.

Best wishes

Ruth

I too failed all 3 of my stage 1 exams, having done exceptionally well with Core Management. Perhaps I got a little complacent because I did so well the previous year I don't know, but I was very upset and wanted to give it all up. However, I have since gone on to pass them and am now concentrating on stage 2 exams. Apart from myself and one other, the rest of my class have now qualified, but I found it far easier to concentrate on just one or two exams at a time, and deferring the rest for a later date, that way I had more time to focus on the subjects and it really worked, it is a real boost once you pass because you realise that you really can do it.

My frustration was also attributed to the poor support I received from my tutors and college in general, I feel it is really important for anyone commencing stage 1, that the tutors stress the level of work and studying involved, the pace is far greater than core management and I felt that you weren't really prepared for this step up, perhaps this is different now that the module has changed.

I would like to have seen more exam practice, mock exams etc before the actual exams, I definitely would have paid the extra for them if need be. I felt the essays, although important were given too much emphasis and a lot of time was spent on them instead of preparing us for the "main event", especially when some of the essays were in no way supportive of the actual module(!)

My technique (which seems to be working) is to (1) read, read, read, (2) prepare your notes after each chapter, (3) break down the notes again, (4) approx 4-6 weeks before your exam, condense your notes further - I do mine in such a way that everything for that topic fits onto one side of A4 e.g. (definition, application, theorist/model, advantages, disadvantages, case study. Then pick some questions out of past exam papers and time yourself and see how much you remember. Keep the condensed notes with you all the time and when you have a spare few minutes, browse through them - you will be amazed at how much you remember because you are not putting yourself under any pressure. Try and mix up the notes as well so you are not just focussing on the one subject each time.

Good luck (but I am sure you won't need it).

I have a week to complete a 2000 word assignment and am finding it hard to get started, does anyone have any suggestions or pointers for the following;

Analyse the actual and potential impact of the macro-environmental factors identified on the implentaion of teh organisations mission and strategic objectives.

Tony
Tips to get started:
1) mind map what you know , think & believe
2) create a title (just a working one)
3) have an idea of your conclusions

4) write - write anything - you can always change what you have written later if necessary.

One of the barriers I have found is many of us lack the confidence to start - just start with some words - any words and as a colleague of mine use to say - just trust the process...

I wish you well with your studies
Mike

Mind Maps are brilliant - Tony Buzan, the master of mind mapping is a pure genius - if you get the chance (or the time) buy one of his books.

You could also try doing a Swot analysis.

Try not to look at the whole picture just bite sized chunks.

All the best.

Clare (the first one)

Just reading this for the first time and dying to know - Did you pass the exams you took in November?
I am now in my final year and have been in a similar situation to you - at one point I thought I was destined never to finish the PDS!
I took my first lot of CIPD exams in May 2005 (Core Management) and passed 3 out of the 4 modules first time. However I have resat Managing People at every round of exams since and in November took Managing People and People Resourcing on THE SAME DAY!! (The Chief Examiner and I are now on 1st name terms!) – I am pleased to say that I passed both this time round, after sitting MP a grand total of 4 times.

In a similar way to you, I felt that my problem was interpreting the question in the correct way – something that isn’t taught in the textbook. On the advice of my tutor, rather than practicing question after question, I collected past papers and wrote down what I thought was being asked (this is different to writing down the answer), then compared it to the Examiner’s feedback to see if my understanding was correct – I started to notice that the same sort of things were confusing me each time and was therefore able to avoid falling into the ‘traps’ again later in my revision. I guess I can’t really tell if that is what made the difference, but it certainly didn’t do any harm and is something I will be doing again as part of my revision for the May exams (which will hopefully be my last lot!)

Good luck to everyone taking exams in May and don’t give up if you fail – it is worth all the effort, just to open your results and see that magic 'Pass' mark staring back at you!

Hi Leanne,

I was hoping no one would ask, I failed again! I have just paid for the examiners feedback hoping it will enlighten me somewhat!

I have enrolled for the May exams with the attitude, "what have i got to lose?" However, I do fear that I am losing the support of my organisation and it has been suggested by my manager that maybe this course is not for me. If they do decide this it would be impossible to continue as I would need study release to attend any future classes.

Thanks for your advice, I have had the tear stained past papers for a while now trying to fathom their wiley ways I will have another look. Fingers crossed for May.

Congratulations on your long awaited pass!

Clare,

That is the attitude I had too - for me it became a point of principle not to let them win!
You will get there and I hope that your organisation continues to support you - hopefully they will realise how useful you will be to them when you do pass.

Good Luck for May - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

It is unfortunate that there are times that the examination results do not reflect the capabilities of the students. Last year's ER results are a perfect example where a number of my students who were very capable and in my mind "dead certs" for passing the exam failed. You'll get there, and I am absolutely certain that it in no way reflects your capabilities in your role. Maybe it is worth showing some of this thread to your boss - afterall a lot of the exam technique comes down to trying to work out whether what is asked on the paper is really the question that the examiner wants students to answer. The examiners are consistently critical of students answering the question that they wish was asked, not the one on the paper. I personally think that there is a balance because sometimes the questions asked are not always the ones the examiner wants answered. I'm sure the opposite is also true, but the examiners are not infallible. I'm probably going to be blacklisted by the CIPD now, and maybe should have waited until I have upgraded before I shared that view!!!

However, the earlier comments about MP3 downloads was listened to and taken constructively so maybe there is hope. (Thanks Steve - I've noticed a number of podcasts since this thread began and am very impressed with your influence!)

As for the exams - its a means to an end, and I think getting stressed about them is a waste of energy and counterproductive. The more relaxed you can be the more you'll take in when you revise and the less panicky you are in the exam the more likely you are to answer it well.

Sorry Leanne, but I'm going to disagree with you slightly - I don't think that passing the exam will make Clare more valuable to the organisation. Clare - you've completed the course. You will revise again for the May exams, but it is not possible to remember everything you will revise for long, so having the piece of paper with a Pass on it, won't make you suddenly better at your job. The value is the acquisition of skills and knowledge from the course. At the moment your focus is getting the game right to get the pass mark, which will make you better at passing CIPD exams, but again, won't help you to resolve the problem with the grievance from one of your staff. I hope you understand what I mean from that?

Anyway - keep the faith Clare - you'll get there!

Claire

Hi

I am taking my people resourcing and PMD exams this year. Any more tips for revision as I have not got a clue where to start

Thanks

Joanne