Exam / revision techniques

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

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