1. \EXAM TECHNIQUES TIPS FOR SUCCESS David J. Henderson david.henderson@cipfa.org.uk Amana Virani amana.virani@cipfa.org.uk CIPFA Education and Training Centre

2. EXAM TECHNIQUES: AGENDA • Before the exam • Getting ready • Revision • Stress • Key tips • During the exam • What examiners are looking for • What examiners are not looking for • Key tips • What to do if stuck? • After the exam • Questions

3. BEFORE THE EXAM: GETTING READY • How to increase retention? • learning styles – how do you learn best? • Revision timetable and study leave • Find your study space • When to study? • Materials Start revision early!!

4. BEFORE THE EXAM: REVISION • Syllabus coverage • Orderly organisation of notes for fast referencing • Study aids/ memory triggers • Resources

5. BEFORE THE EXAM: STRESS It’s all chemical! Control it • Physical activity • Eat healthily, avoid caffeine/nicotine • Relaxation techniques Deal with it • Expect stress – a little is good • Remember why you are putting yourself through this • Rewards • Don’t be a loner

6. BEFORE THE EXAM: KEY TIPS DO • Register in time/ request special arrangements • Know where and when the exam is • Leave plenty of time to get there • Have all equipment in advance (and be able to use it!) DON’T • Don't work all night before • Don't wind each other up • Don’t push the button

7. DURING THE EXAM: WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR Examiners: “the most evil beings on Earth” • They want • To pass you • To mark your script quickly • The correct answer to jump out • They want you to • Follow rubric; do what question says - Verbs • Present well; signpost your answer • Provide appropriate examples • Use professional tone • Examiners and moderators • Examiner’s reports – read their minds

8. DURING THE EXAM: DISCURSIVE MODULES What they want • Short introductions and conclusions (unless specifically asked for) • P - Make your point J - Justify your point I - What is the impact of your point? • Use/application of models/theories • Appropriate examples/topical issues e.g. Public Finance What you can do • Plan – know where you are going • Answer • all parts of question • what is asked – verbs and format! • State the obvious (don’t abbreviate)

9. DURING THE EXAM: NUMERICAL MODULES What they want • Logical, ordered, referenced workings • State your assumptions • Explain your answers • Use of proformas, formats, headings, £’000 What you can do • Highlight numbers in the question • Don’t skip steps • Remember BODMAS? • Don’t be stingy with paper; use analysis/ graph paper

10. DURING THE EXAM: WHAT THEY ARE NOT LOOKING FOR • A mess • The question rewritten/politician answer • Waffle • ‘Before I answer the question………’ • ‘A man walked into a bar………’ • ‘Dear examiner………’ • Your life story • Short, meaningless bullets • To have to work out what you are saying • Unexplained theory

11. DURING THE EXAM: KEY TIPS Before Start and Reading Time • Ask for extra paper, analysis paper etc • Use 10 minutes to read all questions • Understand all questions and choose optional ones • Mentally map and plan your answers – easiest first? Doing the Paper • Time management • Ignore those around you • Speak up if something is disturbing you: the invigilators' squeaky shoes, whispers between invigilators, sweet wrappers, etc.

12. IF STUCK….. • If out of time, some marks better than none: • do question in outline only, state main points • jot down formulae and how you would use them to reach a solution (if required) • If faced with a mental block: • Picture mind maps/ mnemonics • "If I did know the answer to this question, what would it mean?“ • Try a different question and come back later

13. AFTER THE EXAM • Forget about exam; don’t deconstruct • Treat yourself • If you have another exam, take time to recover and refresh. Special Circumstances • Speak to invigilators re. disturbances or report yourself. • Special considerationpossible from CIPFA for valid illness NOW GET READY! • Be realistic, keep things in perspective. • Don't keep things bottled up; take steps to overcome problems. • Believe in yourself - no secret formula: Plan your answer Read the question Answer the questions Time your answers properly

14. Any Questions?Thank you CIPFA Education & Training Centre www.cetc.org.uk cetc@cipfa.org.uk Tel: 0207 403 4300