OBE Assessment Techniques and Revision Tips
Being successful in gaining a NEBOSH qualification means having more than in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. It also means having the necessary support, study, revision skills and exam technique.
Studying and revising are necessary activities in their own right. These tips and techniques can be utilised and help you be more effective when revising, giving you a better chance of success in your exams.
It may have been some time since you last prepared for and took a professional assessment or exam. Remember, success depends mainly on:
Revision - Your ability to remember, recall and apply information contained in your study books.
Assessment/Exam Technique - Your ability to understand tasks and questions, deciding what you need to do to answer them effectively; draw on relevant information from the scenario, refer to the marks available and write an extensive responses with the required depth and detail.
Revision and Study Technique - These are skills that can be learned. There is a saying that ‘proper planning and preparation prevents a poor performance’. With this in mind, set time aside to plan your revision before you get started, deciding when you can review each element of the content so you cover it all before the exam.
Revision Tips - You should recognise that you already possess what is relevant to the syllabus. Don’t underestimate the importance of this. But remember, it’s never too early to start revising for your future OBE Assessment.
Throughout your learning, you should have been thinking about this and noting down topics that you are finding difficult. Just simply reading the study textbooks repeatedly will not normally help you to remember the information.
From the start of your studies, you should keep revisiting the essence of the subject, use the knowledge from the Phoenix Study Support team and assess your online learning resources. Here you can find up to date HSE guidance information, mock assessments, and webinars to review.
Mock exams and revision questions designed by our expert team are accessible through your E-learning platform. As you progress in your studies take time to tackle each of these. Doing so will allow you to hone your exam technique and also show you which areas of the course you need to revisit.
Time Management – Make a study plan, be realistic and disciplined – don’t plan a schedule you can’t manage.
A good way to start is to work for 50 minutes, then give yourself a 10-minute break. If this is too much at first, try 25 minutes with a 5 minute break and gradually build yourself up. Always allow for breaks in your day for food, relaxation, and exercise. When taking a break it's a good idea to leave the room or area you were studying in as it will help you relax. A short, brisk walk is a fantastic idea for this very reason and can help improve your attention when you return to revising.
Try to give each subject equal time; do not concentrate on one subject at the expense of another. However, if you find one or two topics particularly challenging you can revisit them after covering all the content, or test yourself on these areas more frequently.
Don’t be flexible with your plan - intrusions will occur that take priority over your plan but always leave time at the start and end of each study or revision period for reviewing what you have done and what you must still do. This will aid you in keeping track of what's left and ensuring you cover all the content in time.
How can you prevent malpractice?
To deter and detect malpractice NEBOSH uses a wide range of techniques. These include:
The Design of the Assessment – Passing requires the application of learning to an unfamiliar scenario. Copy and pasting information from books or online will not answer the questions posed in this open-book examination.
Own Work Statement – You will be asked to agree to an ‘own work statement’ when submitting your examination.
Trained Examiners – Trained NEBOSH examiners scrutinise every submission for plagiarism and collusion.
Dedicated Ethical Practice Team – NEBOSH employs a team of experts dedicated to identifying and investigating malpractice.
Plagiarism Checkers – NEBOSH use plagiarism software to spot malpractice, including similarities between cohorts.
Closing Interviews – Every learner must attend a closing interview.
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If you have any further questions about your course assessment, contact us.