Become an Exam Athlete

Have you put off pursuing a certification because you suffer from test anxiety? Or maybe you’re “not a good test-taker.” There are many safety certifications available. Although all are different, they have one thing in common. They require extensive knowledge in the subject area. Or in the case of the Certified Safety Professional (CSP), extensive knowledge in several areas. That’s enough to exasperate anyone with or without test anxiety.

Considering the knowledge required to pass these exams, it’s easy to understand why aspiring certificants focus on studying the material. It is easy to assume that knowing the material is enough to pass an exam. It is essential, but not enough, and may only create more anxiety. To reduce test-taking stress, you must become an “exam athlete.”Exam athletes have a solid study and test-taking strategy that builds confidence and reduces test anxiety.

You can set yourself up for success with a solid study strategy. A strategy that does not include cramming. Different tactics work for different people. Here is our suggested 10-step approach to becoming an exam athlete.

1. What do you need to study? Identify your gaps and how much time it will take to fill them. Attend a workshop or obtain a study     guide to help identify your strengths and weaknesses. The CSP and Associate Safety Professional (ASP) have nine domains. All are weighted differently. Identifying the domains that represent a knowledge gap is the starting point.   

2. How will you study? Identify tools, techniques, and resources. Linda Tapp, in her article Learning Science: Techniques for Better Certification Exam Results recommends the following methods;

         ·    Flashcards and the Leitner Box System for flashcards. A set of boxes are used to move correctly answered flashcards forward. Incorrectly answered

              flashcards are moved backward. This system separates flashcards that need more study time from the ones already mastered.  

         ·    Repetition. Memorizing information such as formulas, classifications, and flashpoints. Repetition is unsuitable for understanding principles.

          ·    Spacing study sessions on a specific topic for recall later.

         ·    Retrieval practice. Bringing information to mind enhances learning rather than looking up the answer.

          ·    The Feynman Technique involves teaching or explaining concepts to others in a way they understand. 

3. Who will you study with? Partner with an accountability partner, join a study group, or go it alone. Study groups often form from workshop attendees. Check with your ASSP local chapter for study groups or form one yourself. 

4. When will you study? Schedule one hour per day on your calendar and guard it. More than 1 hour per day increases the risk of cognitive overload. Break down the content into manageable chunks.        

5. Where will you study? The right location may not be the most convenient. You can select a place with few physical distractions, perhaps the library. 

6. Prepare for mental distractions. Keep a notepad handy to jot down thoughts or reminders. Leave your cell phone in the other room or silence it.   

7. Visualize yourself doing what it takes to pass the exam while keeping the end goal in mind. Imagine yourself scheduling study  sessions, scheduling your exam, or studying at the library. 

8. Eat right. The food we eat has a significant effect on the health of our brains. Brain-fuel foods include high-fiber grains, dairy, berries, nuts, and seeds. A protein source linked to a significant brain boost is fish, such as salmon or tuna, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, coffee (the caffeinated kind) aids in concentration, and studies suggest it may also increase the brain’s capacity for processing information. 

9. Exercise regularly. It builds mental and physical stamina. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week and 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity.

10. Get good sleep, especially the night before the exam. That typically means 7-8 hours of sleep.

It’s up to you. You can believe that you are “not a good test-taker.” In that event, I suspect you will fail the exam before you even sit for it. Or you can reduce test anxiety, build confidence and boost your chances of passing the exam by becoming an “exam athlete.”

See our ASP and CSP exam materials for learning more about study and test-taking techniques.

 Reference Tapp, L.M. (2022, Dec.). Learning science: Techniques for better certification exam results. Professional Safety Journal, 67(12), 16-21.

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