Before proceeding further, here’s a quick breakdown of the exam structure.
NEBOSH Exam Structure
To gain certification, you have to pass two assessments and one closing interview. The first assessment IG 1 (Management of international health and safety) is an open-book exam, and the second assessment IG 2 is based on the risk assessment report.
After you submit your IG 1 OBE (open book exam) to your trainer, a closing interview is conducted. The reason behind conducting an interview is to confirm that the work you have submitted is your own. Once verified, two to three questions are asked related to the answers you gave in the open-book examination.
NEBOSH Exam Tips
The NEBOSH open book exam is designed to assess your ability to apply health and safety knowledge in practical scenarios. Here are 10 beneficial tips for passing the open book exam:
1. Plan Enough Time to Study
NEBOSH IGC exam requires enough time and hard work. Draw out a reading plan to cover your syllabus before entering the exam hall. Generally, it is recommended to put in 40 hours of self-study in a week. Make a study plan, schedule it in your diary, and stick to it. It is more convenient to spread 40 hours out over four weeks rather than splitting 40 hours in one week.
It sounds simple, but there are many people who will have to reschedule a lot of commitments to fit the hours in. So it’s important to set specific time blocks for each section to ensure that you have enough time to complete the exam preparation.
2. Understand the Exam Format
Make sure you understand the exam format, including the number of questions, word limits, command words, and submission deadlines. Familiarize yourself with the NEBOSH guidance on how to approach the open book exam. The inactive use of command words in response to an inquiry will affect your awarded points. A short guide to NEBOSH IGC command words is the following:
- Define— Provide a generally accepted definition.
- Describe— Give a detailed word picture.
- Explain— Give a clear description or reasons for
- Identify— Select and name.
- Outline— List important features (less detail than 'explain' or 'describe,' but more detail than 'list')
- State— A less demanding form of 'define' or when there is no widely accepted definition.
3. Stay Focused
Keeping an eye on end results during exam preparation can help you stay motivated and focused. According to the most recent poll, 88 percent of students believe that having international training and a health and safety certificate can help them advance in their careers.
You need to look through the job page of your institute to feel confident that Nebosh certification will open lots of job opportunities for you. Safety courses have a worldwide scope so if you will be internationally certified, the chances of getting a job will be higher.
4. Read the Question Paper Carefully
The NEBOSH IGC course is divided into two units IG 1 and IG 2. To maximize your points-earning potential in the written exam, carefully read the questions and make sure you understand what it is asking. Identify the key points and make a plan for how to answer them. It is important to focus on the specific question that has been asked and provide a direct and relevant answer to it. Avoid drifting off-topic or providing information that is not directly related to the question.
Remember that the NEBOSH exam is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of occupational health and safety. By answering the question that has been asked and demonstrating your understanding of the subject, you will be in a better position to pass your exam. Review your answers carefully before submitting them. Check for spelling and grammar errors and make sure you have answered the question fully.
5. Make Notes as the Due Date Gets Close
There’s a lot of time for reading through reams of notes with a highlighter in hand, but not on the days when exams are closed. At such a critical time, you should focus on condensed snippets that you can actually memorize. For your comfort, you can make your revision cards. Remember, minutes of focused learning is more valuable than hours of reading that you can't recall later.
6. Organize Your Workload
Preparing for a NEBOSH exam can be a challenging task, but with proper planning, you can manage your workload effectively. A good start to organizing your workload is to make a list of all the areas where you believe you are lacking. Making a list will allow you to identify what you should concentrate on more. That way, you can go through the list from top to bottom, covering all areas while strengthening the ones that require more attention.
7. Use Past Papers to Practice Exam Technique
Practice past papers to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions you may be asked. Furthermore, by practicing answers and submitting them to your tutor, you will be able to determine the depth of improvement required.
It’s also recommended to take a mock exam completely before the actual exam. This will allow you to determine how much time you'll need for each question and test your writing skills for that length of time.
8. Prepare Well in Advance
Relax and relieve the pressure of anxiety-provoking thoughts. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the exam. Read through the study materials carefully, take notes, and create a revision plan.
Check that you have a pen and a watch and that you have double-checked the exam date, time, and location, as well as your travel arrangements. Do this thoroughly, then put it out of your mind so you can focus on the exam's content.
9. Attend a NEBOSH Certificate Revision Course
It is recommended that candidates attend a revision class of the NEBOSH IGC course. This revision class will give you the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with both an expert tutor and your peers. Besides, It allows you to practice exam questions; get feedback on your performance, and ask any question.
10. Smartly Answer the Question Paper
The NEBOSH IGC exam is positively assessed by the examiner. The grading system requires you to make the answer sheet as easy as possible for the examiner to give you points. If you will use legible writing and mark answers (if the question is composed of multiple sub-sections, label each sub-section and include it in the answers, e.g., 1a, b, and c.) this would be easy to assess the answer of each question for the examiner.
You must also provide answers to each question (though you can warm up by starting with the questions you feel most comfortable with rather than systematically completing the entire paper). Don’t copy-paste data from any website, and answers should be in your own wording that relates your theoretical knowledge to the scenario.
These tips will surely help you to pass NEBOSH open book exam. Wish you all the best for the exam and your continued career as a safety professional.
