9 Helpful Tips to Crack NEBOSH Exam

Most of the candidates starts to prepare for the NEBOSH exam with a confident feeling, only to realize through halfway that the open book exam is more challenging than expected. The only solution is to get a proper understanding of how this open book exam really works. This NEBOSH qualification is not just an exam; it’s gateway to attain a stronger job, solid career foundation, better workplace in health and safety. But with all those chances NEBOSH carries few challenge: That is understanding of how the NEBOSH Open Book Exam should be approached. NEBOSH qualified individuals are valued across worldwide organizations because of their ability to manage workplace risks, strengthen safety culture and contribute to regulatory compliance.

In the recent years NEBOSH had completely changed its assessments methodology by initiating Open Book Examination (OBE) format. It is totally unlike traditional closed book exams. This OBE allows the learners to use notes, textbooks and all the credible resources while writing the exam. This may seem to be easier at first, but this is quite difficult. This NEBOSH OBE is particularly designed for the individuals to test their applied knowledge, critical thinking and their to interpret the workplace hazards and how they would respond to the workplace scenarios.

To pass through this OBE format exam the learners need to analyze the real life case study in a detailed manner, the learners should know to  interpret the organizational challenges, and provide well structured, well- reasoned answers. Memorization plays a minor role in this Open Book Examination, but the success of the learner depends on their ability to interpret the information, link it to the scenario, and present it in an organized, professional way. If this exam is approached in a right mindset with the right strategy the learner could easily crack the NEBOSH Open Book Exam. This blog will provide you with the 9 useful tips that helps the learners to confidently crack the NEBOSH Open Book Exam.

Before the learner starts to prepare for the exam, it is important to know about the basic structure of the exam. As a first step taken, the learner should know how the Open Book exam actually works. To get in detail with this NEBOSH Open Book Exam, at first the learner should get familiar with the syllabus, how marks are awarded for the learner, and the style of the question. This will help the learner to know exactly what the examiner expects from the learner.

NEBOSH uses certain words like describe, explain, outline, and identify where each of these words requires different types of answers. For this first, the learner should understand what these command words mean; understanding the command words will help the learner give the right answer in a detailed form and avoid writing the unnecessary answers or writing only few answers. This helps the learners avoid the learner losing marks

A clear understanding of how the exam operates sets the stronger foundation for the strategic preparation.

Even though it is an open book examination, which offers a long time to complete the exam, it requires effective time management, which is essential for this exam. Usually, candidates underestimate how long it is going to take just to read the scenario, analyze the context, and construct clear evidence based on the answers. Mean while NEBOSH also provides word count for the whole exam. This isn’t just a rule; it helps the learner to be focused on avoid writing long answers and unnecessary long paragraphs. So that the learner should be focused on the number of usage of words while writing the answers. Keeping the answer within the limited number of words makes the answer looks easier for the examiner to read.

The learner should also pay attention to the marks. for example, if the question is worth eight marks, then the learner should provide eight strong, relevant points. Just writing extra points or writing the irrelevant ideas will not earn extra marks for the learner.So keep the answers sharp to the point will be the best approach while writing the answer.

NEBOSH examiners pays major attention to the command words. Thee words define the structure, depth, and fulfillment of the learner’s answer. For example:

• Identify – This word demands of a short and to the point direct response.

• Outline – This word requires a little more detailed explanation than identify yet it remains concise.

• Describe – This word requires fullest explanation of the characteristic or its entire features.

• Explain – This words demands of a clear portrayal of the major cause and its effects.

Mastering and knowing all these command words plays a vital role in providing precise, and examiner -friendly answers. Answering appropriately will increase the chance of securing the full marks for the learner and prevent the learner from writing unfocused content that does not match the question’s requirements.

It is be good for the learner to prepare with a well- structured study plan since it is essential for covering the NEBOSH syllabus effectively. At first, just start by giving a glance to the syllabus and then break down the syllabus into small manageable sections. Then set appropriate deadlines that you can actually follow. Start your preparation early, which reduces pressure and provides enough time to understand the complex topics such as risk assessments, management systems, control measures, and legal frameworks.

Studying little by little everyday is far better than learning everything at the last minute. The earlier you begin, the learner will feel more confident while writing the scenario based questions. With appropriate preparation, the learner will easily get to know about the concepts good enough to apply them in the exam.

While starting the preparation process, make use of credible study materials, up-to-date textbooks, official guidance documents, and reputable training resources. High quality text books and  study materials not only provide exact answers but also will help the learner to get a proper understanding of what exactly NEBOSH examiners will expects.

This additionally helps to develop the learner’s own summary notes, concept maps, or quick reference sheets. Making these personal notes will be easier to go through during an Open Book Exam compared to flipping through long textbooks. This reference key points and concepts that are organized in your own words helps the learner to find the information quickly while writing the exam.

Doing regular practices with the past NEBOSH exams papers will be one of the best practices to prepare for the exam. Preparing like this will be helpful for the learner to understand how the questions look like and what kind of answers will be expected by the examiners. Attempting mock exams will be a best practice for time management and helpful for the learner to get comfortable to apply the theories in real- life scenarios.

Since NEBOSH is an Open Book Exam format the learners are allowed to use reference materials but with the unorganized notes the learner will find it difficult to choose the notes. Therefore, before the exam, prepare all the notes systematically organized. Make use of digital folders, color -coded notes for better identification, or indexed sections for quick search.

Begin able to get the information easily will save the time effectively, ensure that the learner concentrates on writing high quality answers, and it also reduces the stress of the learner.

Even though the candidates are allowed to fetch search information from the external sources, NEBOSH always requires its own hand written of the learner in their own words. Just copy-pasting the answers will be able to detect easily and may finally end up with penalties. So that it is advised to interpret information, apply the concepts to the given scenarios, and present the answers logically.

Giving clear structured answers matters. Usage of short paragraphs, Bulletin points, or numbered lists where it is required, make sure that each point contributes straight to the mark allocations. Giving a professionally well-organized writing enhances the clarity of the answers and portrays the understanding of the learner.

Before the submission of the answer scripts of your OBE,  Spend your time to review ll your answers thoroughly. Make a check on:

• The alignment with the questions and its commands words.

• The clarity and the relevance of your answers.

• The grammar, spelling and the tone of your answers.

• The avoidance of the repetition of words.

Having a careful review of the answer sheets ensures that your submission is appropriate, coherent, and it is suitable for the examiner expectations.

The major advantage of doing this kind of practice is that the learner will get used to and become more familiar with the exam. This builds more confidence and helps the learner answer the questions more clearly and effectively in the exam.

This NEBOSH Open Book Examination is particularly designed to activate not only the learners knowledge but also the learners ability to health and safety principles in in real workplace situations. With proper focused preparation, Strategically approaching while answering the questions, and appropriate study habits with all these the learner can successfully navigate the OBE and achieve their NEBOSH qualification.

With proper understanding of the exam format, managing the time well, mastering the command words, organizing all the referred sources in an appropriate manner, and writing the answers clearly and meaningfully. This is how you set yourself up for success when you apply all these simple and effective tips. This will gain you more confidence and more prepared for the NEBOSH examination.