|
About CIPS Education
The CIPS Certificate in Purchasing and Supply
CIPS Advanced Certificate in Purchasing and Supply
The CIPS Graduate Diploma
CIPS by Distance Learning
Fees & Registration
Exemptions
Examinations
Exam FAQ’s
Studying
Techniques
About CIPS, the Royal Charter, Code of Ethics Details |
Studying Techniques
-
Be
organised and properly prepared. You should try to cover the whole
syllabus and display a broad understanding of the subject matter.
-
Manage
your time and find quiet conditions. Set a realistic and achievable
timetable for your study. Give yourself time to cover the whole syllabus
thoroughly.
-
Make
carefully laid out and clear notes from which to make ‘refresher’
points.
-
Make
use of journals and newspaper articles to support your study. Wider
reading will help you to gain a better understanding of the subject
matter.
-
Learn
in whichever form suits you - written word, diagrams, bullet points etc.,
to
-
help
you, learn trigger points which can be expanded.
-
Focus
on key issues.
Revision
-
Plan
a timetable for revision. By doing this you will revise more thoroughly.
-
Use
past examination papers to practice - pretend that examination conditions
exist. This will help build your confidence for the ‘real thing’.
-
Be
self-critical of your practice papers.
-
Don’t
cram the night before - if you don’t know it now you never will.
-
Look
at your ‘refresher’ notes on the day - keep them simple and clear.
-
Keep
a positive attitude.
How to tackle the examination
-
Read
the examination instructions very carefully. Be sure about how many
questions are to be answered and which are compulsory. By studying past
papers you should already be familiar with the structure of each paper but
always be on the alert for any changes.
-
Read
the whole examination paper to identify those questions you are best able
to answer. Make brief notes of the main points you intend to raise in the
answer. Don’t rush straight into your first answer.
-
Check
the time allocation and make sure you allocate time to tackle the full
number of questions.
-
In
the professional stage examinations, take note that 50% of available marks
are allocated to the case study element (Question 1) which therefore
requires careful thought and planning - a few hastily written notes will
not produce satisfactory marks.
-
It
is not wise to write all you know on a general subject when the question
asks for a particular approach to that subject. An answer should be
completely relevant to the specific question and irrelevant material
should be excluded.
-
When
making statements, try to support them with brief arguments, reference to
theory and/or to actual experience.
-
Answers
are required to be presented in a particular format, e.g. a report or a
memorandum. The ability to present the answer in that format is essential
to gain good marks.
-
Some
papers require calculations, and the marks awarded will depend on accuracy
of the working and correct layout. Where an explanation is also required,
it should be clearly expressed and relevant. The method used in the
calculation should always be shown.
-
Essay-type
answers should be structured. Start with an introductory statement showing
that the question has been understood. Then write four or five well-argued
paragraphs, each clearly making a separate point, and backing up
statements with evidence as appropriate.
-
Do
not make statements without saying why you believe they are correct.
Examples should be quoted, and care taken to show why they are relevant.
-
The
essay should conclude with a positive and clear final paragraph. Remember
- Introduce - Define - Conclude.
-
Where
short-response answers are required, write a brief explanation to
demonstrate your understanding of the subject.
-
Make
carefully laid out and clear notes from which to make ‘refresher’
points. Make use of journals and newspaper articles to support your study.
Wider reading will help you to gain a better understanding of the subject
matter.
-
Learn
in whichever form suits you - written word, diagrams, bullet points etc.,
to help you learn trigger points which can be expanded.
-
Focus
on key issues.
|
