Exam Hints and Tips NDip and IDip

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NEBOSH Exam Hints and Tips Now that you have committed yourself to taking the NEBOSH course, you've probably wondered what you have gotten

yourself into! Hopefully the following hints and tips will help you achieve the maximum marks possible at the exam.

What can I take with me? You should take with you:

• A comfortable writing pen, with lots of ink inside it.

• A drink and some food (quiet food which won't make noise when you eat it, and nothing which smells too strongly!).

• Your photographic identity such as ID card, passport, driving licence.

• Your exam entry confirmation.

• A watch manage your time. A mobile phone is not acceptable. You will not be allowed to keep this at your desk.

• A simple calculator. But not a scientific calculator which can store information in its memory.

• If English is not your first language, and if you have successfully applied for "reasonable adjustments" and have been

authorised to bring a transational dictionary, please do so. NEBOSH will not provide the dictionary for you.

First Things First! Get to the Examination Venue ON TIME! Leave early, or travel there the night before to check out where it is. A surprising

number of students arrive late, and they nearly always fail the exam because of this (partly due to stress affecting their

answers, partly due to lack of time to answer all of the questions).

When the exam starts, you should begin by reading the exam paper and all of the questions from start to finish. You should

find at least one question that you are confident about answering. You can answer the questions in any order. Your answer

book has no designated pages for any of the questions, so it does not matter what order you answer them in as long as you

write the question number in the box available at the top of the page. It is a good idea to begin with the questions you find

easiest. This will build your confidence for later in the exam, and 'warm up your brain' for those more difficult questions. Work

through some of the 'easier' questions before you try the harder ones. Just make sure you attempt all of the questions!

Clock Watch! You must keep an eye on the time. Diploma level papers are three hours long. There are six 10 mark questions on the exam

paper and you are expected to answer each of them. In addition to these there are five 20 mark questions, and you must


answer three of these. Do not try to answer all five, because you will not get extra marks and you will be wasting precisou

time.

A good rule of thumb is to give 10 mark questions an absolute maximum of 15min each, and 20 mark questions 30min each.

However, this will not leave you any time reviewing your answers. So it is best to only give 10 to 12min for the 10 mark

questions, and 20min for the 20 mark questions. Again, this will ensure that you have time to review your answers and finish

answering any questions you did not have time to answer fully. If you did not finish answering a question then you can return

to it at the end. So, when you run out of time on each question, MOVE ON!

It will also ensure that you have lots of time to attempt all of the questions.

Please remember, it is better to provide an answer to every question than to focus on answering 3 or 4 of them well.

Statistically, candidates score the most marks for the information they give at the beginning of their answers. The first 5

minutes of answering is usually where your brain will 'regurgitate' 80% of what you know on that subject. This is why you

should attempt all questions. For any question you fail to attempt your mark will be ZERO. So put something down, even if it is

a short bulletpoint list instead of a full outline. The Examiner may be able to award a mark or two.

Answer the Question! We all know the sorts of questions we would like to get asked on the paper. The problem is that the questions we want are not

always the questions we get! So, you need to:

1. READ THE QUESTION!

Get an idea of what the question is asking for. This is especially important on questions that are in parts (part a, part b etc.). It

is very easy to rush in and begin answering the question, only to find later that you are writing similar things in part a and part

b. NEBOSH will never ask you to provide the same information twice in a question, so if you are doing this then you have

misunderstood one of the subquestions.

2. READ IT AGAIN, BEFORE YOU START WRITING!

The question will have key words to 'signpost' you in the direction you want. If the question is asking about the 'selection of

competent contractors' then that means you need to talk about the selection of competent contractors . It does NOT ask

you to say everything you know about 'contractors', or everything you know about the 'management' of 'contractors'. These

are related, but different subjects, and talking about 'management' when you should be talking about 'selection' will not gain

you any marks. Try highlighting what you believe are the important words in the question, and ask yourself why they are there.

Remember: EVERY WORD IS THERE FOR A REASON!

When you read the question again focus on the 'command word' and how much depth is required for the answer. This will

focus your mind. However, do not get too distracted by the command words. The important thing is that you demonstrate your

understanding of the subject matter and mention the key technical points.

3. CHECK YOUR ANSWER AGAINST THE QUESTION REGULARLY


It is very easy to accidentally start to change subject while you are answering. For example, you might start an answer talking

about control measures for a hazard and then slowly change subject until you are talking about the benefits of taking action.

Check yourself regularly and stick to what the question is asking. No marks are available for answers that are off topic. If you

check yourself regularly you will still have time to rescue your answer and gain some marks before you run out of time.

Practising Past Questions NEBOSH are well aware that most students practise answering past questions. SHEilds actively encourage this. In fact some

students have almost exclusively relied on learning all of the past questions and 'answers' given in the Examiners' Reports,

repeating their comments word for word at the exam. As a result NEBOSH are making things more difficult. They have been

introducing new questions, and repeating previous questions less and less. The new style Examiners' Reports from April 2014

no longer give you the past questions, and no longer contain any indication of what the answers were. So you should be

prepared to answer completely new questions. If you do get a question that you think is the same as a past question, be sure

to read it very carefully as it may be slightly different, and this can significantly change the required answer!

When a question is repeated word for word and you are familiar with the answer, be silently grateful, and very smugly write an

excellent answer! Easy marks!

Specific Types of Questions

Some types of questions come up again and again. You are often asked to "Outline the factors to consider...". This presents

you with a scenario or a situation and you have to talk about all of the considerations you need to have in that situation. It

does not mean talking about the control measures or how you would fix the problem. This is a very common and easy mistake

to make!

Factors

For example, "Outline the factors to consider when drafting emergency evacuation procedures for a 3 floor building."

It would be very easy to start talking about making sure the width of the exits are wide enough for the number of people, that

emergency lighting levels are sufficient, that everyone is trained, that drills are carried out often etc. But this is not what the

question is asking for. The question is asking about procedures, and what you need to think about when writing these.

Instead you should be talking about the types of activities that take place in the building and how easily people can stop work

and evacuate, whether there are any high risk areas in the building (storage areas, kitchens, data centres etc.), the number of

available exits and the numbers of people using each one, whether there are any disabled people in the building and the level

of assistance they may require etc. Can you see how this is different from the previous answer? You are now talking about the

things to consider when writing evacuation procedures. If you substitute 'factors' for 'things' then that sometimes makes the

question easier to understand!


Hazards, Risks, and Control Measures

Another type of question asks you to outline the "hazards" (sometimes known as "hazardous properties") or the "risks" of a

particular process, equipment, or substance, or to outline the "control measures". It is important to understand the difference

between a "hazard", a "risk", and a "control measure".

While this is discussed thoroughly in your course materials, when answering questions it is sometimes easier to think of it this

way:

"Hazard" = "What aspect of this is dangerous? What part of this can hurt someone?"

"Risk" = "What effect might be seen? What harm might be caused?"

"Control Measure" = "How might this hazard be controlled and the risk of harm reduced?"

It is very important to ensure that you do not mix these up when answering a question. If asked about "Control Measures", you

will not get marks for talking about hazards and risks. If asked about "hazards", you will not get marks for talking about risks

and control measures. And so on.

For example, two of the "hazards" of LPG is that it is extremely cold when under pressure and is flammable when its

concentration is between its LFL and UFL. The two resulting risks of these are that it can cause severe cold burns and

possibly thermal shock of equipment, and can cause a fire or explosion if ignited. Can you see the difference between

hazards and risks?

Some questions are in parts, and in part a) they can ask you about the hazards, and in part b) they can ask you about the

risks, and then in part c) they might ask you about the control measures. As we said earlier, NEBOSH will never ask you for

the same information in two different questions, so understanding this difference will help you answer these types of questions

and give the correct information in each part.

Your answers There are some basic rules to follow when phrasing your answers:

• Answer the question you have been asked. We cannot emphasise this enough!

• Do not write a list if you have been asked for an 'outline' or 'explain'. A list is only appropriate for an 'identify' command

word. However, if you are desperately running out of time then you should at least write a list. The Examiner has an

option to award a small number of marks (technically called "part-list") if the candidate has mentioned some

worthwhile points but has not fully demonstrated understanding. These marks can be important!

• If you include training, instruction, or information in your answer as a control measure then you should be specific on

what sort of training, instruction, or information is required. You will not get an easy mark just for saying "training,

instruction and information". It demonstrates no understanding by itself. If you mean "training in evacuation", then say

it!


• Similarly, when saying PPE is required, you should be specific and say what type of PPE e.g. respiratory protection,

or safety glasses. This will demonstrate more understanding than just "PPE".

• As mentioned above: BE SPECIFIC! Diploma candidates are expected to know small details, including information

such as the individual numbers of Regulations and the guidance documents, dates and names of case law,

Workplace Exposure Levels for common hazardous substances (such as dust, lead, isocyanates etc.), the various

Action Levels (such as for noise, vibration, exposure to lead etc.), and so on. Your answers must be of a significantly

higher quality than those of a Certificate candidate, even if the Command Word is only an "identify" or "outline".

• Try and use easy to understand principles to keep your answer structured.

o For example, if talking about control measures try to think about the hierarchy of controls and how to keep

something inherently safe i.e. talk about how the risk can be eliminated by design, or by engineering

solutions, before you start to talk about adminstrative systems, PPE and training. Work your way from the first

priority control measure (most effective) through to the last priority (PPE and training which are the least

effective).

o For questions asking you to outline a process or a procedure (for example "outline the content of a procedure

for..." or "outline features of a leak detection system that could minimise workers on the plant") you should

work your way through the procedure from start to finish. What happens first? What happens next? What

happens last? etc.

Always remember, the Examiners do not know you. They can only judge you on what they read on your answer sheet. They

are not permitted to try and interpret what you have said. So you have to communicate your understanding of the technical

points in a clear and understandable way. No matter how much you have studied, if you do not communicate your knowledge

well you will not get a good mark.

When you have finished Hopefully you will have some time to check through your answers. You might think of something else you could write down

and it could be worth one extra mark. Or you might not have written your question numbers on the answer sheet. Or you

might notice that you have misread a question, or even worse that you have not answered a question at all, and will, in a huge

panic, attempt to write down a quick answer before the invigilator tells you to stop writing. So in these last few minutes you

should be checking your paper to make sure you have not missed anything obvious. Thinking of leaving early? You are either

highly skilled, or have done something wrong. Time will tell which it is!

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am running out of time?


If you find yourself with only minutes to spare at the end of an exam, and you still have a question to answer, answer this

question as a list (i.e. as an 'identify' question). As discussed previously, this gives you a chance to at least get some marks

because the Examiner may be able to award some marks for a "part-list". These extra marks (up 50% of the total marks

available for that question) can mean the difference between a pass/fail, pass/credit, or even a credit/distinction!

If you do have some time to spare on an 'outline', 'describe', or 'explain' question, write down an example. This might help

demonstrate further understanding which may get you an extra mark.

How can I improve my chances of passing?

1. Revise as you go . You cannot leave your studying until the last minute, as there is far too much information to learn

and understand. If you are having difficulties understanding any of the concepts in your course materials, you will

need time to go through these with your course tutor. Last minute questions the day before the exam are not a good

way to prepare! Each Unit requires between 120 and 166 hours of study. Those who pass are those who have worked

and prepared very hard.

2. Do lots of background reading . And we do really mean LOTS! You should read all of the available HSE guidance

and Approved Codes of Practice that are relevant to the syllabus and study these thoroughly. These are avaiable for

free on the HSE's website. International Diploma students will also find lots of relevant ILO guidance on the ILO's

website. Furthermore, the internet is a powerful studying tool and you will find a great deal of relevant information via

Google, Wikipedia, and even YouTube. This is a degree level course, and degree students must immerse themselves

in their research and reading so they can truly master a subject.

3. Practise past questions . You can obtain past exam papers and Examiners' Reports from our website (Resources

section) and the NEBOSH online shop. As we have mentioned previously, NEBOSH are writing more and more new

questions, but practising past questions will still prepare you for the style of questions you will face, as well how to

avoid common mistakes of misreading them and not providing enough depth to your answers. You can send your

best attempts at answering past questions to your tutor who will review these and give you feedback.

4. Don't panic! Panic just makes it harder to pass the exam. Sometimes when you first read the exam paper your mind

just goes blank. Take a deep breath, have a sip of your drink, read the paper again and, as you begin to attempt your

first (easiest) answer, you should find that knowledge begins to come back to you. As you answer you may find that

individual points pop into your head. Write them down straight away on your answer sheet (anywhere!) to remind you

to mention it properly in your answer. If you don't write them down you might forget them, and very occasionally the

Examiner might look at these draft writings and be able to give you a mark if you have demonstrated some

understanding.

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Exam Hints and Tips NDip and IDip