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#aihce
Controlling the Insanity and Hype of the Exam!
Brooke Donovan Simmons, MPH, CIH Cardno ChemRisk, San Francisco, CA
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Control the Insanity and Hype
• Best way is to have a game plan! – Why study? – When to start? – Where to start? – Who/what to go to for help? – How to start?
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Why Study?
• The exam is hard! • Last 5 pass rates for CIH:
– 2014 Fall – 37.9% – 2014 Spring – 42.0% – 2013 Fall – 38.0% – 2013 Spring – 49.8% – 2012 Fall – 38.0%
*ABIH Exam Pass Rate Statistics. www.abig.org
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What Makes the Exam Hard?
• The exam is comprehensive – it covers all areas of industrial hygiene practice
• Basically impossible to know it all!
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When to Start • Start Early! • My Recommendation: about 4 months of 15-
20 hours a week • Keep in mind… life still happens!
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Speaking of Work...
• Discuss taking the exam with your employer – Get buy in from the boss – Can you set aside some time to study? – Look for new experiences at work that can help
you learn – Discuss any promotion/raise expectations
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Where to Start
• Break the exam down by the 17 exam rubrics
• Perform a self assessment – identify your strengths and weaknesses
• Create a schedule!
– May change, but keeps you on track
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Where to Start
• Start with the areas you are most comfortable with. – Get used to studying!
• Break down the exam by
qualitative and quantitative questions
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Compile Study Materials
• No one study aid will ensure you will pass!
• Study aids can be broken down into three categories – Short Courses – Textbooks/Study Guides – Sample Questions
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Study Courses
• Provide a comprehensive overview
• Allow you to identify areas of deficiency
• Not a good study method alone
• Participate early in your exam prep
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Textbooks/Study Guides
• Textbooks tend to be very comprehensive
• Allow you to study at your own pace
• All of the information you need to know, but do not allow you to “practice”
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Sample Questions
• Great way to prepare you for “the real thing”
• In my opinion, one of the most helpful tools – especially towards the end
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Other Resources
• Get resources, advice, and moral support from: – Co-workers – Local section members – Other applicants/CIHs
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How to Start
• Find Out What Works for YOU! • It can take some time to get back into a study
mode! – Where do you like to study?
• Office, home, café, park? • Change of scenery?
– When is studying most effective? • Early bird? Night owl? Weekend warrior (err… studier)?
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Find Out What Works for YOU! • I may be the only person to tell you to
forget the flashcards – Listen to your gut – Writing (and re-writing) my notes worked best
for me – Concept boards
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STUDY TIMELINE
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Month 1
• Understand key concepts, theories, definitions within each subject area through text books and other study aids • Highlight • Take notes
• Quiz yourself with sample questions within the subject areas
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Month 2 or 3
• Begin Math problems
– Get familiar with the formula sheet
• Begin memorizing toxicology agents/effects
• Vary the manner in which you study!
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In the Thick of It …
• Track your progress – Follow your studying rubric! – Helps to reduce test anxiety
• Everyone has different study patterns – Switch it up if needed!
• Start focusing more on practice questions
• Give yourself a day off!
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Crunch Time (<1 month)
• Save most memorization for ~1 month before exam
– Agent/occupation/health effect associations (review)
– Any other notes you made to memorize
• Redo calculations for math questions (20-30% of them)
• Review notes on previously reviewed materials
• If using Datachem software, you should be scoring 85% or higher on each section
– Reward yourself for “mastering” sections
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Crunch Time (<1 week)
• 2 weeks before exam - Review ONLY • 2-3 days before exam – lay off the studying • Night before exam
– Eat out or cook your favorite meal – Definitely have dessert – Get lots of sleep
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Exam Day! • Morning of exam
– Do not over-caffeinate
– Eat a light but nutritious breakfast
– Pump up playlist!
• Lunch time – Go for a walk/relax
– I DON’T recommend studying or looking up answers (and what I got wrong!)
• CELEBRATE! pass/fail, you deserve it
