How to Pass a NEBOSH Qualification

NEBOSH courses are notoriously difficult and really challenge learners. To gain a NEBOSH qualification in Health and Safety is quite the achievement and something you should be extremely proud to put on your CV. Here’s a rundown of how to successfully pass a NEBOSH qualification.

Select the right NEBOSH course for you

Firstly, select the right NEBOSH course for you. If you just need a general awareness of health and safety then the NEBOSH Health and Safety at Work Award or IOSH Working Safely or IOSH Managing Safely may be the best option for you. If you are in a Health and Safety role, in a role with the need for greater depth of knowledge in Health and Safety or want to become a Health and Safety professional then the NEBOSH General Certificate would be a good choice. There are also other specialist courses such as NEBOH Certificate in Fire Safety, NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction Certificate, NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate , NEBOSH Working with Wellbeing and NEBOSH IIRSM Certificate in Managing Risk that can sometimes all fall under the role of a health and safety practitioner but need more specialist knowledge.

Choose a Method of Study

Once you have determined which course is best for your career development, then choosing a delivery method is probably the next step. Here are some questions you should ask yourself:

I am disciplined enough to use the materials to teach myself?
Am I willing to travel for the training?
Have I got the flexibility to attend training around work and family life?
Would I need extra support from a tutor?

Would I like face to face teaching in a classroom setting where I can get immediate answers to questions and share in my peers knowledge and experience?

Some people find the classroom setting the best way to learn due to the element of interaction. Some cannot travel or have commitments that prevent them from attending classroom training and therefore live online training with a tutor may be best. Then some people find it very difficult to fit a course in around their work and home life commitments so a distance learning programme would suit them if they have the discipline and determination to learn with limited support.

Choose a good Provider

Once you know what and how you want to study you can choose a NEBOSH learning provider. The choice will massively influence your learning journey and success. Tips for choosing the best learning provider:

Select a Gold standard learning provider (they are listed on the NEBOSH website)
Select a learning partner that has a good pass rate, high above the national average
Select a learning partner that has good reviews from previous learners and a good reputation
Select a learning partner that offers revision and assessment workshops

Select a learning partner that provides a mock exam marking service or marks practice questions
Select a learning partner that provides coaching and pastoral support

Course Preparation

Once you’ve booked onto your NEBOSH Course read the resources available from your learning provider and the nebosh website. Find the guidance about what the assessments involve and what the learning outcomes are. Familiarise yourself with your tutor and how to contact them if there are any problems and ensure they have your correct details.

Starting your NEBOSH Course

The following points are useful when beginning your course:

Make sure you follow the joining instructions you are provided with so you know how to access course materials and the sessions.
Make sure you have a notebook and pen or laptop to take notes while the tutor delivers the course.
Ensure you arrive on time and never miss a session.
Always listen and pay attention and ask questions if you don’t understand something.

Homework

Your learning provider will probably assign you homework which you should take the opportunity to complete quickly to get vital feedback which you can learn from. You should also read any course materials they provide you so you have a good understanding and research any references you come across to expand your knowledge. Study for the amount time recommended by NEBOSH in the syllabus. You should try and complete practice exam questions as this will help you become familiar with the NEBOSH open book exam style.

Exams and Assessments

If you have the opportunity to attend any revision or assessment workshops take it. It refreshes your knowledge as its surprising how much detail can be forgotten in the time it takes to complete the course and important points can be reinforced. You may learn good exam technique and gain an understanding of what the NEBOSH markers are expecting from your assessments to make sure you fulfil that requirement.

Ensure you also do your own revision and become familiar with how to find information quickly which will be valuable when it comes time to do an open book exam. Make sure you spend an adequate amount of time on your practical assessment and to check it over before submission to make sure you have fulfilled all of the requirements stipulated in the NEBOSH guidance. Don’t leave it until the last minute, make sure you allow plenty of time and submit ahead of the deadline.

Make sure you have and test the links from NEBOSH to the exam platform before the exam to make sure you have access on the day. On exam day, make sure you have everything you need at hand and that your laptop is fully charged in case of power cuts. Take your time and make sure you read through the scenario carefully and then read the questions to get a good understanding what it is asking for. Tackle the questions you feel most confident about first. Make sure you use examples from the scenario to help answer the questions where possible. Read over all of your answers before submission as it will surprise you at how many additional points will come to you when you go back to it.

Plagiarism, Collaboration and Copying

NEBOSH are very good a catching learners that cheat. They have a closing interview system and run submissions through software that detects copying. Make sure you do not copy any text into your open book exam or practical assessment and do not contact any learners about the exam or practical assessment until after the stipulated examination period set by NEBOSH has ended.

Referrals

If you do not pass your open book exam or practical assessment first time don’t worry, you will be referred meaning that there is an opportunity for you to redo the assessment again. They are tough qualifications so don’t beat yourself up about it.

Finally- good luck in passing your NEBOSH qualifications!

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