Mark Foley explains how you can overcome the fear that naturally comes when the time to sit an exam is approaching.
There’s a point in every CGMA candidate’s study journey when doubts about exam readiness will lead them to contemplate rescheduling or cancelling an exam. Indeed, for some, it’s simpler just to put off exams altogether.
This article, dear reader, isn’t necessarily aimed at encouraging you to take an exam (there are many entirely justifiable reasons why it’s appropriate to delay an exam). However, it’s also true that I’ve met hundreds of candidates over the years who, in my opinion, were exam ready and just needed a little convincing.
I’ve been reading PQ magazine for many years now. I’ve lost count of the number of articles focusing on exam readiness and preparation.
I find this interesting because it shows that this topic spans generations of accounting and finance candidates, a perennial issue that the majority of candidates will face.
In other words, you’re not alone.
Root causes of exam fear
It’s just human nature to reflect, review progress and feel uncertain about being entirely ready for an exam. Couple this with balancing other factors such as work, family commitments, physical health and mental wellbeing, and it’s really no surprise that, at some point, you contemplate putting off, or cancelling altogether, an exam.
Believe me, I too have had doubts (numerous times), but in my case, if I’m truly honest, my lack of exam readiness had more to do with my own fear and anxious feelings than lack of preparation.
Now if you’d have asked me at the time why I didn’t feel ready, I would have said, ‘I just don’t have the time’, or ‘there’s a lot going on right now’. In hindsight they were all just excuses – I was afraid of taking the exam itself.
There are many reasons you can feel this way.
I’ve listed a few below that may resonate with you:
- You feel like you never manage to truly show your full abilities in an exam.
- You failed a previous exam.
- You don’t want to let anyone down and feel like a failure.
- The formality of an invigilated exam just makes you nervous.
Beating the fear
These root causes aren’t something that you can just ‘snap out of’ – they feel very real. However, for all of the reasons you may put off taking your next exam, there are also some simple strategies you can use to help you overcome exam fear.
Here are just a few examples:
- Talk about it: exam fear feels like a singular issue that only you are going through – it’s just not true. It’d have helped me enormously when I was taking my professional exams to know that my peers were feeling the same way (something I found out after my exams!). But, if we all face the same issue then no one has an advantage over anyone else in the exam.
Take comfort from this. - Take ownership: practise exam questions and build exam familiarity. Nothing will help you beat fear better than simulating the exam style with standard practice questions.
- Have a plan: preparation is key, so you should have a revision schedule and an exam day plan. By methodically covering CGMA syllabus topics, you will build your confidence and reduce exam fear.
- Learn effective study habits: from taking tech breaks to using the Pomodoro technique, I highly recommend that you read past editions of PQ magazine, which have plenty of articles packed with useful tips.
- Make self-care a priority: look after yourself and find time in your revision schedule to put your physical health and mental wellbeing first (I owe my personal self-care to Cadbury’s chocolate bars while studying. I will always be in their debt!).
- Stay focused on your goal: don’t forget the reasons you started your CGMA journey in the first place. What are you trying to achieve? What difference will becoming a Global Chartered Management Accountant make to your life?
Last but not least…
Keep in mind that it’s very rare for any candidate to ‘peak’ in their actual exam as the process is too artificial to tell the whole story and reflect your true potential. Always remember you don’t need to perform to the best of your abilities, just enough to pass the exam.
It’s been many years now since I took my professional exams, but I still recall, as if it was yesterday, how it felt trying to combat my own exam fears.
I want to send all of you, who are currently preparing to take an exam, my very best wishes.
It’s all worth it, I promise.
- Mark Foley, Senior Director – Global Academic Progression at AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
