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How to Prepare for an Exam

1. KNOW MASTERY LEVEL THE EXAM WILL BE TESTING:
According to Blooms Taxonomy devised by Prof. Benjamin Bloom, there are six levels of learning/mastery.
The levels are thought to build on one another as follows:


Level 1: Many exams, especially in the schools test your skills at the Knowledge (lowest mastery) level.
Knowledge is demonstrated by recalling or recognizing specific elements. Knowledge here is defined as
the remembering (recalling) of appropriate, previously learned information. This level is characterized by
observing and recalling of information, and, knowledge of dates, events, places, major ideas, etc. The
learner is expected to learn by repetition.
Level 2: Some situations in schools require you to write a comprehension in your own words. This
requires a little higher level of mastery than the knowledge level. Comprehension is demonstrated by
translating a concept into different terms, interpreting, which is seeing the relationship among separate
parts, and extrapolation, which makes inferences about consequences. This level is characterized by
understanding information and grasping meaning, translating knowledge into new context and
interpreting facts, comparing, contrasting, ordering, grouping, inferring causes, etc. The learner is
expected to learn by digesting the information and rephrasing it.
Level 3: Application is demonstrated by using rules, principles, procedures and generalizations to solve
problems. This uses previously learned information in new and concrete situations to solve problems
that have single or best answers. This level is characterized by using information, using methods,
concepts, theories in new situations, solving problems using required skills or knowledge. Exams that
give you unseen problems in the exam (e.g., IIT JEE) usually test skills at this mastery level. The learner is
expected to learn by integrating a set of prescribed rules with a give situation. APICS and AST&L exams
usually test your skills at this level.
Level 4: Analysis is a higher mastery level of skills that is demonstrated by separating a concept into
component parts; the breaking down of informational materials into their component parts, examining
such information to develop diverge conclusions by identifying causes making inferences, and/or finding
evidence to support generalizations. This level is characterized by seeing patters and organization of
parts, recognition of hidden meanings, identification of components, etc. The learner is expected to
learn by identifying causes, drawing conclusions, and determining evidence.
Level 5: Synthesis is very high level of mastery that is demonstrated by arranging or combining separate
elements into a whole; creatively or divergently applying prior knowledge and skills to produce a new or
original whole. This is characterized by using old ideas to create new ones, generalizing from given facts,

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relating knowledge from several areas, predicting, drawing conclusions, etc. The learner is expected to
learn by solving problems, making improvements, and making predictions.
Level 6: Evaluation is the highest level in this arrangement that is demonstrated by using criteria and
standards to make judgments about ideas, products and procedures. Judging the value of material based
on personal values/opinions, resulting in an end product, with a given purpose, without right or wring
answers. This is characterized by comparing and discriminating between ideas, assessing value of
theories, presentations, making choices based on reasoned arguments, verifying value of evidence, etc.
The learner is expected to learn by investigating outcomes as to objectives met and cost effectiveness.

2. CHOOSE AN EXAM PREPARATION STRATEGY:
The strategy to prepare for an exam depends on many factors, including but not limited to:
Your individual learning style
Availability of study methods
Budget constraints
Time constraints
Schedule constraints
Other constraints

Your Individual Learning Style:
You would notice: what works for a friend of yours, doesnt work for you. Your friend may pass by following
a particular strategy but you may not. To discover your individual learning style, please visit the following link
to take a free VARK test: http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire. Note down your
leaning style. Of course, there will be scores for all the four learning styles but one particular learning style
may have much higher scores compared to other three. Some people are multimodal. In that case, two or
more learning styles may have higher scores that are quite close.
Visual (V) learners are those who learn primarily with their eyes. This preference includes the depiction
of information that must be seen, e.g., in graphs, charts, pictures, drawings, films.
Auditory (A) learners learn primarily with their ears. This perceptual mode describes a preference for
information that is heard.
Read/write (R) preference is information displayed as words. This preference emphasizes text-based
input and output reading and writing in all its forms. Not surprisingly, many academics have a strong
preference for this modality.
Kinesthetic (K) modality refers to the perceptual preference related to the use of experience and practice
(simulated or real). These learners are those who prefer to learn hands-on.
If you have multiple preferences from V, A, R, and K (i.e., multimodal), you have many choices for
learning.

Depending on your learning type, choose the following study methods:
Learning Style Study Methods That Are Most Effective
Visual (V) Reading
Training presentation
Demonstration
Individual or small group exercise
Game
Role play/skit
Video/film

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Note-taking
Distance learning via Internet
Self-paced independent study
Blended learning
Auditory (A) Training presentation
Demonstration
Group discussion
Game
Role play/skit
Case study
Video/film
Distance learning via Internet
Blended learning
Read/Write (R) Reading
Case study
Note-taking
Questionnaire
Distance learning via Internet
Self-paced independent study
Blended learning
Kinesthetic (K) Demonstration
Individual or small group exercise
Game
Role play/skit
Case study
Note-taking
Questionnaire
Distance learning via Internet
Self-paced independent study
Blended learning

Distance learning via Internet and blended learning may help all learning styles depending on their type of
contents.

The study methods can also be broadly categorized as that providing Active Learning (high interaction of
the student) and that providing Passive Learning (low interaction of the student). Active learning results in
higher retention rate, rather than passive learning. That is why participating in an interactive class-room
lecture is more preferred to watching a pre-recorded video of a lecture or a lecture with little or no
interaction.


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Availability of Study Methods:
From the list of study method types described above, you need to check which study methods are available
and which study methods are not available. For example, you may be willing to pay for distance learning via
Internet but it may not be available to teach the subject of the exam. Similarly, you may want to participate
in a small group exercise but it may not exist on the subject of the exam.

The list of all the types of study methods discussed above is as follows:
Method Description Passive Active See Hear
Read
Write
Do
1 Reading
Written material is used to
present new information to
learners.






2
Training
presentation
Trainer orally presents new
information to learners.




3
Demonstratio
n
Learners are shown the
correct steps for completing
a task, a correctly completed
task, and then may
participate by doing the task.



4
Group
discussion
Trainer leads the group of
learners in discussing a
particular topic.




5
Individual or
small group
exercise
Learners take part in an
exercise enabling them to
understand new concepts or
practice new skills.




6 Game
Learners take part in a game
to demonstrate/review
learning points.





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7 Role play/skit
Learners or trainer act out
a situation, others observe
and analyze.




8 Case study
Learners are given
information about a
situation and are directed to
come to decisions or solve
problems concerning it.




9 Video/film
Visual media presentation of
information.




10 Note-taking
Written information through
use of handouts, outlines, or
freeform.



11 Questionnaire
Means of gathering
information on a subject via
a set of questions.



12
Distance
learning via
Internet
Asynchronous or
synchronous online training.
Delivery tools include audio
presentations, interactive
learning objects, and
educational games.

13
Self-paced
independent
study
Self-study with objectives
and a logical material
sequence plus direct results
via questions and answers
given throughout.



14
Blended
learning
Online learning units
followed by in-class
discussion.


Budget Constraints:
Not all study methods cost the same. For example, in an instructor-led training program, the same materials
are covered that are covered in books but books cost a fraction of the cost of an instructor-led training
program. So, you need to check out cost of all the available study methods that support your learning styles
and at the same time, are within your budget. Usually, the study methods appearing on the top of The Cone
of Learning depicted above cost less as compared to ones appearing at the bottom.

The caution here is that you should not compromise on selecting the study methods just because they do
not come within your budget but rather, you must select an appropriate study method that will result in
good learning for you leading to passing the exam. Lot of people, select study methods primarily due to
budget constraints and when they fail the exam, they not only loose the exam fee but also get demotivated.

If you have no budget to use the available study method that will provide you effective learning as per your
learning style, you should either consider putting in much more time and efforts, or dropping the exam
altogether.


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Time Constraints:
Depending on whether you are working, a student, married, have children, have responsibilities at home,
etc. you will have your own time constraints. You may also be on a project with a tight deadline leaving very
little free time for you to study.

However, time availability also depends on how you manage your time. Some people manage their time well
and seem to get more things done (higher productivity) compared to others. Some others have plenty of
time but they may waste it in Not Urgent, Not Important activities (see diagram below). You will have to
do whatever it takes to shift studying for exam from the Not Urgent, Important quadrant to Urgent and
Important quadrant. This is done by increasing your stakes in passing and failing the exam and by
announcing your commitment to study regularly and posting your day-by-day study plan prominently at your
home and at your work.

Remember, you will never find a phase of life, before retirement, where you will have a lot of free time. So,
the right time to study is: now.

Depending on your style of preparation, you may exclusively devote:
o Few hours daily
o Weekends
o A study leave of few days before the exam



To avoid last minute time constraint, that is a big cause why many people fail, the best strategy is to take out
few hours daily to study to prepare for an exam.

Now, look at The Cone of Leaning depicted above. The study methods listed towards the top need you to
spend less time in learning than the study methods listed towards the bottom. However, learning
effectiveness is more at the bottom compared to the top.

Similarly, active learning needs you to spend more time than passive learning but then active learning is
more effective than passive learning.

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Schedule Constraints:
All the study methods are delivered to you in one of the two modes: (1) Asynchronous, or (2) Synchronous.
In a synchronous delivery, which literally means "at the same time, you need to stick to a specific schedule
when a training is being delivered, or a discussion is taking place in a real time. In an asynchronous delivery,
which means "not at the same time," allows you complete the learning task at your own time and schedule,
without any live interaction. The following is a list of asynchronous and synchronous study methods:

Asynchronous:
Reading
Case study
Video/film
Note-taking
Questionnaire
Distance learning via Internet
Self-paced independent study
Blended learning

Synchronous:
Training presentation
Demonstration
Group discussion
Individual or small group exercise
Game
Role play/skit
Distance learning via Internet
Blended learning

The synchronous study methods need you to follow a particular schedule and therefore put a greater
demand on your schedule. Therefore, before selecting a particular study method, you need to first check if it
is delivered in a synchronous mode. If yes, you must check if you will not have a schedule clash with your
other schedules.

Other Constraints:
There can be some other constraints that may not allow you to consider a particular study method. For
example, if you are unable to travel due to health, pregnancy, etc. you may not be able to attend an
instructor-led training program in some other city.

3. MAKE A BROAD STUDY PLAN:
After choosing the strategy, make a plan for each study method. Before doing that, acquire a detailed
syllabus that also gives you what has to be covered by which study method (e.g., Exam Content Manual from
APICS or Study Guide from AST&L). Planning will involve estimating (1) how much you have to study
thoroughly and how much you have to study superficially, and (2) your speed of studying.

You would agree that the amount of study you have to do thoroughly and superficially depend on your
educational background and your work experience in the related field. Your speed will depend on your

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learning ability, stress, study environment, etc. It is important to mention here that sometimes having work
experience may work to your disadvantage especially if your work environment does not follow the best
practices. Therefore, it may be wise to ignore your work-experience unless you are sure that practices
followed at your work-place are same as what is being taught for the exam.

At the end of the planning process, you will have time estimate and budget estimate. See if this plan is
workable. If not, go back and revise it to make it workable for you. Do not forget to provide for contingency.
A ball-park figure of 15% can be used to provide for contingency.

4. ORGANIZE ALL THE STUDY RESOURCES:
Procure all the study resources, become member of the groups, register for training, etc., as early as
possible. Remember, some study resources may take a long time to procure.

5. MAKE A DETAILED STUDY SCHEDULE:
Now refine your study plan, if required, and break it down into a day-wise and hour-wise schedule of
studying. Remember to provide for contingency (approx. 15%). Take prints of this schedule and stick it
prominently at your home as well as work.

6. STUDY AS PER THE SCHEDULE:
Study as per schedule. Do not let the schedule slip.

7. PERIODICALLY CHECK YOUR PROGRESS:
Periodically, you must check the amount of study you have completed and the effectiveness of your study by
using a mock test, quiz, etc. If required, invest in additional study resources, revise the plan, revise the
schedule, etc.

8. SOME ADDITIONAL EXAM PREPARATION TIPS:
General Studying Tips:
Try not to procrastinate until the last minute to study. Space out study hours to allow sufficient time to
review the study materials.
Consider studying at home rather than at the office. It may be more difficult to focus in the work
environment.
Develop test-taking and time-management skills. Be methodical in your exam preparation.
Take the day off before the exam to relax and review study materials but also ensure that you get a good
nights rest before the exam.
Be consistent with study habits.
Don't wait too long between exams. Consider taking the exams for all five APICS CPIM modules or all six
AST&L CTL modules within a two-year maximum time period (one year, if possible) to keep the
momentum going. Take the exams in the recommended order.
Take the exam while the information from studying is still fresh in your mind.
Calculate how much time you will need for studying. Study one chapter and based on this, determine
how many dedicated study hours you will likely need. Use this approximate calculation to determine

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when you should take the test. KnoWerX has already prepared an MS-Excel sheet to help you plan.
Please send a request to KnoWerX with name of the exam/module.
If testing in the morning, allow enough time to go over your study materials one last time.
Understand manufacturing processes before taking the exam. This is helpful.
Use actual work experiences to compare information in study notes to better and more accurately
understand what you are learning.
Test yourself constantly and spend at least an hour a day studying.
Focus on understanding the concepts and their practical applications.
Understand why incorrect answers are incorrect. During study learn not only what is correct, but also
what answers are incorrect and why. Certification exams demand mastery level understanding and this
requires the ability to distinguish 100% correct versus 90% correct / 10% incorrect responses.
Write your own quiz. As you study, try to develop your own test questions and sample responses. If you
develop sample questions you cannot answer ask your instructor or mentor to explain.

Study Materials:
Read the Exam Content Manual and purchase the listed reference materials to prepare for the exam.
Read the reference materials carefully. Thoroughly understand the concepts instead of just memorizing
terms. Keeping an outline as you read each chapter may prove useful.
Become familiar with APICS words and technical terms. Study the terms and acronyms in the APICS
Dictionary.
Take the practice tests located in the Exam Content Manual.
If the number of reference materials is a concern, focus on one or two reference books at a time.
Use flashcards to help study the terms in the dictionary and Exam Content Manual.
Use the practice questions and take mock exams. They help you understand how questions are
presented and how to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Mix your preparation with the Datachem mock exam kit. It is a helpful tool to practice the knowledge
and achieve a better understanding of the material.
Make time for a second reading of reference materials.
Read the articles in the reprints for each exam module. Reprint articles expand on the topics and
enhance your knowledge.
Take online pretests or practice tests and pay extra attention to your weak points, giving you the
opportunity to learn what topics need additional study time.
Maintain a balanced study diet. Dont rely on just one kind of study tool or approach. Mix things up
where possible, for example use books, labs, review questions, and trying to teach what you have just
learned to a fictional new employee. Variety helps ensure a solid understanding.

At Work:
Talk with colleagues who have passed the exam for their insight.
Practice what you learn from your studies, associating learning with daily work.
Relate concepts to real-life examples. As you read the material, think about how it applies to your work
environment.
Interact with others who are also studying for the exam to help each other and create study groups.

Before the Test:
Take practice tests before, during, and after each study block to enhance learning. Make sure you
understand why you got some answers wrong.

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Note all details that the instructor mentions in the courses and ask questions if something is not clear.
Plan to study up to 100 additional hours per module, in addition to the instructor-led course for each
module.
Take exam soon after completing the course.
Self-study all materials from class again.
Study with a study partner to quiz each other.
Take each module exam in sync with the class that way the material will be fresh in your mind.

9. SOME OF THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE FAIL AN EXAM:
From the feedback collected from individuals who failed an exam, the following list has been created:

Assuming Exam will Test Skills at the Knowledge Level:
We are usually trained to prepare for exams by memorizing contents of text books and write exams by
recalling the same content (by learning at the basic mastery level knowledge level). However, APICS and
AST&L exams test your skills at a higher mastery level that is application level. So, even though you may
have prepared thoroughly for an exam (but at the knowledge level), you may still fail the exam. It may not
be enough to memorize the subject matter but it is important to deliberate over and understand the
subject matter so that you will be able to solve any problem or answer any question using the concepts
covered whether such problems or questions were seen earlier by you or are new for you.

Insufficient Time for Studying:
This usually happens when you do not make a strategy, plan and schedule and start studying a week or two
before the exam. This may happen either because you are over-confidant and/or you thought that since
your friend can pass by studying for a week, so will you be. This also happens because you register late for an
exam thereby delaying the entire process of studying, as your commitment starts only after you pay money
to register for an exam. You may also underestimate material delivery lead times once you place an order.

Procuring Insufficient or Using Wrong Materials:
Many times individuals do not procure all the materials that are prescribed. They use a short-cut by studying
from only the class-room training handout, training slides, only the main reference book, question-answer
database, etc. Sometimes you may be tempted to use the study materials you already have, e.g., an old
version of a prescribed material. Many individuals failed because they used books of British authors for an
American exam or vice versa leading to difference in terminology used in both cultures.

Selectively Studying:
Sometimes people procure and have all the prescribed materials but either do not study them all or skip
some chapter thinking that it is not important to study them leading to failing the exam.

Using Only Work-Experience or Academic Knowledge to Answer the Exam:
Sometimes the business processes at your work-place may not be following the practices being prescribed in
the exam leading you giving the wrong answer and therefore failing the exam. Students of business schools
must be aware that academic knowledge and practical knowledge is different. So, they should not depend
solely on their academic knowledge.

Following Someone Elses Path:
Most of the people made these mistakes because they saw their friend/colleague passing the exam
following this path. But please remember: what works for someone else, may not work for you.


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10. TEST-TAKING TIPS AND STRATEGIES:
Make sure you understand what Scaled Score is. Request KnoWerX for and read the document titled
Understanding a Scaled Score from APICS.
KnoWerX has prepared a presentation titled Test-Taking Tips and Strategies. Please make a request to
KnoWerX to get your free copy.