Tips to Help You Prepare for Certification Exams

The intention of a certification exam is to separate those who know the materials and have become experts from those who are not yet ready for that step.

Even if you feel you know the material well, planning for a certification exam is essential. In many ways, preparation is the final step for exam candidates to master the subject matter. 

According to Villanova University faculty member Ed Hayes, CPBI, CLSSBB, MBA, the certification exam is “the true measure of mastering and understanding a body of knowledge.”

“Having prepared for and taken two certification exams through Villanova, I found that the preparation enabled me to address my knowledge gaps, put it all together and crystalize my understanding of the knowledge,” Hayes said. 

The following tips can help guide you toward preparing for and successfully passing a certification exam.

Support Through Villanova

One of the ways you can help prepare yourself for earning industry certification is by completing a professional education certificate program ahead of time.

Villanova offers you the opportunity to earn exclusive certification through the University or gain the knowledge and skills to help prepare you for industry certification exams in areas such as project management, Lean Six Sigma, human resources, Agile and more. Many of Villanova’s courses align with industry bodies of knowledge and can provide you with practical knowledge, group study time, practice exams and interactive assignments to help you learn and master the material in preparation for taking the associated certification exam. 

“An advantage of earning exclusive certifications through Villanova University is that the student is getting trained and certified to the same Body of Knowledge (BOK) – and experiences a seamless process – instead of getting trained at one organization and getting certified at another where the BOK’s may not be consistent,” said Villanova faculty member Marv Meissner, MBA, Professor of Practice.

Preparing for Certification

Many of Villanova’s programs can help you prepare for industry certification exams, either through Villanova or a separate certifying body.

Some 100% multi-course certificate program offerings that can help you prepare for professional certifications include:

• Lean Six Sigma – The Certificate in Lean Six Sigma combines the methodologies of Lean and Six Sigma into one program and teaches students core concepts so that they will be able to apply their knowledge to improve processes and results. Additionally, Villanova offers Six Sigma certification in Green Belt (CSSGB), Lean Sensei (CLSSS), Lean Black Belt (CLSSBB) and Lean Master Black Belt (CLSSMBB). View Villanova’s Six Sigma certification requirements page for more information.
  
  
• Project Management – The Certificate in Applied Project Management program aligns with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), Seventh Edition, and can help you prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification exam by the Project Management Institute (PMI). 
  
  
• Agile – Students who successfully complete the Certificate in Agile program and optional comprehensive certification exam will earn Villanova’s Professional Certification in Agile & Scrum (PCAS) credential. The program could also help you prepare for the Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® certification exam from PMI and Professional Scrum Master^TM (PSM) from Scrum.org.
  
  
• Human Resources – The Human Resource Management course features content based on the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Body of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK^TM). In addition to teaching HR core competencies to help you serve effectively in an HR role, the program is designed to help you prepare for the SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)® or SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)® certification exam.

Interested in exploring other professional education program offerings? View Villanova’s 100% online programs and certification options.  

Tips to Help Pass Certification Exams

In terms of general certification study tips, exam candidates should consider the following.

Start Early

Studying for a certification exam can be a challenge without proper planning. Cutting corners or cramming at the last minute is not advised. As an example of the discipline and dedication that is typically required, Villanova recommends students spend at least 200 hours preparing for its Six Sigma certification exams. That applies even if the student has a background in Six Sigma.

“In my experience, preparing for the certification exam will stretch you to learn and master the knowledge. I recall how my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt instructor recommended 200 hours of study, after completing the 16-week course, to prepare for the certification exam. I ended up devoting approximately 250 hours over an eight-month period to prepare for and pass the Black Belt certification exam,” said Hayes.

Instructor-Led Courses

Going through a program in which you interact with professionals in the field can go a long way toward helping prepare you for certification exams. Among the many advantages is the fact that students don’t have to worry about studying outdated material that they might find through other sources. 

All of Villanova’s courses are taught by industry practitioners who bring real-world experience to the online classroom and foster a learning environment that features collaboration tools, weekly virtual class sessions, video lectures and interactive assignments.

“The online tool and the instructors combined to create an environment where students could learn together, collaborate and share products and information. I made lifelong professional friends due to the positive interactions at Villanova,” said Ret. Col. Andrew Molnar, who graduated from the Applied Project Management program.

Review the Accrediting Agency

Many of the organizations that administer exams and award certification offer information about the exam online. This can detail what topics might be featured on the exam and provide clues as to what questions will be asked. For example, SHRM offers many resources to help candidates prepare, including sample questions and a detailed description of the exam. 

Other Preparation Tips

Certain preparation tips are applicable to any kind of exam and are valuable enough to repeat in this context. These are the basics for doing well on exams and are worth remembering.

• Relax – You may be nervous when taking your exam. But if you’ve prepared properly, you can be confident you will do well.
• Don’t rush – Certification exams are not a race. You will have time to finish (Villanova’s Lean Six Sigma exams last up to four hours, for example). Read each question thoroughly and make sure you understand it.
• Double check your work – Before moving on to the next question, double check your answer for any mistakes, particularly in non-multiple-choice questions.
• Move past answers you don’t know – No matter how well you prepare, there may be at least one question you do not know. Answer it as well as you can and move on to the next question.

Keep these tips for passing certification exams in mind and you may help increase your chances for success. Also remember that the best preparation for you might involve stepping back and taking time to determine the certification exam that is right for your schedule.

“I often tell my students that passing a professional certification exam tells their current and future employers that they made the necessary sacrifices, and devoted the time, resources and energy to master a body of knowledge sufficiently to pass a rigorous certification exam. This effort demonstrates focused energy, personal sacrifice and time commitment beyond our day jobs,” Hayes added.

PMBOK, PMP and CAPM are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.