Wednesday 8th January – Friday 16th January: 

Exam technique and questions pack

Go through the ‘How to pass the case study exam guide’  to learn what it takes to pass this exam. During this stage, make sure to undertake the writing and planning exercises too. This is the most important part of the week – the exercises start to ingrain good exam technique that watching videos alone will never do! Post questions on our course discussion forum. It’s crucial that you clarify any areas of confusion at this early stage.

Once you have completed the exam guide, use the questions pack provided to practice your exam technique. We recommend doing one question per day from the pack through your case study preparation to keep on top of your exam technique.

Saturday 10th January: 

Attend MCS Masterclass 1 (9am-12 midday):

This class will ensure you’re up to date with the current pre-seen. The class will give you a chance to ask questions and meet other students. Asking questions is key! Please do take the opportunity to clarify any issues you currently have.

Watch the full recording if you are unable to attend on the day.

 

Sunday 11th January:

Mock 1 deadline

Mock 1 deadline – Complete mock exam 1 and send it to your marker.

It is vital that even at this early stage, you complete this in the allocated time.

Time management is a key challenge in this exam, and you need to learn to work quickly early on in the process – you won’t suddenly speed up in the last week!

Don’t be tempted to read any solutions before the exam – make it a real exam test – that’s the best way to learn. 

 

Around Monday 12th January:

Catch up call

Attend your catch up call with your mentor to review your progress and your study plan.

Thursday 15th January – Friday 16th January:

Review mock 1 feedback

Reviewing the feedback on your exams is probably the most important thing you’ll do during this course. And yet, many people ignore this crucial step.

Review mock 1 feedback when returned by marker and create a list of the key points you will commit to improve on prior to the next mock.

Study our mock 1 solutions so you can pick up key learning points. Review any theory that was a clear weakness.

Re-write sections of mock 1 that you did poorly on applying the feedback given. This is crucial and often ignored. It’s practice that improves, not just reading or watching videos. The act of redoing those sections and applying feedback will make a huge difference in your next mock. 

This is an ideal time to use our dedicated business, leadership, people and technical competency textbooks to brush up on your weaker areas.

Sunday 18th January:

Mock 2 deadline 

Mock 2 deadline – Complete mock exam 2  and send it to your marker. 

Monday 19th January – Wednesday 21st January:

Ethics

Ethics is THE MOST COMMONLY EXAMINED TOPIC in this exam. You must master this subject if you are going to pass.

Watch the video and then practise 5-6 questions.

Use the remaining questions as practice over the next few weeks whenever you get a chance.

 

Saturday 24th January (9am – 1pm):

Attend masterclass 2

This will recap the key learnings to date in the videos and give you a chance to ask questions and meet other students. Asking questions is key. Please do take the opportunity to clarify any issues you currently have.

Watch the full recording if you are unable to attend on the day.

Tuesday 27th January:

Exam booking closes

Today is the last day you’ll be able to book your May MCS exam slot. Make sure you book your exam before this date!

Monday 26th January - Friday 30th January:

MCS review week 1

Take your feedback from mock 2, as well as your previous mock, and any areas you personally feel you need to work on. Spend the next week honing these areas before the exam.

Saturday 31st January (9am-1pm):

Attend masterclass 3

This will recap the key learning’s to date in the videos and give you a chance to ask questions and meet other students. Asking questions is key, please do take the opportunity to clarify any issues you currently have.

Watch the full recording if you are unable to attend on the day.

Sunday 1st February

Mock 3 deadline:

Mock 3 deadline – complete mock exam 3 and send to your marker.

Monday 2nd February - Wednesday 4th January:

Examiners report

Take some time to review the MCS examiner's report.

 

Thursday 5th February - Friday 6th February:

Review mock 3 feedback

Review mock 3 feedback when returned by marker and create a list of the key points you will commit to improve on prior to the next mock.

Study our mock 3 solutions so you can pick up key learning points. Review any theory that was a clear weakness.

Re-write sections of mock 3 that you did poorly on applying the feedback given. This is crucial and often ignored.

Use extra time to do ethics pack questions, recap on the course and pre-seen videos and review key theories.

Saturday 7th February - Tuesday 10th February:

MCS review week 2

Take your feedback from mock 3, as well as your previous mocks, and any areas you personally feel you need to work on. Spend the next week honing these areas before the exam. 

 

Wednesday 11th February - Friday 13th February:

Exam week

Ideally take a few days off work prior to the exam and spend the majority of that time re-doing the mocks under timed conditions.

Review the pre-seen again prior to the exam and learn key facts from that so you don’t need to look at the pre-seen in the exam. 

Learn all 25 industry examples from the industry pack.

Recap any key theory on which you think you are weak. Do not make this the key focus of your last few days though – it’s practice that is key at this stage for case study exams.

Take the exam – go in with a positive attitude. Following this plan should put you in an excellent position to pass.

Rest - AND then take a huge sigh of relief after your exams and take a few weeks of well-deserved rest!