Study Guide
Full copy of article available from www.studentsupportgroup.co.uk
Helping CIM Students to strengthen their syllabus knowledge and improve exam technique.
Most CIM students learn best when they adopt a fun, chunky (logical step at a time) approach to study.
Learning is a personal thing and we all learn and remember in different ways/at different speeds. Here's some suggestions from those who've "been there and done that". Have fun finding the study methods you like and that work for you.
Know your syllabus - you need to know how many syllabus "chunks" there are and what weightings they have, this is a good indication of the relative importance of each "chunk", plus any recent changes in the syllabus etc.
Stick to the syllabus - focus on the learning outcomes. These state the things you need to be able to do e.g. define the Marketing Mix. This is also the menu from which the Examiner will select the exam questions.
Mind map the syllabus - Identify the "syllabus chunks" and map how they link, overlap/relate to each other.
Study approach - The challenge of the CIM study is to understand and remember the key bits of theory (what, where or when) and then master its practical application (how and why) Key "need-to-know" points - ask yourself, what are the key need-to-know points about a topic? Have a look at past exam questions on this topic and see which key elements get mentioned in each specimen answer.
Create memorable keywords - (Acronyms) e.g. SLEPT - the Macro environment - (Social, Legal, Economic, Political and Technological influences)
Overview a chapter at a time - list all the chapter section headings and subheadings. This should give you a good overview/feel for the Chapter contents and makes reading it active and interesting.
Practice active reading - do something with the information to personalise it - initially read chapter introduction and summary only, then attempt the quick quiz at the end. Now tackle more in-depth and background reading as required.
In your own words - whenever you take any kind of notes, skim read a maximum of a page at a time without writing. Then take brief notes in your own words (unless it's a definition).
Use other sources - now search out more quotes, models & or definitions from other sources, adding depth and breadth to your work. Knowledge from one textbook only is unlikely to impress the CIM Examiner. Find original examples - to illustrate your Exam paper/assignment. The Examiner must be fed up of reading about Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Amazon Bookshop! Why not use the organisation you work for or one you admire, or one you heard of at one of the local events?
Use the 3C's test - mention Customers (how to satisfy them), Company (organisational objectives) and Competitiveness (how to offer a competitive advantage) in each piece of work, this keeps you "marketing focused".
Be practical - We have found that if you actually (e.g.) create a budget, rather than just read about it, then you understand and then can focus on creating the methods of remembering.
Stick 'em up - put key learning points/definitions/models e.g. Ansoff matrix on bits of paper and stick them around the room. Don't take them down until you know them all.
Test yourself - revisit yesterday's topic before you move on to a new one, reinforcement and repetition feed the brain.
Rewards - promise yourself you will have a break/stop studying when you have mastered/learnt/remembered something. Set little tests/challenges and give yourself a reward each time you pass!
Exam preparation - Most CIM students are assessed by examination each December & June, so it is important to understand how to tackle the exam paper and to be able to perform up to and beyond the standard required to gain a good pass grade.