SMSTS Training: A Guide to Preparing for the Exam
If you’re taking the SMSTS Training (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) course, you’re probably aware that it ends with an exam. The good news is that if you approach it with the right preparation strategy, you’ll be well-equipped to succeed without too much hassle.
What is the SMSTS Training Exam?
The SMSTS exam is designed to assess your understanding of the key topics covered throughout the course, including health and safety legislation, risk assessments, site set-up, and environmental management. It’s not about trick questions; it’s about proving you’ve absorbed the practical and theoretical content that’s crucial for managing a safe site.
Most people find that the best way to prepare is by engaging fully during the course itself- paying attention, participating in discussions, and making notes on the more complex areas- because while the exam is only one part of the SMSTS experience, it’s important that you’re ready to apply the knowledge you’ve gained over the five-day course.
You’ll also be given a workbook and various handouts during the course, which might feel like a lot. But those materials are of significant value when it comes to revising. They often tend to mirror the language and layout of what you’ll encounter in the exam. Plus, although it may seem excessive or overwhelming to revisit every single topic in minute detail, especially if you’ve had a long week on-site or your course days have been packed, going through your notes and materials thoroughly really will pay off when it’s time to sit down and sit the exam.
How Does the Exam Work for the SMSTS Training Course?
The exam itself includes multiple-choice questions and some short written answers, usually based on real-world scenarios. It’s less about memorisation, and more about demonstrating that you understand the principles and know how to apply them in a site setting.
Tips for Preparing for the Exam
Try to focus on risk assessments, method statements, site inductions, legal responsibilities, and CDM (Construction Design and Management) regulations, because these topics almost always feature. And while you’re not expected to know every law word-for-word, you do need to be confident in your responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act and similar legislation, so it’s well worth brushing up on those, especially the duties of a principal contractor.
Don’t ignore the mock exams or group work exercises either. Even though they might not feel like a real test, they’re designed to mirror the kinds of questions and thought processes you’ll need to apply in the final assessment, and sometimes just explaining your reasoning to a fellow course attendee can help you clarify your understanding in a way that’s far more effective than simply reading on your own.
If you’re someone who hasn’t taken an exam in a long time and you feel like you’re out of practice, don’t panic. The format is straightforward, and the trainers want you to succeed, so they often provide revision summaries, helpful tips, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions throughout the course.
Conclusion (SMSTS Training: A Guide to Preparing for the Exam)
So: engage during the course, review your notes and handouts, practice with mock questions, and think practically. If you can do that, you’ll be giving yourself the best chance of passing the SMSTS exam with confidence- as most candidates manage to do.
If you still have any questions regarding the course, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
