For students studying online or part-time, May marks the final stretch – when preparation gives way to performance.
For students at Moonstone Business School of Excellence (MBSE) – an online institution focused on career-aligned qualifications for the financial services sector – that pressure is already playing out.
Exams for the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Financial Management (NQF 7) began on 5 May, with assessments for the Higher Certificate in Short-term Insurance (NQF 5), Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5), Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6), Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer (NQF 6), and Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF 8), starting on 8 May.
For students balancing work and study, the next few weeks will determine the outcome of months of preparation.
At MBSE, this period is familiar territory. The institution’s programmes – from higher certificates to postgraduate qualifications – are designed to meet industry requirements while offering flexibility and structured support.
That combination becomes particularly important during exam time.
According to Willem van der Westhuizen, business development manager at MBSE, the issue at this stage is not simply how many hours students put in – but how effectively those hours are used.
“With all other factors equal, studying more hours will always deliver better results,” he says. “But at this point in the semester, the critical success factor is not just putting in the hours – it’s being effective in your study sessions.”
That effectiveness, he adds, comes from understanding how you learn and following a clear system.
Start with a system, not just more hours
One of the biggest mistakes at this stage is trying to do everything at once, without a clear approach.
Van der Westhuizen advises students to work through their material systematically.
That starts with reading with intent – engaging actively with the content, identifying key ideas, and making sure concepts are understood, not just covered. Highlighting important sections and summarising content in your own words helps to reinforce understanding.
Organisation also matters. Structuring notes so that topics can be revised quickly and confidently makes a significant difference under time pressure. Building a summary page for each chapter or focus area – capturing key concepts, definitions, and formulas – creates a reliable tool for revision.
“Studying longer doesn’t necessarily mean studying better,” he says. “The focus should be on understanding and application.”
Work with the material – don’t just read it
Passive reading is rarely effective under exam pressure.
Instead, students should actively engage with their material by practising past questions, testing their understanding, and working through problems regularly.
Engaging with peers and reaching out to lecturers when concepts are unclear can also help to close gaps early. This is particularly important in financial services qualifications, where applying knowledge to real-world scenarios is key.
Use time intentionally
Long, unstructured sessions often lead to fatigue and low retention.
Van der Westhuizen recommends working in focused blocks, tackling one topic at a time, taking short breaks, and avoiding multitasking.
Consistency matters. Setting aside dedicated time each day helps to build momentum and reduces stress, while keeping preparation manageable.
Know what you don’t know
Preparation is not only about reinforcing strengths.
Students should actively identify weaker areas and address them early – even if those topics are more challenging. That means revisiting difficult sections, asking for clarification, and making use of available support tools.
Stay sharp in the exam
Preparation does not end when the exam starts – and this is where many students lose marks.
One of the most common mistakes is failing to attempt all the questions, often because too much time is spent on one section.
Students should plan their time based on the mark allocation of each question, giving each section its proportionate share. If time runs out on a question, it is better to move on and return later if possible.
Before starting, take a few minutes to scan the entire paper and begin with the questions you are most comfortable with. This helps to build momentum and confidence early on.
Equally important is staying until the end. Finishing early should be used to review answers and check for avoidable errors – particularly those caused by stress or time pressure.
Support makes the difference
With more than a decade of experience in online education, MBSE has developed a model well suited to working professionals, combining flexibility with structured academic support.
Students engage through a fully online platform, with the ability to study at their own pace while still benefiting from regular live sessions, including exam preparation. Lecturers are available during office hours, and on-demand tutorial and explainer videos help to unpack more complex topics.
“We offer as much flexibility as possible while still providing a strong support structure,” says operations manager Monique Brummer.
Qualifications aligned to real careers
MBSE’s programmes are built around clear career pathways in the financial services sector.
Its offering includes:
- Higher Certificate in Short-term Insurance (NQF 5)
- Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5)
- Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6)
- Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer (NQF 6)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Financial Management (NQF 7)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF 8)
These qualifications are recognised by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for FAIS Fit and Proper purposes and aligned with professional bodies such as the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa and the Insurance Institute of South Africa, depending on the programme.
“We teach the theory but also show students how to apply it using real-world tools,” Brummer says. “We aim to ensure our graduates are as employable as possible.”
Applications for the second semester close on the last Friday in June.
Visit www.mbse.ac.za to learn more or contact MBSE at help@mbse.ac.za.
