Confirm what open-book permits
Check allowed documents, devices, internet access, annotations and any restrictions on AI or collaboration. Different assessments use the term differently. Build a preparation set that follows those rules; having used an AI tool while revising does not mean it is allowed during the exam.
Build a task-based reference index
Organize links or page references by the type of problem they help solve. Include definitions, assumptions and representative examples, but keep the index short enough to navigate. Test whether labels lead you to the needed source, not simply whether all chapters appear somewhere in the list.
Practise with the permitted resources
Complete a timed sample using only what the exam allows. Record both solving time and lookup time. If you repeatedly search for a basic idea, practise understanding it; adding more references may make navigation slower. Review answers for reasoning, not just correctly quoted facts.
Worked example
For an open-book comparison exam, a student builds an index with rows for selection criteria, assumptions and limitations. Each row links to a source page and one worked comparison. A timed attempt reveals that looking up every definition leaves too little time to justify decisions. The next session therefore practises core distinctions from memory while retaining references for detail.
Before you finish
- Resource permissions are confirmed for this specific exam.
- The index is organized around tasks and decisions.
- A timed attempt includes realistic lookup time.