If you’re planning on writing the MQE this year, the thought of studying this summer may already be lingering in the back of your mind. Many of you have likely written the CFE/UFE or other professional exams and already have well-established study methods. While aspects of your approach may be transferable to the MQE, the MQE is a uniquely time pressured exam that tests who knows their stuff. Unlike the CFE, you don’t need 2 full months to prepare for the MQE!
Like the CFE, candidates study for the MQE by writing past exams, which are available from the CICBV once you register for the MQE. In 2019, the MQE was two questions. Over the last ten or so years, the MQE has been either two or three questions.
We believe the past six to eight years of exams are the most relevant to your studying. The exams prior to 2006 are not nearly as indicative as to what you will most likely face on the 2020 exam. If anything, writing some of the old exams may result in you building false expectations and can actually be detrimental to your preparation for the MQE. Most of the heavy lifting is done after the September long weekend, but you need to get the wheels in motion before then.
To ensure you get the most out of the six to eight practice exams you’ll write, taking a prep course can be a great way to kick off your studying so that you do not develop bad habits when you start writing practice questions. Our course spends a lot of time explaining how the exam is marked and, equally important, strategies to cope with the time constraints that you will face.
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve likely seen the technical topics that will be tested on the MQE. However, if you feel that your technical skills could use a refresher, we recommend you get up to speed before you write any of the more recent practice exams (i.e. 2010 onwards). You don’t want to “waste” practice exams by not having the right level of technical knowledge. Our prep course offers a comprehensive technical review in our notes package as well as some in-class time that focuses on frequent problem areas.
In summary, if you’re planning on writing the MQE this year, the keys to getting ready to write are:
1) Take a prep course to kick off your studying.
2) Ensure your technical knowledge is up to speed before you write recent practice exams.
3) Plan to write at least six to eight practice exams leading up to the MQE.