From the Accreditation Board
Deciding to sit the accreditation exam is a big step for many editors, no matter how experienced they are. From 2026, candidates sit the exam over 3 sessions rather than 1, but preparing for the exam can still feel daunting, especially if you’re doing it alone.
But you can share the burden with a study group. A study group can give you new perspectives, motivate and encourage you, and boost your confidence. It might even connect you with editors you wouldn’t otherwise meet!
Preparing for the exam can take up to a year and feel isolating
You may have decided to sit the accreditation exam long before registrations open. This is because you need to budget for both the financial and the time costs of sitting it. At the very least, you need to set aside time to complete the new online exam preparation course, practise with the sample exams and sit each part of the exam.
But as you sit one of the sample exams to find your baseline, you will discover skills to strengthen or gaps in your knowledge. It could be that you need to brush up on mark-up in Word, or AI and copyright, or dangling modifiers. You will need to also schedule time to develop those skills or read about editing practice.
Another element of the exam you need to devote time to is developing your exam notes. These are the notes you can refer to in the exam. They can cover any aspect of the exam you expect to encounter, and they take time to compile.
We also recommend that editors practise using their exam notes under exam conditions. For example, test whether the headings you chose allow you to navigate your notes swiftly. There’s no point wasting precious exam time searching for content you know is there but can’t find.
If you feel like you’re doing this all on your own and it’s a bit much, a study group might be for you.
Joining or starting a study group can boost your confidence and your skills
There is comfort in knowing you’re all in the same boat. And beside the camaraderie of a shared pursuit, a study group can boost your confidence and motivate you. We all know how fulfilling it is to nerd out with fellow word lovers. But what we might not appreciate until exam time comes is just how supportive our editing community is.
In your study group, you’ll likely find that each editor has different experience and expertise. This means you get the benefit of fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of the editing profession, which will come in handy for the Knowledge part of the exam. From a social and networking perspective, a study group can even connect you with other editors you might not otherwise have met.
Also, a study group can help you work strategically to make the most of your preparation time. You might like to:
- body double (work on the same or different tasks at the same time, but not speak)
- go through answers together after sitting sample exams
- verbally quiz each other to help you form more coherent answers
- keep each other accountable with regular check-ins or study sessions
- share resources or study tips.
Making sure your study group meets our guidelines
Before you start or join a study group, make sure that it only includes other exam candidates and any information you share about the exam is from the latest version of the Guide for candidates, the IPEd website or the IPEd online exam preparation course.
Keep in mind that any official advice or information from past candidates may be out of date.
Signing up for the exam
Ready to sign up for the exam? Go to the IPEd website.
We will hold the Language part on Monday 7 December. Please note that earlybird registrations close on 11 October and all registrations close on 8 November.