Greetings from the Certification Team!
It’s probably no surprise to y’all that an emerging trend in the certification world is folks using AI to study for their exams.
While AI provides a great opportunity for a personalized study guide, you might hurt your chances or violate an SSH certification policy if used incorrectly. So, today, we’re going to do an introduction of the “Dos and Don’ts” of using AI to study for your CHSE or CHSOS exam.
Let’s start with the “Dos.”
One approach is to ask your AI platform to quiz you. You can input a textbook chapter, journal article, or your study notes and prompt the AI to turn it into multiple choice questions. I recommend looking at the exam blueprint and matching the content domain’s measurable verb to the type of question requested from your AI platform.
Next, and something I do quite often, is to use AI to simplify the scary stuff. If you are struggling with a complex concept, ask AI to "explain this to me like I'm five." Asking the AI to explain complex ideas using simple analogies or metaphors takes the mental burden off you and can help frame advanced concepts in a more approachable way.
If you have taken one of the SSH practice tests, you will receive a strengths and weakness report at the completion. Feed the AI those results and request a targeted study plan focused on the domains where you need improvement. This can help you ensure every study minute counts and may help identify new sources to address your weaknesses.
Now on to the “Don’ts.”
The most critical rule is don't try to cheat by asking for actual CHSE or CHSOS test questions. Never ask the AI for specific, live exam questions. Not only is this unethical and violates certification policy and procedures, but it could lead to the loss of your credential down the line or other disciplinary action by the Certification Council.
Less scary from a disciplinary lens, but still scary is a reminder that with all AI, don't trust it blindly and always verify the information you are receiving, especially if it sounds strange or unfamiliar. AI can confidently generate completely inaccurate facts, definitions, or procedural steps. If what you’re reading makes your eyebrow raise, always ask your AI for its source, or put the information into another search engine to verify. Similarly, don't let the AI distract you with cool, but irrelevant, side topics. Always cross check that what you are using to study relates back to the certification exam blueprint. The exam blueprint is the keystone of the certification program and all test questions and content tie directly back to it. I often tell item writers that I do not care if they have written the most beautiful test question I have ever seen in my life. If it does not link back to the exam blueprint, it will be deleted.
My last “Don’t” may help earn us all mercy from the machines in the future (hi Skynet). Don’t forget to say thank you to your AI (but include it at the end of your request to avoid small interactions that use a small but significant amount of energy). Joking about the robot uprising aside, I do subscribe to the theory that that polite language helps shape more positive and constructive AI outputs and providing positive feedback if what you received was beneficial may help another user down the line get higher quality results.
And we’re all here to continually build the stairs that empower simulation professionals, not to pull the ladder up behind us after we ourselves have succeeded.
As always, no matter your study method, your SSH certification team is always available to answer questions, provide support, and help you discover what will help you be most successful with your exam attempt.
Until next time, be excellent to each other!
Warm regards,
Rachel Araujo
SSH Director of Certification