I recently passed the Certified Association Executive (CAE) exam, and like many association professionals, I found that the challenge was not just the content. It was relearning how to study in a way that fit into a full schedule and actually worked.
It had been years since I prepared for a formal exam. Between work, responsibilities, and everything else competing for attention, I knew I needed an approach that was realistic and consistent. These six strategies made a meaningful difference for me, and I hope they do the same for you.
1. Start by understanding how you retain information
Before getting too deep into the material, take time to figure out how you learn best. If it has been a while since you last studied for an exam, this step is more important than it might seem.
For me, repetition and flash cards were the most effective. I needed to revisit concepts multiple times before they truly stuck. Simply reading through the material once was not enough.
If you are unsure what works for you, try focusing on one domain and experiment with a single method. Pay attention to what you remember the next day and what you can explain without looking at your notes. Once you find a method that works, stick with it and build your study routine around it.
2. Write down the concepts you struggle to remember
When I came across information that did not come easily, I made a point to write it down by hand or as a note in my phone.
Writing forces you to slow down and engage with the material in a different way. It is difficult to write something clearly if you do not understand it, which makes it a useful way to identify gaps in your knowledge.
I would write out definitions, frameworks, and key concepts that I kept missing, then revisit them later and write them again. Over time, those were the items that became the easiest to recall.
It is a simple habit, but it reinforces learning in a way that passive review does not.
3. Use flash cards to make studying more flexible. This is a good moment to lean into AI for help.
Finding time to study can be one of the biggest obstacles. Long, uninterrupted sessions are not always realistic, especially during a busy workweek.
Flash cards helped me make better use of small pockets of time throughout the day. Whether it was a few minutes between meetings or a short break in the evening, I could quickly review key concepts and stay connected to the material.
I used Google LM Notebook so I could access my flash cards on my phone and make flashcards for me based on the summaries from the textbook. This allowed me to have the information presented to me in different ways that assisted with retention. Having everything in one place made it easy to stay consistent.
Those shorter, more frequent touchpoints added up over time and helped reinforce what I was learning.
4. Take practice tests seriously
Practice tests were one of the most valuable parts of my preparation.
Studying for the CAE is not only about knowing the content. It is about understanding how the questions are structured and learning how to approach them. In many cases, more than one answer will seem correct, and you need to determine which one best fits the intent of the question.
The more practice questions I completed, the more I began to recognize patterns. I became more comfortable identifying what the question was really asking and narrowing down the options.
At a certain point, preparation shifts from memorizing information to thinking the way the exam expects you to think. Practice tests are what help you make that transition.
5. Give yourself a break the night before
It can be tempting to spend the night before the exam reviewing notes or running through flash cards one more time. A colleague who helps prepare professionals for the CMP gave me sound advice to not study the night before, and I chose to heed his warning; I would fully recommend the same approach.
By that point, the preparation is already done. Adding more information at the last minute often creates unnecessary stress rather than clarity. What your brain needs most is rest.
I focused on relaxing, stepping away from the material, and getting a good night of sleep. That helped me go into the exam feeling clear and focused instead of fatigued.
6. Remove as many variables as possible on the day of the exam.
The day before and the morning of the exam can feel unpredictable if you leave too much to chance. I found it helpful to simplify everything I could.
In Indiana, there are no testing sites for the CAE in Indianapolis. Since I was taking the exam in December, I chose to stay in a hotel the night before using points, which gave me a quiet environment, a consistent routine and eliminated traffic concerns should there be bad weather. This allowed me to focus on the day ahead and keep a sense of control.
On the morning of the exam, I kept things simple. I had a familiar breakfast at a diner and arrived at the testing site early. That extra time allowed me to settle in, take a few deep breaths, and clear my head before starting.
None of these decisions were complicated, but together they created a sense of calm and control.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the CAE exam does not require a perfect system, but it does require consistency and self-awareness. The most effective approach is one that fits your schedule, aligns with how you learn, and allows you to stay engaged with the material over time.
Focus on steady progress rather than perfection. Trust the preparation you have put in. And when exam day arrives, give yourself the space to perform at your best.
Passing the CAE or any certification exam is a meaningful accomplishment, and with the right approach, it is absolutely within reach.
Emily Huff, CAE
Emily Ambriz-Huff joined the RGI team in 2024 as Director of Marketing & Communications. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with a minor in music and Spanish and a Master of Arts in Public Relations Leadership with a concentration in Media Analytics from Ball State University. In her free time she enjoys knitting, traveling, and crushing it on the pickleball court with the Indianapolis Pickleball Club.