How to pass your TTT final assessment?

If you are attending a Train-The-Trainer Certification Course soon, here are a dozen tips that our #teamAIM put together on how you can pass your Train-The-Trainer final assessment and get that TTT Certificate!

1. Pick a topic that you can deliver from the heart, but make sure to keep it within the allocated time.?

The ultimate goal of the assessment is to score enough points to pass. However, if you are too preoccupied to remember what to say and what to do, you will sure to stress yourself out. With that in mind, pick a topic that you know by heart and are very passionate about - the energy that you project will definitely translate into your delivery.?

2. Put it on paper - if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.?

The session plan is an important document that is often overlooked when delivering a training session. Spend ample time and consciously think about what you put in the template as the purpose of the session plan is to allow the trainer to clearly visualise the session that he or she will conduct.?

3. Make it easy for the audience to get on board with a meaningful ice-breaker.?

There are two (2) main reasons of conducting an ice-breakers, i) to allow the audience to get ready to receive what the trainer wants to deliver; ii) to allow the trainer to be comfortable to deliver the key lessons. So, it would be good if you can find an activity that is not just for fun but can tease the content that is to come.

4. Present your learning objectives so that the audience knows what you want them to take from the session.

Help the audience to be clear on the purpose of the session. Present your expected outcome and spend a bit of time elaborating so that you have the opportunity to gain the audience buy-in before you go into the main content.

5. Structure your content with a logical flow: Intro-Body-Closing.?

Good training is structured training. Spend time to use the beginning of the session to introduce the definition or core concept and make sure you wrap up the session with a proper closing at the end - in between that will be the part where you ensure the key lessons are being delivered.

6. Use a variety of training aids.

Training is not just presenting slides. Slides are supposed to be a visual aid and support your delivery. Distribute notes, bring props and use the whiteboard to elaborate on your points. If you have time, do some practical exercises or an experiential learning activity.?

7. Keep to a comfortable pace.

Breathe. Pause. Don't forget that you are sharing, not trying to run to the finishing line. Having said that, don't take it too easy. Keep to a pace that doesn't exhaust you or the audience.?

8. Make the session conversational - make good eye contact and invite involvement.?

Be comfortable to look around and making eye contact with your audience from different parts of the room. Observe their body language and leverage those who are willing to interact with you. Deliver the content as if you are having a personal conversation with them.

9. Give space for the audience to ask questions.?

Welcome questions from the audience. Allow them to seek clarification or probe on the area that they are still unsure of. If you pack your content too much, the audience may not have room to ask and it will be a missed opportunity to help them learn.

10. Review the key lessons with a short quiz.

Within the short time you have for the assessment, it is usually best to do a quiz with 2 or 3 questions on the key lessons of your session. For a practical or skill-related topic, you can also do a review by calling up a few participants to showcase what they have learned or practised.

11. Close the session with a key takeaway that sums up the key lessons.?

If there is anything that the audience will take away from your session, what will it be? Make sure you drive home the point you want to get across. And don't forget to put that in the slides so the assessor is aware of it too.

12. Have fun, don't overthink it.

We all get a little nervous when being observed and evaluated, that's normal. The idea is to reframe the situation and be excited to share what you know and what you can do with your fellow classmates - don't worry about the assessor, in fact, don't even look at them, they are just doing their job. Focus your attention on your audience.