Anyone had success organizing CUBA study groups for junior staff? We have three people taking the exam this fall and I'm wondering if group study sessions would be more effective than individual preparation. Dominion Energy has some complex rate structures that seem perfect for group discussion and problem-solving.
CUBA certification prep - study group success?
George, we tried group sessions last year with mixed results. The stronger candidates helped pull up the weaker ones, but scheduling was a nightmare. What worked better was pairing each candidate with a mentor who's already CUBA certified. More personalized attention and flexible scheduling. Consumers Energy rate structures are complex enough that one-on-one guidance really helps.
We do monthly group sessions but also individual study plans. The group helps with motivation and accountability, but some concepts need individual attention. SCE&G's time-of-use structures are particularly challenging for new auditors - having multiple perspectives in group discussions really helps clarify the concepts.
At MLGW, we found that mixing experience levels in study groups works well. Having someone who passed the exam last year helps bridge the gap between the textbook material and real-world application. The key is keeping groups small - 4 people maximum or the discussions get unfocused.
Thanks for the input everyone. We're going to try a hybrid approach - weekly group sessions for general concepts and individual mentoring for weak areas. Oncor's rate schedules provide plenty of real-world practice problems, so we should have good material to work with.