Mastering CeMAP Exam Anxiety with Sam Tierney

Mastering CeMAP Exam Anxiety with Sam Tierney

Author: Charlotte Hemmingway July 25, 2025 Duration: 29:03

Whether you’ve sat exams recently or haven’t picked up a textbook in years, exam anxiety can feel very real. So in this special episode, I sat down with anxiety coach Sam Tierney to break it all down — and help you feel calm, confident, and ready to pass.

We covered:

✅ What is exam anxiety — and how is it different from normal nerves?

✅ Is a bit of anxiety actually helpful sometimes?

✅ Why some people seem more affected by exam pressure than others

🧠 Practical Strategies for Students

Sam’s top tips for calming nerves in the run-up to your exam

How to deal with those horrible “my mind’s gone blank” moments

How to bounce back after getting a question wrong

Rewriting the “I failed before, so I’ll fail again” mindset

📚 Study-Related Anxiety

What to do if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of content

How to avoid burnout or feeling paralysed before the exam

🗓 On-the-Day Tips

Breathing and grounding exercises Sam recommends

Managing time pressure and staying calm in the exam room

🧭 Mindset Shifts

How to build confidence when you don’t feel “academic”

Sam’s #1 piece of advice for anyone struggling with exam nerves

🧰 Sam’s Services & How to Connect

Sam is the creator of the brilliant course: 🎓 Master Exam Anxiety and Thrive Under Pressure: CeMAP Exam Success Blueprint

https://learning.futureinfinance.co.uk/courses/masterexamanxiety

You can find her at on Instragram @tierneyscoaching or at https://www.tierneyscoaching.com/

💬 If you’re prepping for your CeMAP exam and struggling with nerves, this episode is for you.

Send it to a study buddy. Re-listen before exam day. And remember — anxiety doesn’t mean you can’t do this.


Navigating the CeMAP exams can feel like a solitary task, but it doesn't have to be. Hosted by Charlotte Hemmingway, The CeMAP Study Podcast with Future in Finance is designed to be the supportive voice in your ear, turning complex financial regulations and mortgage advice principles into clear, manageable concepts. This isn't about generic study tips; it's a structured audio resource that mirrors your syllabus. The first season provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the CeMAP 1 module, breaking down topics into digestible weekly episodes. Following that, the second season seamlessly continues your journey, covering the material for CeMAP 2 and 3. You'll hear straightforward explanations and practical insights that aim to replace confusion with clarity, whether you're new to the industry or brushing up on your knowledge. With new content released every week, including updated CeMAP 1 material relevant for the 2025 syllabus and beyond, this podcast ensures your study materials stay current. Think of it as having a knowledgeable tutor available on-demand, transforming your commute, workout, or coffee break into a productive study session. The focus is on delivering tangible guidance you can apply directly to your revision and future career in finance, making the path to qualification feel a little less daunting and a lot more achievable.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 67

The CeMAP Study Podcast with Future in Finance
Podcast Episodes
CeMAP 1 Topic 19 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:02
it’s time to dive into CeMAP 1 Topic 19 – and while “prudential regulation” might not sound thrilling, this is the stuff that keeps the financial system from falling on its face. And yes… it does come up in your exam!In…
CeMAP 2&3: Topic 19 & 20 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:49
It’s time to dive into CeMAP 1 Topic 19 – and while “prudential regulation” might not sound thrilling, this is the stuff that keeps the financial system from falling on its face. And yes… it does come up in your exam!In…
CeMAP 1: Topic 18 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:43
We’re back! After a little break from the podcast, I’m diving straight into Topic 18 of your CeMAP 1 journey — and this one’s a biggie.But first, I’m sharing a personal update on where I’ve been, why there have been no n…
CeMAP 1: Topic 17 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:46
We’ve officially made it to the second half of the CeMAP 1 exam. 🎉In this episode, we dive into Topic 17, and it's a big deal because it marks your very first introduction into the world of financial services regulation.…
CeMAP 2&3: Topic 18 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:58
This week, we’re diving deep into CeMAP 2&3 Topic 18: Financial Protection—and trust me, this one’s an absolute must-listen if CeMAP 3 is coming up on your radar.This episode is packed with practical advice and simplifie…
CeMAP 2&3: Topic 17 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:08
This week we’re diving into a massively under-rated but totally crucial part of your CeMAP 2 and 3 studies: the UK’s State Benefit System. Yep, it falls under financial protection, and no – you can’t wing this bit if you…
CeMAP 1: Topic 15 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
This is one of those topics that sounds simple until you actually start studying it! CeMAP 1 Topic 15: Key Advice Areas is packed with concepts you need to understand for your exam, so let’s break it down in a way that a…
CeMAP 2&3: Topic 16 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
This week, Maria the Money Muggle and I are diving into a massive part of CeMAP 2 & 3 – Life Insurance and Financial Protection. If you’ve ever found yourself staring blankly at a question about Whole of Life or Term Ins…
CeMAP 1: Topic 14 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
In this episode, Maria the Money Muggle and I are diving into CeMAP 1 Topic 14: Understanding and Satisfying Customer Needs.This is one of those topics that sounds straightforward until you realise there’s a whole lot mo…
CeMAP 2&3: Topic 15 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:02
In this episode, we delve into critical aspects of property development and lending decisions, focusing on:Planning Permission and Building Regulations: Understanding the necessity of planning consent for property modifi…