Behind the scenes: how an enhanced practice platform leads to better learning outcomes

Starting on 17 August, this enhanced practice platform will be available to all participants. Ahead of the launch, it was extensively tested by four financial institutions, with promising initial results.

We spoke with Bart Corthouts, Business Project Manager at Febelfin Academy, about the thinking behind this enhancement.

According to Bart, this enhancement was not just a routine update, but a deliberate investment in the future of learning.

"Learning continues to evolve. New generations of employees are entering the workforce, and the financial sector itself is constantly changing. To fulfil our mission, we need to keep investing in both our training programmes and the learning environment that supports them. This enhancement is far more than a cosmetic update. Based on the latest scientific insights, we now support candidates preparing for the intermediation exams with a learning journey that guides them step by step towards exam success."

At the start of the project, three clear objectives were defined:

• Increase success rates
• Reduce study time

• Improve the overall learning experience

  To achieve this, investments were made in:

• A significantly larger pool of practice questions covering all FSMA learning objectives
• Shorter and more targeted exercises for each learning module
• A direct link between the syllabus and practice exercises through QR codes
• A more user-friendly learning environment that encourages participants to practise more regularly and consistently

Behind these enhancements lies a clear vision of learning. By breaking down course material into smaller, manageable learning and practice moments, participants are encouraged to practise more regularly. Research shows that this approach not only increases motivation but also leads to better knowledge retention.

In other words, participants do not just pass their exams more quickly. They also retain what they have learned for longer and are better able to apply that knowledge in their day-to-day work.

Before making the enhanced practice platform widely available, Febelfin Academy deliberately chose a pilot phase with a limited group of clients.

"It had been quite some time since the last update of this scale. That's why we wanted to work first with a select group of organisations, gather their feedback, and make any necessary improvements before the official launch."

This approach proved successful. Both participants and training managers responded very positively.

"Participants are particularly enthusiastic about the extensive range of practice questions, which helps them gain a stronger grasp of the course material. Training managers also see clear benefits. When employees pass their exams more quickly, they can be deployed within the organisation sooner."

The first effects of the new approach became visible during the pilot phase.

Initial analyses show that:

• More participants pass on their first exam attempt
• Fewer exam attempts are needed to obtain a certificate
• Average exam scores are higher than before the introduction of the enhanced platform

This suggests that participants are not only passing their exams more quickly, but are also mastering the course material more effectively.

"The first figures are very encouraging," says Bart. "We can see that participants in the pilot group are passing their exams more easily. That is exactly what we set out to achieve. The average scores are also higher, which indicates that participants are better prepared and able to apply their knowledge with greater confidence."

For organisations, this means more than just better learning outcomes. It also results in a more efficient training process. Fewer retakes reduce administrative follow-up, shorten the time to certification, and increase the return on training investments.

The enhanced practice platform is part of a broader ambition at Febelfin Academy: to make learning more effective, more efficient, and more engaging.

"Ultimately, we want to improve learning efficiency. That is the combination of five elements: motivation to learn, better exam results, more participants passing on their first attempt, shorter study times, and higher knowledge retention. By encouraging participants to learn and practise in smaller steps, they retain information more effectively. This not only increases their chances of passing but also ensures that the knowledge they acquire stays with them longer and can be applied more quickly in the workplace."

When participants practise more frequently, learn more purposefully, and gain a better understanding of their level of knowledge, the benefits go beyond higher pass rates. The quality of the learning process also improves. Knowledge is retained more effectively, employees feel more confident in their roles, and organisations benefit from professionals who are ready to contribute sooner and with a stronger knowledge base.

From 17 August onwards, all participants preparing for the intermediation exams will automatically gain access to the enhanced practice platform. Over the coming months, Febelfin Academy will continue to monitor the results and further optimise the platform based on user feedback and data.

Learn smarter, retain more, and succeed faster: that is the ambition behind this enhancement.