Hannah Conquers the Exam: A Study in Success

Note: the following success story is a fictionalized version of a real case. The employee’s name has been changed to protect privacy, and certain details have been embellished to more fully illustrate the employee experience.

The Employee

Hannah had built a strong career as a banker over eight years, including four years in her current role. She excelled at her day-to-day responsibilities and was valued by her team. But one obstacle loomed large: a professional certification required for her role. Despite ten attempts and support from an internal expert, Hannah had not yet passed the exam. The repeated setbacks left her frustrated and anxious, even as she continued to perform well on the job.

Hannah’s manager observed that she had difficulty with mathematical calculations relevant to the exam. She also demonstrated inconsistent performance on subject matter related to the certification.

Hannah reported that studying was a constant struggle. She had difficulty concentrating on dense reading materials, comprehending and retaining complex information, and establishing a consistent study routine. Even small distractions could derail her focus, and she found it challenging to pace herself and set limits around study time. After conversations with her employer, they agreed that accommodation support might be helpful.

The Work Accommodation Assessment Process

An Occupational Therapist (OT) conducted an accommodation assessment to help identify barriers. The process included:

• An interview with both the employee and manager
• An objective assessment of the employee’s abilities and limitations as they related to the job demands
• Job observation of the employee completing job tasks to understand the job demands, work environment, and employee strategies for managing their work tasks
• Completion of a detailed report outlining abilities, limitations, and recommended accommodation strategies

The Barriers

Hannah’s accommodation assessment revealed that she had memory challenges that made it difficult to recall information while she was studying. She also struggled with visual details and patterns, complex or language-heavy questions, and attention and reading comprehension. Despite Hannah’s best efforts, these were functional barriers that repeatedly interfered with her exam performance.

The Intervention

The OT worked closely with Hannah over six sessions, combining cognitive strategies, environmental adjustments, and practical routines to tackle her specific challenges:

• Past exam attempts were reviewed to identify weak areas and prioritize study efforts.
• Hannah practiced cognitive exercises to help sharpen her focus, enhance her memory, and make sense of patterns and tricky language.
• Structured study blocks, microbreaks, and accountability strategies were introduced to help Hannah improve consistency and cognitive stamina.
• Hannah started using tools like a noise-reducing headset to improve focus and a second monitor to support visual reference and reduce cognitive load.

At the organizational level, Hannah’s employer also provided support: dedicated study time during work hours and weekly check-ins with her manager to review progress, set short-term goals, and provide encouragement.

The Outcome

After three months of this integrated support, Hannah passed her exam. Beyond the certification, she reported that the strategies she learned during occupational therapy were now embedded in her daily workflow, helping her stay organized, focused, and efficient during all areas of her work.

An Occupational Therapy Success Story

Task-specific occupational therapy interventions can be very effective in helping employees overcome persistent professional challenges, as in Hannah’s case. By addressing cognitive barriers, creating effective study habits, and aligning environmental and managerial support, Hannah not only achieved a long-standing career goal but also gained greater confidence and self-efficacy in her work. Occupational therapy’s impact had a long-lasting ripple effect that continues to support her long-term workplace success.

Is your workplace looking for ways to better support employee success? Our occupational therapists can help with assessments, coaching, and strategies tailored to both employees and leaders. Contact us today to learn more.