What to Do If You Are Using Old IG1 or IG2 Notes

If you started preparing for the NEBOSH International General Certificate before the 2026 update, you may still have study notes labelled IG1 and IG2.

Those notes should not automatically be thrown away. Much of the underlying health and safety knowledge remains useful. However, you should not assume that old notes, assessment guidance or practical requirements are fully aligned with the current qualification.

NEBOSH reviewed and updated the General Certificate for 2026. Teaching on the revised specification began on 2 February 2026, with the first revised assessments taking place from 4 March 2026.

The important question is therefore not simply “Are my old notes useful?”

It is:

“Which parts can I still use, and which parts need to be checked against current NEBOSH guidance?”

Why Old IG1 and IG2 Notes Need Checking

NEBOSH’s 2026 update changed the naming and assessment arrangements for the International General Certificate.

The former IG1 and IG2 units are associated with the 2018 specification, while the revised qualification uses GIC1 and GIC2. NEBOSH describes GIC1 as continuing to be a 24-hour scenario-based assessment, while GIC2 remains a practical risk assessment with changes to the assessment process.

This means an old document can contain two very different types of information:

General HSE knowledge that may still be useful
Qualification-specific information that may now be outdated

Knowing the difference is essential.

First, Check Which Specification You Are Studying

Before reorganising your notes, confirm your current qualification status with your Learning Partner and check the latest NEBOSH information.

Do not determine this simply from the date printed on your textbook.

NEBOSH’s current qualification information identifies the 2025 specification as the revised specification for the General Certificate, with GIC1 and GIC2 used under that specification.

If your notes say:

IG1 / IG2 – 2018 specification

but your current registration and assessment are for:

GIC1 / GIC2 – 2025 specification

you should use the current specification as your reference point.

What Happened to IG1 and IG2?

The terminology changed as part of the 2026 update.

Older terminology	Current terminology
IG1	GIC1
IG2	GIC2
2018 specification	2025 specification

The change is more than a simple rename because NEBOSH also updated aspects of the second-unit assessment. NEBOSH states that the General Certificate was reviewed for 2026 and that changes were made to how unit two is administered and marked.

So you should not treat a simple IG1 → GIC1 or IG2 → GIC2 label change as a complete update check.

Can You Still Use Old HSE Knowledge?

In many cases, yes.

An old note explaining a fundamental HSE concept may still be useful.

For example, notes covering concepts such as:

Hazard
Risk
Risk assessment
Control measures
Hierarchy of Controls
Workplace hazards
Human factors
Health and safety management
Incident prevention
Monitoring and review

may continue to support your learning.

However, the fact that a concept appears in an old set of notes does not automatically mean that the same material covers every requirement of the current specification.

Use old notes as supporting learning material, not as proof of what you need to study.

What Should You Check Carefully?

Some parts of old notes deserve much more scrutiny.

1. Syllabus information

Check topic lists, learning outcomes and qualification structure against the current NEBOSH syllabus.

2. Assessment information

Check anything describing:

Assessment format
Assessment duration
Submission requirements
Assessment process
Marking arrangements
Results
Practical assessment requirements

These are particularly important because the qualification has been updated.

3. GIC2/IG2 practical guidance

Do not assume an old IG2 practical guide applies to GIC2.

NEBOSH currently provides separate guidance for GIC2 under the 2025 specification and retains separate information for IG2 under the 2018 specification.

4. Assessment templates

An old template may relate specifically to the previous specification.

Always check the current official requirements before using one.

5. Exam or assessment advice

Old articles may contain statements about assessment dates, submission procedures or assessment methods that are no longer current.

These should be replaced with current official information.

Don’t Delete Your Old Notes Immediately

If your old notes contain useful explanations, keep them temporarily.

Create two folders:

NEBOSH Study

│

├── Current GIC1-GIC2

│

└── Old IG1-IG2 Reference

Your Current GIC1-GIC2 folder should become your main study resource.

The old folder is only a reference library.

This prevents outdated information from accidentally becoming your primary study material.

Use a Three-Category Checking System

When reviewing old notes, classify each section as:

Keep

The information remains useful for understanding HSE concepts.

Check

The underlying concept may be useful, but you need to verify whether it matches the current specification.

Replace

The information relates specifically to the old qualification, assessment process or outdated requirements.

For example:

Old note	Action
Hazard and risk explanation	Keep / check
General control measures	Keep / check
2018 assessment instructions	Replace
Old IG2 submission instructions	Replace/check
Old syllabus checklist	Replace
Workplace hazard examples	Keep / check
Old assessment dates	Replace

This is much more useful than simply asking whether an entire textbook is “old.”

Be Especially Careful With IG2 Notes

IG2 is where learners should be particularly cautious.

The former IG2 practical assessment under the 2018 specification had a final assessment date of 6 August 2026, while GIC2 operates under the revised specification. NEBOSH provides separate guidance and submission resources for the two specifications.

So if your notes contain instructions such as:

“For IG2, complete…”

do not automatically apply them to GIC2.

First check the current GIC2 guidance.

What About Someone Who Was Already Studying the Old Specification?

Transition arrangements depended on the learner’s stage in the qualification.

NEBOSH stated that the final assessments against the 2018 specification would take place in August 2026. Learners who had completed or attempted parts of the old specification could have different transition arrangements depending on their assessment status.

For this reason, a learner who started under IG1/IG2 should confirm their individual position with their Learning Partner and current NEBOSH guidance rather than relying on advice written for a different transition situation.

Don’t Assume Old Notes Are Wrong Just Because They Say IG1

The terminology itself does not make every page of your notes useless.

Imagine an old page says:

“Hazard identification involves recognising sources of potential harm in the workplace.”

That knowledge may still be useful.

But if another page says:

“IG1 assessment will be completed according to the 2018 specification…”

that is qualification-specific information and needs to be checked.

The key distinction is:

HSE knowledge ≠ assessment requirements

Compare Your Notes With the Current Syllabus

The safest approach is to use the current NEBOSH syllabus as your reference point.

NEBOSH provides a GIC Syllabus Guide for Learners for the 2025 specification.

Create a simple comparison:

Area	Old notes	Current source	Action
HSE concepts	Available	Current syllabus	Review
Hazard and risk	Available	Current syllabus	Review
Risk assessment	Available	Current syllabus	Review
Assessment information	Old	Current NEBOSH guidance	Replace
GIC2 practical	IG2 material	Current GIC2 guidance	Replace/check
Revision examples	Old	Current learning material	Check

You do not need to rewrite your entire textbook.

You need to identify where the old information stops being reliable.

Check the Date of Online Articles Too

The problem is not limited to PDFs.

You may find old blog posts saying:

“The new NEBOSH exam starts in…”
“IG1 is assessed by…”
“IG2 requires…”
“The NEBOSH syllabus contains…”
“You will receive your results…”

If the article was written before the 2026 update, check the information against NEBOSH’s current resources.

NEBOSH’s own 2026 update explains that the qualification was reviewed and that teaching and assessment moved to the revised specification during 2026.

Use Current Sources for Assessment Questions

For anything involving your actual assessment, use the current official source first.

A useful order is:

Current NEBOSH guidance

↓

Your Learning Partner

↓

Current course materials

↓

Supporting HSE resources

↓

Older notes

Your old notes should be at the bottom of this hierarchy when the subject is qualification-specific.

How to Update Your Notes Without Starting Again

You do not need to throw away months of study.

Try this process.

Step 1: Keep your existing notes

Do not delete them.

Step 2: Get the current GIC1/GIC2 materials

Use the current NEBOSH specification and assessment guidance.

Step 3: Compare topic by topic

Identify what still supports your learning.

Step 4: Mark outdated sections

Use labels such as:

OUTDATED — CHECK CURRENT GUIDANCE

Step 5: Create updated notes only where needed

Do not rewrite everything unnecessarily.

Step 6: Move old assessment instructions away from your main study folder

This reduces the chance of using them accidentally.

Create a “2026 Update Check” Page

If you have a large collection of old material, create one simple document called:

NEBOSH 2026 Update Check

Include:

Current qualification specification
Current GIC1 terminology
Current GIC2 terminology
Current assessment guidance
Important transition information
Links to current official resources
Topics that still need checking

Then you have one place to verify information instead of repeatedly searching through old documents.

Don’t Mix IG2 and GIC2 in Your Practical Notes

This is particularly important.

Your folder should look something like:

NEBOSH

│

├── Current

│ ├── GIC1

│ └── GIC2

│

└── Archive

├── IG1 – 2018 specification

└── IG2 – 2018 specification

This makes the distinction visually obvious.

If you need old material for reference, it remains available without competing with your current study resources.

Use Old Notes for Understanding, Not Authority

A useful rule is:

Old notes can help you learn. Current official guidance should tell you what applies.

For example, an old explanation of risk assessment may help you understand the concept.

But if you need to know what the current GIC2 practical assessment requires, consult current NEBOSH guidance.

That distinction can prevent avoidable mistakes.

What About Old Revision Flashcards?

Old flashcards can still be useful if they cover general HSE concepts.

Review them using the same three categories:

Keep → Check → Replace

Be particularly cautious with cards containing:

Old unit names
Old assessment terminology
Old assessment formats
Old submission requirements
Old dates
Old syllabus references

A Quick Old-Notes Audit

If you have limited time, start with these five areas:

High priority

1. Assessment format

Is the assessment information current?

2. Syllabus

Does your material match the current specification?

3. GIC2 practical

Are you using current practical guidance?

4. Assessment dates

Are dates from an old specification still relevant?

5. Templates and submission instructions

Do they belong to the current specification?

These should be checked before you spend time rewriting general HSE notes.

What If Your Notes Say “IG1” Everywhere?

Don’t panic.

The old terminology is expected in materials relating to the 2018 specification. NEBOSH itself still publishes information distinguishing the 2018 IG1/IG2 specification from the 2025 GIC1/GIC2 specification.

You can simply add a note at the top:

“These materials relate to the 2018 specification. Use current NEBOSH GIC1/GIC2 guidance for assessment requirements.”

Then review the content before using it for current preparation.

What If You Are Not Sure Which Specification You Are On?

Do not guess from your notes.

Check:

Your registration information.
Your Learning Partner.
The current NEBOSH qualification information.
The relevant assessment guidance.

NEBOSH’s current qualification page provides separate information for the 2018 and 2025 specifications, including assessment dates and resources.

How SFAST Study Resources Can Fit In

SFAST’s NEBOSH IGC Study Plan can be used as the current learning roadmap while you review older material.

A practical workflow is:

Current SFAST study plan

→ identify the topic

→ check current NEBOSH requirements

→ use your existing notes for background knowledge

→ update anything outdated

→ create concise revision notes

This lets you benefit from previous study without allowing old qualification information to control your preparation.

A Simple Rule for Old IG1 and IG2 Notes

When you find an old note, ask:

Is this general HSE knowledge?

Keep it if useful.

Is this about the NEBOSH syllabus?

Check it against the current specification.

Is this about assessment requirements?

Check current NEBOSH guidance.

Is this specifically about the old IG2 practical?

Do not assume it applies to GIC2.

Is this an old date, template or submission instruction?

Treat it as outdated until verified.

This simple filter can save you from both extremes: throwing away useful knowledge and accidentally studying obsolete requirements.

Final Checklist

Before relying on your old IG1 or IG2 notes, check:

I know which NEBOSH specification I am currently studying.
I have checked my status with my Learning Partner if I started under the old specification.
My main notes use current GIC1/GIC2 terminology.
I have checked my syllabus against the current NEBOSH specification.
I have checked assessment information against current NEBOSH guidance.
I have separated old IG1/IG2 material from current GIC1/GIC2 notes.
I have checked old IG2 practical guidance before using it for GIC2.
I have removed outdated assessment dates and instructions from my main revision materials.
I am using current official sources for qualification-specific information.
I am keeping useful old HSE knowledge where it still supports my learning.

The 2026 NEBOSH update does not mean every old page of notes is useless. The better approach is to keep useful HSE knowledge, verify specification-dependent information, and make current GIC1/GIC2 guidance your primary reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are old IG1 notes still useful?

They can be useful for general HSE learning, but they should be checked against the current GIC1 specification before being relied upon for assessment preparation.

Are IG1 and GIC1 the same?

They relate to different specifications. IG1 is the unit name under the 2018 specification, while GIC1 is used under the revised 2025 specification.

Can I use old IG2 notes for GIC2?

Some general risk assessment knowledge may remain useful, but do not assume that old IG2 practical instructions, templates or assessment requirements apply to GIC2. NEBOSH provides separate guidance for the two specifications.

When did the new NEBOSH General Certificate start?

NEBOSH says teaching of the revised syllabus began on 2 February 2026, with the first assessments against the revised syllabus from 4 March 2026.

Should I delete my old NEBOSH notes?

No. Keep useful material in an archive or reference folder, but make current GIC1/GIC2 materials your primary study resources.

How can I tell if a NEBOSH resource is outdated?

Check its specification, publication date, unit names and assessment information against current NEBOSH resources. In particular, be cautious with material referring to the 2018 specification, IG1 or IG2.