How to score high on PIP assessment?

Okay, so you want to ace that PIP assessment, huh? It’s not about acing it, actually. It’s more about honestly showing how much your condition messes with your daily life. I know, it feels weird trying to highlight the struggles, but that’s what they’re looking for.

Basically, you need to paint a clear picture of how much harder things are for you than for someone without your condition. Forget about just saying you can do something. The key is to explain how you do it, and what it costs you.

Think about cooking. Can you technically make a meal? Maybe. But do you have to sit down halfway through because you’re exhausted? Do you burn things because your concentration dips? Do you end up eating ready meals more often than you’d like because the whole process is just too much? Those are the kinds of details that matter.

It’s not enough to say, “I can cook.” You need to say, “I can sometimes cook, but it takes me twice as long as it used to, I need to use special equipment, and I’m usually wiped out for the rest of the day afterwards. And honestly, most days I just don’t have the energy.” See the difference?

And meds? Managing medication can be a nightmare, right? Do you ever forget to take them? Do you struggle to open the bottles? Does the timing mess with your sleep? I remember once, I forgot to refill my prescription and went without for three days – total chaos! Make sure you mention stuff like that.

What about washing and dressing? Sounds simple, right? But maybe you need help getting in and out of the shower, or you can only manage it every other day. Perhaps you struggle with buttons and zips and need specially adapted clothes. My friend Sarah has arthritis and she really finds things difficult to get dressed, but she uses clothing aids to assist her. Don’t be afraid to share those details, okay?

And don’t forget about communication! Do you find it hard to follow conversations, or explain how you’re feeling? Does your condition make you anxious about social situations?

Essentially, you need to give them a real insight into your life. Be specific, give examples, and don’t downplay the challenges. And also prepare to talk about how your condition changes from day to day or week to week, it might vary at different times. Some days are better than others, right? Explain that inconsistency, because that’s a big part of living with a fluctuating condition. Good luck, you got this!