The purpose of this paper is to study what professional emergency personnel learn during collaboration exercises and the benefits of what they have learned. Observations (n=19) and semistructured interviews (n=32) were carried out in conjunction with major exercises held in Sweden (2007–2012). The results show that exercises tend to be based on its own logic, which differs from actual events. Exercise participants believe that they mainly learn single-track, parallel and path-dependent behavior. The exercises do not facilitate the use of cross-boundary activities. This means that learning as well as benefits of the exercises for actual events is limited. The exercises would be more appropriate if those participating had the opportunity to identify weaknesses, try alternative ways as well as had the opportunity to have comprehensive organizational analyses at the conclusion of the exercises. Based on the results of the study, alternative models for the exercises are suggested that contain elements, which develop collaboration and contribute to learning.