IRSE Exam Forum

Those attending the recent Mainline / Metro seminar were given a flyer which I presume will be circulated via IRSE News and those who have registered their email address with the Younger Members.

However so that no one misses out, I have posted a scan here as attachment (sorry for the quality but I folded it and had in my pocket for a couple of days!).

Note that there is an email address to which you are asked to register your intention to attend.

More details might become available nearer the time, likely to be published at
http://www.irse.org/YoungerMembers.html

To assist those attending the Exam Review, the IRSE have now made the 2010 question papers available so that people can download and take to the session. The Exam page is accessed by clicking on the "IRSE" link in the green bar at the top of this page; from this page there are links to the various papers

(29-11-2010, 02:12 PM)PJW Wrote: [ -> ]To assist those attending the Exam Review, the IRSE have now made the 2010 question papers available so that people can download and take to the session.

I would hope to post some minutes of the Exam Review soon. However the headlines:

1. Module 1 results this year were actually much WORSE than before; only 24% of candidates achieved a Pass or better (and indeed hardly anyone did better than a pass). It seems that the majority of candidates only picked up around 30% of the available marks, so failed by quite a margin. It was noted that candidates from certain exam centres seemed to do considerably better than others; the UK had the best centre but also some of the worst.

2. Module 2 was generally done adequately by most; unlike most other modules the pass rate has been on a sustained upward trend for several years now.

3. Module 3 had a pass rate of 45%; some improvement over last year, but still lower than it should be. Many people attempting Control Tables didn't have time to complete, though some did and these were generally the better answered. Those concentrating on written answers generally did better.

It is also felt that in its current format the exam is not good at differentiating between those who learn the process of completing Control Tables and those who truly understand, so it will change significantly from the 2011 exam.
Candidates will be required to choose 3 out of 11 equal questions:
a) one of which will be some (perhaps 1 point and say 3 routes) Control Tables,
b) one of which wil be on the subject of aspect sequence and will probably include production of an aspect sequence chart as one element but not likely to be the entire question,
c) nine "written" questions.

The IRSE will also be suggesting a Control Table format and providing the blank with column headings that can be used on which to write the answer; we hope to post a draft of this on this website shortly.
It will not be compulsory and those wishing to use their own favoured design will be able to do so; the exact manner in which this would work has yet to be finalised but for example it may be that candidates will be permitted to bring their own style of blank Control Table with them to the exam.

4. As ever, few took either Module 4 or 6 and little was said and results have litle statistical significance given sample size.

5. Module 5 had notably fewer entries than usual but there was a respectable pass rate, some Credits but no Distinction.

6. Module 7 continued its tradition of not being particularly popular but there being a consistently respectable pass rate for those who do sit it.

Across all modules the pass rate was 48%; only 2 Distinctions (one each for module2, module3- different candidate) and 27 Credits (primarily mod2 = 11 and mod3 = 7). No mention was made of a Thorrowgood Scholarship being awarded.

(21-01-2011, 02:21 AM)PJW Wrote: [ -> ]I would hope to post some minutes of the Exam Review soon.

Not as soon as I would have liked but have now achieved and attach.
Not much in it compared with previous years- this reflect the event itself.

Note that I have also posted the suggest IRSE Exam Control Table but in the appropriate Mod3 thread, linked from the post above this one

(06-02-2011, 05:26 PM)PJW Wrote: [ -> ]Not as soon as I would have liked but have now achieved and attach.
Not much in it compared with previous years- this reflect the event itself.

Post Meeting Notes
1. Understand there was a Thorrowgood Scholarship awarded.
2. Looking hopeful for Telecomms support

See mod 4 thread

(08-02-2011, 11:14 PM)PJW Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-02-2011, 05:26 PM)PJW Wrote: [ -> ]Not as soon as I would have liked but have now achieved and attach.
Not much in it compared with previous years- this reflect the event itself.

Post Meeting Notes
1. Understand there was a Thorrowgood Scholarship awarded.
2. Looking hopeful for Telecomms support

See mod 4 thread

Seems as if the changes to the IRSE Exam are to be published in IRSE News in the next couple of months. Current info is that module 3 changes are going to be broadly in line with what was stated at the meeting and the likelihood is that Module 1 will become a 90 minute, 3 question exam paper.