IRSE Exam Forum

Hello to all.

This is my first ever post although I registered quite a while ago, reason being I read somewhere that the forum is strictly for people who want to take the test and at that time I wasn't planning to.

My current work entails project management (commercial / contractual / programme management) in a signalling MRT project and this has been my role since the time I moved from process control to railway signalling industry in 2001. I also hold an IRSE Associateship.

Today project management no more gives me any pleasure or meaningful satisfaction and hence lately I have been dreaming of moving to a possible career in system engineering / design in railway signalling although I am not too confident about it as to when and whether at all I can achieve it (I am about to be 45!).

To start with, I plan to take the the IRSE Examination. With an Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree that I obtained 21 years ago it is not hard to guess that I would have forgotten a lot of it.

So before I took the plunge I wanted to brush up any of the basics that may be needed to understand the textual matter contained in the signalling textbooks. Particularly, I refer to the following:

- Engineering Mathematics - Boolean Algebra, Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, Algebra, Analytic Geometry, Mathematical Analysis, Transforms, ...what else?
- Integrated Electronics - which parts to omit?
- Digital Electronics - I guess the whole thing?
- Control Systems & instrumentation - I guess the whole thing?
- Network Analysis - which parts to omit?
- Any other subjects in particular?

Any help or advice shall be welcome.

Jack20 Wrote:Hello to all.

This is my first ever post although I registered quite a while ago, reason being I read somewhere that the forum is strictly for people who want to take the test and at that time I wasn't planning to.

lately I have been dreaming of moving to a possible career in system engineering / design in railway signalling although I am not too confident about it as to when and whether at all I can achieve it (I am about to be 45!).

To start with, I plan to take the the IRSE Examination. With an Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree that I obtained 21 years ago it is not hard to guess that I would have forgotten a lot of it.

So before I took the plunge I wanted to brush up any of the basics that may be needed to understand the textual matter contained in the signalling textbooks.
Any help or advice shall be welcome.

The reason for this Forum is primarily for people wishing to study for IRSE Exam but certainly not exclusively to those intending to do so this year or next.

For the signalling papers at least you will need almost nothing of that listed; it'd go right over the heads of the vast majority of signal engineers!
Ohm's Law. Kirchoff's Law and Newton's equations of motion and elementary algebra are essential (for certain modules) but you'll need very little else (I find it surprising that so many of today's graduates seem to struggle with what I call "O level / first year A level maths".

That is not to say that there may not be elements of your more advanced knowledge for which there may be some use, but you'll find the exam is far more about a) RAILWAYS and THEIR OPERATION, b) THE CUSTOMS & PRACTICES OF SIGNALLING, c) ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT than academic knowledge.

System engineering and project management should put you in a good position for tackling modules 1 (the compulsory one) and 7; you'd then need to decide which of the other more detailed knowledge modules you'd be best doing.

PJW

Totally agree with PJW. Systems and safety engineering are ideal for modules 1 & 7. Dependant upon your knowledge, the hardcore design modules may not be the ideal candidates to sit. Try reading all seven module's past papers and see what makes sense to you or where you feel totally overwhelmed. For example, I understand the principles of modules 4 & 6 but know my knowledge would fail to get a pass if I sat them.

The trick with the IRSE Exam is:
1) Identify what you need to know for each module;
2) Study hard for as long as is possible and get vocational experience if you can;
3) Ask on the forum for help;
4) The Exam is taxing but not hard if you've prepared well, answer the question asked (reading time is very handy to re-read questions to ensure you truly understand and the questions next part of a question tends to be based upon the answer of the last [top tip]) and use exam technique to maximise your efforts.

Jerry