This year I have actually been asked a lot of last minute questions by PM and email, so to share more widely-
1.
Of course you can use $ notes on Control Tables, BUT you need to define any that you use.
No you can't take a list of them into the exam.
Indeed there is no advantage to use $notes needing to remmber the NR precise wording and allocated number at all; just call them #1, #2,#3 as you use them; it is the concept rather than the actual numbber or phrase which you should be demonstrating.
2.
a) Yes you can take Control Tables of either a recognised standards or your bespoke own design into the exam to utilise; take sufficient copies of each style. Allow for being asked to do 2 points and probably about 5 routes maximum, but also hae spare in case of making mistakes and wanting to start again.
However Control Tables must be free of any company identification (and yes that does mean hide the NR logo even if you are not a Network Rail employee.....).
b) They can be A3; indeed it is probably best that they are.
3. The reading time is for reading. That includes very much thinking about which of the questions best suit you.
You may not start writing, not even of scrap paper, post-it notes etc.
Do not pick up a pen until you are told to do so.
In module 2 there is nothing wrong in carefully studying the plan, working out where the traffic flows are, what operational moves to make etc, but again must not pick up a pen. Not quite sure whether use of a scale rule is permitted, but I'd argue that for initial purposes there is enogh scale info readily avaialble on the plan to do anything by eye anyway.
Similarly in module 3 you can of course study the layout and look at the route boxes for the routes you will need to do Control Tables, those which may conflict and familiarise yourself with the nores associated with the symbols that may have crucial info re speeds, braking distances etc that could be highly relevant.
4. Whereas the exam invigilators MAY give you warning that the end of the time for the exam is close, do not rely on this. Indeed you need to be watching the clock (take your own- do not rly on one being easily visible from your desk) to make sure that you are not spending too long on any question or even portion of a question right the way through the whole exam period.
5. You do not have to keep to one railway's practies throughout, but do declare which ones apply to each answer .
Obviously for doing a set of Control Tables you must declare one standard and stick to it for all.
Obviously for doing module 2 layout you should use one railway's practices throughout. However where this gives you a difficulty (typically the inherent assumption re the braking and headway calculations that the exam imposes can't actually be delivered to your railway's practices) then explain that to the examiners and if necessary do these to the UK mainline rules but make a clear statement that the layout needs to be viewed differently and in accordance with the other railway's practices as the best a candidate from your environment can do to meet the exam requirements.
However for the written questions in mod 3 and all other modules, each question can be answered from a different practice if you so wish. That is why each should start with some sentence that gives the examiner the context of your answer.
Indeed some questions are orded in such a way (e.g. asking what options would be available to resolve an issue, mmitigate a risk etc) that they are positively inviting a comparison of different approaches and comparing and contrasting different approaches that are considered applicable in different circumstances by a range of railway administrations is often a very good way to answer the question- it gives you more variety to talk about and displays wider knowledge and experience than a "one size fits all" response.
1.
Of course you can use $ notes on Control Tables, BUT you need to define any that you use.
No you can't take a list of them into the exam.
Indeed there is no advantage to use $notes needing to remmber the NR precise wording and allocated number at all; just call them #1, #2,#3 as you use them; it is the concept rather than the actual numbber or phrase which you should be demonstrating.
2.
a) Yes you can take Control Tables of either a recognised standards or your bespoke own design into the exam to utilise; take sufficient copies of each style. Allow for being asked to do 2 points and probably about 5 routes maximum, but also hae spare in case of making mistakes and wanting to start again.
However Control Tables must be free of any company identification (and yes that does mean hide the NR logo even if you are not a Network Rail employee.....).
b) They can be A3; indeed it is probably best that they are.
3. The reading time is for reading. That includes very much thinking about which of the questions best suit you.
You may not start writing, not even of scrap paper, post-it notes etc.
Do not pick up a pen until you are told to do so.
In module 2 there is nothing wrong in carefully studying the plan, working out where the traffic flows are, what operational moves to make etc, but again must not pick up a pen. Not quite sure whether use of a scale rule is permitted, but I'd argue that for initial purposes there is enogh scale info readily avaialble on the plan to do anything by eye anyway.
Similarly in module 3 you can of course study the layout and look at the route boxes for the routes you will need to do Control Tables, those which may conflict and familiarise yourself with the nores associated with the symbols that may have crucial info re speeds, braking distances etc that could be highly relevant.
4. Whereas the exam invigilators MAY give you warning that the end of the time for the exam is close, do not rely on this. Indeed you need to be watching the clock (take your own- do not rly on one being easily visible from your desk) to make sure that you are not spending too long on any question or even portion of a question right the way through the whole exam period.
5. You do not have to keep to one railway's practies throughout, but do declare which ones apply to each answer .
Obviously for doing a set of Control Tables you must declare one standard and stick to it for all.
Obviously for doing module 2 layout you should use one railway's practices throughout. However where this gives you a difficulty (typically the inherent assumption re the braking and headway calculations that the exam imposes can't actually be delivered to your railway's practices) then explain that to the examiners and if necessary do these to the UK mainline rules but make a clear statement that the layout needs to be viewed differently and in accordance with the other railway's practices as the best a candidate from your environment can do to meet the exam requirements.
However for the written questions in mod 3 and all other modules, each question can be answered from a different practice if you so wish. That is why each should start with some sentence that gives the examiner the context of your answer.
Indeed some questions are orded in such a way (e.g. asking what options would be available to resolve an issue, mmitigate a risk etc) that they are positively inviting a comparison of different approaches and comparing and contrasting different approaches that are considered applicable in different circumstances by a range of railway administrations is often a very good way to answer the question- it gives you more variety to talk about and displays wider knowledge and experience than a "one size fits all" response.
PJW