Not confident under exam conditions

[merlin89]

Attempted 2007 layout today under exam conditions: 10 mins reading time, drew my point CT then my route CT in 12 mins ( I have prepared photocopies for the remainder CTs) which leaves me approx 45 mins to answers CT's. Well I got to 113A(M/W) and 129 A(M&C) after 48 mins were upon I stopped and those attempts were well below my standards. Whilst I believe I understand the principles well enough with notes at hand I currently feel that with the time constraints imposed I'm not feeling too confident of completing CTs to a good enough standard in the exam. My intention was in going to the exam and having a good go at the CTs and I was expecting to fall down on the written question and am prepared to use that as an experience and if I pick up any points well and good. Then hopefully next year as I study module 2 it will only enhance my learning again for module 3 as I am not expecting to pass it first time ( if I do then all well and good but I am realistic about my first attempt ). I clearly understand all the tips and pointers etc but am struggling to make any inroads on the time imposed as Im a bit of a methodical plodder. My only suggestion is as I have more or less completed or attempted CTs from 2000 to 2008 would be to try each one again under exam conditions. Does anybody have any other bright ideas or tips?

Cheers
Ian

[PJW]

Attempted 2007 layout today under exam conditions: 10 mins reading time, drew my point CT then my route CT in 12 mins ( I have prepared photocopies for the remainder CTs) which leaves me approx 45 mins to answers CT's. Well I got to 113A(M/W) and 129 A(M&C) after 48 mins were upon I stopped and those attempts were well below my standards. Whilst I believe I understand the principles well enough with notes at hand I currently feel that with the time constraints imposed I'm not feeling too confident of completing CTs to a good enough standard in the exam. My intention was in going to the exam and having a good go at the CTs and I was expecting to fall down on the written question and am prepared to use that as an experience and if I pick up any points well and good. Then hopefully next year as I study module 2 it will only enhance my learning again for module 3 as I am not expecting to pass it first time ( if I do then all well and good but I am realistic about my first attempt ). I clearly understand all the tips and pointers etc but am struggling to make any inroads on the time imposed as Im a bit of a methodical plodder. My only suggestion is as I have more or less completed or attempted CTs from 2000 to 2008 would be to try each one again under exam conditions. Does anybody have any other bright ideas or tips?

Cheers
Ian

Yes it certainly is a speed test and personally I am not convinced that it is a great test of understanding. Indeed I believe that I am not the only one who thinks this way. A few years ago they removed the alsmost guaranteed aaspect sequence chart in order to ensure that every candidate did at least one written question. Inevitably the layout is very Britich mainline and perhaps is getting less relevant to many who do the exam- I wouldn't be surprised if the exam were to evolve further in the next couple of years and this may well affect the nature of the Control Table questions.

Hence only advice would be to do what you can this year and then having had some real experience take stock. I don't think many people actually finish in the time and in the final analysis you only need to get 50% to pass. Be ruthless re your time allocation and leave enough for the written question.

So not worry too much re the frills and complicated locking; make sure you do the basisc and worry about
FLANK points
FOUL Tracks
Opposing route locking
Approach Release
and try to pick up the easy marks on all CTs. You may well surprise yourself and pass

[merlin89]

many thanks Peter

[Jerry1237]

There are three things that really help you pass the exam...
1) Practice;
2) Practice;
3) Practice!

Remember, the exam is marked by awarding points for what you do not what you don't do! If you can complete a full module in the time I would suggest you were a genius.

Specifically for CTs, do you understand why each section has the items in it that they do? Rules such as TORR are easy marks. Work out where you can gain points (no pun intended) easily. Practice against model answers and question what you get wrong via this forum, your peers etc.

Have a go at the exam. What is the worst that'll happen? You don't pass but you'll gain significant experience and come out fighting next year.

Remember, the exam is not scary, unpassable or unpredicatable. It is tough, requires real knowledge and should be a vocational exam.

Practice your exam technique (pressure in the test hall makes it different from doing it at home), practice your weaker areas, practice stating your assumptions (don't quote standard numbers but do quote what logic you've applied, i.e. AWS is always at 180m in rear except when a figure is quoted), practice reading the questions are understanding what the examiner is asking not always how the question reads.

Good luck and in case it wasn't obvious, I suggest a modicum of practice!

Jerry