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Contents
1. Examination Scheme
2. Distribution of Marks
3. Salient Features of the Examination
4. How to Prepare for the Examination
5. Tips for Maximizing the Score
6. Time Management During the Examination
1. EXAMINATION SCHEME
As per the Effectivity Sheet, there are total 7 codes prescribed for
examination. However, all of them are not equally important and do not
therefore require equal emphasis. About 50 percent questions are asked
from one code API 653 which is hardly 40 pages, while all other 8 codes
contribute 50% marks which are more than 1,000 pages. Following
distribution scheme will help the participant to decide how much time
he should spend for each document during preparation.
Approx. Questions
S.N
Code Weightage (in Asked Out
.
%) of Total 150
1 API 653 45 – 50 68 – 75
2 API 650 15 – 18 22 - 27
3 ASME Sec. IX 10 -12 15 - 18
4 ASME Sec. V 10 – 12 15 - 18
5 API RP 575 5 7
6 API RP 651 3 4
7 API RP 652 3 5
8 General Knowledge 2 3
If your aim is only to get “certified”, i.e., to obtain just around 100-110
marks, detailed study of documents nos. 1 to 4 above (Chapter 2) may
be adequate. Additionally, one should try to remember all the “Points to
Recall” and review the mock examinations attempted during the
Preparatory Course. If two or more participants from same organization
are appearing for exam, then joint discussions and one putting question
to another and vice versa has been found very effective during
preparation. Other 5 codes (i.e., Serial No. 5 to 9) may be studied in
detail if there is additional preparation time available. An overall
“awareness” level knowledge of these 5 Codes may be okay.
If your objective is to get certified and also to obtain a good score, (say
125+) then it is worthwhile to study the 5 Codes (Serial No. 5 to 9).
However, please remember that study of API 653 has to be “thorough”
and total, while study of API 650, ASME Sec. IX and ASME Sec. V should
be such that it can cover the topics mentioned in the “Body of
Knowledge”. The last 5 Codes (Serial No. 5 to 9) should be read at least
once and note the important points. A very “thorough” study of these
documents however will not result in “gains” commensurate with the
efforts put in.
If you are about a month away from examination, read all the Codes at
least once and concentrate on highlighted text in the Codes and also try
to solve the question bank.
If you are about two weeks away from the exam, concentrate on
highlighted text as well as the mock examinations conducted during the
course. In the last week of preparation, focus on Points to Recall and
mock exams.
k. Appendices: App. A. Here note that API 650 was introduced in 1961
(prior to this was API 12C) and seventh edition (1980) onwards the
joint efficiency (E) is taken as 1.
l. From API 650. Normally, two questions are asked on materials. (Fig.
2-1, Table 2-3, Table 2-4 and Clause 2.8). Usually 5 to 6 questions
are asked on Chapter 3 concerning shell, bottom and roof
thickness, attachment welds. From Chapter 5, normally 2 or 3
questions will be asked. Focus on weld reinforcement, undercuts,
use of low-H electrodes and inspection pressure for pad-test and
vacuum box test. From Chapter 6, generally 3 questions covering
number of radiographs (Fig. 6-1) and acceptance standards and
personnel qualifications are asked.
Both “open” and “closed” book sessions are 4 hours each. This means
about 25 to 28 questions per hour for closed book and 12 to 15
questions per hour for open book. For proper time management
following are useful suggestions.
a) You may start from Question No. 1 and proceed. If after 1 hour
you feel that you are maintaining the required progress as
mentioned above proceed serially.
b) If, however, you are behind the required rate, start jumping the
questions, i.e., start attempting those questions you can answer,
deleting whose answer you do not know. Proceed like this till the
end. Do not leave any question unanswered whose answer you
know.
d) If there are still some questions where you have no clue at all
just mark the answer at random in last 10-15 minutes. This may
give you few chance marks. Do not leave any question
unattempted.
● Don’t read too much into a question. Do not get too elaborate and ruin your
answer.
● If two choices are very similar, the answer is probably not either of them.
● Don’t go against your first impulse unless you are very sure you were wrong.
● Check for negatives and other words that can throw you off.
● When you don’t know the answer, look for the wrong ones.
● If you are supposed to read a long passage and then answer questions
about it, read the question first. That will tell you what you are looking for and affect
the way you read the passage.