Exam Hints & Tips
The following tips can help to gain a few extra marks!
Before The Exam
Always have a go at the computer tutorial before you start. Even if you have done a C&G computer based exam before, the format may have slightly changed or you may have forgotten about some of the controls.
The tutorial will also get you used to the computer keyboard and mouse – it may feel different to the computer you are used to.
Check with the examiner what you are allowed to take into the exam room. Items may include text book, calculator, pen and rough paper. Check if you need to provide all or any of the items.
Ensure you visit the bathroom before you start – it sounds basic but you don’t have time to waste during the exam!
Some exam centres won’t allow you to take drinks or food in to the computer rooms due to the risk of spillages over the keyboard, greasy fingers and biscuit crumbs getting everywhere! Have a drink or eat something before you go in.
During The Exam
You will have a fixed time to complete the exam – it will fly by. Make the most of every second with the following simple suggestions:
- Make sure you have everything ready before you click the “Start Exam” button. Text book on the table, rough paper and pen to hand, calculator ready (good batteries installed and you know how to use it!)
- Read each question carefully – if it looks straight forward find the answer. If you don’t understand the question or you have no idea where to start “Flag” it and move on. Tackle the easy questions first and then come back to the tough ones at the end.
- Aim to answer all the questions in the first two thirds of the time. This will give you the remaining 3rd to go back through every question to check that you are happy with the answer. It is really easy to misread a question first time round or select the wrong answer by accident.
Concentrate on your computer screen – looking over at another persons screen won’t help you as each person gets a different selection of questions. The exam invigilator is also likely to consider this to be cheating!
C&G 2377-12 Specific Hints
Ask if you are allowed to bookmark the Code of Practice. This seems to be a grey area, with some examiners allowing it and others not. A simple system is to use small sized “Post-It” notes to mark the pages. Stick them along the edge of the page with about 10mm sticking out over the edge. Write a descriptive word on the overhanging Post-It to allow a really fast way to find the relevant section in the book.
Example sections that may be worth book marking include:
- Definitions (Page 11)
- Frequency of inspection (Table 7.1 on page 34)
- Test Instruments (Page 45)
- Equipment Construction (Page 53)
- Earth Continuity Test (Page 73)
- Insulation Resistance Test (Page 75)
- Extension Leads (Page 79)
- Fuses & Flex Size (Page 82)
- Microwave Ovens (Page 106)
- Supply Cable Resistance (Table VII.1, Page 124)
If the examiner doesn’t allow the bookmarks you can take them all off in seconds.
Check with the examiner what you are allowed to take into the exam room. Items should include Code of Practice, calculator, pen and rough paper. Check if you need to provide all or any of the items.
All the answers are in the Code of Practice. There are no trick questions but some do require you to look a bit deeper into the question to get the correct answer instead of jumping to the obvious answer.