04-09-2012, 10:20 PM
1. Don't try to do too good a job. Don't waste time agonizing over what is best, just do something reasonable and move on. It is not like doing the job for real. Quick and dirty.
2. Mark grab. Putting in traps and interrupters, numbering points, selecting the lies of points are easy to get quickly. Make sure you do the easy half of everything; do not omit any of the mark categories.
3. Yes do one area in detail, but do make sure that you do cover the whole geographical area to some extent at least indicting position and profile of signals. Also every plan will have at least one distinctly different area 9a single line remote branch, freight terminal etc) so do that as well to show ability to select appropriate style of signalling.
4. Do as much of your thinking in your reading time as you can; hit the ground running. I prefer to start with the points and feel it is efficient to be placing the 80% of block joint positions around them as part of the same activity. Ditto when I draw in signals I tend to put the associated block joints and overlap joints whilst I am thre and thinking of it.
5. Get more practice.
6. Don't panic; remember that to pass you only need to get 50% of the marks so actually there is no need to do 100% of the layout. However according to the examiners there is actually quite good correlation between quality and quantity- those that actually have time to substantially complete in general make a good job of what they have done and those who struggle to get much done often don't do that very well.
PJW
2. Mark grab. Putting in traps and interrupters, numbering points, selecting the lies of points are easy to get quickly. Make sure you do the easy half of everything; do not omit any of the mark categories.
3. Yes do one area in detail, but do make sure that you do cover the whole geographical area to some extent at least indicting position and profile of signals. Also every plan will have at least one distinctly different area 9a single line remote branch, freight terminal etc) so do that as well to show ability to select appropriate style of signalling.
4. Do as much of your thinking in your reading time as you can; hit the ground running. I prefer to start with the points and feel it is efficient to be placing the 80% of block joint positions around them as part of the same activity. Ditto when I draw in signals I tend to put the associated block joints and overlap joints whilst I am thre and thinking of it.
5. Get more practice.
6. Don't panic; remember that to pass you only need to get 50% of the marks so actually there is no need to do 100% of the layout. However according to the examiners there is actually quite good correlation between quality and quantity- those that actually have time to substantially complete in general make a good job of what they have done and those who struggle to get much done often don't do that very well.
PJW
(04-09-2012, 08:43 PM)kball Wrote: Hello,
Having attempted the 2006 layout myself, I am pleased to see that my layout is very similar this one.
However, it took me almost 3 hours. Others I have done were slightly less, but nether the less I am worried about the time allowed in the exam.
Does anyone have any exam advice? Perhaps trying to signal around the main junctions first to demonstrate to the examiner that you at least understand what you are doing, even if you haven't tim to finish.
My tactic with the 2006 layout was to signal the UP first. I just about completed this in time, although I didn't name the tracks.
With the exam a month away, I would appreciate some advice.
Thanks
K Ball
PJW