Maximum Track Circuit Length

[Peter]

Who knows how the examiners score the layout?
I agree that getting sensible track layouts is not the most crucial element of the paper, but we do know that they do award marks for SAFETY, OPERABILITY and ECONOMY and I believe in that order. If the layout is not basically safely signalled (i.e. an individual error won't be fatal but too many certainly will be) then it will not pass, if the layout can't achieve the operational moves and train frequencies etc. then it it may not pass, if far too much signalling is provided then it won't score a Credit.
Track circuit lengths most distinctly are the "icing on the cake" but elements like this could well be the difference between Credit and Distinction. Dorothy achieved a Credit last year in mod 3 and has thus set herself a standard to achieve in mod 2 this year!

True indeed. The more there is to give you marks for the better, but as you say, icing on the cake, probably not to panic about! I cannot remember what I did for my layout, and I cannot recall noticing on recent student papers. I'll pay more attention at this year's exam centre.