https://irse.signalpost.org/ Sat, 05 Sep 2026 18:10:00 +0000 MyBB https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2303 Fri, 17 Aug 2018 11:41:31 +0000 tfc82]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2303
Apologies if this is stated elsewhere (have checked the material on the IRSE site, with no success), but have a couple of questions regarding the format of the exam. I'm taking mods 1 and 2 this year.

1) Have seen references to "reading time" in various places. Is there a formal period of reading time at the start of each module where one is allowed to read the paper, but not write?

2) What format of graph paper is provided for mod 2 (A3/A4, grid size?).

Thanks in advance,
tfc82]]>
Apologies if this is stated elsewhere (have checked the material on the IRSE site, with no success), but have a couple of questions regarding the format of the exam. I'm taking mods 1 and 2 this year.

1) Have seen references to "reading time" in various places. Is there a formal period of reading time at the start of each module where one is allowed to read the paper, but not write?

2) What format of graph paper is provided for mod 2 (A3/A4, grid size?).

Thanks in advance,
tfc82]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2209 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:21:04 +0000 Jerry1237]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2209
1) ensure you read it appropriately for the module.
2) if it asks for something specific, like choice of an ATO system, choose one - as most of the answers depend on the initial selection.
3) attempt to put together a framework for the answer during reading time.
4) reword what each question is asking you as you answer each element, it will help clarify your understanding.]]>
1) ensure you read it appropriately for the module.
2) if it asks for something specific, like choice of an ATO system, choose one - as most of the answers depend on the initial selection.
3) attempt to put together a framework for the answer during reading time.
4) reword what each question is asking you as you answer each element, it will help clarify your understanding.]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2180 Mon, 06 Feb 2017 08:22:03 +0000 Jerry1237]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2180 here]]> here]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=1512 Sun, 17 Nov 2013 17:06:03 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=1512 Both separately spoke to me about the number of candidates who failed to read, or at least correctly comprehend, the question wording.

In particular this referred to the stopping headway calculation.
It seems (I have yet to see a copy of the question paper) that the question asked related to the minimum headway between one train leaving the mainline to enter a branchline and the following train continuing on the mainline. However what they got was a significant number of answers to a succession of stopping trains at the station, probably because that was the scenario for which candidate had rehearsed an answer methodology. These answers would gained few, if any, marks and may have made the markers less charitable when considering other parts of the student's answers that seemed a little dodgy.......]]> Both separately spoke to me about the number of candidates who failed to read, or at least correctly comprehend, the question wording.

In particular this referred to the stopping headway calculation.
It seems (I have yet to see a copy of the question paper) that the question asked related to the minimum headway between one train leaving the mainline to enter a branchline and the following train continuing on the mainline. However what they got was a significant number of answers to a succession of stopping trains at the station, probably because that was the scenario for which candidate had rehearsed an answer methodology. These answers would gained few, if any, marks and may have made the markers less charitable when considering other parts of the student's answers that seemed a little dodgy.......]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=767 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:13:11 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=767
]]>
]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=326 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:04:09 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=326 However the principle of learning from past mistakes is good.  I am one of those who is concerned by the current failure rate at the exam and personally interested in finding out why.  I have my views of course but not based on much other than a little circumstantial evidence but mainly just prejudice I suspect.

However I have tried to be rather more objective and tackle the issue as I might in my "day job" when trying to base a course of action on something when there is a paucity of hard facts.  See the attachment; take it with a bit of "a pinch of salt" but do consider if any of it rings true. I'd be keen to know other's views / experience.

If you were one of those who did not pass an exam module last year, see whether it helps you to think through why this might have occurred- what failure category(ies) might you have fallen into?   More importantly, what can you do this year in order to get a better result in the exam in Oct 2010?

Whether you suffered a failure last year or are purely aiming to minimise the chances of one this year I do suggest it is worth doing some self-analysis before getting stuck in to studying; see getting started; initial self-assessment - share if you feel able to, but keep private if you wish.

In particular for module 1, do seriously consider doing a re-run of the same paper (perhaps the same questions or perhaps different ones depending on your choice).]]> However the principle of learning from past mistakes is good.  I am one of those who is concerned by the current failure rate at the exam and personally interested in finding out why.  I have my views of course but not based on much other than a little circumstantial evidence but mainly just prejudice I suspect.

However I have tried to be rather more objective and tackle the issue as I might in my "day job" when trying to base a course of action on something when there is a paucity of hard facts.  See the attachment; take it with a bit of "a pinch of salt" but do consider if any of it rings true. I'd be keen to know other's views / experience.

If you were one of those who did not pass an exam module last year, see whether it helps you to think through why this might have occurred- what failure category(ies) might you have fallen into?   More importantly, what can you do this year in order to get a better result in the exam in Oct 2010?

Whether you suffered a failure last year or are purely aiming to minimise the chances of one this year I do suggest it is worth doing some self-analysis before getting stuck in to studying; see getting started; initial self-assessment - share if you feel able to, but keep private if you wish.

In particular for module 1, do seriously consider doing a re-run of the same paper (perhaps the same questions or perhaps different ones depending on your choice).]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=267 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:40:11 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=267
More specific info for various elements is under the Module2 heading]]>
More specific info for various elements is under the Module2 heading]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=241 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:58:03 +0000 pingram]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=241
Does anyone know what time the exams are likely to be at on the 3rd of October.

Thanks

Phil]]>
Does anyone know what time the exams are likely to be at on the 3rd of October.

Thanks

Phil]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=63 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:58:21 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=63
2. Don't attempt to relate the study of a topic to your knowledge of the railway- after all the exam is just a "hoop to be got through " irrelevant to the "day job".

3. Conversely don't feel that you need to respect that it is an exam at all; afterall you are experienced at your "day job" and probably have an IRSE licence to prove your competence and that "should easily be enough to get through". Exam stress is nothing to what you cope with every day; what's exam technique anyway?

4. Don't actually practice answering exam questions against the clock, "closed book"; just have faith that your ability to think of a couple of bullet points will be sufficient to ensure that you really will be able to give a good answer for the first time at the exam itself.

5. Don't verify that you have correctly understood what the examiners are after for particular questions attempted; just assume that since you are able to write something on the general topic for the appropriate length of time must mean that it will be judged ok.

6. Don't bother to physically and mentally prepare yourself for the day itself; no need to take a day off in the week just turn up on the Saturday having swotted late into the night the week before and hope to muddle through.


Any one of these increases your chances of failure; indeed it is virtually assured if you can "tick the box" for two or more of the above. Conversely if you want to pass then make sure that none of the above apply to you!

One of the prime aims of this website was to give some feedback to students regarding the quality of their answers, as it was perceived that this was the primary thing which it was hard for an individual to do for themselves.

There are now less than 18 weeks remaining for the examination and the number of attempted questions submitted by students so far = 0. Perhaps this feedback is in fact available from other sources afterall ........]]>
2. Don't attempt to relate the study of a topic to your knowledge of the railway- after all the exam is just a "hoop to be got through " irrelevant to the "day job".

3. Conversely don't feel that you need to respect that it is an exam at all; afterall you are experienced at your "day job" and probably have an IRSE licence to prove your competence and that "should easily be enough to get through". Exam stress is nothing to what you cope with every day; what's exam technique anyway?

4. Don't actually practice answering exam questions against the clock, "closed book"; just have faith that your ability to think of a couple of bullet points will be sufficient to ensure that you really will be able to give a good answer for the first time at the exam itself.

5. Don't verify that you have correctly understood what the examiners are after for particular questions attempted; just assume that since you are able to write something on the general topic for the appropriate length of time must mean that it will be judged ok.

6. Don't bother to physically and mentally prepare yourself for the day itself; no need to take a day off in the week just turn up on the Saturday having swotted late into the night the week before and hope to muddle through.


Any one of these increases your chances of failure; indeed it is virtually assured if you can "tick the box" for two or more of the above. Conversely if you want to pass then make sure that none of the above apply to you!

One of the prime aims of this website was to give some feedback to students regarding the quality of their answers, as it was perceived that this was the primary thing which it was hard for an individual to do for themselves.

There are now less than 18 weeks remaining for the examination and the number of attempted questions submitted by students so far = 0. Perhaps this feedback is in fact available from other sources afterall ........]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=33 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:36:34 +0000 Jerry1237]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=33
Jerry]]>
Jerry]]>