<![CDATA[IRSE Exam Forum - Studying for module 5]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:18:31 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[2018 module 5 past paper]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2342 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 13:11:31 +0000 steak]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2342
Anybody any news on the exam? Anybody remember any questions? When is the exam review?

Thanks in advance]]>
Anybody any news on the exam? Anybody remember any questions? When is the exam review?

Thanks in advance]]> <![CDATA[Where to start]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=1919 Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:27:02 +0000 Peter]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=1919
Quote:I feel that  it is still very long long way to understand the topics in Module 5. Could you please help out the scope I should focus?

My plan is to take 3 questions from
1) TC calc

2) Point operation and maintenance

3) Axle counter and TC operation and maintenance

Plus ATP like ERTMS L0,1,2,3 if i can see such questions. Fault tree looks interesting to go as well.

There are a lot of things interesting and I do not know them very well(not depth enough).

I do not have much time left and I would like to know any technique or anything I can improve my knowledge quickly.

Could you please suggest anything the way to go forward?

Thanks in advance.
Indeed, six months before the exam may seem like a long time, but trying to get sufficient depth on a broad enough range in that time will be tough.
The option of narrowing down the field is reasonable but risky. The questions can of course be on anything in the syllabus so banking that there will be a question of a particular type can be risky, but then again, taking an educated guess about broad topics and sticking to a small (but more than three!) of them rather than trying to cover everything is sensible.
I feel that there is a lot of crossover between the knowledge of 1 and 3 above so if both did come up, great, but I suspect not. Similarly, 2 and 3 both have a maintenance thread.
Looking at a range of product specs for train detection or Point Operating Equipment would help and you would start to draw out the sort of things that are important. Do not get bogged down in the precise values of actual parameters for a given product, instead be able to explain why it is important that it is set correctly (eg a given product may need to be set for a 1.2ohm track shunt, but being able to explain the issues of it being too high or too low are, I think going to show you know more than being able to quote a value).
Also, being able to understand the elements of maintenance and the steps involved that are important irrespective of the actual equipment would do you well. For example the generic list
  • get authority to commence work
  • undertake measurements
  • identify fault component
  • find replacement
  • verify current installation state
  • replace component
  • check operation of replacement
  • return to service
works for any sort of equipment (and indeed industry) when you put some context to each of them for the given equipment that the question is asking you for. If you look at the things that an IRSE licence asks a maintainer or tester to be able to demonstrate and you cover those areas when you are answering a question about maintaining or testing equipment, you are not going to go far wrong. You could also look at your company's maintenance specs and, as with the important parameters for the equipment specs, you will start to see the common important process steps.

I have mixed feelings about fault tree - there is very little generally available on this as most of it tends to be hidden behind proprietary maintenance regimes. One good description and practice I did come across was on a course about the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation. The parallel being that if you interchange the concept of the events with the possible faults, you get to the same sort of thing, so if you have done anything like that, apply that knowledge. The main reason for my misgiving is that I have seen many attempts where people have either ended up doing it too superficially or created such a monster that it does not fit. If you practice doing this an rough it out first having noted the points you are going to cover, you may get a balance.
I hope that has given you some pointers and aids you.
Peter]]>
Quote:I feel that  it is still very long long way to understand the topics in Module 5. Could you please help out the scope I should focus?

My plan is to take 3 questions from
1) TC calc

2) Point operation and maintenance

3) Axle counter and TC operation and maintenance

Plus ATP like ERTMS L0,1,2,3 if i can see such questions. Fault tree looks interesting to go as well.

There are a lot of things interesting and I do not know them very well(not depth enough).

I do not have much time left and I would like to know any technique or anything I can improve my knowledge quickly.

Could you please suggest anything the way to go forward?

Thanks in advance.
Indeed, six months before the exam may seem like a long time, but trying to get sufficient depth on a broad enough range in that time will be tough.
The option of narrowing down the field is reasonable but risky. The questions can of course be on anything in the syllabus so banking that there will be a question of a particular type can be risky, but then again, taking an educated guess about broad topics and sticking to a small (but more than three!) of them rather than trying to cover everything is sensible.
I feel that there is a lot of crossover between the knowledge of 1 and 3 above so if both did come up, great, but I suspect not. Similarly, 2 and 3 both have a maintenance thread.
Looking at a range of product specs for train detection or Point Operating Equipment would help and you would start to draw out the sort of things that are important. Do not get bogged down in the precise values of actual parameters for a given product, instead be able to explain why it is important that it is set correctly (eg a given product may need to be set for a 1.2ohm track shunt, but being able to explain the issues of it being too high or too low are, I think going to show you know more than being able to quote a value).
Also, being able to understand the elements of maintenance and the steps involved that are important irrespective of the actual equipment would do you well. For example the generic list
  • get authority to commence work
  • undertake measurements
  • identify fault component
  • find replacement
  • verify current installation state
  • replace component
  • check operation of replacement
  • return to service
works for any sort of equipment (and indeed industry) when you put some context to each of them for the given equipment that the question is asking you for. If you look at the things that an IRSE licence asks a maintainer or tester to be able to demonstrate and you cover those areas when you are answering a question about maintaining or testing equipment, you are not going to go far wrong. You could also look at your company's maintenance specs and, as with the important parameters for the equipment specs, you will start to see the common important process steps.

I have mixed feelings about fault tree - there is very little generally available on this as most of it tends to be hidden behind proprietary maintenance regimes. One good description and practice I did come across was on a course about the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation. The parallel being that if you interchange the concept of the events with the possible faults, you get to the same sort of thing, so if you have done anything like that, apply that knowledge. The main reason for my misgiving is that I have seen many attempts where people have either ended up doing it too superficially or created such a monster that it does not fit. If you practice doing this an rough it out first having noted the points you are going to cover, you may get a balance.
I hope that has given you some pointers and aids you.
Peter]]> <![CDATA[Module 5 Studying Material]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=1047 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 03:27:47 +0000 DSO]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=1047
Myself and few others are looking to sit module 5 (based in Sydney, Australia) this year.
We have had a few sessions on various topics: TC's, Power, Design Architecture, Points etc...
We are just about to jump into Module 1 but i wanted to ask if anyone can recomend suitable studying material to read up on regards the Mod 5 syllabus?
Considering that exam is only 3 months away, it would be handy to narrow down the 'revision material' to suit more the expected exam answers for this particular module...?
It seems with Mod 5 that there are potentially a lot of topics to familiarise yourself with, and likewise the particular question might not pop up..

Any help is appeciated..

DSO]]>
Myself and few others are looking to sit module 5 (based in Sydney, Australia) this year.
We have had a few sessions on various topics: TC's, Power, Design Architecture, Points etc...
We are just about to jump into Module 1 but i wanted to ask if anyone can recomend suitable studying material to read up on regards the Mod 5 syllabus?
Considering that exam is only 3 months away, it would be handy to narrow down the 'revision material' to suit more the expected exam answers for this particular module...?
It seems with Mod 5 that there are potentially a lot of topics to familiarise yourself with, and likewise the particular question might not pop up..

Any help is appeciated..

DSO]]> <![CDATA[Relay standardisation]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=692 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 20:51:36 +0000 Archie]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=692
It is titled 'The Institution of Railway Signal Engineers, Relay Standardisation, By J.P. COLEY (Associate Member)

It is actually in very good condition, in consideration of it's age.
I have not had chance to read through it yet, but I am interested in picking up some more items like this and was wondering does anyone know of a source to get them? ]]>
It is titled 'The Institution of Railway Signal Engineers, Relay Standardisation, By J.P. COLEY (Associate Member)

It is actually in very good condition, in consideration of it's age.
I have not had chance to read through it yet, but I am interested in picking up some more items like this and was wondering does anyone know of a source to get them? ]]> <![CDATA[IRSE Green Booklets]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=463 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:38:38 +0000 Archie]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=463 <![CDATA[Study pack]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=460 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:04:12 +0000 Archie]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=460
Also will another exam be held a bit later down the line, as preparation for October is going to be a massive task for me, with work commitments, taking the plunge of getting married and going on a honeymoon, blah, blah, blah?]]>
Also will another exam be held a bit later down the line, as preparation for October is going to be a massive task for me, with work commitments, taking the plunge of getting married and going on a honeymoon, blah, blah, blah?]]> <![CDATA[Module 5 Study Day]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=459 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:04:30 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=459 post in YM events thread re the Derby Study Day on 14th August]]> post in YM events thread re the Derby Study Day on 14th August]]> <![CDATA[New starter]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=250 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:16:53 +0000 mukund]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=250
I have recently enrolled in Module 5 and have received a CD pack yesterday. I have also just joined this forum.

While browsing some of the replies, I came across the news that YM are having a session later this month on mod 5 and I will be very interested in attending. But it is not possible as I am in Sydney, Australia.

I would be rather interested in knowing pre/post information on this session. Is there any way to get this information through this forum or through an email.

Also is there any study group in Sydney where I can join and prepare for exam.

Regards,
Mukund]]>
I have recently enrolled in Module 5 and have received a CD pack yesterday. I have also just joined this forum.

While browsing some of the replies, I came across the news that YM are having a session later this month on mod 5 and I will be very interested in attending. But it is not possible as I am in Sydney, Australia.

I would be rather interested in knowing pre/post information on this session. Is there any way to get this information through this forum or through an email.

Also is there any study group in Sydney where I can join and prepare for exam.

Regards,
Mukund]]> <![CDATA[Mock Mod 5]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=244 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:32:14 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=244
Those registered for the workshop should already have received this; if it isn't already in the inbox of the email address you gave when registering, then E-mail Andy

There are still just a few places left for 25th July, so if you want to add your name, then similarly contact him.

To give us a chance to review your efforts prior to the event then them to Andy (or select the specific sub-forum under the module 5 heading and post there- the details will be visible to moderators only) no later than Saturday the 11th of July.

If others who cannot attend the event wish to offer their solutions then E-mail them to me rather than post on this forum directly.]]>
Those registered for the workshop should already have received this; if it isn't already in the inbox of the email address you gave when registering, then E-mail Andy

There are still just a few places left for 25th July, so if you want to add your name, then similarly contact him.

To give us a chance to review your efforts prior to the event then them to Andy (or select the specific sub-forum under the module 5 heading and post there- the details will be visible to moderators only) no later than Saturday the 11th of July.

If others who cannot attend the event wish to offer their solutions then E-mail them to me rather than post on this forum directly.]]> <![CDATA[What to study?]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=226 Tue, 05 May 2009 13:57:30 +0000 mark bedford]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=226
Mark]]>
Mark]]> <![CDATA[Module 5]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=24 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:09:14 +0000 adikarina]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=24 I was wondering if anyone else is considering to take Module 5 this year.

Also if there any suggestions for exam technique, preparation, useful texts, etc.

Thanks
Regards
Aditi

Shy]]> I was wondering if anyone else is considering to take Module 5 this year.

Also if there any suggestions for exam technique, preparation, useful texts, etc.

Thanks
Regards
Aditi

Shy]]> <![CDATA[Module 5 Exam workshop in 2007]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=11 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:04:25 +0000 adikarina]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=11 Also if there are any suggestions, guidance on preparing for this exam.
I will be very grateful.
Cheers
Big Grin
Aditi]]> Also if there are any suggestions, guidance on preparing for this exam.
I will be very grateful.
Cheers
Big Grin
Aditi]]>