Time is extremely short in the exam, and passing is as much about time management as it is about sound engineering. This article discusses where best to spend your time to maximise your chances of passing.
Exam Timetable
The timetable for the exam is shown below:
| Time | Duration (mins) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 09:15 | (15) | Reading time |
| 09:30 | 210 | Exam (morning) |
| 13:00 | (30) | Lunch break |
| 13:30 | 210 | Exam (afternoon) |
| 17:00 | - | End of exam |
You are not allowed to write anything during the 15 minutes reading time or 30 minute lunch break, therefore the total usable exam time is 420 minutes (7 hours).
Exam Format
The exam is split into two main sections ("part 1" and "part 2"). Each is worth 50 marks and you must pass both parts to pass the exam.
| Section | Description | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1a | Design appraisal: two solutions with sketches and comparison | 40 |
| 1b | Letter to client | 10 |
| 2c | Calculations | 20 |
| 2d | Drawings | 20 |
| 2e | Method statement and programme | 10 |
Strategy
A total of 100 marks are available in 420 minutes, meaning you should be aiming to achieve an average of 1 mark every 4.2 minutes.
However, part 1a (design appraisal) typically takes a bit longer than average and part 1b (letter) is less time consuming so I found it useful to adjust the timing to suit. Here is my exam timetable:
| Section | Start | End | Duration (min) | Marks for section | Minutes per mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read question | 09:15 | 09:30 | 15 | N/A | |
| Notes and initial solution | 09:30 | 10:00 | 30 | 40 | 4.5 |
| Solution 1 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 60 | ||
| Solution 2 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 60 | ||
| Comparison Matrix & Decision | 12:00 | 12:30 | 30 | ||
| Letter to client | 12:30 | 01:00 | 30 | 10 | 3 |
| Lunch | 01:00 | 01:30 | 30 | N/A | N/A |
| Calculations | 01:30 | 02:55 | 85 | 20 | 4.25 |
| Drawings | 02:55 | 04:20 | 85 | 20 | 4.25 |
| Method / programme | 04:20 | 05:00 | 40 | 10 | 4 |
If you are running over, you must move on to the next section or you will run out of time at the end. Remember that you need to pass both sections (part 1 and part 2) to pass the exam.
I set the following alarms (silent/vibrating alarms on a watch to avoid disturbing the other candidates):
- 11:00 AM - start solution 2
- 12:00 AM - start comparison
- 12:30 PM - start letter
- 2:55 PM - start drawings
- 4:20 PM - start method statement / programme