Sailfree
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
My feeling is that examiners shouldn't as a general principle play tricks on candidates.
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On my YM the examiner seemed to quickly find the level of our knowledge and then tested around it such that it was a further learning curve. I never felt he was trying to catch us out merely establish our knowledge base and expand it.
On the 1st night he asked the other candidate to take us to a certain navigation post in Portsmouth Harbour. Candidate quickly going below - looking at chart- looking around in the dark - then again going below - obviously struggling. I was then asked that once we find the navigation post would I take us to Camber Docks. Once I looked at the chart I understood the other candidates problem. A number of the main navigation lights were not lit. The examiner then asked what the problem was and commented that they had not worked for ages and helped with a back up plan. All done very kindly but made the point dont rely on just one way to find something.
Unfortunately I did not learn the lesson as the next day I was asked to find a deep spot in Langston Harbour. I saw some posts on the chart and worked out that the intersecting transits put me over the spot.. On arrival I found the "obvious" helpful posts were missing!
I prepared for my exam and had been a skipper on our own boat for last 3500mls so felt I should be competent. The examiner was friendly, helpful and fair but taught us that we did not know it all and that the YM was just another stage in our learning curve.
The high pass rate suggests an easy exam but I think the seriousness which most candidates approach it make it a worthy exam.
Do the proper preparation and I am sure you will pass but as others remark you will soon forget lots of things so use every opportunity to refresh your memory.
My feeling is that examiners shouldn't as a general principle play tricks on candidates.
[/ QUOTE ]
On my YM the examiner seemed to quickly find the level of our knowledge and then tested around it such that it was a further learning curve. I never felt he was trying to catch us out merely establish our knowledge base and expand it.
On the 1st night he asked the other candidate to take us to a certain navigation post in Portsmouth Harbour. Candidate quickly going below - looking at chart- looking around in the dark - then again going below - obviously struggling. I was then asked that once we find the navigation post would I take us to Camber Docks. Once I looked at the chart I understood the other candidates problem. A number of the main navigation lights were not lit. The examiner then asked what the problem was and commented that they had not worked for ages and helped with a back up plan. All done very kindly but made the point dont rely on just one way to find something.
Unfortunately I did not learn the lesson as the next day I was asked to find a deep spot in Langston Harbour. I saw some posts on the chart and worked out that the intersecting transits put me over the spot.. On arrival I found the "obvious" helpful posts were missing!
I prepared for my exam and had been a skipper on our own boat for last 3500mls so felt I should be competent. The examiner was friendly, helpful and fair but taught us that we did not know it all and that the YM was just another stage in our learning curve.
The high pass rate suggests an easy exam but I think the seriousness which most candidates approach it make it a worthy exam.
Do the proper preparation and I am sure you will pass but as others remark you will soon forget lots of things so use every opportunity to refresh your memory.
