Rope Access Discussion

[3011jpko]

Hi Guys And Girls

I'm booked on a UT Level 2 Course Starting Oct 20th and i'm in a bit of a panic as i can't afford to fail.

I have already done Mpi and Dpi but i must admit i did find the Mpi course a little difficult I'm hoping this was due to it being my first NDT Ticket..

I was hoping someone could give me any tips or advice on my up and coming course and if it is a lot more difficult than MPI ( Theory wise )

I have bought the book Ultrasonic Testing for Technicians by J C Drury hopefully this will help to some degree. Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks Regards James..

[ginger ninja]

First thing is stop panicking, you'll never pass if your constantly in a state of fear.

You say you've got a UT theory book, read it cover to cover as many times as you can between now and the course, don't concentrate on remembering everything and if you don't understand something try to work it out. If it still seems baffling then move on and keep reading. Hopefully when your on the course things will start to click together and you'll start to remember. If you don't know the why's or how's on the course ask questions. It is not a stupid question and chances are at least some others are too scared to ask in-case they look stupid. If you are still baffled during the course ask the instructor if you need more training before going to the exam - the instructors will have a good idea of who will pass and who will fail, they won't tell you either way but will be able to say if you need more training.

After you complete each days training go back over the course notes and whatever you did, making sure you understand if you don't understand a bit ask questions on it the next day, during a break or an appropriate time so's not to disrupt the rest of the class. Also read the following days lessons to familiarize yourself with whats going to happen.

During practical periods / exercises learn to pay attention to detail, make sure the set is set correctly and your doing everything correctly. More often than not you can stay back at the end of the day to keep trying out the days exercises, if you need to do this too. Whats better a beer or passing first time?

When I did my tickets the exams were generally split into the following sections:

General theory
Specific theory
Product knowledge - i.e. weld, cast, forgings, plate defects.
Written instruction
Practical

All have specific time-frames the exam needs to be completed in. For multiple choice I always run through the paper answering all the one's I'm certain of then start again and think about the one's I've missed out. Once the paper is completed back to number one and read the Q's and A's to make sure there are no f**k ups and they are all answered.

For written answer papers try to be concise and don't ramble on but do same as multiple choice, run through then think through and check.

The written instruction should be completed as you would practically, and as you were taught to approach the inspection. Not a lot gets taught about this during training, sometimes they just give you a "how to write it" example.

The practical needs to be done correctly or you can lose loads of marks. If it's 3 or 5 test pieces split the time for each one and bash on, if you have time spare check check check. It used to be the case for incorrectly sized defects would lose a percentage of the marks awarded for the defect, if you miss one then immediate fail. So check check check.

Again when I did mine the rule of thumb was 70% to pass each paper but a composite score of over 80% was required to pass. If you failed one section then you just re-sit that. If you got a composite of less than 80% re-sit whole exam.

Some find UT hard, some find UT easy. I personally would rather poke my eyes out with sticks than sit L2 UT Good luck

[3011jpko]

Hi Ginger Ninja

Thanks for taking the time to respond. It all seems like good advice to me and I will take it on board

Thanks again Regards James..