Where the student is required to refer to the diagrams or formulas or tables

or graphs and curves from the Codes, it will always be an open-book

question. All calculation oriented questions will normally be open-book
type. The Code information which is not short and crisp, (i.e., large
paragraphs, several descriptive statements clubbed together) will normally
be asked in open-book part. Here the participant is expected not to
remember the information but should know where to find it in the body of
the Code.
The questions asked in closed book part are straight forward statements
directly taken form Code without much of the modifications and therefore
are easy to answer. To answer open-book questions, one only needs to know
where to find the answer in the code and therefore tabbing of Code pages,
highlighting the paragraphs or additional explanatory notes in page margins
is useful for saving time. Closed-book part of the exam (100 marks) can be
finished in hardly 2 to 2 hour though 4 hours are allotted. While openbook part (50 marks) takes a little longer and may require all the 4 hours
that are allotted.

4.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR EXAM:

A ) If your aim is only to get certified only, i.e., to obtain just around
110-115 marks, then,
1) Detailed study of documents nos. 1 to 4 above (Ref. The weightage list
given above,) may be adequate.
2) Additionally, one should try to remember all the Points to Recall and
review the mock examinations attempted during the Preparatory Course. If
two or more participants from same organization are appearing for exam,
then joint discussions and one putting question to another and vice versa
has been found very effective during preparation.
3) Other 3 codes (i.e., Serial No. 5 to 7) may be studied in detail if there is
additional preparation time available. An overall awareness level
knowledge of these 3 Codes may be okay. These contribute only 10%
weightage. Still, the Open book Questions from these can always be found
out and answered plus the points to recall can help to answer other
questions.
B) If your objective is to get certified and also to obtain a good
score, (say 135+) then,
In addition to preparation as per 1&2 above, It is worthwhile to study the 3
Codes also. (Serial No. 5 to 7). However, please remember that study of API
510 has to be thorough and total, while study of ASME Sec. V, ASME Sec.
IX and ASME Sec VIII Div 1 should be such that it can cover the topics
mentioned in the Body of Knowledge.
The last 3 Codes should be read at least once and note the important points.
A very thorough study of these documents however will not result in
gains commensurate with the efforts put in.
If you are about a month away from examination, read all the Codes at least
once and concentrate on highlighted text in the Codes and also try to solve
the question bank.
If you are about two weeks away from the exam, concentrate on highlighted
text as well as the mock examinations conducted during the course.
In the last week of preparation, focus on Punch points and highlighted text.

API 510 CHAPTERWISE TIPS FOR MAXIMIZING THE SCORE

a.

From Chapter 1, just note the scope, application and

exclusions. Chap. 2 lists only the reference documents.

b.

There are only 12 or 16 important definitions out of total

62 from Chapter 3 of API 510. Normally 3 to 4 definitions are asked in
closed-book exam.

c.

From Chapter 4, usually 2 or 3 questions are asked.

Concentrate on responsibilities clause. Also see App. B for certification
requirements.

d.

From Chapter 5, about 15-18 questions are asked. About

10-12 in closed book and 4-6 in open book.

e.

From Chapter 6, about 15-18 questions are asked.

Particularly pay attention to Inspection intervals, which attracts at least 5 to
6 questions and they could be either open book or closed book.

f.

From Chapter 7 also 15-18 questions are asked. This is

only five page chapter and almost all paras should be studied thoroughly.

g.

From chapter 8 more attention to be provided on all repair

techniques and approval authorization part. There may be 3 or 5 questions
on this chapter.

h.

There may be 2 or 3 questions on overall API-510 code for

the purpose of assessing the overall under standing of code.

i.

Chapter

as

well

as

App.

are

excluded

from

examination.
j.

As regards ASME Sec. V and IX, the course content is

categorised in 10 categories. 8 of them are listed under calculations while 9
and 10 are listed under welding and NDT . You may expect at least one
open book and one closed book question on each of these. Additionally,
under the category internal pressure, you may expect 4 open book questions
one each for thickness calculation for the 4 types of end closures.

6.

TIME MANAGEMENT DURING EXAM:

Both open and closed book sessions are 4 hours each. This means
about 25 to 28 questions per hour for closed book and 12 to 15 questions
per hour for open book. For proper time management following are useful
suggestions.
a) You may start from Question No. 1 and proceed. If after 1 hour you
feel that you are maintaining the required progress as mentioned
above proceed serially.
b) If, however, you are behind the required rate, start jumping the
questions, i.e., start attempting those questions you can answer,
deleting whose answer you do not know. Proceed like this till the
end. Do not leave any question unanswered whose answer you
know.
c) Then come back to deleted questions and attempt them using
your feel factor. Go on like this till say last 10-15 minutes are
remaining.
d) If there are still some questions where you have no clue at all just
mark the answer at random in last 10-15 minutes. This may give
you few chance marks. Do not leave any question unattempted.
e) After completion of writing exam, if you have still time (which you
normally have) you may go through your answers just to check
quickly if you have filled a wrong circle.