Greetings! I am considering heading to Florida to attend MPT for the next 500-1600 license prep class. I’ll be prepping for a mates ticket (near coastal) with a test immediately following. I have read a lot of great reviews of the class, on this forum and elsewhere. It appears that their instructor is nothing short of inspiring. The school claims that the class (3 weeks) is comprehensive, and that 80 percent of their students pass the exams on the first go, and the rest on the second.
For those of you that have attended the course, did you feel prepared for the test after? Were there any surprises? What did you study prior to attending, or after? I’m using upgradeu exclusively, and decided to take a course when I realized that i would benefit from instruction. How are the staff on the campus to deal with? So far all of my interactions with them have been positive and helpful. Feel free to PM me your reviews and experiences with MPT.
On a side note, I am very greatful to the author of the thread “a hawsepipers guide…” located in this forum. Truly comprehensive, well written, and informative. Absolutely required reading!
[QUOTE=swab;195473]Greetings! I am considering heading to Florida to attend MPT for the next 500-1600 license prep class. I’ll be prepping for a mates ticket (near coastal) with a test immediately following. I have read a lot of great reviews of the class, on this forum and elsewhere. It appears that their instructor is nothing short of inspiring. The school claims that the class (3 weeks) is comprehensive, and that 80 percent of their students pass the exams on the first go, and the rest on the second.
For those of you that have attended the course, did you feel prepared for the test after? Were there any surprises? What did you study prior to attending, or after? I’m using upgradeu exclusively, and decided to take a course when I realized that i would benefit from instruction. How are the staff on the campus to deal with? So far all of my interactions with them have been positive and helpful. Feel free to PM me your reviews and experiences with MPT.
On a side note, I am very greatful to the author of the thread “a hawsepipers guide…” located in this forum. Truly comprehensive, well written, and informative. Absolutely required reading![/QUOTE]
First this must be a troll post, but in case it isn’t this is what you can expect. Show up on Monday and expect an unorganized mess. You would think after all these years they could have figured out a way to check people in without standing in line for 45 minutes. Then you can expect to be sent to the book store to have to buy about $200.00 DOLLARS worth of books you didn’t know you had to buy. If you stay in crew housing you can expect the train to go by every 3 hours 24 hours a day. Be ready to be told that this is a prep course for the test. they are not there to teach you the information. Just to refresh you on what you need to know. I hear some of the other courses are great but the Mates course pretty much sucks.
Thanks for the information. To be clear this isn’t a troll post. I’m researching my options for an upgrade. I found reviews on the forum and all pointed to mpt and the instructor Andy as being great. I called a number of schools and these guys were friendly and answered my questions quickly. I just want to make sure I’m not making decisions based on a bubble of positive internet reviews. Thanks to both of you for your time!
The staff is good, they are there to help. I didn’t take my prep course there, but have taken several other courses with MPT. Pay the extra money and find a quiet hotel with a desk. Plan to study 2-3 hours after the prep course. Per day.
Be sure you have an approval to test letter from the NMC before you put down the money and time to study during the prep class. No use in studying if you haven’t been through the application process.
Well, thanks for the kind words about the hawsepipers’ guide. I wonder how much of it still applies? lol. I haven’t taken the course at MPT, but I have worked with Andy and he’s a really terrific teacher. Passionate about navigation and the math behind it and really intent on making sure his students are getting it. If someone is not, he’ll find another way to present it so it clicks. Good luck!
I didn’t take that course but I did attend MPT last January for celestial. Classroom and instructor are often the same. Andy Pickerel teaches both classes and he is excellent. Check in process was a hassle. I rented an awesome apt behind a garage from Yachty rentals for cheaper than a hotel. Lots to do in the area.
Totally agree with above observations – you will stand in line for an hour to get checked in. I know I did (3 years ago). It’s just to make sure they got paid. Also agree you need to have a handle on the basics [I]before[/I] you go in.