The Brits test knowledge and the applicant’s ability to relate that knowledge orally as part of the examination. They do not test one’s test-taking skills as is the American way. There was a time in the US when one wrote essays, paragraphs, sentences, etc on the Coast Guard exams, but that meant the applicant needed writing skills and that the examiners needed to know the material too. Since public education in American does not endeavour to teach students how to read and write but insteaad favors teaching them how to pass standardized mulitple choice exams, the process has had to change to what we live with today. It is so much easier to lay an answer template over an answer sheet. Which is why I’ve said in the past, and I’ll say again: passing the Coast Guard exams doesn’t qualify one to be anything but a job applicant. The assessment of one’s knowledge and skills is not part of the examination process, and is left to the employer.