Looked at both Pre/Post exams and noticed USCG gives the mariner the option to test on the newer exams. Looking for some recommendations on which set of exams I should consider taking. Applied for unlimited chief engineer steam, motors and GT. Newer exam shows breakdown of questions by grade of license – potentially easier to study or are ALL the lower license questions still applicable and could be seen in the 1AE exams?
I just tested for 3A/E Steam in Jan and I believe they were from the new question bank, although I did not ask at the time.
I am prepping for 3A/E motors and I just dropped them an email to get clarification, since my motor service also began prior to Mar 2014. I’ll let you know what they say (or you can call them yourself).
I would recommend a test prep software like Seasources, Lapware or Hawsepipe.net (he sells a thumb drive, no need for wifi). The makers of all those are updating their question banks. I’m sure you have plenty of books and manuals etc at your stage of the game.
Hello,
I am currently studying for my 1st/chief motors and started service before 2014. does anyone have any insight into whether i should take the older exams or the newer ones? other than i can not find all of the drawings for the new questions i think they may be a little easier than the old ones but that could be wishful thinking. any help would be appreciated!
Whatever test you started with, I would stick with. I used the same study books from 3rd to Chief and it was all the same. Mass books had all the drawings and questions needed. I have heard of the new juice exams are harder but I don’t know.
Following are the changes to the examinations for unlimited 1st AE/Chief Engineer from the December, 2013 rulemaking. Some subjects were added, others removed. The following is based on a comparison of 46 CFR 11.950 Table 1 under the old and new regulations:
[U]ADDED (not on “old” exams)[/U]
Electricity, Electronics and Control Systems:
[ul]
[li]Troubleshooting
[/li][li]High Voltage Systems
[/li][li]Computers and Networks
[/li][li]Bridge Navigation Equipment
[/li][/ul]
Motor propulsion:
[ul]
[li]Water chemistry
[/li][/ul]
Management Level:
[ul]
[li]Management Skills
[/li][li]Crisis Management
[/li][li]Shipyard
[/li][li]Inspections-Surveys
[/li][li]Vessel Layup
[/li][li]Employee Familiarization
[/li][li]Operational Planning
[/li][li]Assessing Competency
[/li][li]Management Practices
[/li][li]Arbitration
[/li][li]Internal Documents
[/li][li]International Laws-Conventions
[/li][li]Maintenance Systems
[/li][li]Troubleshooting
[/li][li]Codes and Regulations
[/li][/ul]
[U]REMOVED (not on new exams)[/U]
General Subjects:
[ul]
[li]Pipes, fittings, and valves
[/li][li]Lubricants
[/li][li]Machine shop
[/li][li]Pumps
[/li][li]Compressors
[/li][li]Instruments
[/li][li]Ship construction and repair
[/li][li]Thermodynamics
[/li][li]Watch duties
[/li][/ul]
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning:
[ul]
[li]Theory
[/li][/ul]
Electricity, Electronics and Control Systems:
[ul]
[li]Theory
[/li][li]General maintenance
[/li][li]Generators
[/li][li]Motors
[/li][li]Batteries
[/li][/ul]
Communications
[ul]
[li]Steam Generators:
[/li][li]Steam theory
[/li][li]Fuel
[/li][li]Fuel systems
[/li][li]Boiler water
[/li][li]Control systems
[/li][li]Automation systems
[/li][li]Safety
[/li][li]Casualty control
[/li][/ul]
Motor propulsion:
[ul]
[li]Auxiliary engines
[/li][li]Starting systems
[/li][li]Lubrication systems
[/li][li]Fuel
[/li][li]Fuel systems
[/li][li]Combustion systems
[/li][li]Intake systems
[/li][li]Exhaust systems
[/li][li]Cooling systems
[/li][li]Air charging systems
[/li][li]Drive systems
[/li][li]Control systems
[/li][li]Automation systems
[/li][li]Governors
[/li][li]Steam systems
[/li][li]Safety
[/li][li]Casualty control
[/li][/ul]
Safety:
[ul]
[li]First Aid
[/li][/ul]
Whether or not the old or new is easier will depend on your own strengths and weaknesses. If you were very strong on the stuff that was removed, and not so strong on what was left, then the new exam might not be harder for you even though many subjects aren’t tested.
To tie in with this and avoid making a new thread, I just got approved to test for DDE Unlimited, A/E UFIV, and 3rd A/E. I have Lapware but I’m having trouble figuring out which banks are included on A/E UFIV. Anyway you could weigh in on that jdcavo? I’m sure the info is out there but it would save me some time.
Also, after a successful exam, how long does it usually take for the license to be issued?
Thanks!
[QUOTE=jdcavo;173264]Following are the changes to the examinations for unlimited 1st AE/Chief Engineer from the December, 2013 rulemaking. [/QUOTE]
Good grief! It looks like they removed all the engineering stuff and replaced it with document management.
I am surprised they didn’t add a section on how to Google a contractor and use a cell phone to schedule leak repairs and oil changes.
No wonder the idea of unmanned ships is becoming popular, I’m not sure I would be very comfortable with the new breed getting near the machinery either.
[QUOTE=MickAK;173275]To tie in with this and avoid making a new thread, I just got approved to test for DDE Unlimited, A/E UFIV, and 3rd A/E. I have Lapware but I’m having trouble figuring out which banks are included on A/E UFIV. Anyway you could weigh in on that jdcavo? I’m sure the info is out there but it would save me some time.
Also, after a successful exam, how long does it usually take for the license to be issued?
Thanks![/QUOTE]
The modules you are testing for aren’t listed on your approval letter?
I would think you would be seeing all the same questions anyway, especially between A/E fishing and 3rd assistant?
[QUOTE=Ctony;173293]The modules you are testing for aren’t listed on your approval letter?
I would think you would be seeing all the same questions anyway, especially between A/E fishing and 3rd assistant?[/QUOTE]
Haven’t gotten my approval letter yet, just got the approval to test email that says the letter is coming.
Hmmmmm, well it’s been awhile since I tested last (2001), but enlighten me…why take a DDE, A/E UFIV and a 3 A/E? I mean I’d stick with the upper level 3 A/E, it’s the harder of the 3, but it takes you further in your career and a upper level is king of the hill…so, why take 3 tests? I mean I could’ve took anything when I took my first test in 95 for uhp, but knew a upper level 3rds paved me a golden path and it did. Also anytime I tested, I was given my new license that day in Charleston every time.
I work in the fishing industry, and I have no desire to sail under the 3rd A/E. I’m just getting it because I qualify for it, so why not?
[QUOTE=MickAK;173294]Haven’t gotten my approval letter yet, just got the approval to test email that says the letter is coming.[/QUOTE]
It will list the modules on the letter. Does the fishing license have a tonnage limit? Because maybe the 3rd would trump the A/E fishing.
Uninspected Fishing Engineer licenses are horsepower limited, not tonnage. My horsepower limit will limit the vessels I can work on, but my skill set wouldn’t really allow me to take a Chiefs position without some time as assistant on the vessels it would limit me to anyways. Thanks for the info about the letter.
I took the 1A/E-C/E Motor last year after studying the Hawsepipe study guide.Most of the questions on the test were on the study guide. Make sure that you study plenty of electrical questions and you won’t have a problem.
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Ok, now if it was me, I’d take the 3rd test, it trumps the lower license I believe. Plus, you never know, a different job on a non fishing vessel may come your way and your set. Plus you need time to move up the lsdder, so I see the 3rds as the best bet. Then again I’m not you, so as we say…pick your rate, choose your fate.
I’d go as high a license as I could get, it doesn’t hurt, just going to get ya by limits you to that class type.
Better get the DDE along with the 3rd, it is probably going to be the most useful for you for quite a while. The 3rd is still only an assistant ticket, you can’t sail chief on it. If you have the DDE you shouldn’t need any fishing vessel restricted ticket either.
[QUOTE=Steamer;173336]Better get the DDE along with the 3rd, it is probably going to be the most useful for you for quite a while. The 3rd is still only an assistant ticket, you can’t sail chief on it. If you have the DDE you shouldn’t need any fishing vessel restricted ticket either.[/QUOTE]
The A/E UFIV will allow me to work on boats over 500 tons. I don’t know what I’ll ever use the 3rd for, but I figure if I qualify for it why not? You never know.
I did my test few day ago and I I failed motors 1and 2 with 69 both
There was a lot questions that is not in the ( Mariner adavancement) , does anyone here have any idea where I can find those questions
You mean memorizing the questions from an out of date study guide didn’t work?
So you had to revive an 8 year old thread?
We need written and oral exams again. Not memorize the question bank. This is to keep folks like this out.
Anyways, time to lock and close this thread.
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