Attention!!! API Announces Changes in Exam Administration

ATTENTION

 Announcing some changes to API 510, 570 and 653 examination administrations

Beginning with the December 5, 2012 exam administration API will make two minor changes to the API 510, 570 and 653 examination processes. API believes that these changes will help to maintain the value of our credentials by improving the exam experience for all candidates and keeping exam content current, relevant and free of errors. 

1. The number of questions by which test takers will be graded or scored.

The API 510, 570 and 653 tests in the past have always contained 150 questions on which candidates were scored.  These exams will now contain 125 scored questions, plus 25 questions that will not be scored (otherwise known as "pre-test" items). 

All exam grading will still be based on the number of correct responses.  The minimum number of correct responses required to achieve a passing score will be established based on the 125 scored items only.  API will continue to utilize the statistical method of equating in order to maintain the same level of difficulty of the exams. The equating process will take into account that 25 of the test questions are now “pre-test” questions and establish an accordingly reduced passing grade for all exams.

The pre-test questions will appear on all tests for all candidates; so each test taker receives the same, fair experience. Test takers will not know which test questions are scored and which are not.

2. Exam day will be shortened.

The total time allotted to candidates to complete an examination will be reduced from 8 hours to 7 hours. In analyzing the details of tests taken previously, it has become clear that the overwhelming majority of test takers complete their examinations in 6-7 hours. API has therefore decided to officially shorten the length of the exams and is completely confident that candidate performance will not be hindered in any way. The open book section of the exam will remain 4 hours long. The closed book part will now be only 3 hours. This change will also allow candidates and proctors to have a slightly longer lunch break.

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Test Taking Tips

Don’t read too much into a question. Do not get too elaborate and ruin your answer.

If two choices are very similar, the answer is probably not either of them.

If two choices are opposite, one of them is probably correct.

Don’t go against your first impulse unless you are very sure you were wrong.

Check for negatives and other words that can throw you off.

The answer is usually wrong if it contains “all,” “always,” “never,” or “none.”

The answer has a great chance of being right if it has “sometimes,” probably” or “some.”

When you don’t know the answer, look for the wrong ones.

If you are supposed to read a long passage and then answer questions about it, read the question first. That will tell you what you are looking for and affect the way you read the passage.

Be suspicious of choices that seem obvious.

Don’t give up on a question that, after one reading, seems complicated. Looking at it from a different angle, restating it in your own words, drawing a picture, or breaking it down, etc., may help you realize that it’s not as hard as you thought.

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Examination Scheme

As per the present scheme, API 510, 570 & 653 examination is one-day, 8-hour, 2 session examination, comprising of pre-lunch session (4 hours) for “open-book” examination and post-lunch session (4 hours) for “closed-book” examination.

There are a total of 150 questions carrying 1 mark each (total of 150 marks), split into open-book (approximately 50 questions) and closed-book (approximately 100 questions). The distribution of 50 and 100 questions respectively for open-book and closed-book examinations is approximate; however the total is always 150 questions.

 

Each question is multiple-choice question with given 4 possible choices. Only one is the correct choice. The candidates have to pick-up the correct choice, and indicate the same on separate answer sheet. The answer sheet along with the question paper should be returned back to the Supervisor. The correct answer is to be indicated by blackening (filling) the relevant circle by a pencil. There is no set passing percentage. However a score of about 110 to 125 out of 150 is a good estimate of passing score.

Please note the following:

• Fill only one circle out of four given
• Fill the circle fully and completely. Half or less than half blackened circle area is not reckoned for answer.
• Never indicate the answers by ticking (√) the circles.
• There is no negative marking.

During the “open-book” session, you are permitted to refer to the codes and other documents as per “Effective Sheets”. Code pages may be tabbed, high lightened, underlined or notes in margin of the pages are accepted. Additional new pages to codes are not accepted. Always carry the following to the exam hall.

• 2 Nos. B or 2B pencils and eraser
• Non-programmable calculator
• Photo identity (passport, driving license, etc.)
• Exam confirmation letter

Be present in the exam hall at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled start of exam. The supervisor announces important instructions during this period. Do not miss them. Now relax and attempt the exam calmly. Time is always more than enough.

Good luck, friends!

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