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Exam Preparation and Tips

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Preparing for your Exam

Organizing your materials for an open book examination 

• Open book examinations require ample preparation in order to understand and familiarize oneself with the material. 
• Preparation allows for better organization, and will assist when searching for information during the examination. 
• Be sure to tab, or colour code information that is relevant to the examination. 
• You may make notes in your codebook that expand on concepts or words that you might not understand. You are not permitted to have added notes that are not relevant to the material covered in the Codebook. 
• Be sure to go over relevant legislation and bring it with you to the examination. 

Scheduling your study time 

• Study early. It is suggested that arranging your study time into shorter sessions over a period of time proves to be far more valuable than cramming all the material into closely spaced and lengthy study intervals. 
• Study regularly. 
• Set specific study goals.  For example, plan on studying 30 minutes a day or aim to complete a certain segment each day.
• Take breaks between study sessions. More complicated and difficult subjects will require many frequent breaks. 
• Begin each study session with a short review of the previously studied material. 

Tips on Answering Multiple Choice Questions

• Read every answer option — Read every answer option carefully and completely prior to choosing a final answer. 
• Answer it in your mind first — After reading a question, answer it in your mind before reviewing the answer options. This will help prevent you from talking yourself out of the correct answer.
• Eliminate wrong answers — Eliminate answer options which you are sure are incorrect before selecting the answer you believe is correct. 
• Use the process of elimination — Cross out all the answers you know are incorrect, then focus on the remaining answers. 
• Manage your time — Divide the time allowed by the number of questions on the exam to gauge how much time per question you have. Some questions will not take you nearly that long, and others may take a bit longer. At the halfway point, check if you have completed half of the exam, and adjust your pace accordingly.
• Answer the questions you know first — If you are having difficulty answering a question, move on and come back to it once you've answered all the questions you know. 
• If you don’t know the answer — Note the question number, move on and come back later. It’s better to finish the easier questions first and come back to the more difficult ones later. 
• Answer all questions, even if you have to guess. — You have at least a 25% chance of guessing correctly. Do not leave any question unanswered.
• Review — If you still have some time after answering all questions, take some time to review everything and make sure your responses are marked correctly.

Managing Test Anxiety

Managing test anxiety is a challenge many exam takers in many professions have reported. It is normal to have some anxiety and stress before or during your exam. 

There is a lot of information on internet that may assist in understanding, managing and reducing test anxiety. Here are some tips to help you manage:

• Plan your time. Allow yourself enough time to learn and study before your exam.
• Schedule your study time. Use a paper or an electronic calendar to devote specific time to studying each week leading up to your exam.
• Breathe! Calm and deep breathing may help you to refocus and to find the answers more easily.
• Talk positively to yourself. Remind yourself of why you are taking the exam. Remember the time and effort you have put into your training and exam preparation.
• Fill your mind with positive images: Your last vacation, your favourite activity, someone who helps you to feel grounded. Once you feel more calm, return to your studies.
• Look for tools that reduce stress through mindfulness and meditation. Many apps, podcasts and videos are freely available on mobile devices and online.
• Physical activity helps to deal with stressful situations like exams. Enough rest and proper nutrition are also key to dealing with anxiety.
• Make sure you know exactly where and when the exam will take place. Plan ahead and allow yourself plenty of time to get there1.

You may also consult a specialist to help you manage anxiety and stress. Also see Dealing with Stress and Exam Anxiety (Source: Red Seal)

Sample Questions

The sample questions are to provide you with examples of questions and the format you will find on the exam. These are not actual exam questions. The answer and Code and legislative references are provided for studying purposes.

Ontario Electrical Safety Code

• A guy wire for a pole shall be attached to the anchor with a minimum of:
  • One 3-bolt clamp
  • Two 3-bolt clamps
  • Three 3-bolt clamps
  • Four 3-bolt clamps
• Answer: Three 3-bolt clamps, Rule 75-308

• If the distance from the upper support clamp on the service mast to the point of attachment is 1.7 m, the mast shall be guyed in accordance with:
  • Specifications 28
  • Specification 38
  • Specification 42
  • Specification 45
• Answer: Specification 28, Rule 6-118

Business Administration

• For the purposes of Human Rights Code, what is considered discriminatory practices in the workplace:
  • Discrimination based on person’s gender
  • Discrimination based on person’s business skills
  • Discrimination based on their place of residence
  • Discrimination based on their education
• Answer: Discrimination based on person’s gender, Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990. 5(1)
   
• Jana has recently completed her apprenticeship and successfully passed the Red Seal exam. She has just received 309A Certificate of Qualification. She is thinking about starting her own business and applying for the Electrical Contractor licence from ESA. From the answers below, select one requirement to obtain the EC licence from ESA: 
  • Submit a business plan to ESA
  • A business name must contain the word Electrical
  • Designate at least one person who has a licence of Master Electrician
  • Provide proof of the working capital in the amount of not less than $5,000
• Answer: Designate at least one person who has a licence of Master Electrician, Section 4(2) of Ontario Regulation 570/05

Worker Safety

• Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, who is responsible to determine whether any designated substances are present at the project site and shall prepare a list of all designated substances that are present at the site?
  • Constructor
  • Supervisor
  • Owner
  • Worker
• Answer: Owner,  Occupational Health and Safety Act, s. 30
   
• What could happen to an employer if they do not notify the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board within three days after learning of an accident to an employee if the accident necessitates health care or results in the worker not being able to earn full wages?
  • The employer could be denied WSIB Clearance
  • The employer could be sentenced to jail time
  • The employer could be charged with a financial penalty
  • The employer could be required to pay all employees medical bills
• Answer: The employer could be charged with a financial penalty, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, s.21 (1)(3)

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