What type of Questions to expect during the API 510, 570, 653 Exam?
The core examinations have open book and closed book parts (API 510, API 570, API 653, also API 1169).
Other exams (API 571, API 577, API 580, API SIFE, API SIRE) are entirely closed book.
Closed-Book Questions
The closed-book section of the API examination tests the knowledge that a competent inspector is expected to know without referring to the codes or standards. These questions assess your understanding of fundamental inspection principles, code requirements, and practical field knowledge.
Whenever you encounter a clear, definitive, or quantitative statement within a code, there is a good chance it could form the basis of a closed-book examination question.
Typical closed-book questions include:
- Basic code requirements
- Mandatory DO and DO NOT statements
- Important numerical limits and acceptance criteria
- Key definitions
- Well-established inspection principles
- Frequently used code requirements
Because these questions are often based directly on the wording of the applicable code, they are generally straightforward. During your studies, pay particular attention to important figures, tables, notes, and table footnotes, as these are common sources of examination questions.
Open-Book Questions
Open-book questions require candidates to consult the reference codes during the examination.
These questions typically involve:
- Engineering calculations
- Formulas
- Tables and charts
- Graphs and diagrams
- Detailed technical requirements
- Longer descriptive code paragraphs
Unlike the closed-book section, the objective is not to memorize every detail, but to know where to locate the required information quickly and accurately within the reference documents.
Developing Code Navigation Skills
Success in the open-book examination depends heavily on efficient code navigation.
When studying codes, many candidates improve their speed by:
- Using page tabs to mark frequently referenced sections
- Highlighting important paragraphs
- Adding brief explanatory notes in the page margins (where permitted)
Throughout our training courses, we identify and highlight the sections of each code that are most frequently used during the examination (See publication effectivity sheet slides module). During worked examples, calculations, and mock examinations, you will repeatedly reference these sections, helping you become familiar with their location long before exam day.
Practising with the Electronic Codes
It is equally important to become comfortable using the PDF versions of the API codes and recommended practices.
During the actual API examination, the reference documents are provided electronically. Navigating a PDF differs significantly from using a printed code, so practising with the electronic versions is essential.
One important point to remember is that the PDF search function is disabled during the open-book portion of the API examination. This means you cannot rely on keyword searches to locate information. Instead, you must understand the structure and layout of each code and know where to find the relevant requirements quickly.
Our open-book exercises and mock examinations are specifically designed to develop these critical code-navigation skills.
