• In this module you shall learn about:

 

• • Scoring Area

   

  • Exam Structure

   

  • Important Damage Mechanisms

   

  • Pre qualification

   

  • How to Register for API 571 Exam

   

  • API 571 Certification, Recertification, Rescheduling and Cost

   

  • and API 571 Exam tips

 

 

 

Basic Facts

 

 

 

What you should expect during Exam Day?

 

 

 

API Exam Day at the prometric test center

 

 

 

API 571 – Corrosion & Materials

API 571 is suitable for highly specialized inspectors, corrosion engineers, chemical engineers and other professionals across the entire petrochemical industry to obtain the API 571 Corrosion and Materials certification as a validation of their profound knowledge of corrosion processes.

 

The API 571 certification will add significant value to your professional credentials, demonstrating to your employers and clients that you have obtained a high level of proficiency and understanding in this important field.

 

 

 

Scoring Area

The API 571 exam is very comprehensive, with 110 difficult questions covering many of the 67 Damage mechanisms.

 

 

 

Scoring Area	Approximate No. Of Questions
Critical Factors	30
Description of Damage	20
Insp. & Monitoring	20
Prevention & Mitigation	15
Affected Equipment	10
Affected Material	5
Appearance or Morphology	7
Related Mechanism	3
Total Questions	110

 

 

If you do not study the above details in the areas outlined, you will likely not do very well on the exam. It is expected that you can pass the exam (70 out of 100 scored questions = 70% or minimum 400 on a scale of maximum 500) if you:

 

 

 

• Read API 571 at least three times

 

 

 

• Follow our flash cards, tips and corrosion atlas

 

 

 

• Take our 15 sets of mock exams “honestly” and score above 70%+

 

 

 

Exam Structure

 

 

 

• The API 571 exam is 3.25 hours (195 Minutes) long.

 

 

 

• You have 106 Seconds on average to answer a question.

 

 

 

• There are 110 questions, of which only 100 are scored. The remaining 10 are pretest, which are not scored but you have to answer all the questions because non scored questions are not marked.

 

• All questions are multiple-choice and closed book.

 

• Paper and reference materials are not allowed into exams.

 

 

 

• View the Exam Tutorial using the below link to familiarize yourself with the exam format:

 

 

 

Tutorial

 

 

 

The exam tutorial shows how the icons work. You have 10 minutes to read through the tutorial before the exam starts.

 

 

 

Important Damage Mechanisms

 

API 510/570/653 Exams cover 20 damage mechanisms.

 

Pay special attention to them. There is concise version of these 20 damage mechanisms in Module 3.

 

Section 2 Terms and Definitions

 

 

 

3.3 Amine Stress Corrosion Cracking

 

 

 

3.8 Atmospheric Corrosion

 

 

 

3.9 Boiler Water and Stream Condensate Corrosion

 

 

 

3.11 Brittle Fracture

 

 

 

3.14 Caustic Corrosion

 

 

 

3.15 Caustic Stress Corrosion Cracking

 

 

 

3.17 Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking

 

 

 

3.20 Cooling Water Corrosion

 

 

 

3.22 Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)

 

 

 

3.27 Erosion/Erosion-Corrosion

 

 

 

3.31 Galvanic Corrosion

 

 

 

3.36 High-temperature Hydrogen Attack

 

 

 

3.37 Hydrochloric Acid Corrosion

 

 

 

3.43 Mechanical Fatigue (including Vibration-induced Fatigue)

 

 

 

3.45 Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion

 

 

 

3.57 Soil Corrosion

 

 

 

3.58 Sour Water Corrosion (Acidic)

 

 

 

3.61 Sulfidation

 

 

 

3.62 Sulfuric Acid Corrosion

 

 

 

3.67 Wet H2S Damage (Blistering/HIC/SOHIC/SCC)

 

 

 

Are you qualified to take API 571 Exam?

If you hold a current API 510, 570 or 653 certifications, you automatically qualify to take the API 571 Corrosion and Materials certification exam.

 

If you do not hold a current API 510, 570 or 653 certifications, then qualification is based on a combination of your level of education and industry experience acquired within the last 10 years.

 

Prior to submitting an application, please use the table below to determine if you qualify to take the API 571 exam. The minimum experience required MUST be documented on your application.

 

 

 

 

How to Register for API 571 Exam?

API examinations are divided into two main groups: core exams (API 510, 570, 653) and others (API 571, 571, 580, 936, TES, 1169, SIFE, SIRE).

 

All API examinations held 3 times a year and each API certification has ‘’ 3 weeks exam window’’ that you should choose from at the time of registration.

 

The deadline to get API authorization email is approximately 2.5 months or 10 weeks prior to the selected test window.

 

To get the API approval in order to sit for a particular test, file the application form by registering with API ICP using below link:

 

 

 

APPLY

 

 

 

Then; upload the supporting documents (your qualification & certification); provide two references & pay the fee. For schedule and fees, see the link below:

 

 

 

Schedules & Fees

 

 

 

API shall verify your claimed experience by contacting (via business email) the two references you have provided.

 

It is recommended to brief your references, so they know which inspection fields and for how long you have claimed the experience for. This would avoid any discrepancy that may result from your claimed experience against their verification.

 

After registration and approval by API, you can select a location, date and time at a Prometric test center.

 

Prometric is subcontracted by API to hold the computer-based examinations.

 

There are more than 600 Prometric testing centers across 160 countries worldwide to choose from.

 

 

 

All Prometric testing centers operate on the first-come-first-served basis.

 

Therefore, API cannot promise that you will be able to obtain a seat at your preferred location.

 

 

 

It is highly recommended that you may schedule your exam immediately after receiving your ‘’Exam Authorization Notice’’ email from API.

 

If seats are not available, try a different date within the same window, or choose another location.

 

During registration with API, you are required to select one of the available ‘’3 weeks’ time window’’.

 

Once the time window selected, you cannot change it which means you can only attempt the exam within the selected ‘’3 weeks window’’ unless you decide to reschedule and pay the fees which is as good as failing the exam.

 

Remember, no show and failing to book a seat or even inability to book a seat at your preferred test center is as good as failing the exam itself.

 

If you want to know more, please contact our WhatsApp line or use below link for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

 

 

FAQ

 

 

 

Although the deadline to get your application approved prior to your selected test window is around 2.5 months, you might not be able to find a suitable available date or worse, you might not be able to get a seat at your favorite test center within the allocated ‘’3-week window’’ if your approval (API authorization email) is received late.

 

So, it is recommended that you register and get API approval (API Exam Authorization Notice email) around 3-4 months prior to your scheduled exam; that is; do not choose the next immediate test window but choose the one that is at least 3-4 months away. This is especially important for core API exams that need a full day slot.

 

For non-core API exams such as API 571, there is normally a good chance of getting the convenient test location and date at the next available test window.

 

You can change the location and the date (within the allocated 2 weeks window) up to 30 days before the last day of test window free of charge and between 5-29 days for a fee of USD 70 $ subject to availability. Normally, it is possible to change the time and location for API 571.

 

 

API gives each candidate 12 months or 4 consecutive exams to pass an exam beginning from the first scheduled test window.

 

 

This means you can attempt the exam for a maximum of 4 times or within one year, whichever is earlier to pass.

If you do not pass the exam within a year for any reason such as failure in exam, fail to schedule the exam, no show up at the scheduled date, etc., you have to apply all over again and pay the full fees.

 

If you fail the initial exam, you need to apply for rescheduling and pay $200 re-examinations.

 

After requesting for rescheduling and paying the fee, you shall receive the approval letter via email within a day or two.

 

You shall then book your seat with the Prometric as soon as possible.

 

One of our trainees received the API Exam Authorization Notice for API 570 seven months before the selected test window; but he attempted to book a place with Prometric only two months before the test window.

 

As a result, his closest Prometric center (London) was already full, so, he had to fly to Amsterdam Prometric test center to attend the exam.

 

 

Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you book your place as soon as you receive the API authorization notice.

 

 

API 571 Certification, Recertification, Rescheduling & Cost

API 571 certification is valid for a three-year term and exam cost $ 440.

 

After 3 years, you need to apply for recertification paying $ 320.

 

You may apply for recertification 90 days prior to the certification expiration date, and for a 90-day grace period after (subject to a late application fee of 200 $).

 

If an application is not submitted by the end of the 90-day grace period, the certification will expire. A new application and fees must be submitted, and you will need to pass a full examination in order to be recertified.

 

 

What shall you expect on Exam Day?

Make sure you reach the Prometric test center at least half an hour before the scheduled time.

 

If you reach the test center 15 minutes after the exam, they may refuse to admit you.

 

Prior to letting you in to sit for the exam; they shall:

• check your photographic government ID (such as valid Passport or Driving License),

• ask you to sign in; check you with a metal detector;

• ask you to turn up your sleeves and trousers;

• check your pockets;

• look at your reading glasses to ensure it does not have any camera,

• ask you a security question (DOB, email address) and

• take your picture and finger print.

 

You cannot carry anything with you except a bottle of water.

 

No ornaments are allowed except a wedding ring.

 

Prometric Staff shall supply you with a couple of green color A4 size papers and a pencil for taking notes plus a simple calculator.

 

You are required to have a valid government issued photo identity card such as a passport or a driving license and keep it with yourself during the examination.

 

If you don’t produce a government photo ID card at the Prometric test center, you shall be refused entry and it is treated as a ‘’no show up’’ which is as good as failing the exam.

 

During API 653 exam, one of our candidates had an expired driving license and was refused entry although he returned half an hour later with a valid passport but by that time it was too late, Prometric said.

 

As a result, he had to pay the rescheduling fee (USD 350 $) and appear for the exam 6 months later.

 

It is recommended to check your photo ID to ensure it is valid and preferably carry two valid government issued photo ID as plan B.

 

It is simply not worth it to be refused for an ID issue after all the time, effort and money you have put in.

 

Prior to the examination, you shall be given the key to a locker to keep your belongings.

 

You are not allowed to use the locker until you have completed the exam.

 

 

Currently API in collaboration with “Prometric” holds remote proctoring.

This means, you can now attend the exam from the comfort of your home or office although the same security and exam rules apply.

 

 

 

for more information, click on link below:

Remote Proctoring

 

 

After your application is approved, you will receive an Exam Authorization email from API with an Eligibility ID and instructions on how to schedule your exam through:

 Prometric’s scheduling website

 

 

Click to go to: 

All you need to know about API 571 Corrosion and Materials Examination – YouTube

 

 

 

API 571 Corrosion and Materials Training Course; Introduction – YouTube

 

 

 

API 571 Corrosion and Materials Examination; Basic Facts – YouTube

 

 

 

API 571 Corrosion and Materials Examination Tips – YouTube

 

 

 

API 571 Corrosion and Materials Examination; Terms & Definitions – YouTube

 

 

 

Exam Tips

 

• There is no negative marking; therefore, it is advisable to answer all the questions. You can increase your chances by narrowing down the possible correct answers by striking off the obvious wrong choices. During the exam, hold the mouse on possible wrong answers and right click. This would strike them off helping you to concentrate on the remaining possible answers.

 

• All API questions are multi choice (4 possible answers). API never uses terms such as ‘’ none of the above’ or ‘all of the above’ as possible answer.

 

• Remember that all questions carry equal mark. For example, a simple question asking for symbol of Magnesium (Mg) or Manganese (Mn) has equal mark as that of a half a page long question. Although, time management should not be an issue because the exam is 3.25 hours or 195 minutes long for 80 questions, that is, an average of 2.5 minutes per question.  Nevertheless, before ending the exam, you may wish to keep the pace and also allow some time for reviewing all the questions once again or at least that question that you are in doubt.  Hence, it is recommended to flag off those questions that are taking considerable time and come back to them at the end. Note: there is a flag off bottom below each question.

 

• When solving the doubtful questions, try to understand as why a particular answer may be right while the other three given answers should be wrong. Eliminate wrong answers to increase your chances of picking the correct answer.

 

• Please note that sometimes the wrong answer is quite a valid statement, but it is the wrong answer simply because it is either not relevant to the question or the question asked is in negative form (NOT). Hence, it is very important that you carefully read and understand the question.

 

• Some exam API questions contain irrelevant information. This is not aimed to confuse you but to verify whether you can differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information in an actual scenario.

 

• Some questions are solely based on your experience as an inspector. Remember that all certifications require certain level of experience in addition to the education and knowledge. We shall provide picture and videos to enhance your field experience.

 

• API intends to verify your understanding of principles and theory; interpretation and evaluation; so mere memorizing the facts and figures of the study materials does not really help.

 

• Although a few questions may come straight from the API study material, most questions are either rephrased or brought within a context or in a scenario or the question and answer are swapped. Hence, it is very important that you have a clear understanding of fundamentals.

 

• Time management is not normally of great importance since The API 571 exam is 3.25 hours long to answer 80 questions, of which only 70 are scored. The remaining 10 are pre-test, which are not scored. These questions are shuffled so you won’t know which questions are scored and which one not scored. This leaves you with approximately 2.5 minutes or 146 seconds maximum. Please note that time using the toilet, checking out and in, commenting on any question, reviewing the questions, etc. is coming off your allowance. For better time management, flag off those questions you are not sure of and revisit them once you have completed all other questions. Try to eliminate the absolute wrong answers by negative reasoning in order to increase your chances of getting the answer right. Note: you can see the number of questions you have attempted and the remaining time on top right-hand corner of the computer screen.

 

• Remember that all questions carry equal marks and the minimum passing grade is around 70%, so, it is logical to attempt smaller questions quickly and then in the remaining time, try re-attempting those questions that are longer, more complicated, or you are simply stuck spending too much time on it without any progress.

 

• Although education can offset for less experience, you should appreciate the fact that unless one does not have real hands-on experience in the field, it would be difficult to ‘’FEEL’ the underlying reasons behind some of the codes, standards and recommended practices. The experience is gained through observation, power of deduction and is eventually a common sense really. To complement you experience, we shall provide several video clips and illustration to enhance your field experience.