In this module; you shall learn about:
There are four definite leads to help you understand what type of questions to expect during examination. These are:
Regardless of which study plan you may wish to take or which training course you opt for; these leads shall help you focus your efforts and act as a pulse check.
You can start the self study by collecting the reference material; highlighting the relevant sections and start cracking. Obviously, you would save some money but need considerable time plus missing on what we can offer to make your life easy.
Your approach and study plan is also very important. If you merely memorize the facts and figures without understanding the concept, there is still a high chance of getting the question wrong; because API exam questions are often rephrased. API exam questions do not use the statements from codes and recommended practices directly (word for word).
You can choose our training package that has the advantage of explaining core principles and concepts in an easy to understand format with ample pictures; augmented with exam tips, flash cards, and 2 sets of mock exam questions.
Our exam questions are very much in line with real API examination questions and aimed at sharing the concepts, how to apply these concepts, how to avoid the loopholes and how to handle the trick questions.
Please note that none of the API reference study materials are intended for training purpose and therefore, understanding them may be difficult at times. We shall explain all these topics in sufficient detail so the course would benefit all candidates with any level of knowledge and expertise.
Our training approach helps you solve any relevant questions within any context and scenario, since you would be capturing the concept, principle and the theory rather than memorizing some numbers or facts without understanding the underlying reason or their applications.
We do not claim that our e-learning courses are the only option to pass the exam nor we claim that our courses would substitute studying API 577 and ASME codes and recommended practices.
However, we do claim being one of the best API training provider because we shall:
API examinations are divided into two main groups: core exams (API 510, 570, 653) and others (API 571, 577, 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 can should choose from at the time of registration.
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.
You can also opt for remote proctoring where you can attend the exam from the comfort of your home or office.
The deadline to get API authorization email is approximately 2 months or 8 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 by using the link:
https://www.api.org/products-and-services/individual-certification-programs/apply ;
then upload the supporting documents (your qualification & certification); provide two references & pay the fee.
API shall verify your claimed experience by contacting (via 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.
There are more than 3000 Prometric testing centers worldwide to choose from. All Prometric test 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. Hence, 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.
Please note that, 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 ‘’2 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.
Although the deadline to get your application approved prior to your selected test window is around 2 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 3-4 months away. This is especially important for core API exams that need a full day slot. For other API exams such as API 577, 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 3 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 577.
API gives each candidate 12 consecutive months to pass an exam beginning from the first scheduled test window. This means you can attempt an exam for a maximum of 4 times.
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, or even because you were unable to find a slot at your convenient test center, then, you have to apply all over again and pay the full fees.
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 recommend that you book your place as soon as you receive the API authorization notice
API 577 certification is valid for a three-year term and exam cost $365.
After 3 years, you need to apply for recertification demonstrating that you still work as an API inspector for 20% of the time. Recertification cost $ 260.
You may apply for recertification 90 days prior to the certification expiration date, and for a 90-day grace period after. 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.
API inspectors are required to take an on-line, open book quiz every six years in order to recertify. Each quiz has 25 questions that address the changes in the relevant API codes over the past six years. You have a total of four hours to complete the quiz, and it may be paused or interrupted up to three times.
If you fail the quiz once, you will be able to take it again. If you fail the quiz a second time, you will not be able to recertify. You will need to submit a new application and take the full version of the exam in order to certify again.
What happens if you fail you exam?
If you fail, you need to apply for rescheduling and pay $150 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.
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 (Date Of Birth, email address) and take your picture.
You cannot carry anything with you except a bottle of water. No ornaments are allowed except a wedding ring. They 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. Also, make sure your government issued photo ID (driving license, passport) is valid. If your ID is expired, you shall be refused entry.
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 300 $) 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.
Immediately, upon completion of the exam, you shall receive an email notifying you whether you have passed or failed. Your preliminary exam result may be a ’’ preliminary pass’’ which is normally a pass; a ‘’marginal result’’ (too close to call; may be a pass if you are lucky) and a ’’preliminary fail’’ which is normally a fail.
You shall receive your confirmed score up to 8 weeks after the last day of 2 weeks examination window, sometime sooner. It takes another 6-8 weeks after receipt of confirmed score for the certification and the wallet card to arrive by post.
The pass mark is 70% for all the API examinations (minimum 400 on an scale of maximum 500 scorecard). No negative marking is applied, therefore, answer all the questions. At the end, click the ‘’review all’’ button and peruse through the list to ensure that you have not skipped any question.
You can challenge any question you may wish, by writing on its comment sheet but please note that the clock keeps running so you shall be spending the time to fill in the comment sheet from your allocated examination time.
After ID verification, security check and letting you into the examination room, you will first go through the tutorial which last for maximum 10 minutes or earlier if you press ‘end session button’’, and then the actual exam begins and the clock start ticking. You can see the remaining time at the right-hand corner of the computer screen.
Remember, if during the examination, you wish to leave the examination room for say, using the toilet, you need to take your ID with you, report to the security outside the examination room and sign out. On return, you shall go through the same initial security check and sign in. During all this time, the clock is running.
Sitting for an exam can be stressful, so, try to have enough sleep the night before; on the exam day, just peruse the important parts of the reference documents or look at the figures and charts for a couple of hour maximum. Let your brain rest. You need to be alert and full of energy to endure the exam.
Remember your exam is not concluded until your time is up or when you press the ‘end exam’ button which asks for confirmation to ensure that you have not pressed it accidentally. You shall also see the list of attempted and non-attempted questions at the end by pressing the ‘’review all’’ button. This would ensure that you have not left any question unanswered.
There is a frequently asked questions (FAQ) in the Prometric web site.
https://www.prometric.com/test-owners/frequently-asked-questions
There is a tutorial prior to exam that explains how the bottoms work. You can also find the tutorial via the following link:
https://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Certification/ICP/Examinations/20180809_SurpassTutorial.pdf
The exam would automatically start after the 10 minutes allocated time for tutorial or if you end it earlier. The icons are simple and user friendly. Remember that you can flag off those questions you are not sure of so you can return to them during the remaining time. You can also right click on selected answers to eliminate them if you are confident that they are definitely the wrong answers. This will narrow down the possible right answers and therefore increases you chance of getting the right answer. You can either review all the questions once again or review the flagged off questions only during any remaining time left.
You can see the remaining time at the upper right-hand corner of the screen. There are a few good tutorials in the API ICP (Individual Certification Program) website.
Remember that the clock does not stop for any reason once you start the test. when you use the bathroom or when you wish to make a comment on a particular question or for any other reason, so use the allocated time wisely. The allocated time seems to be more than enough to answer all the questions as well as review them.