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Chartered Membership - Personal Reflections Graham Wood Prize Winner 2011 - Huw Llewelyn Edward Jones“Awarded to Huw Jones of Bristol, Somerset who submitted a solution of the highest standard designed primarily in structural steel.” The first word of advice I would give any candidate is ‘Preparation’. In addition to my private study, I attended a locally arranged six week evening course, along with the intensive one day course at the Institution headquarters in London. These courses were invaluable, helping with exam technique, general development and introducing me to other Engineers in my local area.

The main area of focus during my preparation was the exam folder. I was keen not to rely on the fact that the exam was open book, taking in countless text books and folders. Instead I prepared one A4 size folder, with all information summarised into precise sections that followed the exam format. I resisted the urge of taking in any additional information, not even the Engineers Pocket Book! If it wasn’t in the file, I didn’t need it.

Time keeping was a major factor and it’s critical that you stick to your plan. My exam plan was as given below, but it’s important to understand that everyone’s will vary dependant on strengths and weaknesses.

9:30 - 10:00 Key issues & assumptions

10:00 - 11:00 Scheme 1

11:00 - 12:00 Scheme 2

12:00 - 12:15 Scheme Recommendations

12:15 - 12:45 Client Letter

12:45 - 13:00 Review Scheme

13:00 - 13:30 Check brief, list standards used & key elements to be designed

13:30 - 14:45 Design Calculations

14:45 - 16:00 GA Drawings

16:00 - 16:20 Details

16:20 - 17:00 Method Statement & Programme

 

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Choosing the correct question was, in my opinion, the biggest challenge of the day. When you sit down and first look at the paper, your head is spinning with ideas and you’re eager to get going. Seeing other people put pen to paper can be incredibly distracting, but taking the time to choose the right question will benefit you in the long run. Getting an hour down the line and changing really isn’t an option. I chose to use the first 30 minutes to list key issues and assumptions, and also used this time to discuss general issues such as fire, disproportionate collapse, boundary conditions and site restrictions. Writing a little bit about a lot of things can go a long way in creating a good first impression with the examiner.

I have always been a keen drawer, and relied heavily during the exam on the use of colour. Everything I had read in the build up suggested that if you make a good impression, with a well presented script that is easily interpreted, you will only benefit. I noticed that some candidates took in drawing boards and all sorts of technical drawing equipment, although this may benefit some people, it would have been far too time consuming for me. I used primarily free hand drawn sketches, GA’s and details, only really using a ruler when absolutely necessary.

One area I think many people struggle with is the lack of time. For instance, you will not have the time to produce detailed calculations checking bending, shear and deflection of a beam. I chose rather to check only the governing factor (long span beams = deflection) then simply writing a statement saying that I would check the other items given the time. The examiners understand the time constraints of the day, having been through it themselves, so simply telling them that you would do something will demonstrate you have a good understanding of Engineering principals.

I think some candidates can also put too much emphasis on the drawings and calculations, forgetting that the letter, method statement and programme represent a good portion of the marks. I felt that these were areas where I could easily pick up marks, and targeted them from the start. Too many people exceed their time limits on the drawings and calculations, leaving the method statement and programme for the last 10 minutes. I did not want to fall into this trap, and dedicated a full 30 minutes to the letter and 40 minutes for the method statement and programme. Yes you need two distinct schemes, yes you need good drawings, yes you need calculations, but why neglect the other aspects of the question when they could make up the difference between passing and failing?

To conclude, I feel the exam is fair, and contrary to what some people think, if planned well there is just about enough time to answer all parts to a satisfactory standard. You might not get everything in your head down on paper, but if you remain focused, work methodically, and most of all don’t panic, before you know it you will have your two solutions and should be feeling far more confident.

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Chartered Membership - Personal Reflections A E Wynn Prize Winner 2011 – Chan Chun Kai“Awarded to Chan Chun Kai, of Hong Kong, who submitted a solution “of the highest standard, designed primarily in structural concrete.”

Frankly speaking, it’s my second time taking the CM Exam. The most important lesson in life is learning from mistakes, I feel glad that I can share my success in winning the prize with those about to take the examination. On this success, I have to thanks my good mentor and dear fiancée; they gave me lots of support throughout my exam preparation.

My keys to success are a good mentor, practice makes perfect and appropriate exam materials. My mentor played an important role in my exam preparation, who motivated me to study harder. He set up a strict penalty system for my exam preparation, which is re-doing the exam past paper until I can complete it within the examination time, 7 hours. It is indeed a difficult task for a fresh candidate at the very beginning. One of my horrible experiences is I re-did the past paper of CM Exam 2000 for 3 times. Though it’s tough, it is for sure a good way to train up the speed of thinking, writing, calculation and drawing skills under such a stressful examination atmosphere.

Practice makes perfect; It’s no doubt that the more you practice, the better you will become. I have gone through the past paper of CM Exam from year 1990 to 2010 during my exam preparation. Moreover, I will spend 2 ~ 3 hours pretending to be an examiner to review my own works and keep record for all the mistakes I have made. Reviewing the mistakes I made is very important as it shows all my weaknesses so that I can improve next time. Although it is harsh to spend like more than 100 hours on 20 years’ past paper, it’s worth doing as I can always see improvement after each completion.

Appropriate exam materials which suits your own style is very important. You have to get proficient with the materials during the examination, so I use the same set of stationery to practice on every single past paper of CM Exam. I have my system, I would place a set of ball pens on my right-hand side, a set of pencils & highlighter on my left-had side and a set of measurement tools in front of me.

My final suggestion is to stay calm after receiving the question book. For sure you will find something out of expectation, overcoming nervousness is the first thing you have to do in CM Exam. Where there is a will, there is a way. Good Luck to you all in 2012 Exam!

 

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