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API 570 CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION


STUDY SUGGESTIONS


1. Body of Knowledge

You should have received a document called the "Body of Knowledge". This details the items covered by
the exam. It's a great document, but lengthy and initially OVERWHELMING. It's a big elephant! Don't
get overwhelmed, you will "eat this elephant one bite at a time!"


2. The Examination

The certification examination has 150 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four possible answers.
A few of the multiple-choice questions will require you to perform a calculation. You will need to perform
the calculation and then pick the correct answer.

The test is divided into two sections, a closed-book section and an open-book section. The closed-book
portion of the test generally has about 100 to 105 questions. Most inspectors spend about 2 hours during
the exam on this section. The open-book portion of the test has about 45 to 50 questions and most
inspectors spend about 3 hours on this section. The open-book questions generally focus on calculations
and looking up detailed info from Tables or Code paragraphs.

You may be interested in understanding how these API exams are developed. Periodically a group of
"Subject Matter Experts" (folks who know something about inspection) get together to write questions.
Once a question is written, it is validated (checked) by at least 3 other "experts". This validation exercise
checks two items: first, is the question written clearly, and secondly, is the question content important
knowledge for an inspector.

These questions then go into a question data-bank. Presently there are over 1000 questions in the data-bank
and are grouped by topics. For the examination, the questions are randomly selected from the data bank by
topic. Select members of the API committee take one last review of each question to assure that the exam
is appropriate.


3. Materials

The first step in preparing for the exam is to obtain the reference publications. The "Body of Knowledge"
has a complete list of publications that are covered by the examination. Make sure your publications have
the correct revision date.

Now don't immediately dive into all the books. It's time to see the bigger picture. First, you need to gain an
understanding of what each publication covers. Do this by reviewing the opening paragraph of each
publication. (This is generally called the Scope or Introduction.) This step is often overlooked and the
inspector then fails to get the big picture. Get the big picture!

As you review the scope of each document, also look at the document's Table of Contents. This will help
familiarize you with the contents and the unique organization of the document. Different committees write
each of these publications, so there is significance variation in how each document is organized.


API 570 Study Plan

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4. Study Priority

You have only a limited amount of time to study, so you need to invest your time where you can get the
MAXIMUM return! Approximately 50% of the test questions are directly from API 570. So, that's your
priority! For every hour spent studying the other publications, spend 2 hours studying API 570.

I cannot overstress the importance of using your study time wisely. One last set of data, there will be about
85 test questions directly from API 570 & 574. These API documents together total about 50 pages, that
averages almost 2 questions per page. The remaining 65 questions will come from the 600+ pages
contained in the other documents. That's only 1 question for every 10 pages. Spend your time mining in
the rich veins of API 570 & 574.

To be most successful you will need to "Major on the Majors, and Minor on the Minors". For this exam,
the API documents are the "Majors"!


5. Study Suggestions

So how do we "eat this elephant"? Start with the API documents and then spell "SUCCESS". If you use
"SUCCESS" you will be SUCCESSful. I guarantee it! Here's what SUCCESS represents.
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S - SECTION by section.

Don't jump around in the API documents. Start with Section 1 and thoroughly study it before
moving on to the next section.

U - UNDERLINE or highlight key ideas or words. (Yes, you can highlight and write in the books!)

Highlighting helps our memorization and makes it easier for us to find key information as we
review. (Note! Don't highlight every line or it loses its emphasis.)

C - CHART when possible.

Draw your own charts or tables when it might help you summarize a lot of information.

For example, there are a couple different types of inspections detailed in API 570. For each of
these inspections, API 570 identifies who can perform the inspections, maximum intervals based
on piping classification, etc. By making a mini-chart using this data, you will significantly
increase your memorization speed.

Also keep track of important numbers, i.e. temperatures, distances, time-periods, etc. You will
see many test questions coming from important numbers in the codes.

C - CLARIFY issues.

Always try to understand the reasoning behind the statements in the Code. If you understand the
concepts then the information makes more sense.

E - EXAMINATION by others.

Have others ask you questions, questions, and more questions. Questions should come from your
highlighted key concepts. This step will be one of the most significant keys to your success.

Some inspectors even make cue cards using 3x 5 index cards. For example on one side write
25-250
o
F, on the other side write CUI Temp range for Carbon Steel.

S - SEEK assistance when stumped.

Don't waste valuable time researching answers when confused. Get on the phone, and get the
quick answer, then push on! Remember time is limited.

S - STAY on track.

Be methodical and organized in your study. Don't overdo some sections only to rush through the
last sections.


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6. Time Commitment

Time is your limited resource. If you follow the above suggestions, your learning efficiency will increase. Why
spend 100 hours studying haphazardly when you could learn just as much or even more in 50 hours with a
disciplined and organized approach. Attached is a preparation plan that provides an organized approach for your
study time. The plan is based on 6 weeks of preparation with a minimum of 8 study hours each week.

This plan will allow you to study at a scheduled pace. Your learning and satisfaction will significantly increase with
this disciplined approach. Do not wait and cram the week before the test. You may be able to pass the test but you
will soon forget what little you learned. Preparing for these certification exams are a great opportunity to really
increase your inspection knowledge. Let's make the most of it.

7. Whats Open book vs. Closed book?

Open book generally contains:

A. All calculations (except Corrosion Rates, Remaining Life, Inspection Intervals)
B. Data from Tables (e.g. MDMT for SA-516 Gr 70 that is 1 thick)
C. Insignificant data that an inspector should be able to find. (this is the area that the most
complaints come from!)

Closed book generally contains:

A. Only calculations - Corrosion Rates, Remaining Life, Inspection Intervals
B. Most of the data from the API 570 & 574
C. Key items from the ASME documents

Two example questions

1. On a RT, what is the maximum film density allowed in the Area of Interest (weld)?

This could be closed book, since reviewing RTs is a significant role for the inspector.

2. Unless a faster speed has been qualified, what is the maximum scanning speed for a UT transducer?

This should be open book, for an inspector exam. This falls into insignificant data for the inspector.
Probably real important on an NDE certification exam!

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