From the CAA to all CGIs:
1. Following the input from candidates and FTOs about the recent ATPL(A) Performance examinations, particularly February and April this year, we have reviewed the papers and come to the following conclusions:
a) Although the examinations were produced in accordance with the JAA profile, as published in JAA AGM, Section 5, Part 2, Chapter 10, the introduction of the latest version of the CQB meant that the work load in February and April was higher than in previous Performance examinations.
b) There were some questions in the February and April examinations based on CAP 698 graphs for which the choice of answers was too close.
c) The workload in the examinations for January and March was no higher than previous examinations and is considered to have been reasonable.
2. After an extensive internal review and consultation with both the 030 SET Chair at the German Authority, LBA, and the JAA we have decided to take the following actions:
a) Credit the questions referred to in 1(b) above for both February and April.
b) Re-assess the examination profile for Performance, with immediate effect.
c) Conduct a review of the examination profile for all other examinations.
d) Conduct a review of all CAP 698 graph questions.
3. The crediting referred to in 2(a) above has resulted in a retrospective PASS being awarded to twenty candidates from the February sitting; each of these will be contacted individually and a revised results sheet will be issued. The subsequent examination history for these candidates will be reviewed and some will now have a resit voided from our records and the examination fee refunded. The crediting for April will be taken into account as part of the normal review procedure.
4. A letter to candidates will be prepared in the near future and included with examination results.
5. The 030 SET will review all questions based on CAP 698 graphs and the JAA will form a Working Group (WG) to review all examination profiles.
At first sight it seems very satisfactory, except no general credit is given for running out of time. Well done the CAA. I'm sure the correspondence will continue.
(030 is the code for Performance, SET means Subject Expert Team, the LBA are the German CAA)