For a number of years it has been possible for candidates to pass the exams by simply memorising the answers to questions. This has led to many students taking no interest whatsoever in actually trying to learn or understand any of the subject material. They would then go to the exams and find that 90% or more of the questions where exactly the ones that they had memorised.
The authorites have finally started to take action to remedy this problem. In the case of calculations they now have 10 or more of each type. Each question is slightly different from the others. The intention is that it should be easier to learn how to solve the problems from first principles than it is to memorise all of the slightly different questions and answers.
For the factual questions, they have been equally inventive. As an example of this in POF(A) there are about 30 questions on the single subject of subsonic airflow through a venturi. There are a similar number on induced drag, on wingtip vortice, and again on gust load factor. At first glance the questions look identical. But each is slightly different.
As this process continues it will become increasingly difficult (and eventually impossible) to pass the exams without knowing and understanding the subject matter.
This does not mean that the question banks will become redundant. But it does mean that only those with properly constructed explanation banks will be of any value to users.
Keith Williams is, of course, correct.
Do you really think you will be a competent pilot if you don't know what you are talking about?
Ex RAF A2 QFI..............