That 'nonsense' exam isn't screwy, as first glance would seem to indicate. Read the questions and the answers. There's always one that fits better. Think grammar, plural vs singular, previous answers, exceptions and patterns. There are correct answers to those questions!
Those types of errors appear in many exams, including CAA ones. Sometimes those errors can be used to resolve an ambiguity when your answer could match two of the options.
Other exam techniques:
Highlight or underline each factor given in the stem of the question. Tick each of one off as you use it to calculate your answer. Also highlight what sort of answer the question asks eg *Ground roll* or *distance to 50'* in a runway performance Q., *Mag.* heading or *True* heading in a nav. question.
If your answer is squarely between two options then it means your accuracy wasn't quite right. It's often small errors using tools such as aligning the protractor correctly with the line of longitude nearest the track mid-point, sloppy line drawing on the chart. I suggest using a soft fine tipped propelling pencil (.5/.7mm 2B lead refill. .5mm is my preference but not always available. Some people just prefer a thicker lead). Accuracy also applies to using the whiz wheel.
Work fast enough that you will have time at the end to review and even rework your answers from the beginning. Use all the time available. If you finish really, really early then sit for a few minutes & daydream. Then start the exam again with fresh working. An important part of reviewing is making sure you answered with the information the examiner asked for.
If you can't think of an answer directly, or recall the method to derive the answer, leave it and go on to other questions. We all can get mental blanks. Often, other questions will give you a clue or jog your memory. If that happens make sure you note what you remembered. Sometimes I even stop the current question & go directly to the skipped Q. while the thought is fresh.
Use the perrusal time to think about how you will solve each question, which ones you know you know, which ones will require tools. It's an opportunity to look for give-aways ie dead simple questions that take only as long as it takes to mark the answer or are worded in a way that points to the answer. Make notes if you can and use the time to complete name/candidate reference number and the rest of the form filling bureaucracy. That'll give you a few minutes more in the exam for answering questions.
Last edited by Tinstaafl; 4th March 2011 at 13:07.