API 510 Certification Exam Study Plan

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
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.
Closed Book vs Open Book

Open book generally contains:

All calculations (except Corrosion Rates, Remaining Life, Inspection Intervals)
Data from Tables (e.g. MDMT for SA-516 Gr 60 that is 1 thick)
Insignificant data that an inspector should be able to find.
Closed book generally contains:
Only calculations - Corrosion Rates, Remaining Life, Inspection Intervals
Most of the data from the API 510, 572 & 576
Key items from the ASME documents
Two example questions
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.
When temper-bead welding, the maximum electrode size for the initial pass is? This should be open
book, this is rarely done. Why would this be important to memorize?
Study Materials
The first step in preparing for the exam is to obtain the reference publications. The "Effectivity Sheet"
has a complete list of publications that are covered by the examination. Make sure your publications
have the correct revision. 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.
Study Priority
You have only a limited amount of time to study, so you need to invest your time wisely where you can
get the MAXIMUM return! Approximately 60% of the test questions are directly from API 510, 572 &
576. So that's your priority! For every hour spent studying the other publications, spend 2 hours
studying API 510, 572 & 576. We cannot over-stress the importance of using your study time wisely.
One last set of data, there will be about 85 test questions directly from the API documents. These API
documents together total about 60 pages. That averages almost 1-1/2 questions per page. The
remaining 65 questions will come from the 1000+ pages contained in the other documents. That's less
than 1 question for every 10 pages. Spend your time mining in the rich veins of API . 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"!

Suggestions to Study
So how to Study easily? Start with the API documents and then spell "SUCCESS". If you use
"SUCCESS" you will be SUCCESSful. We guarantee it! Here's what SUCCESS" represents.
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 words. (Remember, 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, 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 510. For
each of these inspections, API 510 identifies who can perform the inspections, maximum intervals,
etc. Make a mini-chart with this data and 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. (Group
Study is good opportunity to ask questions)
S - SEEK assistance when stumped. Don't waste valuable time researching answers when confused.
call experts or your training institute, and get the quick answer. 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.
Time Management
Time is your limited resource. If you follow the above suggestions, your learning efficiency will
increase. Why spend 100 hours studying at random when you could learn just as much or even more
in 50 hours with a disciplined and organized approach. See below given 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!

Week One
Review scopes of all reference publications
Read and outline API 510 Sections 1-5
Read and highlight API 572

Week Two
Read and outline API 510 Sections 6-7
Read and highlight API 576

Week Three
Review API 572
Review API 576
Review all highlighted key ideas

Week Four
Read and study appropriate sections of Inspection Guide Chap II
Review all cue cards and all highlighted key ideas

Week Five
Practice each required calculation
Try to find answers in the big books
Highlight and tab key areas
Ask questions, dont leave class confused about concepts

Week Six
Read and study BPV Section IX (QW Section)
Read and study BPV Section V (Primarily Article 2)
Review all highlighted key ideas
Clarify any outstanding issues
then PASS the EXAMINATION