2020 Pass rates

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/february/online-exams-boost-ham-radio-numbers.htm - 90% for Foundation - 87% for Intermediate - 68% for Full. To put those figures into some form of context many many years ago when I took the C&G 2391-10 which was the industry "Standard" exam for electrical contracting the pass rate was 25-35 %  so for a hobby with an easy route in ( imo ) the exam difficulty would appear to be about right (# maybe  )

Feels really good to see those numbers!

(Although I would still have a concern about the 300 or so people who didn't achieve Foundation - what were the reasons?)

Really goes to showcase the efforts of those involved in making the online exams a reality and the scores of volunteers providing training courses, let alone the exam invigilators. A very well done to all concerned!!!


I can't see the comparison with an old qualification for someone involved in electrical contracting though. If you are in a trade and responsible for the test, verification, installation or otherwise of an electrical system I'd damn well expect you to be 'competent' and qualified! (I've met some shoddy 'sparks' in my time! )

Whereas the 'Foundation' is really supposed to be an introduction into what can become a very rewarding hobby. If the hobby is not what individuals expect they will soon move onto another interest with not much lost. They can however move further into the hobby should they wish and progress up the qualifications learning as they go and be suitably rewarded for their efforts. Others will be happy to stay at whatever level they attain or satisfied with their achievement and concentrate on exploring the hobby further. (Amateur Radio has so many interest paths!)


Personally I think the move to online examinations has been a fantastic move that will hopefully reinvigorate the hobby. It certainly helped me in that I was no longer hindered by course cancellations, finding a 'good' club, or even indeed limited by my physical disability.

I certainly look forward to exploring my radio interests further, by personal choice, without hindrance and at whatever level I care to choose.


So, to all of you who passed their Radio Amateur exam in the last year at whatever level, I will say once again....

VERY WELL DONE!! 


(Even if that was just for mastering an online world of tuition, study and examination - a feat in itself!)

All my best,
Victor

I just missed the multiple choice RAE  & had to take a single paper written exam & from what little I have seen of todays exams, my test was much more narrow, but deeper, in the  knowledge  of that narrow field to pass the exam. Being a written answer, I could chose which few questions I choose to answer, so provided  I  had done my home work, which I had. It was a reasonably simple test to pass, as all I  needed to know was electronics, nothing about interference, operating, etc etc.

Victor wrote:

I can't see the comparison with an old qualification for someone involved in electrical contracting though. If you are in a trade and responsible for the test, verification, installation or otherwise of an electrical system I'd damn well expect you to be 'competent' and qualified! (I've met some shoddy 'sparks' in my time! )

Back when I took my exam & even the later multi choice RAE. A RAE was seen as an electrical/electronic qualification. My exam was purely about electronics & transmitter design. 

So when I left school, I walked into a higher level apprenticeship, with better money than my friends were getting, as the collage knocked the first year off my apprenticeship.

I can see how that happened Nick, especially back in the day.

I took an apprenticeship that led onto an ONC, HNC and ultimate HND in Electronics spending a great career in the sector all thanks to that boyhood fascination of radio.

However, just like how my career disappeared from the British shores the world moves on. The same has happened for Amateur Radio and the days of operators 'having' to build their own equipment were numbered. If someone wishes to pursue that path of interest they can and even the basic electronic theory of todays Intermediate licence can spark the imagination. It's hardly an 'electronic' qualification though.


I still think they have done well to expand the hobby, realise it's a hobby and are far more welcoming to those with a passion for radio whatever their level of so called expertise. I think they have done well to change with the times and technology as well as address certain factors such as RFI etc.


It's not quite there, (still befuddled with having to know the height of the ionosphere in km's?!?!?), but it has evolved nicely.

Looking at todays system, it is very much like an apprenticeship, you start very basic & work through to tradesman. 

I knew nothing about operating from taking my RAE, we got that by being SWL's. Todays candidates from what I have seen know an awful lot more about interference & operating that I was taught. From what I have seen, I do think todays system is better for the hobby.

I agree with you there Nick.


We do have to be mindful though that an operator could be far more eminently qualified than their call sign or licence level first suggests.

Indeed, we should address individuals for who they are, not their 'token' assignments.


Let's just hope that the fantastic numbers of newly qualified Amateurs get the warm welcome they deserve on air and embraced for their passionate interest in radio.

(Just as we should embrace others with a radio interest, regardless of what it is.)

Just saw the other day that exam requests in USA are up since covid, Guess all those bored people that have Been putting it off for years, finally knuckled down
 Ha, who'd of though it!

Let's hope it wasn't all down to boredom Jeff. 

Well you know what it is like, you just keep putting it off. Do you know how much energy it took for me to take the Canadian exam? I passed RAE in 1982 in the UK. I just did not want to do it all over again.
But here using the call VE3/G6ZGU was driving me bonkers! Buggers don't do reciprocal full term licence here, only 6 months. And you know what? exactly the same as when I took it in UK! Whats the point? Just swop drivers licence, but oh no, bloody exam here for ham radio licence! Ahh well, I passed with honours. So have full privileges. Got the call I wanted too, VA3XUK.

Ha!
What a faff around you had to go through Jeff.

Glad you got there with your perseverance, but what an awesome call sign! Well worth it in the end.