MEO Orals -INDIA

MEO Orals is basically   an interview  by the surveyor ,checking if  we  are competent 

enough to  handle the responsibility  of the position we are appearing for .

It is not purely a technical Q&A session , a mix of correct answers, proper body language etc is important to give the surveyor the  right impression  , ie we are confident , and  will be able to handle our new responsibilities . Keep this in mind while preparation  for exams and not just studies only( which of course is  of the greatest  importance) . 

Appearance -  Dress clean and smart.  Try to male sure you don't wear anything funky or too snazzy  while appearing , beards, the long hair , the stud in the ear , they all can be back in just a few  minutes or months after the orals are over with ,  take an  effort  for the  D day - it is one of the most important exams we appear for in our lives  -It will be worth it.

Meditating ( just keeping ourselves away from the madding crowd and relaxing is good enough )  will help in soothing those nerves before going in  . Being calm and collected will help in delivering the  best we can within that short span of time we spend before the surveyors which decides our future . Remember the n number of Decarbs, overhauls , problems solved onboard all these are our achievements which the surveyor has no clue about and ALL decision regarding our competence is taken purely based on our performance in those 45 odd minutes or so . 

Talk clearly and concisely and in case  any question was not clearly heard  or understood ,  request the examiner to repeat the question once more - they do not hold it against us .
 I have come across a good number of people who do not  request the surveyor to repeat a question even if they did not hear it properly or could not understand ,  that is a stupid way to fail  - without  even hearing the questions properly , you may know them for all that matters  !!

Most of the surveyors look for the key words and  understanding of the subject - RATTA maroing  is not required  . Some important  dates,  Reg numbers etc do need to be rattoed .. not way around that , unfortunately. Except for very few Surveyors ( the names are quite infamous)  99% of them are not there to fail us, neither are they there to help us pass . They will ask questions and be very careful while answering as any unnecessary or hifi terminologies are inserted to look cool , that will end up giving them a link to another question. Answer to the question do not beat around the bush , at the same time take time to think and answer do not say I do not know to all the questions.

Just go in confident that is the best thing we can do for ourselves. Try and avoid those people who come in to the waiting hall and start asking questions left right and centre and  we might not know many of those questions and that would result in a major loss of confidence just before facing the surveyors, w do not want that !!!  Be calm , be confident , trust your preparation , Smile,
It will be smooth sailing . All the best !!

M E O theory examinations .

MEO exams - INDIA 

One of the  most difficult stage  in a seafaring career for most of us  are  our  MEO CL-IV, CL-II & CL-1 examinations  . A total of 13 theory papers , and 13 oral examinations  spread over a period of time ( a  decade for most people ) is one tortuous journey  and it does manage to frustrate the hell out of many of us .  Thanks god  as it has been a journey that is  almost near completion for me  and just awaiting the  final step .  Looking back at the written and  orals and the stress me, my friends etc have gone through is nothing short of nerve wracking at times . Having to stay  ashore for  completion of exams and getting hold of our higher licenses  , most times applying for COC  and rushing back to sea thanks to a  dangerously depleted bank account  .
Just a few  observations wrt to the exams I have  made  over the course of my exam career .:)  ,  I  can quite confidently say they have worked for me   - Cleared all theory papers in  my first attempt itself , no splitting of papers etc, all papers were given together in the first attempt itself.
 I am  just mentioning some Really basic stuff which helped me a lot in addition to the studies  to help me clear my exams.These points are mentioned in any forum where  exams are discussed . These apply  mostly to class 2 and 1 exams as class 4 exams have  changed from what it used to be earlier on .

Attempt all the 6 questions  as required :  Many people say  that  the answers should be in the  numerical order ,  I can confidently  say that is not the case . Write the answers you know best right at the beginning , it helps us with the flow  in writing and thought  process and will be of  immense help when dealing with  answers we are not so  well prepared ( if that situation arises ) . Do not leave any question unattended  , even if you know a part of the answer  it might bring in some marks . REMEMBER,   this is not an exam where marks are published - only pass or fail is what matters.

Timing - Do not waste  too much time  on any answer .Even if we know an answer completely and it  will take 40 plus minutes and run in to 5 or 6 pages probably not a good idea . There wont be sufficient time at the end for writing 6 answers , any less than the required number of questions attempted ; we can  go ahead and start preparing for the next attempt.Write and practice while  studying as we unlike in our previous college or school days are not used to  writing  pages upon pages and that too at a quick pace on a regular  basis  and this will be felt  while writing the exam. So make  written notes as it will help with the writing practice and the hand will not tire when we write the real exam.

Headings / Underlining- Underline all important  technical terms in an answer , do not over do it as titwill loose its  objective.Headings  for different sub sections in an answer . This will help the examiner in identifying key words even if we do not have a handwriting that will win us  prizes . It also shows we know the terms .

Figures -  In an answer use figures to explain , they need not be text book figures ( unless that is  non negotiable in case of a particular answer ) , make own figures and explain . It HELPS A LOT . try using a ruler and pencil while making figures , its worth the effort .

Spacing - Spacing between answers -  as per question paper start the next question on a fresh page. in case that was not done still  it is excused if sufficient  spacing is given.  Spacing between imprtant points in an answer will make reading it easier for the valuer .

Pages- A few extra sheets always helps. :).

Handwriting- At least  in the beginning be at our best selves. They  don't say" first impression is the best impression " for nothing !

Once the exams are over  and we have done our bit, stop fretting about the result ,Think positive , rather don't think at all till the results are gona be announced ;unless we are  sure that  we wont pass (  wrote less no of qstns , incorrect answers etc).

Even if a few questions seem tough or new and  was not prepared well , don't lose  hope inside the  hall,  tackle the questions we know best and let the answers flow.Once we settle in we will most probably be able to remember something about the answers of those questions  and  attempt them , make sure all the 6 questions are answered .