The Truth About The AM2!

by Maurice Torrington on 24 March 2011

The AM2 has changed to meet the demands now placed on electricians.

For the last 25 years, the AM2 has been renowned within the electrotechnical industry as the benchmark of an individual’s occupational competence, providing verification of competence for tens of thousands of electricians. In fact, the AM2 is so highly regarded that 6 individuals of varying ages, who are not ETT apprentices, have put themselves through the exam with us this year.

As many of you know the AM2 was subject to an extensive review and has been altered to reflect the changing real-life demands on electricians. NET carried out a thorough consultation process over the last two years, encouraging all areas of the industry; apprentices, employers, practicing electricians and examiners to give their opinion on the assessment – feedback which has proven to be invaluable.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect in the online exam, I thought it would be general knowledge but it is really specific. I would tell my mate to have a good read through your 17th Edition book; all the answers are in there so get used to where everything is in it before taking the online test.”- Aodhan

The consultation highlighted the need to make the assessment reflect current working practices, including the use of modern connection and wiring systems. The revised AM2 is now entirely competence based instead of systems based. It encompasses methods of installation and termination, safe isolation, risk assessment, inspection and testing and fault finding.

“It seemed like a lot to cram in for the amount of time you have but it was good to challenge yourself. Having to do it on the spot, while being watched makes it seem more difficult but it’s not, it was great.”- Aodhan

ETT run an AM2 Prep Course to help you prepare your skills and knowledge; gaining a better understanding of what is expected of you during your online examination and practical assessment. The preparation course looks at the most difficult areas of the exam and covers fault diagnosis, practical training, inspection and testing and also provides you with some sample questions so you are more familiar with the structure of the online exam.

"Don’t take it for granted that you know everything, prepare as much as you can.” - Aodhan

“I wanted to do the AM2 Preparation Course so I would be reassured when it comes to completing the practical side of the exam. I wanted to be sure of what I would need to know.”

The AM2 is designed to test you on your skills and knowledge, which you have developed over the course of your apprenticeship. It is not possible to cover everything you will be tested on, in great detail, in a 7 hour preparation course - so please understand that in order to pass this exam you will be expected to conduct independent study at home and importantly take advantage of any information or guidance we provide you with.

The one day course costs £99. In some cases your employer may offer assistance with this payment. The course provides you with knowledge on fault diagnosis, inspection and testing requirements and practical training to prepare you for your AM2 exam. Each individual will receive a full day of expert tuition and leave with a comprehensive set of notes and sample questions.

"My employer couldn’t afford to help me with the cost of the prep course; he was already paying for me to sit the AM2. I just paid for the AM2 Prep myself. The way I see it I’d rather pay £99 and be confident that I will do well in the exam rather than not doing the prep course and having to pay for repeats." Anon

“I basically wanted reassurance. The preparation course concentrates on Inspection and Testing, which is great because unless you work in industrial environments, you probably won’t know as much about this part of the exam. We practiced filling in the documents, which are in the regulations. A lot of what you need to know is in the regulations; this course helps point you in the right direction.” Anon

The AM2 is divided into four sections labelled A, B, C and D.

A – Composite Installation
B – Inspection and Testing of the Composite Installation
C – Fault Diagnosis
D – Assessment of Applied Knowledge (1 Hour Online Multiple Choice Exam)

You will sit Section D, the online exam, first.

This seems to be the area causing the most stress and difficulty. The exam is open-book; you are allowed a clean copy of the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations, Installers Guide to the Regulations, Guidance Note 3 and the Onsite Guide Textbook in the exam with you (all of which we provide on the day). It is essential you prepare for this exam with a minimum of 2 hours independent study per week, for at least 6 weeks before you sit the exam.

If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail!

“Definitely look through the 17^th Edition Regulations before the online test as it will save you time in the exam knowing where things are.” - Karl

The online exam contains 30 questions across a range of topics, you must achieve a minimum pass mark of 70% (21 questions must be answered correctly).

In the past some candidates undertook the assessment before they were fully prepared. While the new AM2 is challenging, candidates now have improved guidance so they can better measure their state of readiness before putting themselves forward to do the assessment. This guidance comes in the form of a recommended pre-requisite checklist, which will allow candidates to check their competence against individual elements of the AM2. When they feel comfortable with each component, they are then ready to undertake the assessment.

“The checklist I was sent by ETT helped me to prepare for the exam but more testing experience would have helped; there is a lot of it in the practical. It was good though, just like a days’ work.” – Karl

A copy of this document will have been posted to you in September; it is a very important guide of what you should know before sitting the AM2 exam and covers, in great detail, what you will be expected to do!

You can download a copy of the Candidate Self-Assessment Checklist at the end of this article.

So far, 120 students have sat the AM2 exam, the 140 apprentices who are yet to sit the exam should read our blogs on the topic, look out for the Watts Happening Newsletter for guidance and follow the advice given from apprentices who have already been through it
73% of apprentices who have sat the exam attended the AM2 Preparation Course (87 apprentices)
59% of those individuals passed the AM2 first time round

The AM2 exam is not “easy” and it is not based solely on your practical work and experience.

The Online Multiple Choice Exam will require you to spend time reading through the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations, Installers Guide to the Regulations, Guidance Note 3 and the Onsite Guide Textbook so you can confidently answer questions on:

Hand tool use and care
Health and Safety
BS 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations
Building Regulations
Installation Techniques
Single and Three-phase motors – control and overload protection
Control Systems – sustainable energy system
Overload and Short – Circuit protection
Inspection, testing and fault finding

ETT have invested in new AM2 facilities, which have impressed our apprentices and the NET Manager of AM2, Stephen Plant.

“The facilities are 100%” – Aodhan

“The AM2 test area is well equipped and up to date.” -Karl

AM2 Centre Manager, Maurice Torrington, gives the final word on what to expect.

“Form filling could be a problem but it shouldn’t be. The forms you need to know are in the Inspection and Testing section of the Regulations, so familiarise yourself with them and its easy marks.”

“With so much to do it is really important for you to be punctual, the timings for the exam are found on the pre-entry guidance form; it is a lot to fit in so be at ETT on time.”

“And finally preparation is key; everything about the AM2 is new to us as well as you. Look over your 17^th Edition Regulations and if you can, book on to the AM2 Preparation Course.”

To book on to the AM2 Preparation Course click here

AM2 Candidate Self-Assessment Checklist