MCA Orals

[tlloyd1983]

Ok, so this thread is entirely self-serving. But can anyone who has done their MCA Orals recently, post the topics discussed? Would be very helpful as my date looms nearer and nearer. I have seen one for OOW on mcaorals.co.uk. Are there any topics the examiners are currently hot on?

[CharlieDelta]

Have you been to the library for the orals reports?

I'm hoping over time to get our own orals reports database going. Would come in pretty handy I think.

Still a while off for me yet, but for anyone who replies it'd be useful to include the office where you sat your Orals.

[tlloyd1983]

No haven't yet, just finished phase 4 (sea), so gearing up to head down to Warsash for final college phase. I anticipate many red bull red eyes in the lib before the orals.

[size4riggerboots]

There's a reason that colleges don't give you past orals papers before the orals prep course you know! Is this a short phase or a long one coming up? If it's along one then concentrate on the learning you need for the academic exams! If it's only orals prep then don't fret, they WILL coach you, believe me when I say that they will give you past papers when you're ready for them.

I wrote about my exam in Liverpool on my blog, if you fancy a laugh/scaring yourself! Oh and I reckon emergency proceedures will feature heavily, in light of recent events!

[tlloyd1983]

It's the big final one. 2 months of short courses, then oral prep, orals, then HND level 2. Finished in December.

[CharlieDelta]

Keep us updated as to how phase five goes, was yours the first new HND group? September 2009? I'm September 2010 so curious to see how phase five pans out for people.

[tlloyd1983]

Just read your report S4. Thanks for the report, was good reading, I think staying in a nunnery would freak me out though!

[tlloyd1983]

CD, yes, we were the first. The 'trial run' as the lecturers said. Thanks. :P

[alistairuk]

Glasgow, 2 years ago - but there all pretty standard; http://www.alistairbaillie.co.uk/blog/?p=343

[Brimbo]

I'm due to start my oral prep/short courses on April 16th, hoping to get my orals done for end of june, at STC its 3 weeks short course/3 week oral prep, after that its up to you when you want to book the exam

[alistair]

http://www.colreg.net/apps/forums/

all the orals report are here.

[alistair]

Does Anyone know where I can get private tution for orals classes. I have heard through the grapewine that someone in Glasgow does it and has almost 100% first time pass percentage. Please help!

[Clanky]

Good luck with the orals

It's still not too late to tyransfer to the engine department

[Aleorea]

Does Anyone know where I can get private tution for orals classes. I have heard through the grapewine that someone in Glasgow does it and has almost 100% first time pass percentage. Please help!

What you heard is true.

[Steve]

What you heard is true.

I was not impressed with the results from his students. He trains them to the exam, based only on questions asked previously, and they think that is sufficient. When asked a question by an examiner that has not been asked before, which is especially likely whilst examiners are being shipped in from distant marine offices, students trained in that way struggle as they do not have a wider appreciation of the subject, only the ability to answer certain stock questions.

As far as training to answer the stock questions, his methods are effective, but I think rather a conflict of interest with his day job. I have seen the man himself struggle fatally when asked a question that was not inside his little box.

Not worth the money IMO.