Subj : Classes And Exams (D) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Mon Feb 04 2019 09:43 am (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MESSAGE) Here are 10 options for study material: 1) The Question Pools alone. These are available at either the ARRL website (http://www.arrl.org/question-pools), or at the NCVEC website (http://www.ncvec.org). You will need the appropriate utilities to read the PDF or Microsoft Word files. 2) The NC4FB website (http://www.nc4fb.org). It offers an extensive array of ham radio learning and study materials. You can find study plans, flash cards, PowerPoint presentations, specialized explanations of concepts, such as "Ohm's Law for Technician License Exams", and even commercial exam preparation materials. Everything is free, and available to anyone. A great feature is the practice exam section. This site also offers Canadian amateur radio license preparation, and commercial study for the GROL (General Radio Operators License) + ship radar endorsement. 3) The AA9PW website (http://www.aa9pw.com). A special item of note is the proven accessibility to blind users. There is an option for "no figures" in the exam, and many blind users do indeed report that this site works well for them. Additional features include on line Morse code training, and a Morse code app available from the iTunes store (even though Morse Code is no longer required for an amateur radio license). The site also includes practice exams for commercial licenses. 4) The QRZ website (http://www.qrz.com/exams). Besides practice exams, it also includes a "Practice Tests 2.0 Large Print Edition", that features scalable fonts for those users who can see the screen, but who require large print. The font size can be scaled to the user's needs. 5) The Ham Exam website (http://www.hamexam.org). It offers up to date exams on line, and includes a "flash card" learning option. What is unique here is that you create an account (it's free), and as you use the site, it learns which questions are giving you trouble and will emphasize those in subsequent practice exams. 6) The Radio Exam website (http://www.radioexam.org). It offers exams for all three levels, but interestingly enough, it allows for testing on each section of the pool separately, as well as selecting questions from the complete pool. 7) The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) website (http://www.arrl.org). It has license preparation materials for the Technician, General, and the Amateur Extra exams. Cost varies per item. 8) The W5YI website (http://www.w5yi.org). It has the study guides done by Gordon West, WB6NOA...with similar materials to what the ARRL has available. Again, cost varies per item. 9) If you are disabled, and need assistance with learning the materials, you can contact Handi-Hams (http://www.handiham.org). They help people with disabilities obtain, then study the material to obtain or upgrade their ham radio license. Once again, cost varies per item. More resources for the disabled are located at: http://www.arrl.org/resources-for-the-disabled If you have a disability, the Volunteer Examiner (VE) Team may be able to make certain accomodations for you to take the license exam, such as giving a test without schematics, graphics, or diagrams...for an individual who is blind, or severely visually impaired...or reading the questions and available answers to the examinee...who, in turn, tells the VE what answer to mark on the test. Note that MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR DISABILITY MAY BE REQUIRED IF YOUR DISABILITY IS NOT OBVIOUS...and it's best to notify the VE Team as far in advance of the test session as possible, so that proper arrangements can be made. If you wait until the test session itself to notify the VE Team of your disability, they may NOT be able to make the accomodations for you to take the exam...and you will either have to take the exam without special assistance, or wait until another scheduled license exam session. If the VE Team is limited on exam materials without any schematics, graphics, or diagrams (these are usually reserved for those who are blind/extremely visually impaired), you may only be able to have one try at that particular license class exam at a test session; and will have to attend another session to "try it again", should you fail the exam. 10) Ham Test Online (http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/index.html). This option only requires a computer and internet connection (either dial-up, DSL, broadband/cable, etc.). It is all web browser based, with nothing to download. Unlike the options where you have to buy books, etc. for each license class, you get a two (2) year subscription at different prices, depending on which class of license(s) you want to study for (see the price list for details). It can be cheaper than all the other license class books combined from all the sources noted above!! You can take as long as you need to study...in the privacy of your home, to take as many practice tests desired. Once your study time, plus your practice test scores are both above 85% on a consistent basis, you're ready for the real thing at a VE Test Session. However, if after adequate study time and practice tests, you still fail on exam day, just send them PROOF of the failure...and they will CANCEL your subscription, and REFUND your money. Around 1% of all who have signed up with them have requested a refund. Personally, it was the best money I ever spent in amateur radio. I went from Technician to General in only 14 days...and to Amateur Extra just 13 days later!! It does NOT matter how many you miss on the exam...just as long as you PASS the test!! Plus, there is no disgrace if you don't pass a license exam the first time; you can retake the license exam, with a DIFFERENT set of questions, if the VE team has the capability for you to do so...and provided you pay an additional test fee. Many hams have had to do just that when applying for a new license, or an upgrade...and they are on the air today. Also, the number of "re-tests" per failed element at a test session may be LIMITED. Chances are if you fail an exam more than twice in the same session...especially by a large number...that you need more study time on the material. 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