Well similar to Harry’s post last year i am undertaking the CPC new combined course starting on 15th Feb.
Now i have already purchased the 2011 Lowe’s Transport Manager book as i feel this would be very useful. But other than that i am kind of reaching out for peoples advice on what would be suitable reading/studying material. What is the course structure like? i am sitting in a classroom for 14 days so any idea what the structure is like would be greatly useful. Any tips for things that people wish they had taken or done? Calculator? pencil?
In short what am i to expect? and what should i do before i arrive on the course. So far i have not received anything from the school so i am a little blind
Spacemonkeypg:
In short what am i to expect? and what should i do before i arrive on the course. So far i have not received anything from the school so i am a little blind
Hi mate,
I think it’s best to wait a while longer TBH.
The course materials will be being revised so that they’re in tune with the exams, so you’ll probably be best to speak to the training school and ask when the study materials will be available.
The other thing to bear in mind is that any other books you might buy could be out of step with the exams due to the natural ‘lag’ between a new law/Reg being passed and it becoming examinable for the CPC. The CPC exams are usually slightly behind the times, but the study materials are designed to reflect this.
I got an email from this afternoon inviting me to an induction course tomorrow which i cant attend
Qoute
It is highly recommended that candidates attend the Course Induction Session, which focuses on all fundamental and critical aspects of the course and the relevant exam papers.
In addition it is during this session that the Study Plan is explained which is an essential aid to course preparation for candidates
Bit late less than 24hrs notice though
Spacemonkeypg:
Bit late less than 24hrs notice though
That’s a very fair point mate, and one which I’d suggest that you raise with the provider.
I completely agree that an induction/taster session is a good idea, but such short notice really isn’t helpful. 
Given that the course isn’t until March, I’d have thought that the induction would be a bit nearer the time.
Indeed
I do have the course structure now though which states 5 days for national cpc then 3 for international 1 mock examination day 2 revision days and the final day being an open surgery, which is good as i have been meaning to get my back pain sorted out for some time now
Well i collected my “study notes” on Monday and there is one hell of a lot of reading lol
Spacemonkeypg:
Well i collected my “study notes” on Monday and there is one hell of a lot of reading lol
I thought that might be the case. 
If you need any help with explanations about the ADR stuff, just post it up, and I’ll help. 
Thanks mate, i’m assuming having my ADR will help to a certain degree?
In addition i don’t suppose you or anyone else knows if it is permitted to take “reference” material into the case study exam? I think i have read somewhere that it is allowed.
Spacemonkeypg:
Thanks mate, i’m assuming having my ADR will help to a certain degree?
Hi Spacemonkeypg,
I’d say that having your ADR will help, but I’ve not seen any study notes for a couple of years, and certainly not the new combined ones.
Since the operator CPC is a management qualification, it’s possible that there’s something in it that’s not covered in a driver’s ADR course. So if there’s anything in the ADR stuff that you’re not sure about, then please ask me and I’ll sort it for you.
Spacemonkeypg:
In addition i don’t suppose you or anyone else knows if it is permitted to take “reference” material into the case study exam? I think i have read somewhere that it is allowed.
I’m not 100% sure about this… but I don’t think you’re allowed to have any reference material for any of the CPC exams, apart from the fact that you’ve had opportunity to download and read the pre-released scenario.
dieseldave:
Spacemonkeypg:
In addition i don’t suppose you or anyone else knows if it is permitted to take “reference” material into the case study exam? I think i have read somewhere that it is allowed.
I’m not 100% sure about this… but I don’t think you’re allowed to have any reference material for any of the CPC exams, apart from the fact that you’ve had opportunity to download and read the pre-released scenario.
just had a look on a local trainers website and it describes 2 exams
R1 Freight: 60 multiple choice questions in 2 hours, 60 marks max
R2 Freight: Case Study, Open Book exam, 5 - 8 questions in 2 hours, 60 marks max
Denis F:
R2 Freight: Case Study, Open Book exam, 5 - 8 questions in 2 hours, 60 marks max
That’s new!!
I’ve checked it out ‘officially’ and here’s the proof that books are indeed allowed in the exam…
Candidates will now be able to take any notes or books of their choice in to the case study assessment …
Here’s a handy downloadable .pdf and top of the right-hand column on page #3 is the source of the above quote:
http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/kd/ocr_60297_kd_vrq_factsheet.pdf
So reading between the lines i can take the study book thing in with me?
and a copy of razzle
Spacemonkeypg:
So reading between the lines i can take the study book thing in with me?
My guess is that your situation is covered by this:
… any notes or books of their choice …
However, this is another important change:
The new case study assessment will no longer be preceded by a pre-release scenario.
Instead, a shorter, more relevant scenario will be issued with the papers at the start of the two hour assessment.
Spacemonkeypg:
and a copy of razzle
There doesn’t seem to be a limit to the number of copies of razzle, but you might go blind and be unable to complete the exam.
A symptom of approaching blindness is that words can appear smaller than they should be.
Presumably you are aware that the P in CPC stands for professional and not Pornographic
I think my head is about to blow off
Well got the phone call today and i’ve passed so im chuffed
Spacemonkeypg:
Well got the phone call today and i’ve passed so im chuffed
Blimey, that’s quick, mine (under the old regime) took two-and-a-half months to come through.
Congratulations! What are your plans now?
Harry Monk:
Spacemonkeypg:
Well got the phone call today and i’ve passed so im chuffed
Blimey, that’s quick, mine (under the old regime) took two-and-a-half months to come through.
Congratulations! What are your plans now?
None it was an arse and elbow idiocy by the training centre.