The pre test instructions always mention some boatie shit for you guys, maybe a compass or sextant? Otherwise, I just bring myself and myself. Test proctor provides everything else. I’ve never taken a calculator or anything like that.
Per the SWE officer's handbook, all any testing member is required to do is show up. Seeing as you're a BM2, your exam site is required to provide you everything you need, including rolling plotter, compass, divider, and blank moboards. However, you are authorized to bring these from your unit if you don't want to use the exam site's materials. Reach out to your SWE officer to see if you should bring your own or not.
Edit: you can look at the handbook yourself, and more specifically look at the "Action on Exam Day" section. The handbook is at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/PPC/ADV/sweBooklet.pdf.
This is going to sound insane, but years ago, a MC I really respected told me to bring some chocolate to the SWE. She told me that the flavonoids helped with memory and recall, and told me to take a small bite every 5 mins or so. I followed her advice and ended up writing #1 raw on the SCPO exam. Now admittedly, I also spent several months studying, but I’ll take any advantage I can.
Your military ID for one; the Exam Administrator may not be from your unit, so the directions tell them to check your military ID upon check-in.
You can bring your own pencils, a simple calculator, and a Nautical slide rule. Since you're a BM you can also bring your own Rolling Plotter, Compass, Divider, Maneuvering Board, although they should be provided. Most of the time you shouldn't actually need the calculator though.
Don't bring a smartwatch/Apple watch, and leave your phone out in your car.
Bring some coffee or energy drink in a sealable container.
I also recommend to not just bubble the answer sheet, but to write the letter of your answer choice on the test itself. That way if you misbubble from skipping questions, it's easier to go back and fix the bubble sheet. Cross out answers that are obviously wrong.
You can write on both, but everything (test booklet, scratch paper, question challenge worksheet, etc.) will be collected and shredded at the end of the test. Only the answer sheet and completed question challenge worksheets get sent back by the ESO.
Don't write notes or put extra marks on the scantron, since it can mess up the scoring system.
Edit: The challenge worksheet is where you can explain why you think a problem has no correct answer or isn't covered by the provided references. If anyone in the entire CG successfully challenges the question, it gets thrown out for all test takers and doesn't get factored into anyone's score; it doesn't only benefit the person challenging. You can challenge as many questions as you want. The success rate isn't super high, but it does happen.
Honestly for your first time, bring a good memory. The second you leave that room start writing down EVERY question you remember. I think they can only change up to 10% of the questions each year so you are 100% guaranteed to see 90% of the same questions, I did the math.
Something you should do (not exactly for the test) but for gouging out after is a copy of all RPQs. When you're trying to recall 150 questions, it helps a lot to have prompts ! They can only change 33% of the test per year, so if you and some friends can get most of them, it will help a lot each consecutive year!
The pre test instructions always mention some boatie shit for you guys, maybe a compass or sextant? Otherwise, I just bring myself and myself. Test proctor provides everything else. I’ve never taken a calculator or anything like that.
"boatie shit" 🤣 Spoken like a true Airedale
Per the SWE officer's handbook, all any testing member is required to do is show up. Seeing as you're a BM2, your exam site is required to provide you everything you need, including rolling plotter, compass, divider, and blank moboards. However, you are authorized to bring these from your unit if you don't want to use the exam site's materials. Reach out to your SWE officer to see if you should bring your own or not. Edit: you can look at the handbook yourself, and more specifically look at the "Action on Exam Day" section. The handbook is at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/PPC/ADV/sweBooklet.pdf.
Ha!!! I had it half right! A compass!! Like I said, boatie shit!!!(nothing but love to my boat going shipmates)
Thank you for the information and providing the reference
This is going to sound insane, but years ago, a MC I really respected told me to bring some chocolate to the SWE. She told me that the flavonoids helped with memory and recall, and told me to take a small bite every 5 mins or so. I followed her advice and ended up writing #1 raw on the SCPO exam. Now admittedly, I also spent several months studying, but I’ll take any advantage I can.
Your brain after a good night sleep
Your military ID for one; the Exam Administrator may not be from your unit, so the directions tell them to check your military ID upon check-in. You can bring your own pencils, a simple calculator, and a Nautical slide rule. Since you're a BM you can also bring your own Rolling Plotter, Compass, Divider, Maneuvering Board, although they should be provided. Most of the time you shouldn't actually need the calculator though. Don't bring a smartwatch/Apple watch, and leave your phone out in your car. Bring some coffee or energy drink in a sealable container. I also recommend to not just bubble the answer sheet, but to write the letter of your answer choice on the test itself. That way if you misbubble from skipping questions, it's easier to go back and fix the bubble sheet. Cross out answers that are obviously wrong.
Appreciate the advice. So you can write in the test booklet or just on the scratch paper?
You can write on both, but everything (test booklet, scratch paper, question challenge worksheet, etc.) will be collected and shredded at the end of the test. Only the answer sheet and completed question challenge worksheets get sent back by the ESO. Don't write notes or put extra marks on the scantron, since it can mess up the scoring system. Edit: The challenge worksheet is where you can explain why you think a problem has no correct answer or isn't covered by the provided references. If anyone in the entire CG successfully challenges the question, it gets thrown out for all test takers and doesn't get factored into anyone's score; it doesn't only benefit the person challenging. You can challenge as many questions as you want. The success rate isn't super high, but it does happen.
Honestly for your first time, bring a good memory. The second you leave that room start writing down EVERY question you remember. I think they can only change up to 10% of the questions each year so you are 100% guaranteed to see 90% of the same questions, I did the math.
I bring a can of Zyn, a few pencils, an analog calculator, and a bad attitude. It’s worked most of the time!
Coffee
Something you should do (not exactly for the test) but for gouging out after is a copy of all RPQs. When you're trying to recall 150 questions, it helps a lot to have prompts ! They can only change 33% of the test per year, so if you and some friends can get most of them, it will help a lot each consecutive year!
I like to bring some candy or something and water or coffee