As you probably know, the amateur radio exam question pools get updated every four years. In 2014, the Technician Class question pool was updated. Last year, the General Class question pool was updated, and this year, the Extra Class question pool is to be updated.
Normally, the new question pool, which is slated to go into effect on July 1, is available by this time. It’s important that the question pools be released promptly, so that those of us who write study guides have enough time to come out with new versions that cover all of the material in the new question pool. As of today, the new question pool has still not been posted to the National Conference of Volunteer Examiners Coordinators (NCVEC) website.
I’m especially anxious to get hold of this question pool, because as Gordon West, WB6NOA, reported on HamNation #228, there are more than 125 new questions. This means that updating the Extra Class study guide is going to be a lot of work, and the sooner I can get started on it, the better.
To be honest, I was a little miffed that WB6NOA seemed to have gotten an advance copy of the question pool. When I enquired about this, I was told by a member of the Question Pool Committee that he and Ward Silver, N0AX, are advisors to the committee, and as such, would have seen drafts of new question pool. I guess that WB6NOA assumed that the pool would be released by the time his report aired.
At any rate, I’m still waiting for the final version to be release.
On a side note, I was a little surprised—although I guess that I shouldn’t have been—that WB6NOA and N0AX are advisers to the committee. I had in the past considered volunteering to help out, but thought that because I published my own set of study guides that perhaps that would disqualify me. When I heard that the other authors were advisors, I also volunteered to help out. The first question pool that I’ll be able to help out with is the 2018 Technician Class question pool, but I’m looking forward to it.
UPDATE 1/27/16
The NCVEC released the question pool on January 8, 2016, but then promptly withdrew it on January 22. Now, almost a week later, it’s still not available. This is just crazy. They really need to review their process after they finally release an updated version. I’ve volunteered to help.
Stu W0STU says
Dan,
I sent a query to NCVEC committee last month asking about the release plans. Roland Anders K3RA, Question Pool Committee Chairman responded:
“We expect it will be ready for posting on the NCVEC website in early January with a cutoff on comments from “the field” of early Feb.”
So, in theory, it should be released any moment. I had not heard of a large change in questions, but 125 new questions is not unrealistic or much different from historical precedent. That represents just under 18% change to the E-pool.
If “new questions” means entirely new content, that is a rather significant update, but that pool really needs it. If “new questions” means the typical “really new” stuff, plus tweaks to old questions, plus minor changes to question approach, plus detractor response changes, etc. etc. that are usually embodied in an update, then 125 changes or 18% change is actually rather moderate or low.
I’m betting the latter scenario is what’s happening rather than 125 brand-spankin’ new items. But maybe they recognize, as I have in recent weeks and months, that a big chunk of the technical content is rather obsolete or irrelevant in the modern context.
As to the advisors, the NCVEC has representation from each of the major FCC-sanctioned VECs. So, W5YI, ARRL, and Laurel have representatives and advisors to the committee. That, unfortunately, means that the study guide developers for those groups are going to get the inside and advanced information, formally or informally. No, it’s probably not fair to guys like us. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for an invitation or even an allowance to participate beyond the “comments from the field” that Rol refers to in his statement to me.
Good luck. Going to be a busy spring for us both. Take care, 73.
Dan KB6NU says
Watch HamNation #228 to see what WB6NOA had to say about the questions. His bit on the question pool starts at just after the 11:00 minute mark. He calls them “new” questions. I agree that the question pool needs a serious update.
I’m going to push to be included as one of the advisors. I think that you probably have a good argument to be included, too.
Dave, N8SBE says
If the question pool committee doesn’t already have such rules, they need to adopt ones forbidding committee members from disseminating (even internally to their respective organizations) or acting in any way on committee drafts. The idea is to stop the ‘some pigs are more equal than others’ issue. Instead of everyone trying to muscle on to the committee, so they can feed early at the trough too, everyone should be forbidden from using any of the material in any way before its official release. Anything less than that is, as you stated, a conflict of interest.
I sit on several SAE committees, and the SAE takes this rule very seriously. All committee members have access to drafts and work in process, but none of that material can be distributed (even within our local organizations) until the standard is released. Then, they can only be obtained through the SAE, which controls their dissemination. SAE’s mechanism for controlling this is by owning the copyright in all their documents, and all committee members agree that they are representing only themselves, not their company, and agree that everything the committee produces is owned by SAE.
Dan KB6NU says
Still waiting for the new question pool to be released.
Rory N6OIL says
Hello Dan,
I’m sure by now you have had a look at the new pool for the extras, a couple of questions.
One, do you see a really big difference enough to wait on taking the test? Two, since I have not done a side by side comparison, are the questions especially in the math part of the test any harder or the same? I plan testing next month at the Yuma Hamfest and have been using Gordo’s book plus another source, I was getting ready to order your No Nonsense Guide but was really wondering if I should wait. Thanks for everything you do. 73 N6OIL
Dan KB6NU says
If you are going to be ready to take the test next month, then why wait? From what I’ve seen–and I haven’t done an extensive study of this–it will probably get a little harder. I do know that the questions have substantially changed in section E5, the section that I’ve updated so far. That being the case, why start over in studying the new question pool if you’re ready to take the test now?
Rory N6OIL says
Ok thanks for your input Dan. If you look I just ordered your guide. On my way into work I listened to you on QSO Today podcast, great stuff.
73 Rory
Bob, KG6AF says
The folks at HamStudy.org have their blogged take on the new pool. They agree with Dan that the new pool will be somewhat harder for most people.
https://blog.hamstudy.org/2016/01/first-look-at-the-new-2016-us-extra-class-pool/
Michael D. Bolton, N5RLR says
Hi, Dan…
Just saw this, what with the new 2016 Extra question pool about to go live in about 13 days. I’m curious as to the difference between it and the 2012-16 pool. Is there any way to obtain just the “new 125” questions?
Dan KB6NU says
I don’t know of anyone who has published only the “new” questions. Sorry. It’s a little more complicated than that, too. Some of the questions were modified as well.