Page 53
convinced that this has been accomplished. (Most calculators clear their memories automatically when they're shut off, but some have an internal backup battery or power source that powers the memories continuously even when the main battery is dead or removed.) Many of today's calculators support programming features, such as built-in formulas.
Rest Breaks Between Exam Elements Once a candidate completes an exam element and is then waiting to take the next element, he or she may leave the room if the VE Team allows it. This is entirely up to the VE Team, not the candidate. If it's permitted, it's the best time for candidates to "run down the hall" without having to be escorted.
Rest Room Breaks Inform the candidates that once they begin their exams, they won't be permitted to leave the room until they turn in their tests. If a candidate has a genuine emergency, a VE Team helper or a VE who's not one of the three VEs directly involved with administering exams must escort the candidate to the restroom to ensure that the candidate doesn't have access to any notes or books outside the examination room. If this isn't acceptable to the candidate "in need," he or she will have to turn in the test papers and the exam will be graded, regardless of how much the candidate has left to do on the exam. To ensure the integrity of each test, there can be no exceptions to this requirement.
Commencing the Exam Each certifying VE must oversee each applicant throughout each test that they administer, and certify this fact on the Form 605 and/or CSCE (see elsewhere in this manual the discussion on separating testing areas, if applicable).
One at a Time A candidate may be administered only one element at a time, even if he or she intends to take the entire battery of amateur exams from scratch. As each element is completed, the candidate must turn in the papers for grading. An exam must be graded immediately after the applicant completes it (FCC Rule 97.509). If there will be a delay in grading, you may wish to allow a candidate to start the next requested exam element (at the VEs’ and candidate’s discretion).
Form: Written Element Answer Sheet The candidates will mark their test answers on the Written Element Answer Sheet Form. They should not write in the exam booklets. Candidates must provide all requested information in the “Candidate Information” section. The test element should be circled and the test design number or serial number must be written on the provided line. VEs should review candidate information for accuracy and completeness. The VEs must grade the answer sheet and log the score in the VE grading box. Indicate the number of correct answers and check the appropriate box indicating whether the candidate passed or failed. Always clearly mark the candidates’ incorrect answers and make certain the test design number, test serial number or template number is provided. All answer sheets, regardless of whether they were passed or failed, must be returned to VEC. A sample written element answer sheet with an overlay-grading template (properly aligned for grading) is shown in the “Grading Exams” section of this chapter. A Written Element Answer Sheet form, suitable for duplication, (as well as other ARRL/VEC forms) is located in Chapter 9.
Exam Booklets The ARRL/VEC provides its VE Teams with all three written elements. Each element exam is in booklet form, and each element's booklet is color-coded so that it's easily distinguished from the other elements. Also, the element, test version number and class of license normally associated with the exam are printed on the cover page; the element and the test version number are at the top of each page of text in the booklet. Each booklet has a corresponding answer key. ARRL VE Manual - 9th Edition