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AM2S
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AM2S - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
At the end of your apprenticeship you’ll need to take the AM2S test before you can become fully qualified.
WHAT IS THE AM2S?
Think of it as similar to a driving test – you spend months learning how to drive, then the test is where you put everything into practice and you are marked against strict criteria. The AM2S is just like this - it’s an in-depth assessment where you have to carry out specific tasks to show what you have learned during your apprenticeship.
HOW LONG IS IT AND WHAT’S INCLUDED?
The whole test is around 16 hours long, split over two and a half days, and it’s broken down into different sections:
● SAFE ISOLATION & RISK ASSESSMENT
● INSTALLATION
● INSPECTION, TESTING & CERTIFICATION
● SAFE ISOLATION OF CIRCUITS
● FAULT DIAGNOSIS & RECTIFICATION
● ONLINE KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT
Strict exam conditions are in place during the assessment, so this means no electronic devices or getting help from anyone else.
You’ll be monitored by an assessor who will be marking your work as the day progresses.
Once you pass the assessment, it’s one of the final pieces of the puzzle to completing your apprenticeship and becoming a fully qualified electrician.
Check out the next few pages for some top advice and tips on how to prepare for your AM2S.
To find out more visit: www.netservices.org.uk/am2s
CHECK OUT THE CHECKLIST!
HOW TO PREPARE
The ‘Readiness for Assessment Checklist’ from National Electrotechnical Training (NET) helps you decide if you are ready for the assessment.
All the tasks you need to carry out are laid out in the checklist. Read over each section and ask yourself ‘how much knowledge and experience do I have in this area?’
GETTING HELP
Towards the end of your apprenticeship, your training provider and/or employer should sit down with you and take a look at your current abilities, and where the gaps are, e.g. you may need more first-hand experience of Inspection & Testing.
For areas where you’re not feeling confident, your training provider should produce an action plan to help you work on these areas. If this is the case, don’t allow yourself to be put forward for the assessment too early.
SIGNING THE CHECKLIST
Before you’re allowed to book your assessment, the checklist must be signed by you, your employer and training provider to confirm you’re ready. Only sign the checklist when you feel you’re 100% confident to take the assessment.
TOP TIPS!
In the days and weeks before your assessment, look carefully at NET’s Pre-Assessment Manual. This goes into detail and lists the common errors that people make, so you can avoid making the same mistakes!
FOLLOW THE SPECIFICATION
● You must follow the specification that is given to you for the assessment. Many fail simply because they did what they thought was best rather than following the written instructions.
SAFE ISOLATION
● Students also fail because they did not correctly safely isolate before starting the installation task. Make sure you practise the 10-point safe isolation test before your assessment!
INSPECTION & TESTING
● Remember to verify your test results against BS7671 requirements and record on the documents supplied.
● Don’t take shortcuts that you might have learnt on site! Follow the technique shown by your college or training provider. If you’re unsure how to carry out a test, check the On-Site Guide and Guidance Note 3 which you’ll have during the assessment.
● As you carry out each test, record your results straight away on the test sheets provided. Blank forms are on the NET website to look at before your assessment. Check out the Top Tips videos BEFORE your assessment, at www.netservices.org.uk/videos
APP, APP AND AWAY!
Download these two fantastic apps from NET, to help you practice some key components of your AM2S:
INSPECTION & TESTING WITH SPARKY NINJA AMPED UP
The Amped Up game allows you to have some fun with some of the key areas you’ll need to master during your apprenticeship.
In addition to areas such as protective devices knowledge, Ohm’s law and R1 + R2 testing, importantly it’ll help you to practice the safe isolation process, which is a critical part of your AM2S assessment.
THIS APP PRESENTS FIVE KEY TESTS:
TEST 01
Continuity of Protective Conductors
TEST 02
Continuity of Ring Final Circuit Conductors
TEST 03
Insulation Resistance
TEST 04
Earth Fault Loop Impedance
TEST 05
Prospective Fault Current.
For each test you can watch an instructional video with Sparky Ninja showing you how to carry out the test. Then try things out with the interactive tasks where you can drag, drop and tap to carry out the test yourself!
www.netservices.org.uk/test-app www.netservices.org.uk/amped-up
SMALL ALERT:
There is no substitution for proper hands-on experience in real life! These apps are just revision tools to provide some guidance and interactive help. Talk to your training provider and employer to make sure you are getting sufficient practical experience in these areas.
