GFES (NRC Generic Fundamentals Exam)

[thenuttyneutron]

I am about to take the June 2008 GFES on Wednesday.  If it is legal to share the March 2008 GFES and you have it, can you please share it with me?  I would like to take it as a confidence booster.  

[Roll Tide]

Sorry, I don't have one available.
The NRC does post exams on their website, but the March 2008 BWR and PWR exams aren't on their.
For anyone interested in the older ones:
PWR: http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operator-licensing/generic-fundamentals-examinations/past-exams.html
BWR: http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operator-licensing/generic-fundamentals-examinations/past-exams.html


They don't really change the exam banks that fast, so 6 months old should be fine.
Good Luck!

[Fermi2]

They usually don't post an exam until after the next one is given.

Mike

[thenuttyneutron]

I took the test today and think I made a 96%.  I am happy with the test and am ready to move on to systems training.

[Fermi2]

Cool, so you're going up for License Training?

Tell Dave Imlay I said hello.

Mike

[Nuclear Renaissance]

I took the test today and think I made a 96%.  I am happy with the test and am ready to move on to systems training.

Start reading those Tech Specs bases with each system. I was astonished with how many test questions are answerable via the bases.

[flamatrix99]

In my humble opinion, hopefully you are in PWR license class. I was a PWR NLO and now a instant SRO in BWR class and hate it. BWRs seem so much harder then a PWR plus the crazy EOPs. I guess part of it is what you learned initially is what sticks with you.

[Fermi2]

Having SRO Licensed on a BWR and PWR I'll say a BWR is much tougher on the logic and ECCS End. Each Safety System has it's own logic and there is instrumentation everywhere. To learn the ECCS took a week of lectures where at a PWR it took 4 hours.

BWR EOPs are actually quite simple, you just have to learn to prioritize them. I liked the idea of having a flow chart and pretty much picking and choosing what I want.

In a PWR there are SO MANY EOPs to learn it can be a bear. The good thing is each EOP has diagnostics that tell you exactly where and which EOP you need to be in.

Moving a BWR is easy, you never have to worry about Shutdown Margin or cooling down too much. They also ride out transients better.

Moving a PWR can be rather slow and testy at best.

Which do I prefer? I love them both and am happy to have had the chance to license on both types of reactors.

Mike

[flamatrix99]

Having SRO Licensed on a BWR and PWR I'll say a BWR is much tougher on the logic and ECCS End. Each Safety System has it's own logic and there is instrumentation everywhere. To learn the ECCS took a week of lectures where at a PWR it took 4 hours.

BWR EOPs are actually quite simple, you just have to learn to prioritize them. I liked the idea of having a flow chart and pretty much picking and choosing what I want.

In a PWR there are SO MANY EOPs to learn it can be a bear. The good thing is each EOP has diagnostics that tell you exactly where and which EOP you need to be in.

Moving a BWR is easy, you never have to worry about Shutdown Margin or cooling down too much. They also ride out transients better.

Moving a PWR can be rather slow and testy at best.

Which do I prefer? I love them both and am happy to have had the chance to license on both types of reactors.

Mike

That is an interesting comparison... The whole turbine follows the reactor instead of the reactor following the turbine took me by surprise. Yes ECCS is a tricky. All the isolations drive me crazy. But being in the Simulator and the plant has helped alot.

[DJLabs]

I'm supposed to be taking a POSS test and a GFES/Light exam for a possible Operator Apprentice position at Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant. They gave me 9 study guides for the GFES, all of which are 60 to 90 pages long and a week to prepare. I'm feeling overwhelmed and wondering if I even have a chance at getting a position. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks! I've already found some great information on this site about the POSS test.

[Shawnee Man]

I would not expect anyone not even a ex navy nuke to pass GFES out of the gate. I have taught GFES and the expectation for passing is 80% of course, but most programs will not allow candidates for RO and SRO (IL: Initial Licensing Class) to take NRC Exam unless you have gotten at least a site graded 88% before they will let you take the NRC Exam. After this you will then go to Systems class. I know at some plants it is not a requirement for NLO (Non Licensed Operators) to pass the GFES course and NRC Exam.
I have run across this website, but have not tried it out myself. http://gfes.quantumleap-online.com/#

I will have a testing and training course for GFES online by the end of the year if all goes well. The domain is http://www.onlinegfes.com. I hope the information I provided will help.

[Smooth Operator]

Odd to me that GFES is a pre-hire test. We did a full 8 week class and then took a comprehensive after a series of weekly quizzes. I could not imagine just taking the comp after a week of self prep.

I wonder what kind of score they expect pre-hires to get?

[Shawnee Man]

We did give everyone a full blown pretest for GFES at the start of our 6 week course. No one passed, not to be negative. We had 23 in the class that completed the course and all passed the NRC Exam.

[DJLabs]

Thanks for the input - I took one of the old GFES PWR tests I found from a link in one of the other threads here and got about 1/4 of the questions right... about 1/2 of the ones I got wrong, I understood why the correct answer had been picked so hopefully I'll do well enough on the POSS test and whatever the GFES/Light is to get an interview!

I appreciate the information I've found here - it has been very helpful!

[JustinHEMI05]

Interesting concept. As in light, do you mean just a few questions? I agree with the others, it is near impossible for someone to pass that test without the adequate prep. Granted, IMO, most of that prep is learning how to actually take the test and answer the questions, with a little knowledge smattered in. Interesting to me that they would use it as a hiring tool. Could be though, that they are just gauging where you are. Like someone else said, we did that too so that we could focus the class on where the weak spots were. They might just be getting it out of the way during the hiring process.

Justin

[S.Blacketer]

I've been asked to come take the same test, as I understand it it is not just a "lets see where you are" thing. It is pass/fail if you get <60% you are not eligible to be hired >60% you are eligible.
Seemed rather odd to me also, the POSS test ( they also require you to take it) is one thing thats simply an apptitude test, but expecting people to get even a 60% on a GFES style test premployment seems a bit rough.
I've taken a couple of the old GFES tets posted online skipping the reactor theory section since that is not covered in the study guide they give you and have been scoring around 60% on those. I'm hoping "light" means easy not just shorter.

[JustinHEMI05]

Well then, good luck! 

Justin

[S.Blacketer]

Yea this test shouldn't be called a GFES/light, would be kind of like calling a Yugo a ferrari/light, feel silly having spent so much time studying now. I'm sure with no background it could be difficult but its no where near the old GFES test I was looking at online

[JustinHEMI05]

Yea this test shouldn't be called a GFES/light, would be kind of like calling a Yugo a ferrari/light, feel silly having spent so much time studying now. I'm sure with no background it could be difficult but its no where near the old GFES test I was looking at online

Ah well that is good to hear!! Congrats!

Justin

[MrScience101]

Anyone have a copy of the NRC GFES Exam bank in LXR Test Format?  I have a feeling I am about to reinvent the wheel.

Thanks!

[midwatchcowboy]

I've heard a rumor about new GFES testing approach to raise the level difficulty of the exams.  The phrase I heard was "higher cog".  Anyone hear anything about this?  I'm not worried, but would be good to know what the changes might look like.

Note:  I have not seen anything about this on the NRC website and all the GFES info pages were last edited in 2007.
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operator-licensing/generic-fundamentals-examinations/general-information.html
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/operator-licensing.html

Past exams page was last updated in August 2009, i.e. no September or December exams uploaded.

[Fermi2]

Oh oh, the dreaded words High Cog, which is NRC speak for using written trick f*ckery to fool you into the incorrect answer.

[JustinHEMI05]

What? We were constantly told there were no trick questions. 

[Fermi2]

Higher cognitive questions are still better than the current Precognitive questions.  You know, the ones with no right answer and you have to just know what the developer put on his answer key.  Those suck.

Do you have an RO or SRO License?

[Fermi2]

Congrats! Where at?

[markglaxe]

I am looking for a general short course on nuclear plants.  How the process works, general process flow and criteria for working in the nuke industry.  I work for a supplier of services to nuclear plants and would like a better understanding of the technology, the work process and documentation requirements.

I would prefer and instructor driven course and not a web-based course.

Thanks,

Mark

[JustinHEMI05]

Although not quite what you are looking for, this will give you a basic idea of what is going on.

http://www.tpub.com/content/doe/

[jsebesta]

I was looking at the Exam bank and each individual Q&A for Generic Fundamentals Exams on the NRC webpage under operator licensing. My question to the the forum is:
1. Is these some of the question used for RO written exams for licensing.
2. How well of a study guide is it?
Since I'm still waiting to get into the industry I've been studying the exam banks and seeing where my knowledge gaps are. I have also used past exams for the website and did practice test to evaluate my level of knowledge. Since I had Navy PWR experience and my area has mostly BWR, I have shifted my focus towards BWR. I'm currently using "The Thermal-Hydraulics of a Boiling Water Nuclear Reactor" by Lahey and "Intro. to Nuclear Eng." 3rd edition by Lemarsh. While its helped improve some better understanding of BWR theory and operation. Is doing practice exams from the NRC webpage and these materials pushing me in the right direction or is there something I can add or improve so when the opportunity presents itself I will be adequately prepared.

Thanks,
Jay Sebesta

[adrianI]

1. No, the RO and SRO license exams are plant specific and those can also be found on the NRC website. It would be kind of pointless to look at them though. The GFES exams are exactly the type of exams you will see if/when you take your own GFES exam. It will most likely be 40 questions from the bank and 10 new ones.

2. It is an excellent study guide for the GFES exam because they typically only have 10 new questions per exam.

- Also, you can't start out as a RO. You would have to be a EO and then move up to RO. You can start as a SRO(instant SRO), if you meet the requirements.

[jsebesta]

I kind of assumed they wouldn't be the same as licensing, but i wanted to make sure. I'm not looking for am immediate RO position seeings as I was an electrician in the Navy. I am trying to pursue a NLO/EO position and work from the bottom up, but at the same time try and build my knowledge base up so that way I can focus primarily on plant specific operations/specs. that can not be obtained other than actually performing the job or from training at the utility.

I find the GFES exam as a good review from my training over 12 years ago and utilize it to see where I need to improve. I know studying this won't increase my chances at obtaining a position but I'm trying to do what I can so when I get the chance I'll will have a strong base to build on. Is there any thing you would recommend to review or study that would help me improve or be more efficient in studying? The two companies that I'm waiting for an opening, would be Exelon's Limerick BWR/4 and PP&L's Susquehanna BWR/4 as well. Ive have done several POSS practice test to improve my speed and accuracy and recently started taking practice GFES tests. I'm just fishing for some suggestions or constructive criticism.
Thanks for the reply though. 

Jay Sebesta

[adrianI]

If you are going for an EO position you will need to take the POSS. Get as good at taking and passing that as you can. With respect to studying other material, you could always study generic bwr information but I honestly don't think it will help you much. Also if you pass the POSS and get at interview at an Exelon plant at least, you'll be interviewed using the STAR method. Google it or search on these forums if you're not sure what that means. If you were qualified ews there is a possibility that you would be eligible to get hired as an instant SRO.

[pebinatl]

The Southern Company will be posting System Operators In Training(NLO) positions at Plant Hatch in the next few months and have already posted Plant Operators In Training (RO) at Plant Vogtle 3&4 so you could go into an RO position if you meet the required experience.

[allenmurrow]

Here's a link to an online application I created to aid in studying for the NRC Generic Fundamentals Exam.
It uses a multiple choice format with questions extracted from the NRC's BWR Exam Bank and is updated regularly.
I originally used this to get through GF in initial NLO training and just recently used it again (after making several modifications) for initial license training as an RO.
There are many new features to take advantage of now. Enjoy, and good luck!

As always, comments/suggestions are encouraged.

http://allenmurrow.com

[Higgs]

This guy is legit, I worked with him at Peach Bottom. Good guy, put in a lot of effort to make that.

Justin

[DiverTough2013]

This is great.  I have bookmarked it now, and plan to add it to my daily web destinations.  Thanks.  Is there anything like this for the PWR bank?

[caliban10010]

Nice work. Very much appreciated. Bookmarked for future use.

[allenmurrow]

I plan on doing the same for the PWR question bank but that probably won't happen until I get my license due to time constraints. Maybe a little sooner depending on how the upcoming simulator phase of training goes. It would help if there was an HTML savvy volunteer to assist in modifying the various display errors for certain questions that occur after first running the import script.

For now, you can restrict the search results of the BWR questions to those that are also PWR questions using the search field. The search field looks at text in the question, answer, distractors, and the actual question id (QID). Questions common to BWRs and PWRs will contain the BWR QID followed by the PWR QID in parentheses so try searching for "(P" without the quotation marks.

[Higgs]

I plan on doing the same for the PWR question bank but that probably won't happen until I get my license due to time constraints.

I am so glad to hear this. When you going to class? You are going to be a dang fine RO and SRO one day.

[allenmurrow]

Thanks. I'm in class now in the middle of the systems phase. I can't wait to get back on shift though. I miss those long breaks.

[Higgs]

Thanks. I'm in class now in the middle of the systems phase. I can't wait to get back on shift though. I miss those long breaks.

Ah excellent! I miss them too, the 8 hour schedule beaver valley on sucks.

[Papa Nuc]

I plan on doing the same for the PWR question bank but that probably won't happen until I get my license due to time constraints.

I'm looking forward to this resource.  Keep us posted, and thanks!

[LaFeet]

Outstanding resource... well done

[allenmurrow]

It is now updated with the most recent NRC question bank, February 2012.

[OldHP]

Great job!

Thank you for your dedication to helping others!

[cbrockelman]

Hello,
I am currently studying for a pre employment exam GFES. First off, is this uncommon? I am new to the nuclear industry as this is my first employment opportunity. I have a technical certificate and A.A.S. degree in power plant technology also. The materials I have been given to study make this seem quite overwhelming seeing how there is over 1,000 pages and the exam is next Thursday, March 1. I was wondering if anybody has any experience with this. Forgot to mention that I am possibly being employed as an operations apprentice.  Thanks in advance!


Cole

[Fermi2]

Get used to it.

[Higgs]

Hello,
I am currently studying for a pre employment exam GFES. First off, is this uncommon? I am new to the nuclear industry as this is my first employment opportunity. I have a technical certificate and A.A.S. degree in power plant technology also. The materials I have been given to study make this seem quite overwhelming seeing how there is over 1,000 pages and the exam is next Thursday, March 1. I was wondering if anybody has any experience with this. Forgot to mention that I am possibly being employed as an operations apprentice.  Thanks in advance!


Cole

I guess you better stop posting, and start studying, huh?

Good luck!

Justin

[a|F]

Identify the core ideas.
Prove to yourself that the essential formulae work and make them automatic second nature responses.
Quickly recognize where they apply.
Move rapidly through the material and take pride in being able to sustain the pace for extended periods of time.
Do not injure yourself and do not quit.
Adapt, persevere, overcome.

To the op-  get on allenmurrow.com.
Ignore above post while we decipher its relation to GFES.

[Creeker]

While I don't think it is common to give a GFES exam prior to empolyment, we do give two exams called POSS (covered here many times) and GFES lite.  The lite version is an approx 20 question quiz that is heavy on components, liter on thermo and Rx theory.  If you paid attention in school, you should do well enough on it. 

The NRC has old GFES tests on their website, and you should practice taking them. 

Good Luck!

[Starkist]

Just random question to appease my curiousity, what utility requires GFES for NLO? O.o

[Fermi2]

San Onofre used to once you were in their initial training program. Their basis was if you ever ecided to go up for a license the GFES was already done. Now there is no point in doing so because if you take the GFES and have not licensed within 2 years you have to take it again.

[drayer54]

Hello,
I am currently studying for a pre employment exam GFES. First off, is this uncommon? I am new to the nuclear industry as this is my first employment opportunity. I have a technical certificate and A.A.S. degree in power plant technology also. The materials I have been given to study make this seem quite overwhelming seeing how there is over 1,000 pages and the exam is next Thursday, March 1. I was wondering if anybody has any experience with this. Forgot to mention that I am possibly being employed as an operations apprentice.  Thanks in advance!


Cole

Who requires the GFES for pre-employment?

As mentioned before, my @ work homepage, www.allenmurrow.com is an invaluable resource.

[Starkist]

Who requires the GFES for pre-employment?

As mentioned before, my @ work homepage, www.allenmurrow.com is an invaluable resource.

Look up 2 posts . Way ahead of you champ

[sportzy1964]

wow, what an incredibly useful tool.  Thank you for all of your work.  I will most definitely be using this and appreciate what you've done!

[Rennhack]

I pinned this topic.

[allenmurrow]

Two new updates:

I added some css styling (doesn't add any functionality but makes it aesthetically pleasing).

Per an email suggestion, I added a review page to the end of each quiz. This presents the users with their grade and allows them the opportunity to review missed questions. I am currently working on some code that will generate a custom quiz based on similar questions to ones that the user previously missed.

Also:
The PWR quiz is in progress.

I appreciate receiving your thanks and suggestions. Study hard and good luck.

[mike78756]

This is great.  I have bookmarked it now, and plan to add it to my daily web destinations.  Thanks.  Is there anything like this for the PWR bank?

We have something similar to this at Vogtle that uses Microsoft Access. I'm not sure if we can share it, unfortunately... This is a great tool and saves a lot of trees.. 

[Rennhack]

We have something similar to this at Vogtle that uses Microsoft Access. I'm not sure if we can share it, unfortunately... This is a great tool and saves a lot of trees.. 

See if you can export it to a file.

[allenmurrow]

The PWR GFE questions are now available on my website:

http://nuclear.allenmurrow.com/startpwrquiz.php

I will be adding the images for some of the questions over the next few days.

[OldHP]

You never cease to amaze me with your 'spare time' work!  Thank you for your dedication.

[Rennhack]

Some one... should put together a list of links (like the one above) that helps operators study.  I know nothing about the subject.  Once some one makes it, I would be willing to add an operators page to our study section (study tab above), and host any files needed.

[Higgs]

Some one... should put together a list of links (like the one above) that helps operators study.  I know nothing about the subject.  Once some one makes it, I would be willing to add an operators page to our study section (study tab above), and hose any files needed.

I got it started. I put it in the operator section.

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,34571.new.html#new

[Deuce Grande]

Im currently in NLO training and am about to take the GFES final in 2 weeks.  My best advice to you is to practice off the nrc exam bank and learn how to decipher the way questions are asked (i sometimes think the exam writers were stoned when some of the questions were written).  Get into the practice of taking a highlighter and highlighting the pertinent parts of the question ie decrease/increase, this property assumed constant, plant conditions, and what units the answer is in.  Once you think you have the right answer, PROVE the other answers wrong.  Plus, double check your work, because if you added when you should have subtracted, you can bet there is an answer there waiting for you.  Hope this helps.  If you have anymore questions, feel free to pm me.

[you]

May someone help with my CBT exam. I am wondering if there is any practice test for cbt such as electrical theory, process control, fluid ....       Thank you

[Higgs]

Why did Allen leave the forum?

Justin

[Higgs]

I spoke with Allen, and he said he showed up one day and his account was gone.

Justin

[allenmurrow]

I'm back now. I'll try to stay a little more active on the forum this time.

My cert will be completed next week and the NRC exams start four weeks after. What a long journey but its worth it.

[Higgs]

Good luck Allen!

Justin

[FlatFootSam]

DJLabs, I hope the test went well for you.  But since I'm sure you're not the only one looking for test prep for the GFES exam, I'll mention a site I built when I was getting ready for the GFES.  The address is www.NRCprep.com, and the site generates randomized, single subject quizzes and comprehensive exams, from the NRC's bank of generic fundamentals exams.

Practice quizzes/exams you've taken can be saved as PDF's for later review.  The site has a built-in Mollier diagram, steam tables, and formula sheet, just like you'll have for the final. 

It also has all the DOE's Reactor Operator Fundamentals Manuals online and searchable in case you need to review a topic.  These are literally the textbook for the GFES.

Anyhow, I had fun building the site, and it helped me and my classmates get ready for the exam.  I hope others can benefit too.