Once you get through the first license test, you know what to
expect. With anxieties lowered, all you need to focus on in the material. And
if you do not feel confident in the performance of your test, never look back
once the test is over. I invoked this principle several times when classmates
asked me about specific questions on exams that were already done. Triple-check
your work: Transpositions of answers can sink an otherwise stellar performance.
If you think you failed, count the number of questions you have no idea about
(100% wrong), then add those questions you guessed between two choices (66%
wrong), and figure out how many you are uncertain about (33% wrong). Add these up,
with the proper proportions. When the final results came out, I was surprised
by how accurate my metric served me. Call it Sawatzki’s Rule.
Monday was dedicated to Diesel engines, the primary mode of
propulsion of merchant ships. The easiest subject was Safety, which I studied
for. This was advantageous, as I finished first and had plenty of time to study
for the next test, Generals. The toughest exam was Generals, and Electrical was
an unexpected blessing. The final two exams
were on Steam propulsion, which is present on older vessels, as well as in
niche applications such as liquid gas carriers and nuclear ships. The
class expected to do well, as much of our classroom instruction focused on
elements of steam systems, from turbine design to thermodynamics.
On the final test, I did a full triple-check. This was the
end, and there was no need to rush. Most engineering midshipmen pass all tests
on the first round, but sometimes it is quite arbitrary who fails a single
test. I bided my time by packing my belongings to take home. Lunch was catered
from Chipotle, which was enjoyed by all. We were told to report to Wiley Hall
at 2pm for the results to be posted, but there was a bit of a delay. During the
meanwhile, classmates talked with nervous anticipation, never making plans for
next week (so as to avoid a ‘jinx’). Results were posted just a few minutes
before 4pm. 85% passed all seven tests the first time, and another 10% had one
test to remediate in the next week. My parents had traveled from DC for the
bell-ringing ceremony, so the stakes were raised on me passing the first time.
Which I did: a low of 79 on Generals, and a high of 100 on Safety.
My mood was a bit subdued, in solidarity with those who were
retaking their tests on the following Wednesday. But for those who were truly
uncertain about their results, a passing result was cause for immense
celebration. To me, ringing the bell was an effort in maintaining old
traditions, tethered by my parents’ wish of a solemn event, despite efforts of
the Academy’s administration to formalize, and tame, the occasion.
After the bell was rung, and the tassel removed for the sake
of peace-and-quiet, the local park was filled with gleeful seniors who earned
their stripe. After sunset, the convoy filled the local firemens’ outfit. I had
a fine dinner with my family in Roslyn, but upon the advice of my company
officer, a 1977 graduate, I made sure to spend time afterwards with my Kings
Point family of classmates. With the significant number of seniors beginning
their travel on the next day, the celebrations ended fairly early, to the
pleasure of the “townies” in Great Neck.
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