Is appointment to test necessary?

**Black_Angel** · October 9th, 2010, 08:47 PM

I just stopped in to Mandeville REC to set up an appointment to test for my 3rd Mate's license after my next hitch. The lady told me I don't need to make an appointment, just show up with my "approval to test" letter.

This seems kind of risky -- anyone else show up for 7 modules of testing with no advance warning?

**Capt. Lee** · October 9th, 2010, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by Black_Angel

I just stopped in to Mandeville REC to set up an appointment to test for my 3rd Mate's license after my next hitch. The lady told me I don't need to make an appointment, just show up with my "approval to test" letter.

This seems kind of risky -- anyone else show up for 7 modules of testing with no advance warning?

Black_Angel,

I did make an appointment when I tested at Mandeville, LA last November and I do not think it was necessary. You can make the appointment online if you like. They do not do any preparation just because you make an appointment. I had 9 Modules for Chief Mate plus 2 modules for Barge Supervisor for a total of 11 modules. What she said is pretty accurate. All the tests are printed up while you wait. I asked the proctor to print them up for me and have them ready, that I intended to take as many as I could. He did not listen. He just printed them up after he graded my previous one. It only took a day and a half, though. They were very friendly and there is plenty of testing seats available.

PS when I was there they did not have a star finder in the testing area. I do not know how to identify stars without it. There is a way...I just don't know how. They let me use my personal star finder. I would suggest bringing yours just in case.

**Sf_deckhand** · October 10th, 2010, 01:43 PM

When I went to the Seattle REC for an examination, I made an appointment online. The guy there didn't know I was coming, and when I left he explained that the online appointment system doesn't notify him. He gave me his card, so that I could call and let him know when I was coming in for future tests...

**Cgaptain** · October 11th, 2010, 05:43 AM

I tested in mandeville early august. I called ahead because the appointment calendar was unavailable for the next several days (it wanted to schedule me a week out). They confirmed no appointment neccesary, I gave them my mariner number and when I showed up the next morning, they had everything ready. I took the exams in the order that I wanted (CELNAV first, ROR, Gen), and as he graded one test, the next exam was ready. They did have a starfinder, but it looked pretty beat up and not sure if it was complete. I had my own because I heard they didn't provide one in the exam room. Overall I think there were 4 questions that used the Rude (2 on celnav exam). They let me test at my own pace, working through lunch if I wanted. Finished that afternoon. Get there for a 730 start and have your last exam finished by the time they close (I think 430).
Good luck.

**CaptAndrew** · October 11th, 2010, 09:33 AM

I don't know if you can call the REC directly any more. All the REC's have the same number that goes directly to NMC. Even the "secret" numbers I had don't work any more. Walk in and hope or use the online scheduler seem to be the options now.