Examination guidance

Written exams

Candidates will be given ten minutes reading time before the start of the examination, during which time they may not write or look at any permitted material.

Read more on the process.    
Read more on the exam structure (PDF 153KB)

Food and Agriculture oral exams

Although there are no sample questions for the Food Oral or the Agriculture Oral, the criteria used to test candidates against the syllabus in the oral exam are:

  • knowledge of legislation
  • knowledge of enforcement powers
  • sampling procedures
  • information obtained and analysed
  • action and conclusions explained
  • communication

The marking scheme has six areas with ten marks in each, with a maximum of 60 marks.  Candidates require 40% to pass, ie 24 marks.

There may be up to 3 candidates going into the room at one time. A maximum of two for food and one for agriculture.

The exam room consists of three tables with food or agriculture items on them with an examiner beside each table. The senior examiner will allocate the candidates to the correct examiner. The examiner will then ask the candidate questions based on the criteria set out above.

No feedback is given at the time of the exam and candidates are asked different questions.

More detailed information is available in the food and agriculture oral guidance document.

Legal metrology practical and oral exams

Questions will only be asked on those areas where enforcement responsibility is generally with Trading Standards. You will not be examined on gas, electricity or heat meters or taxi meters.

TSI and National Measurement Office (NMO) are not in a position to provide you with any further information without compromising the content of the examination being held each year.

General information

TSI will greet candidates at the NMO reception area, where candidates are required to sign the attendance list. When arriving, candidates are advised where the facilities are and any general building information including, fire alarm, fire meeting points. A local amenities leaflet will be available at the registration desk. Candidate mobile phones must be switched off within the building.

Candidates will be given a badge which must worn visibly at all times. Professional attire will be expected.

All candidates must stay in the atrium. You will have seating, as well as tea and coffee and toilet facilities. You will be collected for your exam(s) from the atrium. You may leave the building for fresh air, etc but will be required to sign out/in, as TSI staff must be aware of your movements at all times.  Candidates are responsible for ensuring they are available for collection from the atrium prior to their exams. If you are not available for collection by the authorised personnel this may result in missing your exam.

Five minutes before your exam, a member of TSI / NMO will call out the candidate numbers and escort you to the exam room. When the examiners are ready, they will collect you from outside the exam room.

When the exam time allocation is up, or when the examiner has finished, you will be able to leave the room and return to the atrium. When you have completed your exam please hand in your exam badge and sign out.

The awarding body expects candidates to be fit for work, and therefore, fit to sit the exams. If you are signed off sick from work you are not allowed to attend the practical and oral examinations.