Bart Senior wrote:


Have you seen the Set and Drift problems the USCG uses
on their Charting test?

I can rarely get "their" answer. They must use a computer
to mathematically calculate the result, because the thickness
of a pencil line, and errors with transfering the True Bearing
to the Compass Rose will throw you off nearly every time.
The points are close together and that decreases accuracy
also.

Set and Drift is one reason I've held off testing. For a long
time my confidence was shaken because I couldn't make
these problem work out, and didn't stop to consider I can
get all the other answers correct. The reason is the USCG
doesn't plot to find the solutions, they use mathematics.

I finally realized Set and Drift is only one question on the test.
My new strategy is to compare my Drift result with the closest
multiple choice answer and check the answer to be sure the
Set is going it approximately the same direction. If not I chose
the answer that most closely matched my calculated S&D.

Using this method, and picking the closest answer, I can
chose the closest answer and it will turn out to be correct
even if I can't imagine how anyone could arrive there
through plotting on a paper chart.

I don't know how the USCG arrives at their answers for these problems,
but recently I was helping someone study for his test and I did notice
a problem which I've seen with a number of people.
Their plotting.
In doing the plots, you have to be extremely careful to have a sharp
pencil, watch how you move your triangles/parallel rule (slipping) and
use a pointed set of dividers (BG the hell with the chart), in other
words, you need to be precise.
Having said that, generally there can be answers that are either way
off or close if you make a sloppy plot, but for the most part only one
that is near to what your plot will show.
If you don't see something close, then check your plot. Normally this
will be where your error is, and start at the beginning, because if the
first line you draw isn't accurate, the rest will tend to compound the
error.
Best advice I can give? Relax. Most mistakes are made because we get
too tense, worried about getting it right.
If it doesn't work out, and you can't find an obvious mistake, erase it
all and start over, carefully.
Good luck when you take the test and thanks for the Rules questions.
They're always a good review method.

Shen