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STUDY HABITS AND STRATEGIES CONSIDER CREATING A SET OF INDEX CARDS TO HELPYOU MEMORIZE KEY INFORMATION FORMULAS FOR FIND PROCESS VALUES SUCH AS MCRT,SRT, F/M RATIO, DETENTION TIME, CLARIFIER SURFACELOADING RATES, ETC. DEFINITIONS FOR KEY TERMS OR ACRONYMS SUCH ASMCRT, SLUDGE AGE, WEIR OVERFLOW RATES TYPICAL RANGES FOR TREATMENT PROCESSPARAMETERS SUCH AS MCRT, F/M RATIO, DIGESTERVA/ALK RATIO, CLARIFIER LOADING RATES, ETC. .

MATH PROBLEMSREPETITION.THE BEST WAY TO LEARN AND MASTER MATH CONCEPTS IS THROUGH PRACTICE AND REPETITION. REPETITION IS KEY.FIRST MASTER THE FUNDAMENTAL MATH CONCEPTS AND FORMULAS THEN COMPLETE AS MANY PRACTICE PROBLEMS ASPOSSIBLE. MAKE SURE NOT TO REPEAT THE SAME TYPE OF PRACTICE PROBLEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. SELECT PRACTICEPROBLEMS THAT CHALLENGE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNDAMENTAL MATH CONCEPTS CHALLENGE YOURSELF.WORK THROUGH PROBLEMS ON YOUR OWN BEFORE ASKING FOR HELP (BUT DO ASK FOR HELP WHEN NECESSARY)WORKING THROUGH MATH PROBLEMS ON YOUR OWN, BEFORE SEEKING ASSISTANCE, IS KEY TO DEVELOPING GOODMATH SKILLS AND DEVELOPING A STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF FUNDAMENTAL MATH CONCEPTS. TOO OFTEN WHENSTUDENTS STRUGGLE WITH DIFFICULT MATH CONCEPTS THEIR FIRST INSTINCT IS TO SEEK ASSISTANCE BEFORE GOINGBACK TO THEIR TEXT BOOK, CLASS NOTES, OR OTHER REFERENCE MATERIAL TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, OR CONCEPT,ON THEIR OWN – BUT STRUGGLE IS GOOD. AS THE HUMAN BRAIN STRUGGLES TO UNDERSTAND, IT GAINS GREATERABILITY TO UNDERSTAND. SPEND FIVE TO TEN MINUTES TRYING ON YOUR OWN TO UNDERSTAND CHALLENGING MATHCONCEPTS BEFORE SEEKING ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE STILL UNABLE TO SET A PROBLEM UP, THEN CONSULTANOTHER STUDENT, TUTOR, OR YOUR TEACHER.

MATH PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS IS CUMULATIVE. SO KEEP UP!CRAMMING FOR A MATH TEST ISN'T EFFECTIVE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR MORE ADVANCED MATHCOURSES SUCH AS COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS. MATHEMATICS, AS A DISCIPLINE, IS CUMULATIVE.ALMOST EVERY NEW MATHEMATICS CONCEPT IS BASED ON AN UNDERSTANDING OF MORE BASICMATHEMATICS CONCEPT.MAKE A LIST OF IMPORTANT FORMULAS/CONCEPTS.WRITE DOWN ALL THE FORMULAS YOU MUST KNOW FOR YOUR MATH TEST ON A SINGLE SHEET OF PAPEROR INDEX CARDS AND MEMORIZE THESE FORMULAS. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE TO FORGETIMPORTANT MATH CONCEPTS AND FORMULAS DURING A TEST. THE TESTING CENTER WILL GIVE YOU AFORMULA SHEET BUT BE PREPARED TO ONLY USE IT AS A SECURITY BLANKET IN CASE YOU FORGETSOMETHING1

MATH PROBLEMSUSE STUDY GROUPS.STUDY GROUPS CAN BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR STUDYING MATH AND IMPROVING PERFORMANCE ON MATH EXAMS FOR THEFOLLOWING REASONS. FIRST, STUDYING FOR MATH TESTS IN GROUPS CAN HELP ENSURE THAT YOU'VE COVERED ALL THE MATERIAL THATIS LIKELY TO APPEAR ON THE TEST. IF YOU'VE MISSED SOMETHING, CHANCES ARE THAT SOMEONE IN YOUR GROUP WILL COVER IT.SECOND, YOU'LL BENEFIT FROM THE KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION OF YOUR OTHER GROUP MEMBERS. IF YOU'RE STRUGGLINGWITH A PARTICULAR MATH CONCEPT YOU CAN LEAN ON THE OTHER GROUP MEMBERS TO GAIN CLARITY AND UNDERSTANDING. FINALLY,THE COMBINED EFFORT OF GROUP MAY ALLOW EACH GROUP MEMBER TO MORE QUICKLY AND THOROUGHLY PREPARE FOR THE MATHEXAM.PRACTICE PROBLEMS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.YOUR PROFESSOR OR INSTRUCTOR IS INTERESTED IN TESTING YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF UNDERLYING MATHPRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS. CONSEQUENTLY, THEY'RE LIKELY TO PUT PROBLEMS ON THE TEST THAT ARE PRESENTED IN A SLIGHTLYDIFFERENT WAY OR FORMAT THAN WHAT YOU'RE ACCUSTOMED TO. PRACTICE PROBLEMS SET UP A VARIETY OF WAYS SINCE QUESTIONSARE OFTEN SET UP IN CONFUSING WAYS TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE. THIS WILL ALSO HELP YOU LEARN HOW TO UTILIZE AND APPLYNUMEROUS TYPES OF FORMULAS. READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.SINCE QUESTIONS MAY CONTAIN MORE THAN ONE PART, CAREFULLY READ INSTRUCTIONS IN EACH SECTION. IT'S ALSO NOTUNCOMMON FOR A QUESTION TO REQUEST ONLY A PARTIAL ANSWER OR REQUEST THAT COMPLETE ONLY ONE PROCESS. READINGINSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY WILL ENSURE YOU ANSWER ONLY THE QUESTION BEING ASKED.

MATH PROBLEMSSHOW YOUR WORK. YOU MUST SHOW THE STEPS YOU TOOK TO GET A FINAL ANSWER ON MATH TESTS. YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACKAND REVIEW THE STEPS YOU TOOK IF YOU'RE UNSURE OF AN ANSWER, AND TEACHERS FREQUENTLY PROVIDE PARTIALCREDIT ON INCORRECT ANSWERS WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR WORK. IN MANY CASES, YOUR PROFESSOR IS GOINGTO BE MORE INTERESTED IN KNOWING HOW YOU ARRIVED AT YOUR ANSWER THAN IN YOUR ANSWER ITSELF. ONSOME TESTS NO CREDIT IS GIVEN FOR A CORRECT ANSWER IF IT ISN'T SUPPORTED BY WORK.DON'T IGNORE CONFUSING PROBLEMS (BUT TACKLE THEM LAST) NEVER IGNORE CONFUSING PROBLEMS. IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO BEGIN, STILL ATTEMPT TO WORK OUT THEPROBLEM. DO NOT ERASE YOUR WORK SINCE YOUR TEACHER CAN REWARD YOU WITH PARTIAL CREDIT. DON'TATTEMPT TO FIGURE OUT THE ENTIRE PROBLEM AT ONCE. WHEN FACED WITH CHALLENGING PROBLEMS, START BYWRITING DOWN EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM INCLUDING WHAT TYPE OF PROBLEM IT IS, THEINFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE QUESTION/PROBLEM, AND THE FORMULAS YOU CAN POSSIBLY USE TO SOLVE THEPROBLEM. ALSO TRY TO IDENTIFY WHAT FORM THE ANSWER SHOULD BE IN.REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS. IF TIME PERMITS, REVIEW YOUR FINAL ANSWERS. YOU CAN EVEN RE-SOLVE PROBLEMS TO DOUBLE CHECK YOURWORK ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER. IF AFTER RE-WORKING PROBLEMS YOU GET NEW ANSWERS, RE-EXAMINE THEINSTRUCTIONS OR LOOK FOR CALCULATION ERRORS.

Formula sheets are given to you, but memorize the formulas and use theformula sheet as a security blanket in case your forget!If you memorize the formula you will likely be moreconfident about being able to properly use it. Use3X5 index cards with the formula name on the frontand the formula written on the back to help youmemorize them.

Memorize Conversion Factors!!!

EXAMPLES GRADE I QUESTIONSTrue/FalseThe activated sludge process is used to convertnonsettleable substances into settleable substancesMultiple ChoiceWhich if the following would “best” describe thesecondary treatment process?1. Chemical Coagulation and Flocculation ofdissolved solids2. Anaerobic digestion to reduce volatile solids3. Biological decomposition of organic solids tostable solids4. Reverse osmosis and carbon adsorption orremoval of dissolved solids and color5. Sedimentation to remove settleable solidsMath ProblemHow many pounds of BOD enter a activatedsludge process if the primary effluent BOD is200 mg/l and the plant flow is 2 MGD.a. 400 lbs/dayb. 1495 lbs/dayc. 1670 lbs/dayd. 2990 lbs/daye. 3340 lbs/day

EXAMPLES OF GRADE II QUESTIONSTrue/FalseRaw Sludge drawn from a primary clarifier tanknormally would contain 1,000 – 3,000 mg/l ofsettleable solids.Multiple ChoiceRegardless of shape, one acre-foot of media in atrickling filter is equal to:a. 33,000 cuftb. 43,560 cuftc. 55,560 cuftd. 77,840 cufte. None of the aboveMath ProblemCalculate the flow through a grit tank. The tankis 2 ft 3 inches wide. Wastewater is flowing 8inches deep. The velocity in the tank is1.3ft/sec.a. 1.3 MGDb. 1.5 MGDc. 2.0 MGDd. 2.3 MGDe. 2.5 MGD

EXAMPLES GRADE III QUESTIONSTrue/FalseBrake horsepower is the actual horsepower requiredto be supplied to the pump shaft to drive the pump.Multiple ChoiceAir requirements in an activated sludgesystem are governed bya. BOD loading and the desired removalefficiencyb. Volatile suspended solids concentrationin the aeratorc. Suspended solids concentrations of theprimary effluentd. All of the abovee. None of the aboveFill in (No longer on exams)The process of nutrient enrichment of lakesby wastewater effluent causing algaeblooms is known as .

EXAMPLES GRADE III PROBLEMSMath ProblemsGiven the following information about a primary treatment plant, what would be the loading to theanaerobic digester (lb. VS/cuft/Day)? Daily FlowInf. Suspended Solids – 248 mg/lEff. Suspended solids – 113 mg/lVolatile content of the raw sludge: 73%Volatile content of Digested Sludge: 56%Digester Center Depth: 33 feetDigester Side Wall Depth; 30 FeetDigester Diameter: 30 feet0.375Lbs vol/cuft/day

EXAMPLES OF GRADE III PROBLEMSMath ProblemIn an activated sludge plant is to be operated at a MCRT of 6.5 days, calculate the wasting rate in gpm,given the following information: Q 4.25 mgd WAS/RAS 7500 mg/l MLSS 2450 mg/l Eff. Suspended Solids 20 mg/l Aerator volume 1.6 MG Final Clarifier Volume 0.5 MGCLEARLY STATE ANY ASSUMPTIONS YOU MAKE!65gpm

EXAMPLE GRADE IV PROBLEMSMultiple ChoiceThe California legislative bill which makes operator certification mandatory is know as:a. PL 660b. PL 550c. Porter-Cologne Actd. Federal Water Quality Acte. AB 1691

EXAMPLE GRADE IV PROBLEMS97. C98. A99. D

ESSAY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY READ THE QUESTION. BREAK THE QUESTION INTO PARTS SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO ANSWERFOR FULL CREDIT. TAKE THE TIME TO CREATE AN OUTLINE SO:A. YOU KNOW WHAT STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO GET TO THE RIGHT ANSWERSB. EVEN IF YOU DON'T COMPLETE THE ESSAY THE EXAM GRADER CAN SEE WHERE YOU WERE GOING AND MAY GIVE YOUPOINTS.ALTHOUGH YOU ARE TAKING A FEW MINUTES AWAY FROM ANSWERING THE ESSAY, IT WILL INCREASE YOUR CHANCESFOR A MORE COHERENT ANSWER WITH EXAMPLES THAT FLOW AND AN ESSAY THAT MAKES SENSE. USE THE PARTS OF THEESSAY TO HELP CREATE THE OUTLINE - THIS WILL HELP WITH ORGANIZATION AND KEEP YOU FOCUSED ON TOPIC.C. THE QUESTION MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION YOU DO NOT NEED IN ORDER TO ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. FOLLOW YOUR OUTLINE AND BEGIN THE ESSAY. WRITE STRAIGHT THROUGH AND DO NOT VARY FROM THEOUTLINE. YOU TOOK THE TIME TO WRITE IT OUT SO TRUST IT.THE EASIER YOUR ESSAY IS TO READ AND THE BETTER IT FLOWS, THE EASIER IT WILL BE FOR THE EXAM GRADER TOFOLLOW YOUR TRAIN OF THOUGHT THUS A BETTER GRADE. REREAD THE DIRECTIONS AND MAKE SURE YOU ANSWERED THE ENTIRE QUESTION. AND IF YOU STILL HAVE TIME,REREAD YOUR ESSAY AND CORRECT SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ERRORS.

EXAMPLES GRADE V PROBLEMS

REMEMBER TO MASTER MATH REPETITION WORK THROUGH PROBLEMS ON YOUR OWN BEFORE ASKING FOR HELP (BUT DO ASK FORHELP WHEN NECESSARY) MATHEMATICS IS CUMULATIVE. MAKE A LIST OF IMPORTANT FORMULAS/CONCEPTS. (MEMORIZE EVEN THOUGH YOU GETA FORMULA SHEET) FIND STUDY GROUP PRACTICE PROBLEMS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. SHOW YOUR WORK DON'T IGNORE CONFUSING PROBLEMS (BUT TACKLE THEM LAST) REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS ( BUT WHEN IN DOUBT TRUST YOUR 1ST INSTINCT)

TAKE PRACTICE EXAMS AND TIMEYOURSELFExample Test Sources: CWEA has a test manual Cal State Manuals have test questions at the end of each chapter Grades I/II/III – Volumes I and II Grades IV/V - Volume III Take the test questions at the end of each chapter like an exam Other Manuals (Texas/New York) Water Environment Federation – Manual of Practice

TEST TAKING DOS AND DON’TS DO BUY STUDY MATERIALS AND THE SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED TO BRING TO THE EXAM EARLY. DO JOIN A STUDY GROUP. DO TALK TO OPERATORS AND INSTRUCTORS AND ASK FOR HELP. DO TAKE PRACTICE TESTS. DON’T SET UNREALISTIC GOALS. DON’T FORGET TO GET ENOUGH SLEEP, NUTRITION, AND EXERCISE. DON’T FORGET TO REVIEW TESTS IF YOU HAVE TIME BUT MAINLY TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVEANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS AND PUT THE ANSWERS IN THE CORRECT PLACE. DON’T CHANGEAN ANSWER UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU HAVE MADE A MISTAKE.

THE DAY IF THE EXAM PLAN TO GET TO THE EXAM SITE EARLY SO THAT YOU ARE NOT RUSHED BY THE COMMUTE, YOU CAN FINDPARKING AND SETTLE IN AND NOT FEEL RUSHED. YOU MIGHT EVEN PLAN TO GET TO THE SITE EARLY ENOUGH TOSIT IN YOUR CAR AND REVIEW YOUR 3X5 FLASH CARDS WITH FORMULAS AND WORD DEFINITIONS. ANDPROCESS PARAMETERS. BEFORE YOU START THE EXAM, LOOK AT THE ENTIRE TEST. HOW MANY MULTIPLE CHOICE, SHORT ANSWER, ANDESSAY ARE THERE ON THE EXAM? FOR EXAMPLE, SAY IT IS A 60 MINUTE TEST AND THERE ARE 20 MULTIPLECHOICE, 10 SHORT ANSWER (FILL IN), AND ONE ESSAY (NEEDING TWO EXAMPLES). HOW MUCH TIME WILL YOUNEED FOR EACH SECTION? YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE AT LEAST 5 MINUTES TO WRITE AN OUTLINE FOR THE ESSAY,30 SECONDS PER MULTIPLE CHOICE, AND ONE MINUTE PER FILL IN. THAT GIVES YOU 25 MINUTES FOR THE ESSAYWHICH USUALLY CARRIES THE MOST POINTS. START THE EXAM, GO THROUGH AND ANSWER ALL THAT IS FAMILIAR. IF YOU GET TO A MULTIPLE CHOICEQUESTION THAT YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE ANSWER, PUT A CHECK MARK NEXT TO IT AND MOVE ON. THE KEY ISTO ANSWER AS MANY AS YOU CAN IN A SET AMOUNT OF TIME FOR MAXIMUM POINTS. THE MORE YOUANSWER THE MORE CONFIDENT YOU WILL BECOME. GO FROM QUESTION TO QUESTION - DO NOT GOBACKWARDS - YOU WILL ANSWER THOSE YOU ARE UNSURE OF AT THE END OF THE EXAM IF THERE IS TIME LEFT.IT IS WISE TO ANSWER THE MULTIPLE CHOICE FIRST BECAUSE THESE QUESTIONS HOLD VARIED INFORMATIONTHAT MAY ANSWER THE FILL IN AND/OR GIVE EXAMPLES FOR THE ESSAY.

TEST TAKING TECHNIQUES AND TIME MANAGEMENTSTRATEGIES1. Put a few number2 pencils and anonprogrammablecalculator in yourcar the nightbefore the test2. Go to bed on time

Water Treatment Special! Exam Review and Contact Hour Workshop! Oct. 15-19,2018 Grades 1-2 Oct. 22-26, 2018 Grades 3-4 2-Day Water Treatment Exam Review Oct. 29 20, 2018 Grades 1-2 Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2018 Grades 3-4 OCT Water Quality Academy Water Operator Training - Municipal