“TIPS” FOR PASSING WASTEWATER EXAMS

LEVI FULLER

DSRSD OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR

FULLER@DSRSD.COM

925-875-2300

AGENDA

• STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

• PASS/FAIL RATES

• TEST ANXIETY

• APPROACH TO TRUE/FALSE AND MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

• APPROACH TO MATH PROBLEMS

• WHAT TO EXPECT FOR EACH LEVEL OF CERTIFICATION EXAM

• ESSAY QUESTIONS

• TAKE PRACTICE EXAMS AND TIME YOURSELF

• TEST TAKING DOS AND DON'TS

• THE DAY OF THE EXAM

STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

• BAY AREA CONSORTIUM FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER

EDUCATION BACWWE

• BACWWE.ORG

• WATER AND WATER CLASSES – SOLANO COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

• DANIELLE GONZALES, ADMIN. ASSISTANT – SOLANO

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

• 707-864-7000

• DANIELLE.GONZALES@SOLANO.EDU

• JORDAN DAMEREL – FSSD ; JDAMEREL@FSSD.COM

• LEVI FULLER – DSRSD ; FULLER@DSRSD.COM

• CHAD DAVIDSON – ISD ; DAVISSON@ISD.US.COM

STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

BACWWE Credits Location Day Instructor

Water 104-

Water Trmt -13 TBD TBD Chad

Davidson

Water 106

Instrumentation

3 Adrian Anton

Water 120

Water Dist/Maint.

2 West County

Sanitation

District

Wednesday Levi Fuller

Water 126

Pumps and Motors

3 Fairfield

Suisun San

Thursday Jordan

Damerel

“FREE” Classes

STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

Class Credits Location Evening Instructor

Water 100

WW Treatment I

4 SCC TBD Paul

Zolfarelli

Water 103

Biological

Principles Water

and Wastewater

3 SCC Wed Anthony

Pirondini

Water 107

Math for Water

and Wastewater

4 SCC Wed Steve

Dominguez

Water 108

Water Trmt. I

2 SCC Tuesdays Roger

Keener

Danielle Gonzales, Admin. Assistant – Solano Community college

707-864-7000

Danielle.Gonzales@Solano.edu

STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

Correspondence Courses and Manuals

When purchasing an enrollment, you must use the current edition of the

manual, video, or other required course materials. Courses that have

been successfully completed may only be repeated when a new edition

becomes available. All courses have time limits based on the number of

continuing education units (CEUs) offered. Manuals, videos, and other

training materials may be purchased without enrolling in a course.

Drinking Water Courses

Wastewater Courses

Management Courses

Online Courses

Our online courses offer flexible, easy access to modular water and

wastewater training materials that enable operators to satisfy continuing

education requirements. All courses have time limits based on the number

of continuing education units (CEUs) offered.

Drinking Water Online Courses

Wastewater Online Courses

Stormwater Online Courses

STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

• Water Environment Federation – Manual of Practice

STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

Water Resource ManagementWater Resources Management - Certificates Water Resources Management - Classes

Careers in "Liquid Gold"Within the next 5-10 years, over 50% of the current water industry workforce is set to retire.

The Water Resources Management degree program is designed to prepare students for employment by municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment

departments or industrial treatment facilities. Careers in water/wastewater technology generally involve the administration, operation and maintenance of both

drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities as well as distribution and collection systems.

Gavilan's Water Resources Management Program provides educational courses that prepare students for careers in Water Resources Management. Courses

prepare students for certification examinations administered by the State of California as well as those administered by professional associations within the water

and wastewater industry. Current instructors are experienced water and wastewater professionals, expert and up-to-date in best-of-breed industry practices.

Classes are built around practical examples of real-world scenarios, demonstrations, and field trips whenever possible to maximize understanding of subject

matter. Internships are available, too, through Cooperative Work Experience.

Learn about exciting, rewarding and well-paying careers in the water industry. Find out how to get into the industry, what kinds of jobs are available, how to

advance and where to get hired. Find out what employers are looking for, how to get in the door and what to expect from a career. Bonus! Learn about Gavilan

College's brand new credit courses that can lead to a degree or certificate.

Associate in Arts Degree/Certificate of Achievement•Water Resource Management

•Wastewater Collection Technology Education

•Wastewater Technology Education

•Water Distribution Technology Education

•Water Technology EducationImportant Links:

•View Water Resources Management Classes

•Water Career Links•Wastewater Information

•Water Career Pathways

http://www.gavilan.edu/index.php

STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

Wastewater Treatment Operations (AS) Engineering and Applied Technology Total Units: 25

Term Effective: Fall 2018

Description:

The Wastewater Treatment Operations degree provides instructional training necessary for entry level positions in the

operation of wastewater treatment facilities and wastewater collection systems as well as assistance in developing the

knowledge to pass the required examinations administered by the California Department of Health Services.

This program of study is also available as a certificate option.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

1.Read and interpret meters and gauges that monitor the purification process and operation;

2.apply data to formulas that determine treatment requirements, flow levels, and concentration levels;

3.collect water samples, operate chemical-feeding devices, and perform laboratory tests;

4.use information to control pumps, valves, and generators that move wastewater through treatment processes and

dispose of the waste materials;

5.use computers to monitor and regulate processes and equipment and to generate reports; and

6.apply to take the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Examination, Grade II.

STUDY RESOURCES AND CLASSES

Attention Small Water System Operators serving

communities of less than 10,000 people, attend

classes for $95.00/day as of December 11,

2017.

OCT's New Nationwide Training

Program

OESAC Approved Classes

(flyer)

Water Boards - State of California

Acceptable CEU Topics

(click here)

We've Moved! New Address!

4600 Roseville Road STE 190

North Highlands, CA. 95660

Wastewater Exam Review

Oct. 9-10, 2018 Grades 1-2

Oct. 11-12, 2018 Grades 3-5

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 AcademyWater Operator Training - Municipal and Wastewater Plant Operator Job Training and Placement

#1 Water and Wastewater School for Operators!

"Classes are almost never canceled"OCTWQA has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 11130 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 350, Reston, VA 20191

Online help with Wastewater Math Problems

TEST EXAM PASS/FAIL STATISTICS

TEST ANXIETY

WHAT IS IT?

MOST STUDENTS EXPERIENCE SOME LEVEL OF ANXIETY BUT IT IS WHEN IT INTERFERES WITH TEST

PERFORMANCE THAT IT IS DEEMED EXCESSIVE AND LABELED TEST ANXIETY. TEST ANXIETY IS

OFTEN DEFINED IN PHYSIOLOGICAL TERMS: SWEATY PALMS, GOING BLANK, BUTTERFLIES IN THE

STOMACH...

TEST ANXIETY

WHAT ARE WAYS TO REDUCE IT?

•ASSESS YOUR STUDY SKILLS AND DEVELOP AREAS THAT ARE WEAKER TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL LEARNING EFFICIENCY

•BE PREPARED. THE MORE TIME YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO PREPARE AND LEARN THE MATERIAL THE MORE CONFIDENT YOU

WILL FEEL THE DAY OF THE EXAM.

•KEEP ORGANIZED AND ON TASK. KEEP TO A SCHEDULE SO THAT YOU KNOW INTERNALLY THAT YOU GAVE YOURSELF

ENOUGH TIME TO STUDY. DON'T CRAM!

•GET ENOUGH SLEEP STARTING TWO NIGHTS BEFORE THE EXAM.

•KEEP HYDRATED

•EXERCISE TO ELIMINATE STRESS

•EAT WELL BALANCED MEALS

TEST ANXIETY

TEST ANXIETY AND THE DAY OF THE EXAM

•GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO THE EXAM AND FIND A COMFORTABLE SEAT. GET

YOUR WRITING UTENSILS OUT AND BLUE BOOK AND SCAN TRON IF NEEDED. TAKE A COUPLE

OF MINUTES TO CLOSE YOUR EYES AND TAKE A COUPLE OF DEEP BREATHS.

•DO NOT DISCUSS THE MATERIAL WITH OTHER STUDENTS WHO MAY SWAY YOU TO THINK YOU

DON'T KNOW THE MATERIAL.

•DO NOT BRING YOUR CLASS MATERIALS WITH YOU. GOING THROUGH THE TEST

INFORMATION WILL ONLY MAKE YOU NERVOUS. (MAYBE….MAYBE NOT DEPENDING ON YOU!)

TEST ANXIETY

TEST ANXIETY AND TAKING THE EXAM

•REMEMBER YOUR TEST TAKING STRATEGIES - REVIEW THE EXAM...

•OCCASIONALLY STRETCH SO THAT YOUR BODY STAYS RELAXED.

•IF YOU GO BLANK THEN PUT YOUR PENCIL DOWN, SIT UP STRAIGHT, TAKE TWO OR THREE DEEP

BREATHS, THEN PICK UP YOUR PENCIL AGAIN AND BEGIN. IF YOU DON'T IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE

THE QUESTION THEN GO TO THE NEXT.

•STAY POSITIVE AND REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU STUDIED APPROPRIATELY AND THAT YOU KNOW

THE MATERIAL.

•REMIND YOURSELF THAT SOME ANXIETY IS NORMAL AND THAT YOU KNOW THE MATERIAL

•DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO OTHERS MOVEMENTS OR IF THEY TURN IN THEIR EXAMS BEFORE YOU. YOU

DO NOT GET POINTS FOR BEING THE FIRST ONE TO TURN IN YOUR EXAM

TRUE-FALSE QUESTIONS

•LOOK FOR OPEN AND CLOSED WORDS IN THE QUESTION. OPEN WORDS LIKE -OFTEN- OR

-USUALLY- ARE FOUND IN TRUE STATEMENTS WHEREAS CLOSED WORDS LIKE -NEVER- AND

ALWAYS- ARE OFTEN FOUND IN FALSE STATEMENTS.

•PAY ATTENTION TO STATEMENTS WITH TWO CLAUSES - BOTH MUST BE TRUE IN ORDER TO BE

THE CORRECT ANSWER.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

• MANY STUDENTS FAIL MULTIPLE-CHOICE EXAMS BECAUSE THEIR EXPECTATIONS ARE THAT THE

QUESTIONS WILL BE STRAIGHTFORWARD AND EASILY RECOGNIZED. MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

SOMETIMES SYNTHESIZING MATERIAL FROM MORE THAN ONE SOURCE CREATING A DUAL LAYERED

QUESTION DEMANDING ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTION RATHER THAN ROTE MEMORY.

• •READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY

• •READ EACH POSSIBLE ANSWER WITHOUT BIAS. DO NOT STOP AND THINK ABOUT THE ANSWER -

JUST READ EACH ANSWER

• •NOW, FOCUS ON THE ANSWER YOU THINK IS CORRECT. IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE (SHOULD

ONLY BE TWO AT THE MOST) REREAD THE QUESTION AND MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE

WORDS AND WHAT THEY MEAN IN THE QUESTION. LOOK AT THE ANSWERS AGAIN AND DECIDE. IF

YOU CAN'T, PUT A CHECK NEXT TO IT AND MOVE ON. DO NOT STOP AND WASTE THREE MINUTES ON

ONE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTION THAT BY ITSELF IS ONLY WORTH MAYBE TWO POINTS.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

• •EVALUATE WHETHER THE ANSWER CHOICES ARE GIVING GENERAL OR SPECIFIC

INFORMATION. IF YOU CAN THINK OF AN EXCEPTION FOR THE SPECIFIC STATEMENT THEN THE

GENERAL STATEMENT IS USUALLY CORRECT.

• •READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY AND UNDERLINE NEGATIVE (NOT, NEVER, NEITHER) OR

AFFIRMATIVE WORDS (ALWAYS, ALL ONLY). THIS USUALLY SIGNIFIES THAT THE ANSWER MUST

BE SPECIFIC FACT RATHER THAN A GENERAL STATEMENT.

• •IF YOU HAVE TIME AT THE END OF THE EXAM, GO BACK AND ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS

THAT YOU PLACED CHECK MARKS NEXT TO. DO NOT CHANGE THE ANSWERS TO THOSE

ALREADY COMPLETED! – AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETELY READ THE QUESTION AND

REVIEWED THE POSSIBLE ANSWERS YOUR FIRST THOUGHT IS USUALLY THE CORRECT ONE.

• •PERIODICALLY CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE SCAN TRON QUESTION NUMBER MATCHES THE TEST

NUMBER. IT IS VERY EASY TO GET DISTRACTED AND START MARKING THE WRONG TEST

QUESTION. STAY ALERT!

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO TRANSFER

YOUR MULTIPLE CHOICE ANSWERS TO THE

SCAN TRON ANSWER SHEET. IF AN ANSWER IS

LEFT BLANK, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT

FOR THOSE QUESTIONS. BE ADVISED THAT

YOU NEED TO SHOW YOUR WORK TO

RECEIVE FULL OR PARTIAL CREDIT FOR ALL

MATH PROBLEMS.

UNDERSTAND DEFINITIONSWrite definitions to the following terms

1. Absorption

2. Activated sludge

3. Activated sludge process

4. Adsorption

5. Aeration Liquor (Mixed Liquor)

6. Agglomeration

7. Aliquot

8. Bulking

9. Coagulation

10. Coning

11. Contact Stabilization

12. Denitrification

13. Diffused Air Aeration

14. Endogenous Respiration

15. F/M ratio

16. Filamentous Organisms

17. Floc

18. MCRT

19. Mechanical Aeration

20. MLSS

21. Nitrification

22. Oxidation

23. Pinpoint Floc

24. Protozoa

25. Reduction

26. Rising Sludge

27. Sludge Volume Index

28. Stabilized Waste

29. Step Feed Aeration

30. Turbidity

31. TOC

Memorize wastewater terms again, 3X5 Index cards are

very useful for this. If you understand terms decoding and

understanding questions and math problems are much

easier!!!

STUDY HABITS AND STRATEGIES

• CONSIDER CREATING A SET OF INDEX CARDS TO HELP

YOU MEMORIZE KEY INFORMATION

• FORMULAS FOR FIND PROCESS VALUES SUCH AS MCRT,

SRT, F/M RATIO, DETENTION TIME, CLARIFIER SURFACE

LOADING RATES, ETC.…

• DEFINITIONS FOR KEY TERMS OR ACRONYMS SUCH AS

MCRT, SLUDGE AGE, WEIR OVERFLOW RATES

• TYPICAL RANGES FOR TREATMENT PROCESS

PARAMETERS SUCH AS MCRT, F/M RATIO, DIGESTER

VA/ALK RATIO, CLARIFIER LOADING RATES, ETC.….

MATH PROBLEMS

REPETITION.

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 AS

POSSIBLE. MAKE SURE NOT TO REPEAT THE SAME TYPE OF PRACTICE PROBLEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. SELECT PRACTICE

PROBLEMS 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 GOOD

MATH SKILLS AND DEVELOPING A STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF FUNDAMENTAL MATH CONCEPTS. TOO OFTEN WHEN

STUDENTS STRUGGLE WITH DIFFICULT MATH CONCEPTS THEIR FIRST INSTINCT IS TO SEEK ASSISTANCE BEFORE GOING

BACK 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 GREATER

ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND. SPEND FIVE TO TEN MINUTES TRYING ON YOUR OWN TO UNDERSTAND CHALLENGING MATH

CONCEPTS BEFORE SEEKING ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE STILL UNABLE TO SET A PROBLEM UP, THEN CONSULT

ANOTHER 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 MATH

COURSES SUCH AS COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS. MATHEMATICS, AS A DISCIPLINE, IS CUMULATIVE.

ALMOST EVERY NEW MATHEMATICS CONCEPT IS BASED ON AN UNDERSTANDING OF MORE BASIC

MATHEMATICS 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 PAPER

OR INDEX CARDS AND MEMORIZE THESE FORMULAS. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE TO FORGET

IMPORTANT MATH CONCEPTS AND FORMULAS DURING A TEST. THE TESTING CENTER WILL GIVE YOU A

FORMULA SHEET BUT BE PREPARED TO ONLY USE IT AS A SECURITY BLANKET IN CASE YOU FORGET

SOMETHING1

MATH PROBLEMSUSE STUDY GROUPS.

STUDY GROUPS CAN BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR STUDYING MATH AND IMPROVING PERFORMANCE ON MATH EXAMS FOR THE

FOLLOWING REASONS. FIRST, STUDYING FOR MATH TESTS IN GROUPS CAN HELP ENSURE THAT YOU'VE COVERED ALL THE MATERIAL THAT

IS 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 STRUGGLING

WITH 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 MATH

EXAM.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

YOUR PROFESSOR OR INSTRUCTOR IS INTERESTED IN TESTING YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF UNDERLYING MATH

PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS. CONSEQUENTLY, THEY'RE LIKELY TO PUT PROBLEMS ON THE TEST THAT ARE PRESENTED IN A SLIGHTLY

DIFFERENT WAY OR FORMAT THAN WHAT YOU'RE ACCUSTOMED TO. PRACTICE PROBLEMS SET UP A VARIETY OF WAYS SINCE QUESTIONS

ARE OFTEN SET UP IN CONFUSING WAYS TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE. THIS WILL ALSO HELP YOU LEARN HOW TO UTILIZE AND APPLY

NUMEROUS TYPES OF FORMULAS.

•READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

SINCE QUESTIONS MAY CONTAIN MORE THAN ONE PART, CAREFULLY READ INSTRUCTIONS IN EACH SECTION. IT'S ALSO NOT

UNCOMMON FOR A QUESTION TO REQUEST ONLY A PARTIAL ANSWER OR REQUEST THAT COMPLETE ONLY ONE PROCESS. READING

INSTRUCTIONS 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 BACK

AND REVIEW THE STEPS YOU TOOK IF YOU'RE UNSURE OF AN ANSWER, AND TEACHERS FREQUENTLY PROVIDE PARTIAL

CREDIT ON INCORRECT ANSWERS WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR WORK. IN MANY CASES, YOUR PROFESSOR IS GOING

TO BE MORE INTERESTED IN KNOWING HOW YOU ARRIVED AT YOUR ANSWER THAN IN YOUR ANSWER ITSELF. ON

SOME 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 THE

PROBLEM. DO NOT ERASE YOUR WORK SINCE YOUR TEACHER CAN REWARD YOU WITH PARTIAL CREDIT. DON'T

ATTEMPT TO FIGURE OUT THE ENTIRE PROBLEM AT ONCE. WHEN FACED WITH CHALLENGING PROBLEMS, START BY

WRITING DOWN EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM INCLUDING WHAT TYPE OF PROBLEM IT IS, THE

INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE QUESTION/PROBLEM, AND THE FORMULAS YOU CAN POSSIBLY USE TO SOLVE THE

PROBLEM. 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 YOUR

WORK ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER. IF AFTER RE-WORKING PROBLEMS YOU GET NEW ANSWERS, RE-EXAMINE THE

INSTRUCTIONS OR LOOK FOR CALCULATION ERRORS.

Formula sheets are given to you, but memorize the formulas and use the

formula sheet as a security blanket in case your forget!

If you memorize the formula you will likely be more

confident about being able to properly use it. Use

3X5 index cards with the formula name on the front

and the formula written on the back to help you

memorize them.

Memorize Conversion Factors!!!

EXAMPLES GRADE I QUESTIONS

True/False

The activated sludge process is used to convert

nonsettleable substances into settleable substances

Multiple Choice

Which if the following would “best” describe the

secondary treatment process?

1. Chemical Coagulation and Flocculation of

dissolved solids

2. Anaerobic digestion to reduce volatile solids

3. Biological decomposition of organic solids to

stable solids

4. Reverse osmosis and carbon adsorption or

removal of dissolved solids and color

5. Sedimentation to remove settleable solids

Math Problem

How many pounds of BOD enter a activated

sludge process if the primary effluent BOD is

200 mg/l and the plant flow is 2 MGD.

a. 400 lbs/day

b. 1495 lbs/day

c. 1670 lbs/day

d. 2990 lbs/day

e. 3340 lbs/day

EXAMPLES OF GRADE II QUESTIONS

True/False

Raw Sludge drawn from a primary clarifier tank

normally would contain 1,000 – 3,000 mg/l of

settleable solids.

Multiple Choice

Regardless of shape, one acre-foot of media in a

trickling filter is equal to:

a. 33,000 cuft

b. 43,560 cuft

c. 55,560 cuft

d. 77,840 cuft

e. None of the above

Math Problem

Calculate the flow through a grit tank. The tank

is 2 ft 3 inches wide. Wastewater is flowing 8

inches deep. The velocity in the tank is

1.3ft/sec.

a. 1.3 MGD

b. 1.5 MGD

c. 2.0 MGD

d. 2.3 MGD

e. 2.5 MGD

EXAMPLES GRADE III QUESTIONS

True/False

Brake horsepower is the actual horsepower required

to be supplied to the pump shaft to drive the pump.

Multiple Choice

Air requirements in an activated sludge

system are governed by

a. BOD loading and the desired removal

efficiency

b. Volatile suspended solids concentration

in the aerator

c. Suspended solids concentrations of the

primary effluent

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

Fill in (No longer on exams)

The process of nutrient enrichment of lakes

by wastewater effluent causing algae

blooms is known as_________________.

EXAMPLES GRADE III PROBLEMS

Math Problems

Given the following information about a primary treatment plant, what would be the loading to the

anaerobic digester (lb. VS/cuft/Day)?

• Daily Flow

• Inf. Suspended Solids – 248 mg/l

• Eff. Suspended solids – 113 mg/l

• Volatile content of the raw sludge: 73%

• Volatile content of Digested Sludge: 56%

• Digester Center Depth: 33 feet

• Digester Side Wall Depth; 30 Feet

• Digester Diameter: 30 feet

0.375Lbs vol/cuft/day

EXAMPLES OF GRADE III PROBLEMS

Math Problem

In 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 MG

CLEARLY STATE ANY ASSUMPTIONS YOU MAKE!

65gpm

EXAMPLE GRADE IV PROBLEMSMultiple Choice

The California legislative bill which makes operator certification mandatory is know as:

a. PL 660

b. PL 550

c. Porter-Cologne Act

d. Federal Water Quality Act

e. AB 1691

EXAMPLE GRADE IV PROBLEMS 97. C

98. A

99. D

ESSAY QUESTIONS

•CAREFULLY READ THE QUESTION. BREAK THE QUESTION INTO PARTS SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO ANSWER

FOR FULL CREDIT.

•TAKE THE TIME TO CREATE AN OUTLINE SO:

A. YOU KNOW WHAT STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO GET TO THE RIGHT ANSWERS

B. EVEN IF YOU DON'T COMPLETE THE ESSAY THE EXAM GRADER CAN SEE WHERE YOU WERE GOING AND MAY GIVE YOU

POINTS.

ALTHOUGH YOU ARE TAKING A FEW MINUTES AWAY FROM ANSWERING THE ESSAY, IT WILL INCREASE YOUR CHANCES

FOR A MORE COHERENT ANSWER WITH EXAMPLES THAT FLOW AND AN ESSAY THAT MAKES SENSE. USE THE PARTS OF THE

ESSAY 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 THE

OUTLINE. 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 TO

FOLLOW 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 FOR

HELP WHEN NECESSARY)

• MATHEMATICS IS CUMULATIVE.

• MAKE A LIST OF IMPORTANT FORMULAS/CONCEPTS. (MEMORIZE EVEN THOUGH YOU GET

A 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 TIME YOURSELF

Example 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 HAVE

ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS AND PUT THE ANSWERS IN THE CORRECT PLACE. DON’T CHANGE

AN 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 FIND

PARKING AND SETTLE IN AND NOT FEEL RUSHED. YOU MIGHT EVEN PLAN TO GET TO THE SITE EARLY ENOUGH TO

SIT IN YOUR CAR AND REVIEW YOUR 3X5 FLASH CARDS WITH FORMULAS AND WORD DEFINITIONS. AND

PROCESS PARAMETERS.

•BEFORE YOU START THE EXAM, LOOK AT THE ENTIRE TEST. HOW MANY MULTIPLE CHOICE, SHORT ANSWER, AND

ESSAY ARE THERE ON THE EXAM? FOR EXAMPLE, SAY IT IS A 60 MINUTE TEST AND THERE ARE 20 MULTIPLE

CHOICE, 10 SHORT ANSWER (FILL IN), AND ONE ESSAY (NEEDING TWO EXAMPLES). HOW MUCH TIME WILL YOU

NEED 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 ESSAY

WHICH USUALLY CARRIES THE MOST POINTS.

•START THE EXAM, GO THROUGH AND ANSWER ALL THAT IS FAMILIAR. IF YOU GET TO A MULTIPLE CHOICE

QUESTION THAT YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE ANSWER, PUT A CHECK MARK NEXT TO IT AND MOVE ON. THE KEY IS

TO ANSWER AS MANY AS YOU CAN IN A SET AMOUNT OF TIME FOR MAXIMUM POINTS. THE MORE YOU

ANSWER THE MORE CONFIDENT YOU WILL BECOME. GO FROM QUESTION TO QUESTION - DO NOT GO

BACKWARDS - 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 INFORMATION

THAT MAY ANSWER THE FILL IN AND/OR GIVE EXAMPLES FOR THE ESSAY.

TEST TAKING TECHNIQUES AND TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

1. Put a few number

2 pencils and a

non-

programmable

calculator in your

car the night

before the test

2. Go to bed on time