I could go on a long rant about how this test is structured but I'm going to try and spare you all the bitching and moaning and just adress the areas I'm struggling with. Been rigging for 4 years now in industry, coming from an engineering and industrial maintenance background before I worked in entertainment.
I'm taking the ETCP arena rigging test next week and while I've gotten into the upper 70s-80s on the practice test, there's definitely a couple areas I'm still struggling and hoping those who have passed on here may be able to offer some advice, I'd like to go into the test cofident I'll pass.
I'm generally doing fine with the truss/spatial reasoning/bridle math problems save for one problem I cannot find a solution for involving a span of truss hung by 3 *unevenly* spaced hoists. The question asks that you find the load on one hoist but as I understand it the system is statically indeterminate and there's no rule of thumb or shorthand I'm aware of to solve for that when the motors aren't evenly spaced. Please let me know if I'm mistaken. Rigging math made simple and entertainment rigging: a practical guide don't have any problems like this to reference.
Second, there are a lot of questions regarding catalog information and it seems like an overwhelming amount to memorize. WLLs, weights, efficiencies, motor power requirements. It generally feels kind of asinine to memorize these things when in reality it seems like it would be more responsible to simply consult the manufacturing specs before making a design change. Do I genuinely need to memorize the equivalent breaking strength of eye to eye turnbuckles and wire rope??
Lastly, there are a handful of questions regarding things like theater curtains and line sets.. most of my rigging experience is arenas, stadiums, festivals, convention centers. I'm generally just not very exposed to these things as I don't spend much time in theaters and don't intend to going forward either.
For any of areas, if you have any reference or advice that helped you pass, please let me know.
Thank you!