Junior Operator Grade I study plan

Draw from memory a one-page block diagram of the primary and secondary heat transport loops, labeling major pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and the turbine-generator train.

Map each labeled component to its safety function and to the instrumentation (level, pressure, flow, temperature) that monitors it.

Define the four common instrument loop elements (sensor, transmitter, controller, final element) and explain what a failed-open versus failed-closed signal does to each loop you mapped.

Build a personal glossary of 40 plant-system terms with a one-line definition each, using only your own wording.

Trace a normal startup sequence from cold shutdown to full power, writing the key parameter band (pressure, temperature, level, flow) that must be met before each step is allowed to proceed.

Trace a normal shutdown sequence and list the hold points where a supervisor or procedure signature is required.

Compare your startup and shutdown traces against the plant's operating-procedure structure and mark every step you got wrong or omitted.

Explain how at least five interlocks or permissives protect the startup sequence, and describe the consequence of defeating each one.

Write a normal-operations checklist covering rounds, log-taking, and surveillance that a new operator could follow without asking questions.

Classify at least 15 abnormal events into a severity ladder (upset, alert, emergency) and justify each classification using a defined criterion, not intuition.

For each of the five most probable abnormal events, write the first three immediate operator actions and the parameter that confirms the action worked.

Rehearse one abnormal scenario under time pressure and log your decision time and any hesitation points.

Reconstruct the emergency-operating-procedure logic tree for a loss-of-coolant event, showing the branch points and the decision criteria at each branch.

Distinguish between a design-basis accident and a beyond-design-basis event and give two concrete examples of each with the operator's role in each.

Explain how the emergency core cooling and containment isolation systems actuate, including the automatic trip signals and the operator's manual backup actions.

Diagnose three fault scenarios from symptom sets only (no procedure), stating your hypothesis, the confirming instrument, and the next test you would run.

Summarize the safety, environmental, and regulatory obligations that attach to a single operating shift, citing the type of requirement (reporting, limits, surveillance, recordkeeping) rather than quoting regulation numbers you cannot verify.

Explain how a technical specification limit differs from an administrative limit and what the operator must do when either is approached.

Build a surveillance-test schedule for one system and state the acceptance criteria, test frequency basis, and the action taken on a failed test.

Describe how a maintenance work order moves from request to return-to-service, and list the operator's hold points in that flow.

Explain the three radiation-protection principles (time, distance, shielding) with a worked example showing how each reduces dose.

Distinguish between contamination and radiation exposure and describe the monitoring and control technique for each.

Outline the chemistry parameters an operator watches routinely and what an out-of-spec reading implies for plant operation.

Write three practice log entries and three practice shift-turnover briefings, each in the standard format, then critique them for ambiguity.

Apply a human-performance error-prevention tool (self-check, three-way communication, procedure use-and-adherence) to three realistic task walkthroughs and record where each tool caught a latent error.

Diagnose five basic electrical faults (open circuit, short, ground fault, overload, loss of phase) from symptom descriptions and state the safe response for each.

Explain the mechanical fundamentals behind pump cavitation, valve binding, and bearing overheating, and name the instrument reading that reveals each.

Explain how a loss of offsite power propagates through the plant and which systems must start automatically.

Take two full-length timed practice exams under exam conditions and record the score by domain.

Re-study only the two lowest-scoring domains, targeting the specific missed concepts rather than re-reading whole chapters.

Re-take the missed questions from both practice exams and reach at least 90% on the retry.

Write a one-page personal exam-day plan covering time allocation, question triage, and the topics you will not over-invest in.