Exams Required
To gain the CORAC qualification you will need to pass 3 exams;
The National Rail exam and,
2 Train Operating Company exams (currently from a choice of 7)
If you are a holder of the old QSC qualification then you do not need to take the National Rail exam, just 2 of the 7 TOC exams. To do this you will need your old QSC number when registering.
National Rail Exam
This is a one hour timed exam, consisting of 40 randomly drawn multiple choice questions. Each exam is generated only when the candidate is ready to sit the exam, and is drawn from a large question bank, making each exam individual.
The areas in which candidates will be tested on consist of:
• The scope, dimensions, and geography of the rail network
• Definitions of terminology, role bodies
• Explain the relationship between travel agents/ TMCs and National Rail
• Identify how rail travel meets the needs of different travellers
• Identify examples of National Rail and TOC specific products
• Explain the conditions of use for a range of National Rail and Advance Purchase products
• Describe how to determine customer booking requirements
• Identify sources of information
• Identify methods of fulfilment
• Describe the principles of refund calculation and demonstrate an awareness of National Rail Conditions of Travel
TOC Exams
Candidates must choose 2 TOC exams from a choice of 7 from the following participating TOCs;
- Avanti West Coast
- Caledonian Sleeper
- East Midlands Railway
- Great Western Railway
- LNER
- ScotRail
- South Western Railway
Each exam is a 30 minute timed exam consisting of 20 randomly drawn multiple choice questions. As with the National Rail exam, each exam is generated randomly from a large question bank at the time the candidate elects to sit the exam.
The areas in which candidates will be tested on consist of;
• Identify different ticket types offered by the TOCs
• Identify availability of products
• Identify routeings
• Identify booking deadlines
• Identify fare rules
• Identify principal stations
• Identify the routes for individual TOCs
• Identify station facilities
• Explain the services to passengers, and travel agents/ TMCs by TOCs
To assist each candidate a study guide is provided before the exam is taken, please go to the Study Guides for more details.
Pass Mark
In order to successfully gain the qualification, candidates must achieve a mark of at least 85% in all exams.
At the end of each exam, candidates will be notified immediately whether or not they have passed. Their score card will give a breakdown of the Test Specification with a success rate indicated for each element of the specification. Together with a list of any questions answered incorrectly, candidates will be able to see where they will need to concentrate their studies if they were unsuccessful in the exam and require a re-sit.
Candidates are able to re-sit any exam in which they were unsuccessful however; they will need to pay for each re-sit.
Successful candidates will be able to immediately download their certificate which is in PDF
format so this can easily be saved to their PCs or printed for their records.