... it would appear that the 2391 course is little more than reviewing past papers and learning the answers rather than teaching real world inspection and test
...
No!
Correct in the part 2 aspect, it does not teach testing, nor should it.
Part 2 comprises identifying a number of faults on a test system comprising: conduit, pyro, t+e, 3 phase, and single phase; for industrial and domestic including 3ph starters, db, 1ph rfc, lighting, with neons & electronic components, bonding and a "service head" - you need to identify these (10~15) faults, and complete the full eicr report within a set time.
(Most people are unable to find all faults, or cannot complete it in the time).
There is a multiple choice c&g typical exam, some fail on this, but it is the easy part.
There is also a visual set of slides/photos - a bit like Lucien's example, you would have to identify what all the issues are and grade them, each photo may have none, to ~10 points which need grading, you must also identify underlying potential issues forming a discussion with the examiner (questions-answers format)
Again this is a very common point of failure, answers such as "it is old" don't cut it, you would have to be able to justify every grade and underlying issues
"this type of outlet has clamp connectors"
'what's the problem with that, clamp connections are still used today?'
"because it was targeted with aluminium cables"
'what's the problem with aluminium?'
" old aluminium cables are subject to cracking, and could indicate a potential heat/fire hazard"
'so what would you grade it C2?'
"No, I can't grade something I don't know, I would either try to confirm or dispel my suspicions or identify it as FI"
Sort of thing.
Part 1 of 2391, is just like the testing of AM2, so no to little experience required.
Part 1 is initial verification
Part 2 is EICR