False.
FAA-S-8081-10C (with Changes 1 & 2), bottom of page 7:
"NOTE: Where appropriate, the applicant should be allowed to use printed reference material commonly available to a company dispatcher."
Even my own FAA inspector agrees that it is INAPPROPRIATE to allow an applicant to look up regulation answers, and other information that is to be LEARNED. Note the words: "where appropriate." The PTS was initially written decades ago and is based on an applicant seeking out an examiner, who knows little or nothing about the applicant's school and it's specific materials. Sheffield applicants receive (at least) weather charts, airport charts, approach plates, MEL, CDL, en route charts, OPSPECS, takeoff and landing limitations, etc.. during their examination. We DO NOT allow the freedom to reference any and everything, and the FAA agrees with that. Any examiner allowing this method of testing is welcome to disagree - just state your name here, and send your letter of authority with examiner card to the FAA because you're done at that point. If I'm wrong, feel free to petition the FAA to allow that ADX "Knowledge" exam to be open book. Well, why not, right?!
I am likely the active leader in AD practical exams with 966. My father administered over 2,650. We have a clue about rules and proper test procedures. So if still unsure, the next time you're asked for your birth date, just tell them "gimme a minute - gotta find my birth certificate." I'm sure active working dispatchers might agree that if a dispatcher is working the Northeast U.S. in the winter and can NOT remember what the symbol is for FREEZING rain, but rather calls it rain showers to the PIC, that could be a problem, with or without a working anti-ice system. If the dispatcher has to interrupt his/her briefing to go look it up within the Aviation Weather Services, that requires time. Ignorant dispatching is bad. Sloth-like, ignorant dispatching is worse. And yes, I was blamed by one applicant for his exam failure for not allowing him to look up everything, including the difference between a shower of water drops and an icing hazard, something that is common rote knowledge for any dispatcher or legitimate dispatcher school graduate. I suppose I am a true monster...if fact, I've got a few people in class currently reviewing regulations. I'm going to march into that classroom right now, and tell them to close those silly books since we can just look up all our answers. We can use the time to fill out their 8400 application. Gosh, I hope they brought their birth certificates, tape measures, and weight scales...it would save time.
Eric Morris - President
Sheffield School of Aeronautics (est. 1948)