NDR: Industry certifications... and associated hurdles

[KThompson]

Well, I decided to pursue an industry certification since I've been out of school a while and gained enough experience to quality for it. My assumptions were that it looks good on a resume and makes me a more valuable asset to my current employer. I also like the "learning process"... as bad as that sounds. One thing I had forgotten however is that I'm terrible at memorizing! I passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam (aka "EIT") over 10 yrs ago and it's a much more challenging test but the difference is it required solving actual problems. Memorizing 300 pages of a handbook for a standardized test is evidently not my fortay... if u can't tell already, my testing has not been successful so far.

With all that said, anyone share a similar experience? I'm going to take this Christmas break off and then get back to studying and attempt the test again in March/April. I worked excessivly hard in college and haven't experience this level of "non-success" so far in life with something "academic" in nature... no turning back now though because my employer has footed the bill and I have to pass because I'm not paying back over $1K in fees, etc. Alright... done with my whinin, for now anyway.

 

[Jon Yenulonis]

Not that I'm condoning this or anything, but where I work, we have to keep up with the latest in "education". CEC or Continuing Education Credits or something like that.


Anyway, as these go, they are all computer/internet based. You have to study, then take the test, but as soon as you start the test, you cannot go back to the study materials. We all read and study like you're supposed to, but sometimes don't do well on the tests. SO, we figured out, we work two computers. One we leave on the study course, then open the other for the test. That way we can go back and refresh on the study program without losing it.


We all get 100% on our tests!


I probably should keep this private. I'm thinking I would start a war if I went public. It's just not right... LOL!


Jon

 

[tod osier]

Not that I'm condoning this or anything, but where I work, we have to keep up with the latest in "education". CEC or Continuing Education Credits or something like that.


Anyway, as these go, they are all computer/internet based. You have to study, then take the test, but as soon as you start the test, you cannot go back to the study materials. We all read and study like you're supposed to, but sometimes don't do well on the tests. SO, we figured out, we work two computers. One we leave on the study course, then open the other for the test. That way we can go back and refresh on the study program without losing it.


We all get 100% on our tests!


I wanted to keep this private. I'm thinking I would start a war if I went public. It's just not right... LOL!


Jon

We have a name for that in my line of work.

 

[Jon Yenulonis]

We do too.

It's called "The American Way". Just milk the system.

Seriously, in my line of work, we are required by certain entities to keep up with the units. The problem is, a large percentage of what is in the course studies and on the tests, does not pertain whatsoever with what we do. The entities require so many hours, but there just aren't that many hours of education credits available on line. So, we take other course just to keep up with the required hours. Kinda like my kids in college. They had to take all kinds of classes that had absolutely nothing to do with their majors, just so the coles could make more money. Makes a lot of sense...

Jon

 

[tod osier]

We do too.

It's called "The American Way". Just milk the system.

Seriously, in my line of work, we are required by certain entities to keep up with the units. The problem is, a large percentage of what is in the course studies and on the tests, does not pertain whatsoever with what we do. The entities require so many hours, but there just aren't that many hours of education credits available on line. So, we take other course just to keep up with the required hours. Kinda like my kids in college. They had to take all kinds of classes that had absolutely nothing to do with their majors, just so the coles could make more money. Makes a lot of sense...

Jon

Too bad there isn't another way to get your credits... like maybe bribe someone.

 

[KThompson]

Ha! Well I've taken a few online CEU courses since college as well but this is a little different. It's serious business, test is taken at a facility where they treat you like a prison inmate. You have to put all personal belongings in a locker, they check ID inside a room outside the test room (which is behind huge glass window where she watches and has access to 3-4 monitors with camera angles), she puts a metal detector wand on you, have to pull out all pockets, lift up pants legs and show socks and shoes, and then they stick you in front of a computer which they have mic'd and video camera pointed at you in two directions... after all that, you have to settle down and take a 2 hr test with 120 Q's and most of the questions are "pick best 2 of 6... or 3 of 5"... and to think we are paying them for this "service"
With all that said, a lot of the tests being taken there are for certifications who make/break people's jobs. I work in the techie world of Huntsville, AL so lots of market for these type of folks to monitor. You know if someone passes, they sure weren't cheatin.

 

[Kevin Puls]

We have Arborist certification in my industry. It's a fairly big deal. If you can memorize a book you can pass the test, but it is a lot to learn. We have to do 30 hours of education every three years to maintain it.

Took two tries to pass the exam, and I have kept it current. I don't think I could pass it again without studying.

 

[tod osier]

Ha! Well I've taken a few online CEU courses since college as well but this is a little different. It's serious business, test is taken at a facility where they treat you like a prison inmate. You have to put all personal belongings in a locker, they check ID inside a room outside the test room (which is behind huge glass window where she watches and has access to 3-4 monitors with camera angles), she puts a metal detector wand on you, have to pull out all pockets, lift up pants legs and show socks and shoes, and then they stick you in front of a computer which they have mic'd and video camera pointed at you in two directions... after all that, you have to settle down and take a 2 hr test with 120 Q's and most of the questions are "pick best 2 of 6... or 3 of 5"... and to think we are paying them for this "service"
With all that said, a lot of the tests being taken there are for certifications who make/break people's jobs. I work in the techie world of Huntsville, AL so lots of market for these type of folks to monitor. You know if someone passes, they sure weren't cheatin.

Sucks that you are treated like a criminal when taking the test, but it seems like there is reason to suspect that there may be some monkey business expected. That environment has to make it tough to perform well for some people.

 

[Jake Passmore]

I've taken several tests like those you've described...I've had a ton of success using an online preparation system.. Usually these test prep websites will have all the data the book has (if not more) and they'll offer it broken down into sections and have practice tests you can take etc... Most all of mine I've just taken the tests over and over again until I start making high grades on them... It's shocking how accurate these programs can be. If you want, PM me the type of test/accreditation your trying to get and i'll see if I can find you a service like I'm talking about. My first guess would be to try Kaplan, they offer a ton, but I'm not sure.