"CERT Boot Camp"
http://www.ExamsAreEasy.com
Issue 3 -- Thursday, September 13th, 2001
CERT Boot Camp is published at the beginning of each month.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
2. EXAMSAREEASY UPDATE: New Resources for 70-228 and 70-229
3. ARTICLE: Adaptive vs Non-Adaptive Exams
4. JOKE
5. CONTACT CERT BOOT CAMP
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1. A WORD FROM THE EDITOR:
Welcome to your CERT Boot Camp Ezine. Thinking
about sitting your next CERT exam? What’s your biggest concern?
Why not email me at cassiesimons@nospamExamsAreEasy.com (removing the "nospam") and if I can help,
I’ll cover your problem or question in next month’s ezine!
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2. EXAMSAREEASY UPDATE: New Resources for 70-228 and 70-229
For those of you taking a SQL Server 2000 exam, visit
www.ExamsAreEasy.com for some new resources:
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3. ARTICLE: Adaptive vs Non-Adaptive Exams
You may find that one or more of the exams you sit are
"adaptive". These exams are designed to detect your answer to a
question and then give you a harder or an easier question next,
depending on whether you got the previous one right or wrong.
That way, the exam software supposedly manages to figure out
your overall level of competence using fewer questions.
Personally, I have doubts as to whether this works as it should.
Because very often, Microsoft exam questions are easy as long as
you know the answer!
Anyway, you will normally have no advance warning that the test
is going to be adaptive, because when you ring up to book the
test, they will not be able to tell you. However, when you sign
in for the test, if you ask how long it is, then you should be
able to tell whether you’re in for the dubious treat of an
adaptive test, as it will be considerably shorter than the usual
tests.
The first point at which you will know for sure is when you are
seated at the examination computer and you make a start. You’ll
certainly know at the first question screen, because at the top
right hand corner there is normally a check box labelled "mark"
which lets you mark the question in order to come back to it
easily. In adaptive tests, this box will be missing.
Most non-adaptive tests are around 70 questions long, whereas an
adaptive test could be over in 15 questions!
Here are the most important strategies that you should put into
use if you find yourself faced with an adaptive exam:
1. Be prepared to spend more time on the questions early on in
the exam - these have the most weight towards your final
score.
2. Make a point of writing down on your scrap paper any facts
you encounter that might possibly help you answer later
questions.
3. Work methodically and don't "give up" on any questions.
Prepare in advance what strategies you will use, and in what
order. If you don't know the answer straight off, then
brainstorm any related facts that you can remember and see if
that helps. If you still can’t answer the question, there are
techniques you can use to determine the correct answer with a
high liklihood of success by logical elimination (covered in
Cassie’s ebook, How To Pass Your MCSD/MCSE Quickly and Easily, see
http://www.ExamsAreEasy.com for more details).
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4. JOKE
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number
of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have
him fitted with a hearing aid that allowed the gentleman to hear
100%.
The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor for a
check up and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your
family must be really pleased that you can hear again."
The gentleman replied, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just
sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will
three times!"
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5. CONTACT CERT BOOT CAMP
Do you have any CERT, techie or career questions? Do you want to
share your thoughts? Would you like to share a top tip with
other subscribers? If so, please send Cassie an email to:
cassiesimons@nospamExamsAreEasy.com (removing the "nospam").
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Your FREE subscription to The CERT Boot Camp ezine is brought to
you by the ExamsAreEasy website. If you enjoy this ezine,
chances are you will love Cassie’s unique approach to exam
taking, explained in her e-book, "How to Pass Your MCSD/MCSE Quickly
and Easily".
Click NOW to get this vital resource working for you today:
http://www.ExamsAreEasy.com
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If you haven’t already, please forward this newsletter to a
friend or colleague. I do appreciate your help!
Copyright © 2001 Cassie Simons.
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