My hawsepiper friend just sat for his unlimited license. While preparing to test his academy graduate shipmates gave him some helpful testing tips that are disturbing. One such disturbing tip was that the three-body fix test questions could be solved by memorizing some kind of mnemonic that gives the test answer without having to do the problem. (The answer letter follows the first letter of the question in the mnemonic, or something like that.) I guess there’s lots of these.
(When I tested I did my three-body problem three times to be certain of my answer. Guess I wasted my time…)
What’s disturbing to me is that some of the tests can be ‘solved’ this way. I’m wondering why the test can’t be produced with the answer order randomized so test takers actually have to solve for the answers. The test making computer already picks questions (somewhat) at random. Why not randomly order the answers as well?
[QUOTE=DeckApe;172647]…What’s disturbing to me is that some of the tests can be ‘solved’ this way. I’m wondering why the test can’t be produced with the answer order randomized so test takers actually have to solve for the answers. The test making computer already picks questions (somewhat) at random. Why not randomly order the answers as well?[/QUOTE]
The NMC recently changed the system used to generate exams. The old system was first developed in the early 1990s, and migrated to newer platforms and operating systems numerous times without any significant chnage in functionality. The old system did not allow for presenting answer choices in a different order. However, for some questions there were multiple versions with the answers in a different order, so it was possible albeit tedious and labor intensive to have the same question appear with choices in a different order.
The new system supports randomization of answer choices.
[QUOTE=DeckApe;172652]Is it in use? I bet there will be a higher rate of failures when it is.[/QUOTE]
It’s in use, partially. The new system is set up for testing under the new regulations that went into effect 3/24/2014. Anyone who is allowed to and does test under the old rules will get an exam generated from the old sysytem.
“his academy graduate shipmates gave him some helpful testing tips that are disturbing. One such disturbing tip was that the three-body fix test questions could be solved by memorizing some kind of mnemonic that gives the test answer without having to do the problem.”
Hopefully karma will catch up with those who cheat. What a fucking disgrace! They don’t deserve to sail.
[QUOTE=acesouthcoast;172703]How to stop people sneaking there phone in and using upgrade-u to cheat on the exam is the next topic.[/QUOTE]
When I took my latest test in Charleston this spring, I couldn’t help but notice that the desks were turned round to face the office. There are large windows where the office folks can keep an eye on you.
They had been previously arranged so you sat with your back to them. Maybe they nailed someone.
Personally, I think cheaters ought to be crucified, Roman style, atop a fire ant hill. And smeared with honey.
Then smack the fire ant hill with a shovel, run like hell, and watch the fun.
I worked with a 3m who told me he didn’t even use his plotting tools on his chart plot exam. Apparently there were a bunch of guys from his academy that were doing things like this along with the 3 star fix.
Well with chart plot, there’s only about 12 of them total. So if you practice as hard as we had to in school you have most of them memorized by the time you test. You could get lucky and get there, look at it and think oh I just did this one last night.
[QUOTE=catherder;172868]When I took my latest test in Charleston this spring, I couldn’t help but notice that the desks were turned round to face the office. There are large windows where the office folks can keep an eye on you.
They had been previously arranged so you sat with your back to them. Maybe they nailed someone.
Personally, I think cheaters ought to be crucified, Roman style, atop a fire ant hill. And smeared with honey.
Then smack the fire ant hill with a shovel, run like hell, and watch the fun.[/QUOTE]
When I sat for 1st and Chief in '83 and '85, the CG would inspect everyone’s calculators. The problem was the HP calculators with the “plug and play” cards that could store info and programs for nav questions. Any calculator with an “M” button was confiscated, deck and engine, and you were issued a basic function one.
[QUOTE=LI_Domer;172880]Well with chart plot, there’s only about 12 of them total. So if you practice as hard as we had to in school you have most of them memorized by the time you test. You could get lucky and get there, look at it and think oh I just did this one last night.[/QUOTE]
I think that happens a lot. Personally, for me as well. I crammed so hard for my charting I did recognize it. However, I didn’t remember every answer.
[QUOTE=Ctony;172890]I think that happens a lot. Personally, for me as well. I crammed so hard for my charting I did recognize it. However, I didn’t remember every answer.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately I have witnessed folks study harder to memorize or use some sort of method to get the answers than actually learn how to work them out. Disgusting.
[QUOTE=Lone_Star;172947]Unfortunately I have witnessed folks study harder to memorize or use some sort of method to get the answers than actually learn how to work them out. Disgusting.[/QUOTE]
Yup, the best way to pass the test is to actually understand the concepts instead of memorizing the pony. . . . I remember studying for license at school. . . the late night cram sessions were all just pony memorization. . . I went to bed.
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