Softpanorama (slightly skeptical) Open Source Software Educational Society

May the source be with you, but remember the KISS principle ;-)

Softpanorama Exam Preparation Strategy

1. Find the  best books. The quality of books can make the difference between success and failure. Good books can really increase your chances of passing.
   • If exam includes problem solving skills use  "How To solve it"
   • Use several books, not the only one that is recommended for the course. different books have different strengths and weaknesses and what is well explained on one book can be horribly messed in another. Usage of several book almost guarantee better score just because the difference between explanations of the same topics. A poor recommended book can cost you many frustrating hours spend on figuring out things that are  clearly explained in other books.
   • Look carefully at the content before purchasing either books or courses. See Softpanorama Bookshelf  for some recommendations, but you need to be critical and check books yourself.
   • Do not rely on somebody's else reviews. 
   • If the exam includes programming questions, you might want to review your programming skills. It is essential that you present your answers clearly and logically. And that also require having a good textbook for the language, for example Korn shell.
   • Always use a problem solver supplement to the textbook if such is available.
     
2. Find out as many details about exam in advance as possible. Among simple stupid question that are often missed and negatively influence result one can mention:  
   • How long is it (one hour in not that same exam as six hours ;-) ?
   • What types of questions are on the exam (multiple-choice,  programming problems, etc.)?
   • How many questions?
   • How is the exam scored, and what is the minimum passing score?
   • Can you bring reference materials?
   • Can you bring a programming calculator and are there any limitations on type ?

   Knowing details in advance can help to optimize your behaviors during the exam, and thus improve your chances of success. If calculator is allowed you should pay special attention to maximizing its utility. Search the WEB and find all possible uses for particular problem area.
    

3. Plan to work hard. There is not royal way to mastery. Usually the subject is a pretty difficult and demanding beast.  Always (repeat after me always) try to solve old problems after each chapter in the textbook. Often they are more important that the text of the chapter. Get a second computer or second hard drive and practice installation and other tasks on it.  Even if you have job experience, it may not cover all the test topics adequately.
   
4. Last but not least: read each question carefully! People often lose points simply because they read the question too quickly and misunderstand what is being asked. It seems simple, but people who have sufficient knowledge do sometimes fail examinations for this reason alone.
    
5. Find out what is the procedure used and try to adapt to it in advance. Take trial tests, if possible.
   • Many organizations will provide either practice examinations or copies of older examinations for you to study. Get them whatever it cost. You may choose to take a practice examination even before you begin to prepare for the test. It does not matter whether you pass the practice exam or not, it will give you a "feel" for the type of questions that will appear on the real exam that will dramatically improve your efficiently in preparing for the exam. You will know some of your blind spots.  It can also help you plan your study time more effectively. Try to simulate the conditions of the real examination (such as time limits) when you take the practice exam.
   • It can be extremely valuable to find somebody who already took the test and discuss what was the most difficult part of the test. Please note that you test can be different, especially if you have different professor in the college. But still such information is extremely valuable.
      
6. Develop a simple strategy of  taking the test.  That should not be something too elaborate. But for written tests you usually can take advantage of the order of the questions by not answering them sequentially but using two passes instead.
   • During the first pass you can just mark difficult questions by one of two stars (with most difficult questions getting two stars) and answer as many easy question correctly as possible.
   • During the second pass try to answer difficult questions starting to easier until you run out of time.
   • Don't forget to bring your watch and calculate an estimate how much time you want to spend on each of the remaining questions.
   • Check your progress and how much time left for other questions. May be you underestimated the difficulty of a particular question. 
     
7. Don't exhaust yourself the day before the exam. A good night's rest before the exam will improve your problem solving ability. If you will spend it preparing you can slow yourself down and fail the exam that otherwise you would pass. 
   
8. Join a group.  Finally, if others in your organization are also planning to take a certification exam, start a study group. \
   • A well-organized study group is an excellent way to stay motivated and to make the most of your limited study time.
   • However, it can be frustrating to find yourself in a group of students who need specific technical information that you already have.
   • On the other hand, some preparation courses assume that you have the technical background, and focus on test-taking strategies.
      
9. This short list of suggestions should help you approach your certification examination with confidence.

Last modified: February 28, 2008