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What is it about revising for exams once we've finished with formal education? Several years ago I decided to go for a PGCE, studying for two years, and I found that very hard work while holding down a full time job. I was utterly relieved when it was over.
Now I am going for my CITP (chartered status) and have an exam in December. Every part of me rebels at revising and spending time going over many processes I don't and will never use. I find in my everyday work that I store procedures and tips very readily; why is it then that I struggle with any attempt at cramming? To be honest, I have much less trouble preparing for the interview by a panel that comes after the exam - but only if I pass, of course.
I am usually pretty confident in my work, but I have no confidence in getting through this exam :(
I used to have a recurring dream that I was back at school and studying for my A-levels again.
Done a couple of night school courses but I gave them up as you say doing a full time job as well it gets a bit much. I'd only do another course if it was something I was really interested in - An MA in History, maybe. Then it wouldn't seem a chore. Of course it would do nothing for my earning potential and courses are not cheap these days.
Wakefield Turntables
23-11-2013, 17:56
I just finished an MSc which I passed :eyebrows: The level of difficulty for the MSc was pretty easy TBH, writing lectures, presentations, and pieces of research was also easy. The only bit I found difficult was getting to grips with the application of statistics when assessing the effects of a treatment on a population but once explained, again, that was pretty easy. The difficult bit was actually being arsed to get into the groove of things. I mentioned to my missus I fancied doing a Ph.D, she said how do you fancy a D.I.V.O.R.C.E, no contest really. :lol:
Wakefield Turntables
23-11-2013, 17:57
Oh, Martin, good luck!
The Grand Wazoo
23-11-2013, 18:03
I hate exams - always did. Even if I knew the subject inside out and back to front, I loathed having to sit and write about it under that pressure.
Good luck Martin.
walpurgis
23-11-2013, 18:08
Despite being a clever lad, I had no interest in school and exams as a youngster and ended up being kicked out before I could take any GCEs (as they were). It was only once I got into my twenties that I decided to qualify for something. I did an engineering apprenticeship and qualified with merit rather easily, following with varied technical trade certificates which I never had any bother with. Never sought a degree though.
At my last employment many of the senior technical staff including some highly qualified engineers used to pick my brains regarding engineering processes, I was one of the few who understood how it all worked. I still seem to pick stuff up very quickly and all my various abilites are self taught. As I'm now retired the prospect of taking exams for anything other than fun doesn't really emerge. I never found exams stressful and quite honestly sailed through them with the minimum of preparation. Maybe because I never gave much of a toss!
brian2957
23-11-2013, 18:29
Yup good luck Martin although I'm sure you won't need it . Probably sail through mate :cool:
Cheers, guys. What I find fascinating, even as I revise, is how I can store all manner of things at work quite naturally (my colleagues are frequently fascinated at how I can rattle off an 8-deep folder location or a registry key from memory), but how I struggle with old-fashioned parrot-style cramming. There must be a technique that has so far evaded me.
walpurgis
23-11-2013, 18:41
Yes I know what you mean about that Martin. It's just second nature picking up stuff from work and interests.
I have to say I never did what could be regarded as serious cramming in my life though, I just seemed to pick up what I needed at first showing I suppose.
And good luck!
brian2957
23-11-2013, 18:45
I think it's the difference between what interests you and what you need to know ( to pass an exam etc. )
I'm afraid information goes in one ear and out the other with me . The wife call me ' see thru head ' :) If there's something important I need to know there's always someone who will remind me when the time comes. :eyebrows:
Wakefield Turntables
23-11-2013, 18:46
Cheers, guys. What I find fascinating, even as I revise, is how I can store all manner of things at work quite naturally (my colleagues are frequently fascinated at how I can rattle off an 8-deep folder location or a registry key from memory), but how I struggle with old-fashioned parrot-style cramming. There must be a technique that has so far evaded me.
Thats probably because you have developed an interest in certain parts of your job and subsequently have stored the knowledge to get the enjoyment (there is a name for this). Cramming parrot fashion never works, especially for when it's for something you are never going to use.
The Grand Wazoo
23-11-2013, 19:01
I find that interesting too Martin.
Why does my memory allow me to know the lyrics of a song I last heard 20 years ago, or how much I paid for and in which shop I bought almost every record I acquired in my teens, yet I still don't know my own phone number?!
Lace'd Taste
23-11-2013, 19:12
A little trick i learnt back in college was when revising for exams try and wear the same clothes, watch, chew a certain flavoured gum etc then when taking the exam wear the same gear and chew that gum. The knowledge you revised will associated with the feel/look even smell of the clothes, along with the taste of the gum and you'll find it much easier for you brain to access these bits of information. I learnt this trick from a mate but can honestly say never tried it - i don't plan that far ahead and I'm a bit of a "cram it all in my head the night before" sort of guy. Just a thought though. :)
That could be as good a trick as any. Now then, what to wear...
MikeMusic
24-11-2013, 11:02
Change of state (of mind) is required Martin.
Focus on the exam and getting through it.
This has to be the key
I left school at 17 after the first year 6th as "I'd had enough of education"
Have learned so much since I left school, but none of it with exams
An interesting situation needing an exam to get qualifications, but the alternatives seem weak in comparison
The Grand Wazoo
24-11-2013, 11:17
An interesting situation needing an exam to get qualifications...
Yes, and with a Chartership, as Martin is doing, you get to pay a fee in order to keep your qualification for every year that you work thereafter!
brian2957
24-11-2013, 11:18
That could be as good a trick as any. Now then, what to wear...
I'm sure Marco will be along with suggestions in a mo :)
brian2957
24-11-2013, 11:19
That could be as good a trick as any. Now then, what to wear...
I'm sure Marco will be along with suggestions in a mo :) They may get you chucked out of the exam though :)
Change of state (of mind) is required Martin.
Focus on the exam and getting through it.
This has to be the key
I left school at 17 after the first year 6th as "I'd had enough of education"
Have learned so much since I left school, but none of it with exams
An interesting situation needing an exam to get qualifications, but the alternatives seem weak in comparison
The problem is that employers do tend to regard professional qualifications quite highly - a less experienced person with the qualification will usually get the job over the more experienced person who does not have the qualification. And, as Chris notes, when you have the qualification you have to pay every year to keep it. So it is in the interests of those issuing the qualification to issue as many as they can. It depends on the area we are talking about, (I am talking about business and business related qualifications here, not mechanical engineering or such like) but in most cases the qualification is not hard to get, just expensive and time consuming. In addition those with the qualification tend to wrongly assume that because they have it they know better than those who don't have it even when they are, in fact, wrong. Consequently you get inexperienced people rising through the ranks because they have what is, in practical terms, a worthless piece of paper and this results in the incompetence you often encounter when dealing with or working in a business.
I should explain that at this point in my career (I'm 55), I don't need the CITP. It's mostly for my own satisfaction and an additional qualification should my place of work go bust. It's therefore mostly self-inflicted.
I already pay membership fees to the BCS (or rather, my employer does), so I don't envisage it costing a lot more.
MikeMusic
24-11-2013, 14:33
I should explain that at this point in my career (I'm 55), I don't need the CITP. It's mostly for my own satisfaction and an additional qualification should my place of work go bust. It's therefore mostly self-inflicted.
I already pay membership fees to the BCS (or rather, my employer does), so I don't envisage it costing a lot more.
Rod, meet back
:)
I should explain that at this point in my career (I'm 55), I don't need the CITP. It's mostly for my own satisfaction and an additional qualification should my place of work go bust. It's therefore mostly self-inflicted.
I already pay membership fees to the BCS (or rather, my employer does), so I don't envisage it costing a lot more.
Martin, I sort of guessed that already. I have a friend who has done several degrees through the Open University, all for his own satisfaction and entertainment. Nothing wrong with that. I was wondering why you did a PGCE though. Were you intending to go into teaching at one point?
Yes. At the time I was running the academic ICT department, and teaching, I decided to fully qualify as a teacher so I took the PGCE. Exactly at the point that I qualified, I was offered the choice of running the academic department full time or the Systems department full time. I chose the latter (which was an excellent move and returned me to my technical background) and so I stopped teaching!
Rod, meet back
Yes, I know!
I used to have a recurring dream that I was back at school and studying for my A-levels again.
Done a couple of night school courses but I gave them up as you say doing a full time job as well it gets a bit much. I'd only do another course if it was something I was really interested in - An MA in History, maybe. Then it wouldn't seem a chore.
Plus there's no exams with MA courses.
I'm waiting to get my first essay back; this is just a practice one; though it's marked and assessed it doesn't count towards the degree. It'll be interesting to see how well/badly
I've done after a gap of almost 40 years.
Gook luck with your exams Martin!
The Barbarian
24-11-2013, 21:47
I was not very clever at school that is why i am presently Thick as two short planks.
Spectral Morn
24-11-2013, 21:53
I wish you all the best with it Martin
Regards Neil
Yes, and with a Chartership, as Martin is doing, you get to pay a fee in order to keep your qualification for every year that you work thereafter!
My company paid for my membership of the Institute of Physics and for my C.Phys (Chartered Physist; which meant nothing to me - it came with the Membership). However once I retired, I cancelled my membership. I didn't need it, and to maintain it would have cost something like £100 a year.
Anyway, good luck with the exams/interview Martin.
i am presently Thick as two short planks.
There's your problem: the length of the planks doesn't affect the thickness :rfl:
Plus there's no exams with MA courses.
Lucky you! Mind you, I had to write lengthy essays for my PGCE and I found it difficult to concentrate at the end of a working day. Not to mention that the course was pretty prescribed and my personal opinion what not what was required :rolleyes:
My company paid for my membership of the Institute of Physics and for my C.Phys (Chartered Physist; which meant nothing to me - it came with the Membership). However once I retired, I cancelled my membership. I didn't need it, and to maintain it would have cost something like £100 a year.
Sounds very posh, Barry. I guess that, once you have the certificate on the wall, no-one can take it away from you if you cancel your subs. You just can't use the letters after your name!
Wakefield Turntables
25-11-2013, 09:05
I was not very clever at school that is why i am presently Thick as two short planks.
I would have thought that's thick as a brick with your musical tastes?
Sounds very posh, Barry. I guess that, once you have the certificate on the wall, no-one can take it away from you if you cancel your subs. You just can't use the letters after your name!
Oh I wouldn't do that - far too vulgar! If anything, I'm more proud of the certificate given to me after a sucessful summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. :lol:
Covenant
25-11-2013, 20:07
Being a chartered surveyor costs me £590 a year. Luckily I am no longer self employed so my firm can pick up the bill. I have had to take loads of extra exams to stay employable during the recession. I have to do 20 hours CPD (continuous professional development) every year so I try to combine learning with an exam.
Cheers everyone for your kind thoughts. I'll keep studying...
Lucky you! Mind you, I had to write lengthy essays for my PGCE and I found it difficult to concentrate at the end of a working day. Not to mention that the course was pretty prescribed and my personal opinion what not what was required :rolleyes:
That was my wife's experience when she did a PGCE course some years back; independent thinking was not welcome, and there was still a very strong left-wing bias in the way the course was taught. Two-thirds through she decided that she wasn't really cut out for teaching, so she cut her losses and quit the course.
walpurgis
26-11-2013, 10:46
That was my wife's experience when she did a PGCE course some years back; independent thinking was not welcome, and there was still a very strong left-wing bias in the way the course was taught. Two-thirds through she decided that she wasn't really cut out for teaching, so she cut her losses and quit the course.
I had a similar experience taking a NEBS (management training) course maybe thirty years ago. The whole philosophy of the course was that your responses were alway to be exactly what your employer would like to hear, whether right, wrong or even appropriate. It was a form of brainwashing! I told the course instructor on several occasions that his expecting no independance of thought from students was ludicrous and also expressed my views to my employer (who was paying for it). Eventually, I walked out and told all concerned I was not prepared to be trained into a stifled way of thinking!
Yep, the PGCE is very "Labour's New Deal" and all that bollo. If you want the qualification, you have to bite down and get through it without too much debate.
I don't get it? Why does a PGCE course need to contain any political content?
I don't get it? Why does a PGCE course need to contain any political content?
Totally agree, Martin. It doesn't need any political content at all, yet much of the analysis in my course was, as said, Labour's 'New Deal'. I objected to the necessity to include the politics rather than good educational psychology without politics, but the content was deeply embedded in even the text books we had to buy.
Oldpinkman
26-11-2013, 14:49
Being a chartered surveyor costs me £590 a year. Luckily I am no longer self employed so my firm can pick up the bill. I have had to take loads of extra exams to stay employable during the recession. I have to do 20 hours CPD (continuous professional development) every year so I try to combine learning with an exam.
20 hours? I feel a Monty Python sketch coming on (one I performed in a school review).
"Right. I had to get up in the morning at ten o'clock at night, half an hour before I went to bed, ..., eat a lump of cold poison, work twenty-nine hours a day down mill, and pay mill owner for permission to come to work, and when we got home, our Dad would kill us, and dance about on our graves singing "Hallelujah.""
We bean-counters too have CPD requirements, although I reckon to clock at least 6 days a year on attended courses, plus webinars, ICAEW technical updates, software courses and more. Hardly time for AOS, never mind work.
And if you ever make it past PGCE and into the true lunacy that is teaching, Mrs S could tell a tale or two. Two arrests, 4 suspensions last week (she was off sick at the time - smoke bomb set off) :doh:
New head has required her to 2 half of school carol services at the local church (she is head of music) although over 50% of students are not christian, and most will escape en-route to wreak seasonal havoc in the local community, she is allowed no time for rehearsals, and there is no singing anywhere routinely in the curriculum or at assemblies. There is a feeling among more seasoned staff that this new head is a bit wet behind the ears :(
Covenant
26-11-2013, 20:25
My wife is a head of department in a secondary school. She is also union rep and a governor! She desperately wants to get out of teaching as every couple of years everything changes and you have to 'unlearn' what you have been told is crucial.
Good luck Martin.
I personally hated school and left with pitiful GCSE results but have found as I've aged I find it easier to complete qualifications. I've recently completed a number of ITIL course and exams and found the whole experience rather rewarding.
Paul.
I passed the CITP exam today. Boy was I stressed and boy am I relieved! I feel that I can enjoy Christmas now. Thank you all for your kind messages of support.
MikeMusic
20-12-2013, 13:45
Well done Martin
Easy, hard, inbetween ?
Very hard. I kept failing the mock exam and, today, I didn't think I had made it by the end. It was, frankly, more like an accountancy exam than an IT exam. Suffice to say that I passed with some room to spare and did a little jig when the administrator handed me the results, much to her amusement :)
The Grand Wazoo
20-12-2013, 15:41
Well done Martin.
That's a really good start to Christmas for you.
MikeMusic
20-12-2013, 15:42
Very hard. I kept failing the mock exam and, today, I didn't think I had made it by the end. It was, frankly, more like an accountancy exam than an IT exam. Suffice to say that I passed with some room to spare and did a little jig when the administrator handed me the results, much to her amusement :)
Don't see you as a jigger
:)
Well done Martin :clap:
I've not done any sort of exam since my degree in 1984. Can't say I would relish the prospect of studying and taking exams nowadays.
I've recently completed a number of ITIL course and exams and found the whole experience rather rewarding.
Sorry, Paul, I just noticed this. Belated congratulations! There was quite a lot of ITIL and ISO 20000 content in my exam.
Sorry, Paul, I just noticed this. Belated congratulations! There was quite a lot of ITIL and ISO 20000 content in my exam.
Thanks Martin,
I'm planning on taking another ITIL course next year as I'm keen to progress to Expert status but all depends on whether I can convince work :)
Paul.
I passed the CITP exam today. Boy was I stressed and boy am I relieved! I feel that I can enjoy Christmas now. Thank you all for your kind messages of support.
Congrats on passing what I know is a damn hard exam Martin :)
Exams, yes strange things at our age, I actually have letters after my name but never chose to use them as a result of passing some exams, not IT though as that bores the pants off me as whenever I talk to anyone about PC's that dreaded word always crops up which annoys me intensely....................... "apple"
Well done for passing Martin, now stick some tunes on. :)
Thanks, and playing happy tunes tonight, David.
Like your new avatar ;)
A belated but nevertheless big congrats from me Martin; well done.
While we are on this subject, any words of wisdom as to how to deal with grading a bunch of exams? About 84 in number, deadline on Friday?:brickwall:
I used to detest marking OCR CLAIT Plus exams, John. It seemed like extended pattern matching and went on for hours. No real words of wisdom, I'm afraid. Just a quiet environment for maximum concentration and blast through it. Having an exemplar answer set handy is very useful.
Unfortunately they're essays and essay type questions and, by the look of them, of the below par variety.
I guess the only way to deal with it is to call in my good friend Dr. Jack Daniels...:drinking:
Congratulations on passing, Martin. Always very satisfying to pass a test.
Unfortunately they're essays and essay type questions and, by the look of them, of the below par variety.
I guess the only way to deal with it is to call in my good friend Dr. Jack Daniels...:drinking:
Ah! I always wondered why I only got grade C on my O level History exam. Now I know...:)
An update: I have my interview with a panel set for next Monday 3rd March. This is phase 3 and the final phase of my journey towards CITP qualification. Now that I feel much closer to my goal, I'm getting nervous. My presentation is submitted and my notes done. Just have to wait for the day, now.
The Grand Wazoo
26-02-2014, 08:32
The last step - gosh you must be nervous.
Good luck Martin, though I'm sure you'll be fine.
StanleyB
26-02-2014, 08:46
Well in terms of nervousness, it comes a close second with a driving exam and an operation. In first place is an execution.
Good luck, Martin - I'm sure you'll ace it! :)
Marco.
Covenant
26-02-2014, 08:57
Well in terms of nervousness, it comes a close second with a driving exam and an operation. In first place is an execution.
What about a visit to a proctologist? :lol:
Wakefield Turntables
26-02-2014, 09:27
I'd sooner do surgery than learn to drive, it's actually easier.
MikeMusic
26-02-2014, 15:27
An update: I have my interview with a panel set for next Monday 3rd March. This is phase 3 and the final phase of my journey towards CITP qualification. Now that I feel much closer to my goal, I'm getting nervous. My presentation is submitted and my notes done. Just have to wait for the day, now.
Stay focussed, over prepare and sail through
:)
Wakefield Turntables
26-02-2014, 15:30
Good luck.
Good luck Martin - hope the interview goes well.
Thanks, everyone.
In first place is an execution.
I'll try and keep a sense of proportion :eek:
Is there a chance you could be executed if you don't qualify?
Marco.
That would focus my mind...
losenotaminute
26-02-2014, 19:02
Thanks, everyone.
I'll try and keep a sense of proportion :eek:
Good luck from me also, I agree that exams seem harder as you get older.
Having done quite few in my time, after I qualified as an accountant I decided that enough was enough and so haven't taken a proper exam for 20 years :-)
My only tip would be to take your time to understand the question properly. IMO, the biggest failing that most students exhibit is failing to answer the question asked.
Lawrence
Knock 'em dead today, Martin!! :goodluck:
Marco.
Cheers, Marco. I'm as ready as I'll ever be!
How did you get on then? :)
Marco.
It was a bastard grilling. No idea, will find out in two weeks' time.
Ah, it's a waiting game... But of a bugger that. Still, I'm sure it'll be fine :)
Marco.
I got it!!!
Martin Taylor MBCS CITP has a nice ring to it.
Thanks everyone for your valued support :)
jandl100
17-03-2014, 10:41
:yay: Well done, Martin. :thumbsup:
MikeMusic
17-03-2014, 10:58
I got it!!!
Martin Taylor MBCS CITP has a nice ring to it.
Thanks everyone for your valued support :)
Congrats Martin !
The Grand Wazoo
17-03-2014, 11:35
Well done Martin - we knew you could do it!
brian2957
17-03-2014, 14:19
Congratulations Martin . Can we still just call you Martin BTW :D
MikeMusic
17-03-2014, 14:23
Congratulations Martin . Can we still just call you Martin BTW :D
or
Your Honour
:)
:clapclapclap:
The result was never in any doubt. Well done, mate!
Marco.
Sorry, a bit late in the day but congratulations Martin. Now you will have to get new business cards printed!
Well done.
Thanks, Barry. Indeed I will.
I received a nice silver membership card and certificate to put on the wall yesterday :)
Oh, and Ruth has a new job, so it was double celebrations last week :)
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