Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrett
Has anyone taken the computer based CSCS Exam? What are the pros/cons to this version?
|
I passed the CSCS computer-based exam the first time, so I can't compare and contrast it to the paper and pencil version, but I've taken many multiple-choice tests with fill-in-the-bubble answer sheets. The whole process of reading the question, selecting an answer, finding the bubble that corresponds to the answer choice, and then making sure to carefully fill the bubble in enough so that it registers when scanned by the grading machine is unnecessarily distracting, frustrating, and irritating. There have been exams that I've taken in the past wherein I knew that time would expire before I answered the last one or two questions in each section. The bubbling process becomes even worse for me under those conditions. Not to mention the few times that I accidentally put the answer to question #2 in bubble #3 such that each answer was off by one and I didn't catch the mistake until question #37 out of 50.
The computer-based exam alleviates this issue. You either click on your answer choice and there is a mark placed on top of the letter you chose or you use the keyboard to input your answer. Also, on the computer-based exam you can mark questions that you want to review later before submitting all your answers for the section, you can skip from question to question, you can add comments to the questions for the test-writers to see (if you think the answer choices are erroneous, the question is ambiguous, poorly written, none of the answer choices are correct given the wording of the question, more than one answer choice is correct given the wording of the question, etc), there is a timer that shows the elapsed time (or time remaining, I forget which), and I prefer looking at the big, bright computer screen with its large, crisp font rather than the dingy, gray/brownish tinted 40%-post-consumer-waste recycled paper with its small, closely spaced text.
I found the online practice exams to be very helpful in assessing my strengths and weaknesses with respect to mastery of the subject matter, learning the format of the questions and answers, and familiarizing yourself with the testing software. The package of 3 online practice exams (which may each be taken only twice, so make sure to have plenty of time to finish the test before beginning) is worth the price.
HTH