60% = 70% ????

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busman

busman

Senior Member
Location
Northern Virginia
Occupation
Master Electrician / Electrical Engineer
Was just taking a break from studying for the VA Master's test (coming this Wed.) and was thinking about the test. It is multiple choice with 4 possible answers and 70% to pass. So I think I need to get 2 out of 3 plus a few to pass (not too hard I hope).

Then got to thinking that I should get some of the rest for guessing; so I decided to do the math. If X is the percent of the questions I KNOW the answer to and I get 25% right for guessing then:

X + .25*(1-X) = .70

Solve for X=.60

So if I know 60% of the answers and guess the rest I should statistically get around 70%. Better not to chance it: Statistics suck - I am going back to studying.

Have a good Sunday,

Mark
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Actually with 2 out of every 4 answers being way far out wrong it usually is easy to get it down to a 50 50.There are many ways to beat a test.For one ,answer first all the questions you know the answers for.Then add up the number of A,B.C,D in most tests they will balance within about 20% to 30% each.Use that to your advantage if you must simply guess.There are also guys that after maybe 10 tries finally get lucky and pass because of good guessing.
Has anyone ever in there lifetime taken a test that was all choice "A" ? OR B,C OR D
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Originally posted by busman:So if I know 60% of the answers and guess the rest I should statistically get around 70%.
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Your math works, but it is, as you say, statistical. That means that on any given day you might guess right 50% of the time, or you might guess right only 10% of the time. Yea, stick to your own good advice.
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

I certainly was not planning to get anywhere close to 70% (shooting for much better). I got a 100% on the review for the Journeyman's and passed the test on the first try (it seemed easy), but VA will not tell you your score if you pass, so who knows.

I feel fairly confident about the Master's, but it is hard to tell if you are ready since they do not provide a sample test. The only real sample test is to take and see how you do. My biggest question is how heavily load calculations figure in the test. It seems there is only one way to find out.

Mark
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Also never hand in a test early.If all you do is correct 1 wrong answer in that 5 or 20 minutes left it might make the differance.

Advice i was given was to get plenty of sleep the night before the test.That staying up late and studying will not help at this point.Eat as many hurshey bars as you can and take several B1 ,C,and E and only 1 cup of coffee.Take several pencils,extra large calculator and an easy to see clock.Tab that code book and highlight with differant colors,like greem for grounding and blue for pools.I took 2 copies in.One had only article 250 and tables in it.They are out to fail 95% So do whatever it takes to be in that 5% that makes it.There is also a big differance between 70% and 75% far far easier to get 70%.Take a course in how to take tests.
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

All,

Thanks for all the good advice. The 6 years I spent at VA TECH getting a Bachelors and Masters in E.E. gave me pretty good test taking skills. I am more worried about the lack of information they provide about content.

WRT handing in a test early: I kind-of agree. I would say that the best advice is not to second guess answers while reviewing. If you find CONCLUSIVE proof that one of your answers is incorrect; then by-all-means; change-it. Otherwise, studies have shown that the first guess is most likely to be right.

Mark

[ June 05, 2005, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: busman ]
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Originally posted by busman:


I am more worried about the lack of information they provide about content.

Otherwise, studies have shown that the first guess is most likely to be right.

Mark
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Humm, yeh.. :D

Last test I took, missed three..Two of these questions I thought were so darn simple, that I misunderstood the content of question in the wording of..(The designed purpose).Never gave,not one thought in reviewing these two simple questions.But I'd sure like for re-living, of the moment once again..( this first-answer studies) -Hope it works out for ya-..

good luck on your test..
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

I read an article in a educational magazine a few years ago that said, on average, to get a 70% on a multiple guess test, you only have to know 35% of the material. This was based, on being able to eliminate one or two of the answers that are obviously wrong, before guessing on the questions that you did not know the answers to, and that you actually knew the answers to 35% of the questions.
Don
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

posted June 05, 2005 01:09 PM
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I read an article in a educational magazine a few years ago that said, on average, to get a 70% on a multiple guess test, you only have to know 35% of the material. This was based, on being able to eliminate one or two of the answers that are obviously wrong, before guessing on the questions that you did not know the answers to, and that you actually knew the answers to 35% of the questions.
Don
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Has anyone ever seen a test where you're penalized for guessing? Say every right answer is worth 1 point and every wrong answer you lose 1/4 point. This would eliminate random guessing where you had no idea which of the 4 answers to choose.
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

im in VA and they told me my score on both journeymans and masters tests. they used to offer sample tests, but was the same sample for both tests. maybe this has changed.
My buddy gave me some sample tests from Michigan.i found these to be much more helpfull. this was 5yrs ago since the masters test, as i say, maybe they changed how they do things now.
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Has anyone ever seen a test where you're penalized for guessing? Say every right answer is worth 1 point and every wrong answer you lose 1/4 point.
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That is exactly how the SAT that is taken for college enetrance is scored.
Don
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Busman - let us know how you do. I'm in VA and have toyed with taking the masters test. The last I heard - and it's been awhile - about 25% of the VA's test is comprised of load calculations. But that was 10 or 15 years ago. I haven't heard how it is now or even what code cycle they're testing on. Good luck! :)
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Yes guessing is fine but studying is better. My Journeyman's score was 96% and I studied night after night and didn't have to guess. When It came to taking my Master's test I studied night after night. 78% on that and pass both of them the first time. Yes a few I did guess at because I wasn't sure. Just take the test and not think about guessing. In your mind you know the answers. Just don't let one question take you down. Always go to the next then come back to it at the end. You can also answer that question your not sure of and write it down on another piece of paper and if you have time go back to it. To me studying hard is the answer and not guessing. I know you do this already so good luck on your test.
Jim
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Busman
Sorry to get off your topic. It sounds like your ready to be an Master electrician. You'll do fine.
Good luck!
Jim again
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

All,

Thanks for the good advice and good wishes. Test was moved up to Tomorrow (Tues) due to schedules. Will report the outcome either way.

Thanks again,

Mark
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

All,

Passed the VA Master's Exam today. It was much more difficult than the Journeyman. Thanks for the support and advice.

Mark
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

Congratulations Mark.

Roger
 
Re: 60% = 70% ????

I just took the Md masters , one tip I found that helped was to remove the index from the code book , staple it together and use it out of the book. Trust me it helps and is faster. Seconds saved turn into minutes.
 
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