Tabbed and hi-lighted code books

[Freebiez]

Oh i also want to point out that i think that having an electricians license should be an accomplishment. something that people can look at and regard you as being knowledgeable in your trade for having.

i was grandfathered in back in late 98, early 99 and i let my license expire (due to stupidity) and then went and took the computerized version of the exam and passed it the old fashioned way - knowing my trade (formulas and usage of the NEC) . I am proud of earning my license, so i was GLAD when they started making electrical apprentiship programs mandatory, and im also glad that they have a continuing education requirement on license renewals. this keeps the casuals out of our trade and makes our "credentials" worth more.

I truly feel however that making the test "cheatable" negates all of it to an extent. The fact is, im having a small argument with a guy on how "passing the test" isnt the same as being a good electrician and all people with a license are not equals.

Thoughts?

 

[hockeyoligist2]

Well lets talk more about the books in question here. Does anyone know the real details of how these books are laid out?

The way it was explained to me is that the things that are highlighted , are actual correct test answers. one color is for journeymans test answers, and another color is for master test answers and yet another color for answers that can be on both the master or journeymans test. i dont know about what you guys think but logic dictates that this has to be true because why else would there be specific colors for masters vs journeyman since in the workplace we all do similar worl in the real world.

the other thing is the keyword index. ive been told that the only things you will find in the keyword index are things that are asked about on the test.

To me it seems like these are not practical things for the real world and are both designed to make taking the test easy. would this not go against the principle of the test?

"The way it was explained to me is that the things that are highlighted , are actual correct test answers."

Kinda, but not really. It will help you find something on a page quicker so that you don't waste time reading the whole page.

"the other thing is the keyword index. ive been told that the only things you will find in the keyword index are things that are asked about on the test."

It didn't help me, but it does make things faster when I look something up now.

"To me it seems like these are not practical things for the real world and are both designed to make taking the test easy. would this not go against the principle of the test?"

Unless you have memorized the whole book, which several people have here, and you don't use the book everyday for things ranging from one end of the spectrum to the other...... It would have been impossible to pass the test that I took.

 

[petersonra]

i am not all that worried about people gaming the test a little. passing the test only proves you passed the test. it doesn't prove you have any of the other skills needed to be a quality electrician. IMO, it serves a useful purpose in weeding out the unusually dumb, but that is about it.

 

[cschmid]

I can not answer what the color codes are..Here you get your calculator and they give you everything else when you get in the room..I even remember that they seated us so you were not sitting next to a person taking the same test..you have a full 7 hours to take test..I heard once the passing percent was less than 40%..but will see if I can get an accurate number..where is starbright when you need them..I believe starbright just took the JM test and could give you the answers for the most recent testing..I am curious if it has changed since 19--..that is the best you get from an old man..

 

[e2me]

Code book use

Code book use

In SD you may use your own code book and any notes or tabs you have in it . The blank pages in the back are free for use with any info you deem fit. I went to the trouble of typing out all my formulas for calculations and printing them on sticky label paper. then stuck them to the blank pages. Passed contractors with a 96% of course you have to know how to use the formulas and look stuff up but to me the whole test should be open book. If your in the field and you don?t know what to do you look it up or make a call so why should the test be any different.

 

[e2me]

Iowa

Iowa

Mebbe in your state, but not here.

NEC, American Electrician's Handbook, and calculator. No sharing. No talking.

Oh, I forgot... bring your own #2 pencils (at least when I took it, I heard it's all computer-based now)!

When did iowa even get licences or use codes
We have been crossing the state line for years and have never needed one ,or is this a city licence. many citys have there own thing going on. Iowa has some of the most scary wiring i have ever seen . i guess just one reason they need codes

 

[Freebiez]

In SD you may use your own code book and any notes or tabs you have in it . The blank pages in the back are free for use with any info you deem fit. I went to the trouble of typing out all my formulas for calculations and printing them on sticky label paper. then stuck them to the blank pages. Passed contractors with a 96% of course you have to know how to use the formulas and look stuff up but to me the whole test should be open book. If your in the field and you don?t know what to do you look it up or make a call so why should the test be any different.

well. because its a TEST. They are "testing" your knowledge. not your ability to be crafty and get the job done. like i have said before i think the test should be a true accomplishment and a proof of what you know and not a fake set of credentials for some based on whether or not they cheated right.

if we held this same set of standards for say a doctor, that is if they had 1 test they had to take before they could be called a doctor and they brought in a book with the test answers highlighted and all they had to do was find them. that would not be any proof that they are fit to be a doctor. using your logic thats ok and during a surgery they dont know how to complete they can just call someone that does know the things necessary to work their trade.

 

[GilbeSpark]

In NC you're not allowed to bring your own book. They hand you a book when you take the test and you give it back when you're done.

 

[quogueelectric]

I have personally seen in the testing phase where I am there is a book test and a PRACTICAL. Which includes simple motor control. The resi guys who took the test with me the county guys almost gave them the answers but when they couldnt understand the hints had to fail them yet gave them multiple chances to recover from the motor control part of the practical test. They couldnt have been more forgiving in my humble opinion.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

As far as a practical, what should be included in a practical exam???? There are so many facets to our industry that it would seem impractical to have a practical exam.

Any test is a "cheatable" test. Any multiple choice test is passable, I can get my daughters to pass the test.
The only way I can see to really keep the "unworthy" out of our industry, is to keep all out of our industry.

Look at any industry/profession, it is the same there as well.

 

[Freebiez]

As far as a practical, what should be included in a practical exam???? There are so many facets to our industry that it would seem impractical to have a practical exam.

Any test is a "cheatable" test. Any multiple choice test is passable, I can get my daughters to pass the test.
The only way I can see to really keep the "unworthy" out of our industry, is to keep all out of our industry.

Look at any industry/profession, it is the same there as well.

Well i guess theres a way to cheat at anything and everything but my point is why allow a book with the answers highlighted to be admitted?

I mean here they are upping the requirements to gain a "licensed" status by making apprentices maintain enrollment in an appreticeship school, they also require a continued education credit if you already have a license (if you plan to renew it), and the testing procedure which in theory should an electrician into his codebook forcing him to train hisself the "proper" way to look things up and find them.

all these things as a whole should bring more educated people into the trade, but if you allow a cheat book into the testing its all for nothing. the people who pass the test with a cheat book havent proved any worth as an electrician , IMO.

to say you cant stop the cheating means you advocate it. i for one passed my test legit and im proud of my accomplishments and think everyone else should as well

 

[petersonra]

I am not a big fan of the theory that required CE courses are of any real benefit in proving anyone is still competent.

There are a lot of guys with masters and contractor license that have not cut off a piece of wire in ten years. Just because they passed the test 20 years ago, does not mean they could do so today.

There are also a lot of guys who leave the business and come back years later, and keep their license active by paying the periodic fees.

These kind of skills degrade a lot over time if they are unused.

 

[BackInTheHabit]

I realize this is a Mike Holt forum so I mean no disrepect when I say the following:

I have always gotten my code books from Tom Henry. I have even used a highlited and tabbed for the Contractors test. No problem taking it in and using it in the test.



http://www.code-electrical.com/2008ultimate.html

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

to say you cant stop the cheating means you advocate it. i for one passed my test legit and im proud of my accomplishments and think everyone else should as well

That is presumptive, rude, incorrect and very naive.
You should not think that you are the sole owner of passing a test without cheating. There are a gazillion people who have done just like you. Get over the fact that there will always be cheaters and your life will be less miserable.

 

[ITO]

In Texas YES you can have a tabbed, highlighted copy of the NEC with all the notes and formulas you can write on the page in INK only, for your test.

There are several blank pages in the back that I have covered from top to bottom, front and back with notes and formulas,Ohm's Law, in INK, and I have use up several highlighters in the rest of the book.

If there is even one note they find in pencil they will not let you use the book.

(BTW adding your location helps people give you the right answers for your location too)

 

[petersonra]

In Texas YES you can have a tabbed, highlighted copy of the NEC with all the notes and formulas you can write on the page in INK only, for your test.

Why ink only?

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Why ink only?

Maybe because the test is taken using a number 2 lead pencil and they do not want a person writing down test info in the book and taking it with them after the test.

 

[KeithB_CEIS]

It is OK in SC. I failed the test, got a highlighted and tabbed, then passed. I am industrial and most of the questions were residential.

Edit for spelling

The idea of code testing is not to see if you have the whole book memorized, but if you can find the information needed for the specific application.

Same with formulas and such. most places allow you to have those written in your code book. Again not to memorize every formula, but can you work them as needed.

I have a computer program to work voltage drop, and a good thing I do, too many contractors don't know how to figure the service conductor sized needed for a long underground secondary service

 

[ITO]

Maybe because the test is taken using a number 2 lead pencil and they do not want a person writing down test info in the book and taking it with them after the test.

BINGO!!! Give the man a prize.

 

[tonyou812]

The common notion was that you could use your own code book before I took mine and many people were allowed to. So when it came time to take my mine last july the first thing all the proctors were saying to us was "If you brought your own book in you will have to leave it at the door. Yea and a riot almost inssued.There were a lot of PO' people complaining. Even though all the paper work from the state said that you will be issued a book for the test and not to bother bringing your own book, but many people thought they would be leaneant about this rule.Well surprise, surprise they werent.
My advice to you is study hard and dont count on using your own book. It took me about 4 months of real studing. Every day for a few hours . It got so frustrated many times trying to find and answear that I chucked my book many times across the room. Study, Study and when you finally get sick of looking at your books study some more oh yea and make sure you spend some time on the fire code book or you will be lost if you dont. GOOD LUCK man.