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Walter & Group...
[GH] Michael Jones brings up some points well worth discussing :
Gordy~
In reading all the positive feedback on the pre-test, I am wondering if a slightly different tangent/approach might be in order for the FFF, and the pre-exam process being examined here in our group.
When I took my CCI exam from Mac Lord, he treated the day/exam in an unusual way, and made the declaration that he was going to try something he thought would be a good fit for the group size/ability. He decided to teach to the exam, by very specifically going over what was expected, and clarifying the casting expectations, as well as some of the more 'sticky' written test questions; he did not give us answers, but we knew what was being asked of us ahead of time. It was more of a thorough class, followed by an exam.
Near the end of the practical, he was testing a student having trouble with one element of the required casting: the distance cast. Rather than fail the guy, he took the opportunity to bring the problem into a teaching scenario for the group, he made several observations (teaching), and offered a few meaningful recommendations. Immediately, the guy threw a beautiful passing distance cast. Mac explained he needed to work to make those changes a consistent thing, and passed him. We all went away with a positive experience, and our CCI cert!
On this note, in Maine, we have Maine Guides. We consider the Maine Guide process (prep/exam) as one of the most rigorous in not only the country, but the planet. Most people that take the exam blind, fail it. As a result, many schools have opened up over the past 20 years to offer direct instruction on how to prepare for and take the exam. Naturally, there is a lot of lecture, discussion, quiz and final pre-test opportunities. People generally pay between 2-4 hundred dollars for several full day sessions to prepare them for this exam. The state claims that the passing rate from those that have been tutored is without compare to those that stumble in off the street.
If someone offered a MCCI pre-exam course that offered pre-testing, coupled with good solid instruction/coaching, they would have my attention. Rod McGary tried to do this a few years back in Maine (not to be confused with Rod's fantastic offerings at the Marlboro Fly Fishing Show; different). He lacked a financial component, and a willingness for both parties to have a schedule commitment in advance; it kind of diffused over time. A well planned school, sponsored by a BOG, or a couple of Masters would, not could attract a lot off attention from the CCI community. I know that you (Gordy) have devoted a ton of your own personal time to help individuals prepare for both exams, and that is more than admirable. Maybe this could be a great incentive for BOG & MCCI guys/gals to actively expand the sport we all love to study, through organized continuing education workshops a.k.a. pre-test camp!
I bet that there is not a single person in this group that would declare that the FFF testing does not/did not scare them. We are always afraid of what we do not know about our own deficiencies. Would it not be a huge confidence builder to wipe away at least a portion of that anxiety?
I know this is wordy, but to compare successful models is a vital element to my point.
Michael Jones
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[GH] From Paul Arden in answer to Bob Hansell's message, yesterday :
Hi Gordy,
I think mentoring pupils to CCI is a first class method of obtaining experience to take the MCI.
If you've coached three pupils through their CCI, Bob, you should hopefully fly your Masters. That's excellent!
Cheers, Paul
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