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Walter & Group...
[GH] I have been asked these questions by an MCI candidate. This candidate gave me permission to share with the Group, though he wished to remain anonymous. My answers follow each question. Hopefully some of you who are experienced examiners will add your comments :
First question:
"Question: Do you see Master Examiners really accepting 3' wide loops on the Masters Exam?"
My reply:
Background: Some of our best MCI's and CBOG's under Joe Libeu as a co-chairmen of the MCI testing committee looked at this critically last year.
By having each of them make their own casts superimposed before calibrated vertical posts, they found:
1.) The best and tightest loops formed APPEARED to be from 1' to 2" in breadth. When actually measured against the marked posts, they were found to be closer to 3' !
2.) These casters also attempted to match their forward loops to their back loops. Most of them, I understand, had back cast loops which were slightly larger.
This is why they changed the wording on the exam. Examiners have been asked to take notice in the interest of fairness to the candidate.
Caveats: The way I see it is this:
a.) The MCI candidate should strive to have his small loops appear to be as close to 2' in breadth or smaller.
b.) One of the best ways to make your back cast loop come close to matching the forward loop is to OBSERVE IT.
c.) When being asked to make the forward loops and back cast loops symmetrical, the candidate should strive to do just that, but the examiners should expect to pass on the inevitable slight difference between them.
Second question:
"If a candidate is asked a question that is beyond that of the task, should the candidate question the examiners to see if this is considered extra credit or part of the test? Or do you think this would count against the candidate for asking the question?"
I see no harm in asking. Doubt it would be held against the candidate ..... UNLESS:-
The candidate does this as a challenge to the examiners in such a way that it appears he is objecting to being asked to perform tasks outside the actual exam.
Safest approach: If I were taking the exam, I wouldn't comment. I'd simply do the best I could to comply with the examiners' request. Both examiner and well prepared candidate will know very well what is stated on the exam and what is not.
Some examiners state in advance that the particular task requested is outside the scope of the actual exam. Some don't. Bottom line, as I see it: Just do it.
Gordy
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[GH] Next message: Mac Brown will help sum up our discussion on the rod stop.
Gordy
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