Tom
03-06-2002, 04:41 PM
Hi All,
Well, I figured it out (I think). IPC is giving everyone the "X" test. If you fail and want a second shot you'll get the "Y" test.
So I got up at 5:30am this morning to get ready to head downtown to meet up with the rest of the IPC Advanced Study Group who have been with Dieter for the past two days. We tried to break the ice a little before the test but when Dieter passed the test out a tension in the room set in. There was total silence for a moment while everyone wrote their name and company on the front cover of the test booklet.
Jeff Mellquist (Wind River Systems) was the first to complete the test. I believe it was 1 hour. I was amazed to see anyone take the test that fast. Of course his test was graded 1st. Dieter gave the graded test back to Jeff and he looked the marked up test over (his wrong answers). Then he filled out his "Course Evaluation Sheet" and handed it in and goes and sits back down while the rest of us are only 1/2 way through the test. Jeff got bored, got up and left. On his way out he looked back at me and said "You owe me 2 beers, I got a 91%".
So, that is the new all time "High Score" to beat. Challengers step right up!
I was looking down at my "Y" test and there where questions on the test that sent me day dreaming. I was one of the last to hand my test in and many thoughts were racing through my mind while I waited for my test to be graded. What if I fail, again? Am I too old to change professions? Will I be ridiculed?
That's one of the big things about this IPC Advanced Certification test. It seems that it can make or break a career. Or am I taking it all too seriously? But it's something that goes through your mind. It was really hard to watch one of my friends, whom I have known for ever it seems, who is a very Senior Top Gun type PCB designer, fail the test today. And I knew what he was going through. I know he's like me and he'll pick himself up and sign up for the next nearest testing center.
You've got to get the coveted CID+ certification.
I did not stick around to find out how many passed or failed. Dieter was still grading tests when I left.
Oh ya, I forgot to mention I PASSED! OK now, slow down...... I am one of the happiest guys in the world right now. I highly recommend this test, but allow at least two months of study time. If you pass this test you will feel exhilarated if you fail you feel like (let's not go there). Just study some more and take the test again. But I recommend you pass the first time because in my opinion, the "Y" test is harder.
Well, I figured it out (I think). IPC is giving everyone the "X" test. If you fail and want a second shot you'll get the "Y" test.
So I got up at 5:30am this morning to get ready to head downtown to meet up with the rest of the IPC Advanced Study Group who have been with Dieter for the past two days. We tried to break the ice a little before the test but when Dieter passed the test out a tension in the room set in. There was total silence for a moment while everyone wrote their name and company on the front cover of the test booklet.
Jeff Mellquist (Wind River Systems) was the first to complete the test. I believe it was 1 hour. I was amazed to see anyone take the test that fast. Of course his test was graded 1st. Dieter gave the graded test back to Jeff and he looked the marked up test over (his wrong answers). Then he filled out his "Course Evaluation Sheet" and handed it in and goes and sits back down while the rest of us are only 1/2 way through the test. Jeff got bored, got up and left. On his way out he looked back at me and said "You owe me 2 beers, I got a 91%".
So, that is the new all time "High Score" to beat. Challengers step right up!
I was looking down at my "Y" test and there where questions on the test that sent me day dreaming. I was one of the last to hand my test in and many thoughts were racing through my mind while I waited for my test to be graded. What if I fail, again? Am I too old to change professions? Will I be ridiculed?
That's one of the big things about this IPC Advanced Certification test. It seems that it can make or break a career. Or am I taking it all too seriously? But it's something that goes through your mind. It was really hard to watch one of my friends, whom I have known for ever it seems, who is a very Senior Top Gun type PCB designer, fail the test today. And I knew what he was going through. I know he's like me and he'll pick himself up and sign up for the next nearest testing center.
You've got to get the coveted CID+ certification.
I did not stick around to find out how many passed or failed. Dieter was still grading tests when I left.
Oh ya, I forgot to mention I PASSED! OK now, slow down...... I am one of the happiest guys in the world right now. I highly recommend this test, but allow at least two months of study time. If you pass this test you will feel exhilarated if you fail you feel like (let's not go there). Just study some more and take the test again. But I recommend you pass the first time because in my opinion, the "Y" test is harder.