[CW] Dissing the ARRL

Sun, 11 Jan 2004 11:11:02 -0600

Yes, there is a federal law to this effect.

It doesn't necessarily say tests must be multiple choice, or that "specific"
answers must be included, but the questions themselves must be published.

This is mostly for "security" reasons.  If the test is not standardized,
then one tester can make harder tests than another, or even one tester can
make an easy test and a hard test intentionally.  But once the question pool
is published to the testers, then it can be compromised.  Yes, this is
cheating, but once one tester "leaks" the pool, then anyone who has access
to that leaked pool has an advantage over those who don't have that access.
If you publish the pool, then all testees have access - if they don't look
at the question pool before they take the test, that's their own fault.

Here's an experiment to try:  Read "Now You're Talking" chapter by chapter,
then take a Tech test, but don't look at the back of the book.  Don't read a
single question in the pool before taking the test.  For that matter, take a
tech test WITHOUT boning up at all.

The reason for the answers and the multiple choice is more for the
convenience of the VEs.  Essay tests are problematic, as the grader can
grade easier or harder, just like whoever makes the test.  Multiple choice
is much easier to maintain consistency.  Also, test generation programs can
"scramble" the order of the choices.  You can't memorize T3A1 is answer "B",
because on the test you'll see, you get one question from section T3A of the
pool, but it's just question #8, you have to figure out that it's #1 of the
subgroup, not #21.  And there are 24 possible arrangements of the possible
choices, so you still have to know the answer, not the correct answers
position.

Not all VEs currently generate their tests in this manner, but the all
could, the means are readily available.

Jay
AD5PE
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Reid" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; "Anthony W. DePrato" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 8:50 PM
Subject: Re: [CW] Dissing the ARRL

>
> > I strongly believe the questions and answers should
> > NOT be available, but the candidate should have enough
> > knowledge of theory, regulations, etc, to pass  a REAL test.
>
> Unfortunately,  there is some Federal Law or regulations
> which stipulates that the "question pool" for ANY Federally
> mandated examination be published and available to the
> public.  I find this hard to believe,  but guess it is a result
> of all the "equal opportunity",  etc. stuff that has come
> along in the past few decades.  This does NOT apply to
> state examinations,  such as the Bar exam for new law
> licensed,  MD exams by the states,  etc.  Just federal
> likenesses.  In fact,  not even sure what they may all
> be:  how about pilot licenses,  ship Captain......?
>
> Anyone know the specific law about these question pools;
> and are the answers also "mandated" published and must they
> also be multiple choice.  I suspect so per the "new world"
> theory,  hi.
>
> 73,  Jim  KH7M
>
>
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