Caution for Online Test--Certification

epirb wrote on 8/19/2006, 8:12 AM

This is just a word of caution to all who are taking the online test for Sony Certified Vegas User/Editors.

As I had finished the test before the amount of time, I thought I would go back and review my answers as i was doing so I noticed that a true false question was left blank when I thought I was sure I answered it. I remarked it wnet back a couple more pages and noticed the same thing.! Yikes the clocks ticking down!!!
In a panic I went all the way back to the first page and scanned for blank answers sure enough all true falses were blank. I scurried thru the pages to get them all filled in before the alotted time and finished with seconds to spare...
While I am not unhappy with my score, I can help but wonder if it could not have been better due to a possible mistake i could have made during the panic point.

Hopefully someone from Sony will read this , and check this out. Unless it was something with my machine and a cookie setting or something, but I doubt it. Plus I hesitate to ask anyony else taking the test to verify it , due to the time restriction on the test.
However I did want to let people know, so that if you go back to a previous page to be aware that it could happen.

Comments

bStro wrote on 8/19/2006, 8:36 AM

I haven't taken the online exam yet, so I don't know the exact format, but I would assume it's a standard web form rather than an embedded application or something? If so, yeah, forms can be funky when you go backwards in your browser history. Some things get remembered, some do not -- usually depends on the type of input (checkbox, radio button, text box) and / or how the form scripts are written.

If it's an embedded application, I'd think it's definitely something they can / should have avoided. Or in either case, there should be a way to navigate between pages of the exam other than using the back / forward buttons on your browser.

Rob

epirb wrote on 8/19/2006, 8:38 AM

Yeah and just to be clear, I was not using the back and forward browser buttons, but the next and previous buttons within the test window. Its possibe that the site still had the answers retained, but I did not want to take the chance of leaving them blank.

BTW It was nice to meet you there.

bStro wrote on 8/19/2006, 9:03 AM

I was not using the back and forward browser buttons, but the next and previous buttons within the test window.

Oof. That's not good, giving people the option of going back and forth and then freaking them out by hiding (hopefully not losing) some of their answers. I hope they can and do fix that.

Nice meeting you, too! I'm based in Florida, too, so hopefully I'll see you around.

Rob

p@mast3rs wrote on 8/19/2006, 9:22 AM

Theres an online test? I thought they were given at the class sites. Anyone have a quick link?

bStro wrote on 8/19/2006, 9:50 AM

For Editor certification, you have to take a practical, hands-on test at the class site as well as an online "written" exam (question and answer).

User certification only requires the online test. But they aren't opening it to the "general public" until September, after the class tour is done.

http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/training/certification.asp?pmn=testing

Rob

DJPadre wrote on 8/19/2006, 12:31 PM

"User certification only requires the online test. But they aren't opening it to the "general public" until September, after the class tour is done"

How "nice" of them...
gawd im really getting over this

winrockpost wrote on 8/19/2006, 2:00 PM

Why would anyone want a user certification,, I can understand taking the class and learning stuff, but I figure I am user certified when sony takes my credit card.

Spot|DSE wrote on 8/19/2006, 6:44 PM

Bear in mind that being a Certified Vegas User is a Level One certification. It must be passed in some form prior to achieving a Certified Vegas Editor cert, which is required prior to attaining a Certified Trainer cert. The program is very similar to Avid, Apple, and other training programs.
A CVU is designed for someone who wants immersion in the software, gets a two-day, hands-on training in the application, and then demonstrates that they've successfully comprehended the software and a certain level of competency. Many corporations, administrations, and organizations require a certificate in order to remunerate attendees of this sort of program, which is in part, why virtually all similar training programs function in this manner.
SCVE and SCVT are indeed the higher levels. If you're a single desk editing house, these certs might not be important or necessary; if you're in a larger house or organization, or if you want to be able to have a benchmark that indicates your level of competency or ability within the community, then the cert may be important. But it's important to recognize that this forum is a very small contingent of Vegas users, and many people are looking for in-depth training. In this case, the 2 days of in-depth training comes with a certificate as well as the knowledge.
sure wish I could have done the Florida trainings; I really enjoy the crew down there.

JeffreyPFisher wrote on 8/19/2006, 8:41 PM

I second that, Spot, the Florida group was fantastic. I expect to see some SCVE logos 'round here soon!

JPF

epirb wrote on 8/20/2006, 9:00 AM

I too agree w Spot, as my company grows, I may find myself looking for additional editors. PArt of the reason for taking the test and class myself was to see what the bar is for such certifications.
After seeing what it entials, I now know when it comes time to seek out other editors that if they have one of these cert, what I can expect of there skills. Even someone that is a certified User tells me that they have done more than jsut bought the program.

AS I see it in order for Vegas to get more/better recogition as a serious pro editing platform it is nesc to have the same certification type set up as Avid and other recognized platforms.

IMO
I think between Sony and VASST they have got that in motion now ,there has to be a starting point, this is it,and its good.
Did I do it just to have a logo by my name? ...No (who knows I may not even have passed) will it help me get better jobs in what I do? probably not , at least now.
But it will give me a better understanding of someone elses skills with the Vegas tools. That may help me when I am looking for addtitional editors. That to me is just one of the many benifits I think this will provide.

Earl_J wrote on 8/20/2006, 10:01 AM

Hello everyone,
the online exam is more difficult for those of us who just like to turn things on and play; for those who like to read instructional manuals from cover to cover before taking anything out of the box, the online is a piece of cake. I'm of the sort who likes to throw things together and learn only as much as I need to get the machine to do what I want - not much concerned about what is going on inside, as long as what's coming out is as I expect/desire.
The comaraderie is fun... the higher level of knowledge is excellent... and the certification is fulfilling. Now, we'll have a degree of expectancy of a person's skills by their certification. Do we want everyone to have it? No... the fewer people have, the more influence it carries. So, now that a handful have it; let's make just as difficult to obtain as we can...! lol ... just kidding... but not really. I would expect that if certification numbers get near 90% passing for the first-timer, it might be too easy... if we expect 85% to be a passing score, perhaps 86% should also be a good measure for the first-time passing rate as well. If it is too easy to obtain, other may think it isn't worth having in the first place. It is a tricky balancing act, no doubt... time will tell...
* * *
I do like the focus on "results" and not "processes." The Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) program requires that individuals become familiar with the drop-down/pull-down menus... they appear to want their trainers to concern themselves with the process of the function rather than the result of that function. SCVx training appears to focus on the result, regardless of the 3 or 4 different options available to get that result. So, those who have the tinkering mentality are not put at a disadvantage behind those who read the book or follow the top-down method for learning/using computer programs/editing programs.
* * *
The online exam is excellent - I ran out of time the first time through, but taking the time to find the right answer helped me speed up the second time through, and if I hadn't passed at that point; I'm certain the second trip would have also trimmed the timing of my final attempt.
* * *
I'm glad I'm on the road to learning more and, more importantly, producing better video projects through the certification process, the training <VASST>, the comaraderie, and this forum...

...the adventure continues...
* * *
Please excuse any insults to anyone's intelligence... it's a new-guy thing, I think we can all understand it... <wink>
* * *
Until that time. . .

Aloha y'all... Earl J.
"Just an old Maui boy with a poor sense of direction,
working his way home one state at a time;
currently working in the State of Confusion."

winrockpost wrote on 8/20/2006, 1:21 PM

I am all for continued education, I think the trainig classes for certification is great,, my problem I think comes with the title "user" maybe call it level one editor or just level 1 certified. But user, hell I dont need a cert from rj reynolds to know I'm a user.
Keep on learning !!!!!

MEMFILMS wrote on 8/21/2006, 4:02 AM

I took the online exam too and when I went back the true/ false questions were unmarked, even though I marked them. Becareful going back to check your answers. Time ran out on me the first time with 10 questions left, time is no joke. Howerever, I had plenty of time to spare the second time, that's when the t/f messed me up.

I truely enjoyed the training in Orlando, and I'm ready for my wings. It was great meeting you guys in FL., Jeff is an excellent trainer. I look forward to having him for the trainer cert. I'll see you SCVE soon.

ForumAdmin wrote on 8/21/2006, 8:36 AM

Thank you for letting us know about this problem. It has now been corrected. Test takers who proceeded straight through the exam without going back to previous pages were unaffected by this bug.

If you used the previous page buttons, and did not pass the exam in the three tries alloted, please let us know and we will assist you.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

epirb wrote on 8/21/2006, 9:04 AM

Thanks for the quick fix !
Any idea on how long it takes for the powers that be @ Sony to Grade the Pratical exam?

daryl wrote on 8/21/2006, 9:06 AM

Hey y'all, I was in the recent Florida session, it was GREAT!!!
While there is a big emphasis on "certifications" these days, which is fine, a colleque of mine I noticed recently went WAY overboard. I saw a document from him, and he included ALL of his certifications after his name, most of which don't mean anything to most people, he must have had 8 or 10 certifications after his name. I noticed that he left off the obvious...Doe, John MIC KEY

But seriously, the classes are 100% well done, top notch!

Daryl