Comprehensive certification exams are a requirement for most professions. Regardless of the profession they can be a scary proposition at first glance. Key to success for any exam is to break it down into manageable pieces.
What is being tested and in what concentration?
No matter the Red Seal Trade, the curriculum that will be tested and in what concentration can be found on the Red Seal Website (redseal.ca). This information is fundamental to effectively prepare for the exam. Without knowing what topics/task are on the exam, challengers run the risk of studying unnecessary topics and not studying ones that are. As well, knowing in what concentration these topics will be on the exam allow the challenger to plan their study time.
You don’t know what you don’t know.
Self assessment is key to preparation! Having assessment tools that challenge your understanding of the topics provides the challenger invaluable feedback. If through assessment tools such as quizzes a challenger determines mastery of a topic they can confidently move on to the next topic. This allows the challenger to focus on topics in isolation until mastered, allowing for efficient use of study time.
Assessment Types for Self Assessment
Knowing the types of assessment on the exam will help determine the type of self assessment tools to use to effectively prepare. Red Seal Trade Exams employ multiple choice questions. However, these questions can be found in a number of formats to assess understanding in various ways. Some questions are simply recall; asking the challenger to identify a component for example. Many questions are analysis/troubleshooting; giving key information and asking for the most probable cause. As well, there are always trade calculation and task/procedural questions. For self assessment, it is important to employ all of these formats to practice the ability to analyze questions, determine what is being asked and determine your own depth of understanding.
Study Resources
Relevant and accessible learning resources improve study efficiency. There are many resources that don’t lend themselves to efficient studies. Typically multiple texts are required since not one book covers everything. It is often difficult and time consuming to reference the materials you require. As well it is cumbersome to jump from one text to another. Text are great at providing factual recall information but lack in calculations, procedures, analysis and troubleshooting. Insightful graphics, animations and videos are a critical resource when developing understanding and are not usually found in paper based texts. Internet based resources provide more relevant and up to date information as well as graphics, animations and video.
Study Time
A serious time commitment is required on behalf of the challenger. With life's demands this can be difficult to manage. It’s is critical to set aside time every day prior to the exam. The amount of time, varies based to the challenger. A key strategy is to work studying into even the smallest slots. Using mobile based tools allow the challenger to study anytime and anywhere (internet access). These tools can be used during work breaks, commutes and for moments when holding a textbook is less than desirable.
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