STRESSED OUT OVER EXAM RESULTS

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Author Message Melissa Aguiar, CSI, CDT, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 02:43 pm:    Hey all, I am sooo anxious to get my CCS exam results I am about to burst into flames. I know that Institute said that the results were to be mailed during the week of June 6th, but come on now, can anyone tell me why they where a couple weeks behind sending out computerized scoring results? Sorry if I offend someone, I am just so exicted, nervous and scared that I needed a place to vent, and this place looked pretty nice. Thank you for listening. Mel William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: wpegues Post Number: 402 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 03:11 pm:    Melissa, Sometimes in the past, your Region chair for certifications would get a list of those people that passed that took the exam in their region before the individuals would get their results direct. You might put in an email to them to have them email you if your name comes in on the list of those passing in your region. William Sheryl Dodd-Hansen, FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: sheryldh Post Number: 19 Registered: 09-2002 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 03:13 pm:    Yes, it's frustrating to wait for news. BUT: the FAQs about certification on csinet.org say results are sent approximately eight weeks after the exam. We're only a little past that. Considering that the exams were based on so much new material this year - using the new PRM and MF 2004 for the first time - it was undoubtedly more challenging to evaluate the data. So, please be patient. You'll hear soon, I'm sure. And if your score was very close to the 75%, you'll be very grateful that the Committee and staff took the time to get it right. Melissa Aguiar, CSI, CDT, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 03:59 pm:    Sheryl, your right! But I am soooo ready for that certification! : ) David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 465 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 04:31 pm:    Sheryl, CSI certification exams are a computer graded. So why does it take EIGHT weeks to grade? Many polling places use Scantron type ballots and the election results are available hours after the polls have closed. Is there a way to speed up the grading process? Anne Whitacre, CCS CSI Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 209 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 05:03 pm:    David: the reason it takes some time (I may quibble with the 8 weeks, but there it is) to get the exam results is this: The exams are machine graded. Then the testing company prepares a statistical report that shows what percentage of people chose which answer (a, b, c or d) for each question. Then that is compared to the high scoring candidates on each exam. If there is a discrepancy, the question is kicked back to the Certification committee for consideration. In some cases, we end up agreeing that the question was "flawed" or misleading, and everyone gets credit for that question. For example: say the correct answer to a question is "b". However, if you look at the high scoring exam takers and they all chose "c" and only the low scoring takers chose "b", then perhaps the question was badly written, misleading in its information or flawed in some other way. The committee will review the question and the answers, go back to the original source material and make a determination if that question should be considering in the scoring or not. Then after the certification committee makes its recommendation, the exams are rescored and the results are sent out. I'm not sure why it takes EIGHT weeks, but part of this process is to assure that the questions are valid; that they are reflective of the industry, and that they are written in such a way so that they are not too confusing. Sheryl Dodd-Hansen, FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: sheryldh Post Number: 20 Registered: 09-2002 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 06:17 pm:    Anne answered very well. CSI's certification exams are based on the participation of volunteer professionals - so the process is neither like an election - nor like licensing exams that are administered by test-making companies (at much higher cost). I'm sure that most of us who have been involved with the Certification committee would like to see a more modern, at-will testing and grading process. And maybe that will happen some day. CSI just doesn't have the resources for that at this time. For now we take pride in quality exams, administered fairly, that reflect well on the organization and those who prepare for and pass the exams. David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 467 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 06:49 pm:    Sheryl, Let me start by saying that I do appreciate all the people volunteering their time and energys to creating, teaching, and grading the test. (I'm one of them.) I also think that the certification exams are one of the best things that CSI has ever done to help "up the bar" on quality of construction documents. I am puzzled, though when you say that CSI does not have the resources. Look at this list of people passing the exam last year: http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=83&DID=9464 Now multiply that by about the exam fees ($90/$170/$230/$295/$350) for CDT and ($225/$290/$350/$425) for upper level certifications. You really don't have to do the math. Just by looking at the list you can infer that it is a ton of money! If volunteers are doing all the work, then where is all that income being spent? Does the income from the test go directly to offset expenses of the test or does the test income go directly into the general fund? Sheryl Dodd-Hansen, FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: sheryldh Post Number: 21 Registered: 09-2002 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 07:01 pm:    That's an interesting question - for which I have no answer. You might raise it with your Institute Director before the next Board meeting (next week). The word "resources" includes the experienced professionals as well as dollars. Not everyone with the knowledge has the time or ability to volunteer. David R. Combs, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: davidcombs Post Number: 61 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 09:30 am:    David and Melissa, Another factor to consider is that Institute staff cannot send out the exams for computer grading until ALL exams have been returned by the proctors at the local level. When I was on the Cert Comm a few years back, I remember hearing from Institute staff that this was a problem from a few - not many - test sites. But it only takes one to gum up the works. The exams may be able to be graded piecemeal, yes, but the statistical report and analysis - which essentially serves as a validation tool for the Committee - cannot be generated until all tests have been graded. Another factor that may come into play (just my own personal opinion) is the fact that Institute staff is extremely busy with the Convention being in April. They are truly a hard-working bunch. Maybe when it moves back to June, I would hope that the turn-around time could be improved. Helaine K. Robinson CCS Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 160 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 10:01 am:    I am a CTC and have received many inquiries about results. Anonymous   Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 01:00 pm:    Mel, Log in your name and password to the CSI website, they update your credentials before there sent out. Although until you receive, its not official. Anonymous   Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 09:23 pm:    Mellisa & Anonymous, Please learn the English language if you are going to write specifications and post messages on web sites. Annonymous, The correct word should have been "they're" sent out. Mellisa, It's not "your right." I think you meant to type "You're right." Your is a possessive determiner and you're is a contraction for you are. I've been told recently that this is a common mistake among the younger generation, but that doesn't make it correct nor acceptable. George A. Everding, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 39 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:19 am:    Anonymous posts, whether spelled with one or two n’s, are NEITHER right NOR acceptable. It doesn’t make it [EITHER] right OR acceptable. Let he or she who is without grammatical fault cast the first anonymous stone, eh? Anonymous   Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 11:31 am:    Right on, George! It is a shame that correct grammatical structure has gone the way of the Dodo bird. Brett M. Wilbur Senior Member Username: brett Post Number: 42 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 11:41 am:    Actually it seems more of a shame that a wonderful place like 4specs to share information and experience has gone the way of trite derision. Why hide, come out and play. Anoymous (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:49 am:    This may be the first post in this thread to spell 'anonymous' with one n. There does appear to be one with three n's that George overlooked. Does the exam really have this much emphasis on grammar? Anne Whitacre, CCS CSI Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 211 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 12:17 pm:    as a note: exam results are being sent out today, June 10. George A. Everding, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 40 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 12:20 pm:    Three thoughts… 1. I just reread the thread, and guess what? I found grammar, spelling and punctuation errors in 12 of the previous posts, including my own. Sure, in the grand scheme of things, grammatical issues are not all that important. But, clear and correct specification grammar contributes to clear and correct specifications. We all can do a better job at it. 2. Anonymous posts become annoying, regardless of the quantity of n’s, when they “go the way of derision”. Please, let’s reserve anonymity for the occasions where we need to protect against revealing client or company confidentiality. And 3, back on point to the discussion… thank you Anne! Good luck to everyone waiting for Monday's mail. Helaine K. Robinson CCS Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 162 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 12:21 pm:    Just received this email from Institute: Dear Chapter and Region Certification Chairs, CSI will be releasing the April 2nd exam grades today. Thomson-Prometric, CSI's testing vendor, will be mailing letters directly to each candidate notifying them of their score. Letters will also include a feedback report indicating how candidates performed on each portion of the exam. A sample is attached for your reference. Please note that CSI does not release grades by phone, fax or email. We will be updating the Chapter Leaders Toolbox reports, candidate suffixes and issuing certificates to successful candidates shortly. We will be in touch again as soon as these items have been completed. As many of you know, the grading process was slightly extended this year. This is primarily due to new quality control steps CSI and Thomas-Prometric put in place in early April. We thank you all for your patience. Should you have any questions, please contact me at lcarmichael@csinet.org or 800-689-2900, x. 4749. Thank you, LaTonya Carmichael LaTonya Carmichael Professional Development Coordinator The Construction Specifications Institute 800-689-2900 x4749 703-706-4749 - tel 703-684-8436 - fax www.csinet.org Get a bigger bang for your buck! Join CSI and get your membership AND MasterFormat 2004 Edition for just $275. Visit www.csinet.org/joincsi. CSI dues will increase July 1, so hurry. Offer good through June 30, 2005. Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wyancey Post Number: 24 Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 12:29 pm:    a.non'y.mous - Webster's New World Speller/Divider. Conversational English is creeping into our everyday writing. It sounds correct when it comes out of our mouths, but it does not translate well on paper. Some of my favorites are "gotten", boughten", and "accrossed". Wayne (stepping off his soap box) Robert E. Woodburn Senior Member Username: bwoodburn Post Number: 37 Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 12:48 pm:    I believe the proper misspelling is "acrost"... George A. Everding, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 41 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 12:56 pm:    My favorite grammatical construction is “hedda hadda boughta”, by Dizzy Dean, former baseball broadcaster. When the fielder chased the foul ball that just went into the seats, Diz would say “Hedda hadda boughta ticket if he was gonna catch that ball, folks.” (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 03:13 pm:    Dearest Annoying, If I knew that George Carlin, "King of the English Language" and "Master of the Specification World" was watching this very discussion group, I would have done my best to please you, oh great one. I promise, I will never in no way no how ever post anything without getting prior approval from you, since you obviously have the time and inclination to look over everyones misdeeds besides your own. Please, please do not hit me over the head with a dictionary. (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 04:21 pm:    I suggest we start a new thread for grammarical humor and/or debates. Meanwhile, go to http://www.jefffoxworthy.com/media/ and click on "You might be a Redneck If - Words in the South". One of my favorties is wijadija: "You didn't bring your truck wijadija?" Does anyone know if those of us who took the exam on April 19 in Chicago will receive our results at the same time? Helaine K. Robinson CCS Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 171 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 03:49 pm:    Some of our Cincinnati candidates received their letters today - hopefully the rest will find their letters when they get home. If those letters went out last Friday they must have gone by tortoise mail. Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, MAI, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 03:59 pm:    The Little Rock Arkansas Chapter has starting getting in their results by mail. Brett M. Wilbur Senior Member Username: brett Post Number: 43 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 03:59 pm:    I received my results yesterday, I passed my CDT. I got 95 out of 100. Woo hoo! Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, MAI, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 20 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 04:19 pm:    Brett that is great! Congrats! Now when someone asks if you think your perfect you can say YES I AM; 95 out of 100, WOW! Awesome job! Brett M. Wilbur Senior Member Username: brett Post Number: 44 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 05:33 pm:    Thanks Melissa. Actually I was upset. I'm a bit of an over-acheiver. But far from perfect. :o) Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, MAI, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 21 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 05:40 pm:    Over Achiever? What? What is that? Let you in on a secret --- I bet you are among a lot of us which strive to always put our best foot forward; whatever we work on for CSI, because CSI means something to us all and so we over achieve to make sure it is done right the first time! Right you all? ;)= Again, Congrats! Don't shoot me, I am southern so sometimes my southern slang ends up in my text. Ha. Ha. : ) Chris Grimm, RLA, MAI, CDT! (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 04:37 pm:    The rumors are true! You may find out sooner than the mail by checking your credentials on the csi website. I have not gotten anything in the mail yet, but I see the letters CDT on my csinet page now. Do I drop the CSI from my list of letters after my name now, and just replace it with CDT? Ronald L. Geren, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 175 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 05:57 pm:    No, keep the CSI. Not all CDTs (including some CCCAs and CCSs) are CSI members. Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, MAI, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 22 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 05:57 pm:    Chris Grimm, RLA, CSI, CDT, MAI or something like that, depending on the organization you talk to on what comes first behind your name! Congrats! Steven T. Lawrey, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: lawrey Post Number: 20 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 01:14 pm:    My personal preference is to list CDT, CCS, etc. before the CSI designation because they were earned. Steven Lawrey, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI Congrats to the 700 plus individuals who passed their exams. Steven T. Lawrey, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI Senior Member Username: lawrey Post Number: 21 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 01:25 pm:    Oops! The display name in my previous post reflects a different order. I stand corrected. David R. Combs, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: davidcombs Post Number: 64 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 - 11:34 am:    Per Institute policy / guidelines, CSI is first, followed by the credentials. If there are multiple credentials, then CCS should be the first of those (essentially, its based on the order in which the particular certification was introduced: CCS, CCCA, then CCPR). Congratulations, All!