“Can you tell me how to take my programming exam for me?” This is a question that I hear quite often as well. The truth is, I can only speak to the experiences of students who have actually taken computer-based tests. Because the format of these tests varies from one computer school to another, it is impossible for me to give any advice to aspiring computer students about how to take their exams. What I will offer, however, is a few suggestions about what they should know before even thinking about taking a computer-based test.
Before even starting to think about taking a test, students should make sure they understand the types of questions that may appear on the exam. There are a number of different kinds of tests out there. Most computer-based tests are either regression tests or decision trees. Regression exams ask you to generate a series of random numbers (for example, the lottery) and examine how those numbers fit together. These questions are designed to test the students computer-programming knowledge.
Decision trees are a bit harder to understand than regression tests, but are designed to test your ability to problem-solve and organize data. These types of tests require students to create a tree from a series of arbitrary data points. The test will then show how each piece of data fits in with the rest of the tree. It is important, when looking at an exam from such a source, to remember that the creator of the tree is just as qualified as the person who will be grading the exam. If possible, ask to see the entire source code of the tree.
Once students have understood the kinds of questions they will face on a programming exam, they can start looking into where they might find the appropriate testing materials. It should go without saying, but it is absolutely essential that the student use a textbook that has a test-focused format. This is especially true if the student plans to take the software development certification exam. Test prep materials should not focus on teaching the basics of programming. Rather, they should provide comprehensive instruction in areas where the exam will likely come in handy, such as testing the knowledge of understanding and specification of source code.
Students also need to make sure they understand the distinction between testing tools and utility programs. Test tools are those that facilitate testing, while utility programs are those that facilitate the administration of the examination. In other words, a utility program is useful for the student who will take the exam, while a test tool is required to administer it. By avoiding these types of tools, the test-taking experience can become much more manageable.
The Internet is one of the best places for finding free tutorials on how to take a programming exam. However, there are also a number of websites that charge a fee for such instruction. Before someone decides to pay for online tutorial material, however, it is important for him or her to consider how much time it will save them to simply take the test. As long as the material is properly presented, a student can certainly get by with paying for a tutorial book instead of using the Internet.
Once all the necessary preparations have been made, it will be time to start preparing for the Programming test. Before taking an examination, it is important for a programmer to know the format in which he or she will have to answer questions. If possible, it would be even better if a test-taker can use a computer program that will show him or her which questions to answer, the type of answers, and how much he or she should provide. This will greatly help him or her prepare for the examination.
