Answer from Sun on New Exam---61% passing score

Here is from the e-mail I got from Sun's Troia Parson [Troia.Parson@central.sun.com]:
Hello,
October 4 2000 (is the date to start new test---added by VW)
Frequently Asked Questions for Revised Programmer 2 exam.

Q-Are the testing objectives different?
A- No. There may be some minor revisions for clarification but the testing
objectives will remain basically the same. We are still testing the same subject
matter
Q-Does the new exam cover the jdk 1.3?
A-There are no changes to the core programming language that we test on the
programmer exam.
Q-Is the new exam more difficult?
A-We have made every effort to keep the level of difficulty consistent with the
original Java 2 exam.

Q-Why is the pass score different?
A-To insure the level of difficulty is the same we needed to adjust the pass
score for the revised exam.

Q-What is a Borderline Survey?
A-There is now a survey at the beginning of the exam called a Borderline. This
survey allows us to collect information on the candidate's experience as a
programmer. That information is used to determine how are exams are performing.
In short, it allows us to create and maintain the highest standard in our
examinations. Giving honest answers to this survey is essential.
Q- What are the new Certification requirements?
A-Certification requirements - Candidates must take one knowledge-based exam:
Prometric test number:
310-025
Exam type:
Multiple choice/Free Response
Number of questions:
59
Passing score:
61%
Pre-requisites:
None
Time limit:
90 minutes
Recommended price:
$150.00

This revision of the Sun Certified Programmer for Java 2 Platform does not
require an upgrade for candidates who have already certified for Java 2. The
subject matter tested on the examination has not changed. The candidate's taking
the revised exam will received the exact same credential as those
certified on the original Java 2 exam.
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>

********** Certification Customers **********
Sun Educational Services offers a variety
of tools to help you in your career.
By logging on to our Certification
database, you can find grades for the
examiniations you have taken; confirm
or update your address, email, phone number;
track your certification progress,
and submit questions to the Sun
Educational Certification department
from this location.
This assistance is avalilable
online at [URL=http://www.galton.com/~sun.]www.galton.com/~sun
Your emails will be responded to as
quickly as possible, sending additional
emails to us throughthe database, or by
any other alias is not necessary.
**********Certification Customers **********

[This message has been edited by maha anna (edited September 26, 2000).]

Passing score is a 61%??? From reading the FAQ for the new test, it seems like it is equivalent (in substance) to the old test, so I wonder why the passing score dropped 10%.
Regards,
SP

Maybe they want more people to pass the exam?
Maybe the exam has more questions on IO streams and sockets?
The beta exam maybe was more difficult and they want the pass
to fail ratio the same with the reg. java 1.2 and 1.1 and 1.0
tests?

Or It maybe a combo of all 3 ?
Has anyone taken a 1.1 or 1.2 test and has also taken the
beta a month or 2 ago and what do you think?

Originally posted by Stephen Pride:
so I wonder why the passing score dropped 10%.
SP

SP:
Not sure if this cought your attn.
Time Limit: 90 mins. vs the 120 min for the old test.
Regds.

- satya

Thanks for the info and a special one to Madhav Lakkapragada to spot that time limit.
Thanks for the info once again

Actually, I did catch the time limit thinking that it may be the lone contributor. However, after taking about 20 mock exams thus far and using (usually) about an hour to complete it, I figured it may have been only a small factor. But hey, if that is the only reason for the 10% drop in the passing score, I actually feel a little more relieved. ;-)
Regards,
SP