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Mock Exam Setbacks

 
Greenhorn
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I have been taking mock exams for a while now and I have noticed that my scores have gone down over the last couple of days. My test day is Tuesday and I am getting scared.
I feel like every new test I take is bringing up a new topic that I did not cover thoroughly enough.
Should I just take a couple of days off even though my exam is on Tuesday. I want to continue reviewing so bad, but my mock exam scores are heading in the 60 percentile which is very bad.
I just need some advise from folks who have already taken the test.
 
Ranch Hand
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I think the reason why your test scores are going down is because you're not analyzing the questions thoroughly anymore. I've had that same problem too when taking mock exams, especially when retaking some of them. The 'oh I already know this' trap can cause you to miss out on some questions you should have gotten right.
My advice is to analyze each question in detail, from every angle you can think of. Write down intermediate values of variables, trace method execution with a pencil, etc. Be 100% sure of your answers you put in (if not, then narrow the options down and make an educated guess), and always double-check. Your scores should rise to a (somewhat) constant level, and if you're taking mocks with similar difficulty as the real exam, you'll be able to gauge if you're ready or not.
On a related note, how do you guys feel about changing answers in an exam? Like when you put in an answer, then when double-checking you begin to doubt your first choice? Especially when you've narrowed the options down to 2 and debating on which is the correct one...
 
Author & Gold Digger
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Another thing that may decrease your stress factor is not to schedule the test until you think you are ready...
 
Shawntelle Coker
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I thought I was ready when I was getting mock exam scores of 70-80s. But now things do not look so good. My husband says my new baby is not helping and that I do not use a very good study environment.
Yes, I think I need to find a quieter place and really focus on the questions. I have been getting sloppy as I have been taking more mock exams.
 
Valentin Crettaz
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That's right!
Just remember to read AND understand the meaning of each and every word of the question and answers. Failing to do that often results in choosing the wrong answer.
Good luck anyway
 
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Just a quick question to those who have already
taken this test: Is there enough time for detail
work-out on each question?
Thanks
Barkat
 
Barkat Mardhani
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And Good Luck Shawntelle.
I found that trying ( I stress TRYING ) to solve the problems posted in
this forum, gave me a good exposure. Secondly,
some mock exams are much more difficult than others.
So score are not directly compareable.
 
Paul Villangca
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2 hours for 59 (61 for 1.4?) questions ~ 2 minutes per question. I think that's more than enough time for the exam. If you find a question difficult, just skip it and return to it later if you have the time, the questions are (semi-) randomly placed, anyway.
 
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I spent 1 hour and 20 minutes answering all the questions, 30 more minutes reviewing my answers, and still had 10 minutes left over when I decided that I was finished.
 
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Shawntelle,
My mock exams are very difficult. A person that is working through an exam study guide chapter-by-chapter can use my single topic exams to verify their understanding of a particular chapter in the book.
My comprehensive exams will usually produce a score that is lower than what you would get on the real exam. For that reason, it is better to use my exams early in your study process and use other mock exams during the last week before you take the real exam.
 
Shawntelle Coker
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Thank Dan, Ron, Paul, and Barkat. I have had some sleep to think over what I have been doing wrong. It was pretty frustrating to see my scores go down just when I am heading into the home stretch.
I have been taking some of your exams Dan. I have not been doing as well as desired. Also I have used several mock exams on other web sites and my scores are all over the place. What mock exams are best right before you take the exam then?
 
Barkat Mardhani
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Hi Paul, Ron:
2 minutes per question seems little struggle to
me at this time, especially when you have to
digest 15 + lines of code, work through the flow,
look for hidden traps etc.
 
Dan Chisholm
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Originally posted by Shawntelle Coker:
Thank Dan, Ron, Paul, and Barkat. I have had some sleep to think over what I have been doing wrong. It was pretty frustrating to see my scores go down just when I am heading into the home stretch.
I have been taking some of your exams Dan. I have not been doing as well as desired. Also I have used several mock exams on other web sites and my scores are all over the place. What mock exams are best right before you take the exam then?


Have you tried the exams by Marcus Green?
The question of which mock exam most closely represents the real exam has been frequently discussed here. Try doing a search on "Marcus Green"
You should also take a look at the "Sun Certification Results" discussion. People often give their opinions on which mock exam was most like the real exam.
 
Paul Villangca
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Originally posted by Barkat Mardhani:
Hi Paul, Ron:
2 minutes per question seems little struggle to
me at this time, especially when you have to
digest 15 + lines of code, work through the flow,
look for hidden traps etc.


That's just on the average. Not all of the questions have lines of code in them (though the majority of them do.) There are about 10-20 questions that don't ask you to analyze code - these should be answered pretty quickly, giving you more time for those verbose questions.
 
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