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Walter & Group...
[GH] This morning I received a message from Rick Brown. I have Rick's permission to share.
Rick relates his experience in taking the CCI exam which I thought is worth reading.
His second exam was much longer than usual because of many additional questions and tasks which were added to the standard format.
Once in a while, I do the same thing when hosting a CCI exam .... but only when I recognize an exceptionally well prepared candidate.
When I do that, I realize that I cannot flunk the candidate if he cannot answer the additional questions and tasks since they were not actually on the standard test.
I withstand criticism for doing this by realizing that this method goes a long way to help motivate an outstanding CCI candidate to take the journey through Master certification and beyond.
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Gordy, several of us in Al's group have posted their impressions and advice relating to the CCI test. I thought that you might find the variation between my two tests interesting.
Rick
My first test in New Braunfels went like this:
I thought the written portion was ridiculously easy. But you must be fairly well read and the best book for that preparation would be Gary Borger's, Presentation. If you only read one book, this would have to be it. After that, Joan Wulff's Fly Casting Techniques, Mell Krieger's, Essence. Sheila Hassan or Al Kyte's books are equal for techniques. Sheila's book is designed around the CCI test. There are plenty of other good ones, depending on how deep you want to go,
I took the practical portion of the test with a BOG. The entire test took probably 40 minutes. He wanted short answers and almost nothing but short answers. "A loaded rod is a bent rod'' and nothing more. Even though I accomplished all the tasks, I failed because my back loops and my forward cast loops were not the same. (my back cast loops were far too open) I agree 100% with his decision not to pass me.
Saturday I took the test again at Mountain Home.
You do not have to take the written portion again or pay an additional fee if you re-test within a year. This time I tested with a Master and a BOG. The test took almost 2.5 hours. I told them that I would keep my mouth shut for the first 17 questions, but I would be happy to answer any questions that they had. Well, they hammered me on almost every question. They not only asked "how'' they asked "why.'' For the reach mend question they wanted me to do it slipping line and not slipping line and what was the practical difference. After I did the pile cast they asked if I could do it another way, I could and did a check haul which is a n easy mend but a little more impressive than wiggling your rod tip. These are just examples.
The second half, "Instructing Ability" was even more interesting. Not only did I answer the questions on the test, but they would say ''you did that fine'' but here is a "bonus" or an "extra credit" question. They might want an oral answer or a demonstration of a different way to accomplish the task.
It was pretty obvious that things were going well for me. The answer to the last question about wind coming from the casting side is the normal off shoulder answer. But they were on a roll and wanted to see it done 4 more ways including left handed, back cast presentation, elliptical and Galway..
In all honesty, I knew the material and I really enjoyed the test. The Master and the BOG were congenial, helpful and fun to work with. I would do it again tomorrow.
So here is the advice:
BE PREPARED for multiple situations. Do not use canned answers. Have a positive attitude. Engage the Master in the process whenever possible. Do not complain about the weather; they already know it is windy, cold,hot, rainy etc. Rehearse your answers orally, talk yourself through the test. Lastly, DO NOT quote anyone.
Good luck,
Rick Brown
CCI
[GH] As most of you know, there has been a recent thrust in the direction of making the exams at all levels more standard and consistent with minimal subjectivity.
I see this as much easier to do with the CCI exam than the MCI test where there is such a large body of knowledge to cover and where the overriding final consideration remains: "Would this candidate be a true Master Instructor ".
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