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Walter & Group...
[GH] I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM MORE OF YOU MASTERS ON YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN PREPARING FOR AND TAKING YOUR MCI EXAMS AS YOU ANSWER TONY LOADER'S THREE QUESTIONS .
The more responses we get the more it will help Tony and Brian in giving their course.
Question on the table, from Tony Loader :
1. What was the single most important thing that you did that was most helpful in preparing for the MCI test?
2. What was the one thing that you spent time doing that was not very helpful in preparing for the MCI test?
3. If you had to pick the one thing that gave you the most trouble on the test what would it be?
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Timothy Lawson answers :
Gordy and Tony,
1. I made a lot of “lists” and wrote them on 3x5” index cards (causes of tailing loops, change-of-direction casts, analogies for curing a floppy wrist, knots for tying fly to tippet, etc, etc). I carried the cards wherever I went and reviewed them whenever I had a chance.
2. Learning to tie a Bimini Twist
3. Fortunately not on the test, but I spent more time learning the vertical-to-horizontal cast, especially off-shoulder, than any other task.
Tim
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[GH] Tim,
I made cards as well. I called them my "algorithm cards". Some examples:
- List of all the different casts for winds onto the casting arm side (In order based on the wind strength).
- List of the various change of direction casts starting with the multiple false cast method used by novice fly fishers on to two 180 degree change of direc. casts and finishing with a (cool) change of direc. snap cast.
- List of various curve casts organized as to powered and underpowered to the left and right, ending with the "corkscrew curve cast ".
- Cards with lists of multiple tricks and methods for correcting numerous common casting faults.
Lots of others............
I used them over and over in the field as I practiced.
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[GH] From Dave Leger :
Hi Gordy,
1. Working with a very experienced Master/BOG over a 10 month time span on every task and all the sample questions.
As well as working the prior four years with experienced masters observing how they taught and teaching hundreds of students personally.
Strong mentorship is crucial I think for non-superman individuals like myself. We hear of some passing the MCI exam first try with little or no input but that is very very rare.
2. Studying entomology. Ha!
3.Controlling nervousness during the exam. The biggest challenge for even the most well prepared candidate, I think, is relaxing and just calmly delivering what has likely taken years of practice and study. Having several pretests with Masters helps a bit but on the big day all bets are off, and being big-time nervous is inevitable. So my feeling is, it is best to fully prepare for the first attempt but know that if a second attempt is needed it will be significantly easier to be yourself and deliver the goods. Most don't pass the first time. Being confident and having a professional delivery are big part of being a Master instructor, good skills and knowledge alone won't cut it.
Dave
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[GH] Dave,
Hard to beat having the luxury of being coached by a mentor as one prepares !
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[GH] From Bill Whitebread :
1. What was the single most important thing that you did that was most helpful in preparing for the MCI test?
Practice the performance test a lot. I ran through the test at least 5 times a week.
2. What was the one thing that you spent time doing that was not very helpful in preparing for the MCI test?
Trying to find help preparing for the test. There is no one in my area that knows anything about the testing procedure. That is except one, who was in the area several months during the year at which time we worked together. Other than him, there was no help within a three hour drive.
3. If you had to pick the one thing that gave you the most trouble on the test what would it be?
Keeping my composure. I sometimes have a problem when put on the spot and you are really on the spot while taking the test.
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[GH] Great advice from Sheila Hassan, though she has not yet directly answered Tony's 3 questions as to her own personal experience in preparing for and taking her exam :
Tony and Brian,
1) When I hold these classes I suggest that each person develop a personal action plan to identify their areas of weakness and strengths. Be sure to focus on what you do not know. Most people focus on what they already know because this is most comfortable. Be sure to include new teaching and fishing experiences.
2) Get outside your usual contacts. Pre test with a Master more than once and over the course of a year to 6 months.
3) Attend a conclave
sheila
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[GH] From Michael Gallart as he contemplates taking his MCI exam :
Hi Gordy,
I'm a CI, currently in my teaching years and prepping for MCI exam. I'd like to answer the question from the point of view of "doing" rather then "did" in preparing for MCI exam.
What was the single most important thing that you DO that IS most helpful in preparing for the MCI test?
Teaching CI candidates that are preparing for the test. They have more precise questions then New casters, They also have deeper casting faults that require more effort to identify and correct.
What was the one thing that you spent time doing that was not very helpful in preparing for the MCI test?
Reading posts on internet blogs ( bulletin boards, not Study Groups)
If you had to pick the one thing that you THINK will the most trouble on the test, what would it be?
You never know what it could be. I'd say act like you've been there before, be natural and treat the examiners like students who are genuinely seeking your knowledge.
Michael
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[GH] Michael,
It will be interesting to see how you answer the same questions after you have actually taken the exam. (My bet is that the answers will be different !
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[GH] Good question which will soon lead to an entire sub-topic from Mark Milkovitch :
Gordy,
While we are on the topic of MCI prep, I would appreciate any comments on making practice sessions more efficient and productive.
Thanks,
Mark Milkovich
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