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Walter & Group...
Question from Mike Heritage:
Hi Gordy
With regard to the distance task I have heard, from more than one candidate (MCI and CCI), that after they had made the cast successfully down wind they were asked to do it again into the wind. To my mind they have completed the task and to be asked to do it again, with the probability of failure even into a slight breeze, is putting unnecessary pressure on the candidate. They were not told this was outside the test and believed they had to make the cast to pass the task. Is this commonplace?
Mike
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[GH] Mike,
It would likely only happen (rarely) on a CCI exam if the candidate was exceptionally well qualified, in my experience.
On the Master's exam, the examining team tries to explore the depths of the candidate's knowledge and abilities. To that end, they not infrequently ask the candidate to make casts beyond the scope of the actual exam.
When examiners do that, they should make it clear that since these requests are beyond the stated requirements, failure to accomplish them may not be used to flunk.
Occasionally, a candidate can boost his chances of passing if his performance has been satisfactory, but not sterling, by accomplishing one or two additional "tasks" requested by the examiners even though they are not formally required.
My own practice is to avoid doing this when I sense a candidate who is quite apprehensive or gives the appearance of being pressured. Putting it another way, I only do it when I'm keenly aware that I'm blessed with one who is obviously relaxed and confident.
One exception....Sometimes I'll have a candidate do a cast not listed on the exam strictly because I know he can do it well. This can help defuse a tense situation.
The very LAST thing I want is a candidate who flunks strictly because of apprehension. To that end, I do everything I can to make my exam as relaxing as possible. Over the years, I have learned many tricks from Tom White and other very experienced examiners to be effective in relaxing a candidate. I think that is one of the most important things budding examiners should learn.
Once in a while, I'll run across an exceptionally well prepared and competent candidate who passes each task with ease. When that happens, and time permits, I'll give him several other "tasks" to test his abilities even further, after making it clear that failure to perform them will not affect his passing in any way.
When we do that, we sometimes learn from our exceptional candidate !
Gordy
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