Mecp Master Installer Test= Bullshit

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

Amen, I was on the MCSE/CCNA track several years back and gave up as the company I work for didn't really require it. Final straw was a new hire who had both certs and was working on another one who came to me for help doing her basic networking homework //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif I realized then they were pretty much useless. .

yep ive seen that countless times. People get hired because they have the cert but could barely understand basic routing pricinpals. Even when I read the study guides for the MCSE/CCNA I want to cut my wrists //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif Maybe its because im smart enough to know the tests are worthless so I cant apply myself to consume and retain bullshit //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif I find dumber people can do it easier //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

yep ive seen that countless times. People get hired because they have the cert but could barely understand basic routing pricinpals. Even when I read the study guides for the MCSE/CCNA I want to cut my wrists //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif Maybe its because im smart enough to know the tests are worthless so I cant apply myself to consume and retain bullshit //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif I find dumber people can do it easier //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

AMEN, couldn't have said it better. Probably another reason I'm ready to get out of IT besides the constant outsourcing crap...

 

[80INCHES 5,000+ posts]

if you think the MECP has some irrelevent shit in it, trying taking the MCSE or CCNA //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

i know exactly wat u mean

they dont have to go that far try taking the a+ certifecation test or even c++ test that will slightly rattle the brain alittle

80

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

Try coding a website in Java and the old version of the Struts framework and trying to implement AJAX on it.

...Just thought I'd throw it out there

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

AMEN, couldn't have said it better. Probably another reason I'm ready to get out of IT besides the constant outsourcing crap...

you should move to the goverment sector for IT. That way your job is permenant and you dont do shit all day.

 

[starkfu 10+ year member]

I feel your pain, same thing happened to me on the advanced test, failed twice with a 69%, but passed on the third - so go again!!

 

[12VoltInstaller 10+ year member]

You only figured out you need to learn how to design a Zobel network after taking the test twice?
Can you fill up the times on one hand you have had to design a Zobel?

Well the first time I took it...Zobel wasnt a new thing....I just didnt know how to calculate the formula from the hip. This time....I guess I didnt expect it being int there...reading the style of curriculum in the new Study Guide...(I know...the study guide isnt the only reference manual) But I definately was getting the temperature of the test questions (so I thought). It is fairly up to date stuff........even some stuff I had not heard of yet...so that was exciting... I just didnt think that there would be all the types of questions on there like they were....Guess you gotta know it before you get it.

I still want it to be a valuable asset once I pass it....I just dont think that it wholly gives the applicant the ability to show what his up to date presence in the industry is....and unfortunately... one of you was right....the pay in the industry just isnt what it used to be....so on to owning a shop and getting on TV is next huh?...I guess I'll start headding down the rabbit hole....I guess we'll see what happens if I take that left at Albuquerque //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/escape.gif.52b661afb17bde1db0e0c7da97e75b38.gif... oh yeah and keep studying....

PS....check this Zobel Diagram out.....

http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/ece4445/downloads/zobel.pdf

seriously.... Yeah it works...Im not denying it.... But could you design one on the fly? You can see why I didnt choose to retain its working formulas....when do we apply that?

I dont design crossover networks in a shop... most of the installers on this planet dont either....the customer buys the speakers with the pre-designed x-overs cuz those are the ones he likes the sound of in the sound room.

I didnt take a test to become certified passive xover man....its important...but not to design them from scratch.... its just not how we apply our profession these days..... the old slam the keys down and whack the paper with an ink'd armature is gone.... morse code......the phonograph.... tin can and a string.... am I getting through?

 

[12VoltInstaller 10+ year member]

I feel your pain, same thing happened to me on the advanced test, failed twice with a 69%, but passed on the third - so go again!!

Thanks...this is some of the best encouragement yet....I have been thinking this since I took it...and your right!

 

[audiobahnuser18 5,000+ posts]

You don't need a test though to tell how you just love enjoying what you do .//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif but certified always a nice thing lol.

 

[thch 10+ year member]

reminds me of every technician v engineer v scientist plot.

The technician only does practical things. as such, only the newest, shiniest things and most popular things are relevent.

The engineer designs practical things. as such there is no need to know how to install the new shiny things (a technician can do that!), just how to design them. And that means only things that can work really matter.

The scientist thinks up things. No need to make any practical designs (an engineer can do that!).

I guess the MECP master's level is intended to place the certificate holder in more of an engineering role. practical design with knowledge of underlying theory. My guess is an MECP Master would do significantly more design work and work on custom installs, possibly guiding the lower level technicians as needed?

 

[12VoltInstaller 10+ year member]

I like where your going with that.

A Master level Technician in the Automotive world is expected to know many more things, have a wider scope and broader knowledge base to take on new challenges every day.... no one has worked on every car out there...and if he does exist...teach me!

Being not only the lead technician in your shop if not in your area with most if not all the answers (or know where to get them), a Master Tech must be able to think up, design and be able to physically apply them as well....

I see that role requiring all 3 of your scenarios.... Technician, Engineer, and Scientist all in one. = (Master)

We need to have the ability to listen to the customer, decipher their wants, make suggestions on applicable products negotiate a price for materials and labor the customer will pay before the job is even fully decided upon in most cases at their trunk in some cases too....have a working knowledge of the available materials needed to make the installation complete....wood metal plastics, fabrics, adhesives ect.... and where to get those at a reasonable price as well.

Now on to the tools we need.... I wont even go that far....we need tools from all walks of fabrication to perform our tasks....an oscilloscope is one of the last things if ever one of the things that is in the majority of installation shops.... Dealerships know what scopes they need from their manufacturers... we pick and choose our tools from the depth of knowledge we posess to be able to use and choose the tools we can give ourselves access to, to be able to perform these tasks.... alot bigger task than most can cleanly complete without a 2nd mortgage on their house.....or owing the snap on guy for the rest of your life...

The test doesn't reflect any of this so far....

In my recent experience with the test... it only chooses to test your academic knowledge of electronic theory. Unfortunately I dont think it tests your capacity to be a Master Level Installation Technician....

I think it tests if you could be a basic level electrical engineer without all the expensive school....//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/graduate.gif.d982460be9f153bb54e5d4cb744f6ae8.gif

taking it for a 3rd time will be getting expensive though....

any thoughts?

 

[starkfu 10+ year member]

I am an electrical engineer and a advanced installation specialist, have 8 years experience and highly doubt I could pass it.

I think it doesn't so much deal with engineering as does applying. You need to be able to give an answer to any question and then explain why that is true (i fail at the true part, I usually know the right answer, but through tribal knowledge). That is what I get out of it, my old boss took and failed it twice, then gave up.

KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!!!

 

[12VoltInstaller 10+ year member]

bump....

 

[crx4luke 10+ year member]

My thought on the master cert, as well as the whole MECP is that it doesn't make you a better installer. I had my basic cert, but I let it lapse because I didn't really see the need to get it again, or get the advanced. I'll probably get the advanced if i see the need but that would only be under one circumstance. If i was going to find a job somewhere else, and I saw that it would help me get the job, or start out at better pay. That's it.

Customers don't come in and ask if we're MECP certified. A majority don't even know what it is. We did hire a kid that was MECP certified. He went to the installer institute, and that was part of his training. He was still completely green as an installer, but he did know basic theory. I didn't have to tell him how to wire up two DVC subs, or how a relay worked.

I'd say that since you're so far along, and have already taken it twice, then you might as well take it again and pass the hell out of it. You already know what is on it, and you have a better idea of what to study, and what to look into further. The only thing getting the certification is going to hurt is your pocket, from taking it three times. When people ask if you're a good installer, you can look them in the eye and say " I'm a master!" But in all seriousness i'd take it again just to prove to myself that I wouldn't let some test beat me.

I kind of rambled, so i don't know if my thoughts are concise or not.

Good luck on the re-try though.

 

[12VoltInstaller 10+ year member]

Ok ....So does anyone in these threads have enough pull to mention this to someone that can do something about the test questions and how they apply to todays wants and needs to qualify a master tech of his compentency and applyable knowledge not just his theory and outdated subject matierials??