CLD exam- Last minute tips?

[JÞB]

YIPEE! I'm finally scheduled for the CLD! Monday July 12th

Yes, I've read all the prep material and NO, I'm not nervious    BUT, tips you think "put you over the edge" are appreciated.

My plan: (and constructive criticism IS BEING encouraged)

Total exam = 4 Hrs MAX times expected for each step shown

1. 0.2 Hrs Set-up IDE options
2. 0.3 Hrs Note requirements- generalize architechure-
3. 1.0 Hrs Define controls and Main.vi FP (encluduing documentaion of Main and sub-vi's)

Leaving me with 2.5hrs

4. 0.5-1.0 Hrs Shell code all sub-vis (Documentation first!)

5. 1.0-1.5 Develop code to plan

Hopefully this leaves at least 1/2 HR to review, test, and add "outside" the spec growth comments.

Big ?: I had assumed a Build would be the deliverable HOWEVER, the test guide never mentions deliverables other than a DISC- So what advice do you have on a build spec?

Second big ?:   Test prep materials and guides are silient on "VI Properties" other than "VI Documentation."  Have you had experience with points being deducted for improper Windows appearance or Windows execution settings?

Again, any input is appreciated!

[Ben]

No build required.

Just the source code along with documentation.

Ben

[Darin.K]

I wouldn't worry, I have no doubt that you are certifiable...

[JÞB]

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@Darin.K wrote:

I wouldn't worry, I have no doubt that you are certifiable...

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Somehow- that makes me feel confident. 

[LV_Pro]

Ok, hopefully it went well!?

[JÞB]

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@LV_Pro wrote:

Ok, hopefully it went well!?

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Not exactly well,  I admit I was very time crunched!  In fact, I was somewhat startled by the scope of the objective and the level of detail in its requirements.  Relection showed me that the exam appeared specifically engineered to force the examinee to use some creativity to overcome drastic design pitfalls (Modular design would require some sub-vis to respond to UI input.)  I would not have caused such a requirement UNLESS I had a specific X-control "in-hand."

All said and done, I did manage to meet my objectives except fleshing out all of the states of the program.  I believe my investment in documentation first (although Schetchier than my norm) and my commitment to design style were well worth the time penalty.  While I won't brag that the exam was an unqualified success, I believe I showed a good modular and cohesive design that documented clearly a valid aproach to meet the requirements.  Perhaps, I pushed the limit on what could actually be executed in 4 hrs- but I'll stand behind my decision to write maintainable and scaleable code.  If it costs me my CLD on the first pass I'll take the hit (with some salt in my wounds) and urge quality over quantity all day.  Still, it rankles just a bit to be resource constrained.  Had I revised the spec to enable use of a user prompt, the execution time would have been greatly reduced.  But, as I said, the exam appears engineered to discover what level of mastery the examinee hold- so, my respects to the test generation team!

[LV_Pro]

Well we will keep our fingers crossed for you! Yes, it is a very time constrained test, a close friend of mine, and excellent and experienced LabVIEWer sat the exam when I did and didn't make it. In his case a large portion was due to us taking it during the version 6.x - 7.x, where the default look and feel settings for the environment changed, and he neither was aware of the ability to change 7.x to the "traditional" palettes. He spent too much time just looking for the components that he needed, not to mention the additional stress distracting him from the task. Not sure if he retook it, but he still is LabVIEWing.  

Once again, Good Luck!

[JÞB]

Second try yesterday-

Knowing what to expect and the experience gain from the first attempt paid off BIG.  I beleive you'll all see a n upgrade in my signature block soon

Thanks for the advice and support

[Islandman]

Your description of the exam scares me; how does the actual exam compare to the practice exams (Car Wash, Alarm, etc.)?

 More complicated, or about the same?

[JÞB]

The exams I've taken seem geared to discover the level of familiarity you have with LabVIEW.  As a whole, the Practice exams lack some of the directed clarity the live exams contain.  If you can create a base archetechure, manage file IO, apply the style guide and know how to control GObject properties you will do well.  BUT, make no mistake, the exam is intentionally difficult and you will have detailed specifications to meet.  The Practice exams have general discriptions.

On the plus side- Forum participation netted me some experience that I would not have otherwise had - not to mention good familiarity looking at the help to answer questions.   I'd never used a combo-box control before my last exam.  Probably never will again - but I know how to search a pallatte to find it if I do