Free Sequence Green Belt

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 05/03/2008 18:04:48

We propose to let everybody take exams up to the green belt without contributing, through a free sequence of exams.

Read the document there:
http://www.javablackbelt.com/DocumentView.wwa?docId=6594604

What do you think ?
Is that a good idea ?
Would you make it different ?

John

That's a good idea. But I wonder if XML Core - Basic should be there. In my opinion Java 5 New Language Features or JDBC - Basic would be better.

This is a very goog idea. But I a agree with Chinh about the XLM Core Exam. I think Java 5 New Language Features or JDBC - Basic would be better.

Meissa

Good idea but I don't think it would make a big difference in questions quality.

I think that the real problem is that new users author new questions just to win contribution points. So they don't really think about the quality of their questions. Maybe that a better description of the exams objectives could help.

I don't know which solution can be found about that, but if I've an idea I will post it.

Good idea but I don't think it would make a big difference in questions quality

Hi Nicolas,

I agree with you: other things need to be done. I've written a 80 page document about that but we decided it's more efficient to debate with the community sub-topic per sub-topic.
The next one will be the moderation process. I'll post a news on this.

John.

In this case, I will look forward to your post about the moderation process.

After all, allowing members to reach the green belt without participating is a good thing. It might give to some members the desire to continue further and thus to post their own questions.

I agree it is a good idea. I'd be ok with either XML or Java 5 as the last one. Since that exam doesn't free up another free exam, the slot isn't as critical.

I think it is a good idea, but will those points that were already spent on free exam track be returned to those who already own the desired belt

? I personally do not insist on that, but I think it would be fair for old members.

If these topics are already fully stocked with questions, I think this is an appropriate idea, however, has passing the exam before being given permission to author questions in that particular section been proposed? Obviously, this would not work on sections in which the exam is not yet completed, but this would work well with the current proposal, that is you would first have to demonstrate proficiency with the basics of Java before being allowed to author questions on advanced topics. This may be an imposition on some current authors; I'm not sure.

will those points that were already spent on free exam track be returned to those who already own the desired belt

Andrey, I don't think so.
Most have not taken the exams in that exact sequence, so spending their points gave them additional freedom.
But I understand the feeling. If some think they'd have points back, I propose that they post a thread in the forum and an admin may manually give some.

has passing the exam before being given permission to author questions in that particular section been proposed?

Daniel,
We have another feature in our backlog which we name "adaptive privileges". Contributions features (vote, edit, create,...) would not be allowed for beginners. At some level (belt, contribution point, quality factor) they would progressively get access to these features. I'll include your idea in the document. I'll post a thread to discuss this feature later (after a thread about the moderation process).

John.

has passing the exam before being given permission to author questions in that particular section been proposed?

I think this option has to be considered. I also think of those exams whose top contributors havent not passed the related exam yet.

In general, the process of contributing is not restrictif enough.

Meissa

I think this is a good idea, and it addresses real problems with question quality and quantity (too many low quality questions in the basic exams).

I wouldn't be so concerned about cheaters, though. As it is now, users can take practice exams with a sample of real questions. I don't see that taking the free exams with fake users gives them much advantage.

If it is to be the beginning, what about UML or Algorithms instead of XML or JDBC?

I don't know how is JBB seen elsewhere but here in Brazil it lacks of visibility a little bit. This measure would also improve JBB visibility, spreading it around quickly.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 28/03/2008 01:01:11

Do I think it's a good idea? As a newcomer I await the implementation if this proposal is given a green light.

I'm not just new to this site, I'm also relatively new to Java programming. These exams are harder than I expected and often feel like "trick" questions, due to my inexperience. I had to take the first two exams multiple times to pass, so I'm looking at an actual cost per exam of 3 or 4 times the listed contribution price because I don't know what I need to work on until I complete an exam and see the results. Unfortunately, this phenomenon translates to more questions contributed by the least experienced programmers.

I don't see how creating a second account to cheat the system helps toward the point cost, but it would get around the 15 day wait for a re-take. Personally, I don't feel the need to do that, 15 days of practicing the concepts is tolerable.

Another thing that would be nice is if people could re-take exams they have already passed once every 15 or 20 days. If I just barely pass a test I'd love to be able to go back every month or so to re-evaluate what I need to work on, to help me truly master the material. A 2 or 3 week cool-down between re-takes would prevent people from easily farming all the questions in the database.

If the free track to a green belt idea is approved, any idea on how soon it would be implemented?