Autocad - Professional exam question

[ponyman1969]

Hello,

 

I just took the exam and have a question about a text insertion point.

 

The question wanted you to draw a line from "Point A" to the text insertion point of some Mline text. I'm not exactly sure where the insertion point of Mline text is. Please help explain this. See my sheet with pictures.

 

Thank you.

 

TEST QUESTION.pdf

[RobDraw]

The insertion point is where the line snaps to when you use the insertion snap. I know that sounds redundant but it really is that simple.

 

That question was on a "Professional" exam? It's more suited for a quiz in the early phases of a beginners course.

[ponyman1969]

Thanks Rob. That was it. I've never used that snap.

 

Yes that was a question. I obviously missed that one, but now I know.

 

Also, perimeter of a open polyline was on the test twice. I missed those. I didn't know about the list command. I usually use the measure tool. Also, the view command. At least 5 questions required the view command.

[RobDraw]

Just curious. What exactly is this exam for? It sounds very simple for a professional exam.

[ponyman1969]

Its the Autocad Professional Certification Exam. The test is supplied from Autodesk but taken at different places across the country. The test cost $150 per each take and only 3 takes per year. If you fail 3 times you have to wait a year. The people I talk to say this is a very prestigious certificate and company's know that someone that has this cert knows what they are doing. The test was easy but hard all in one. Time is a very big factor. You just don't have enough time to do everything they ask and double check it. If you don't answer every question you fail the test. Also the instructions are written in a way to trick you. You have to pay very close to whats the test asks you to do. The whole thing has been very interesting experience.

[RobDraw]

I have heard of it but didn't realize that some of the questions were so simple. I've also heard that the wording can sometimes be a bit misleading.

[ReMark]

Is this a condition of employment where you work now or where you think you might like to apply for a job?

 

These certifications just verify you are a good test taker in my opinion and have little to do with whether or not you can create a well thought out drawing using CAD.

[RobDraw]

I agree ReMark, to a certain point. The certificate kind of guarantees a solid base knowledge of AutoCAD and not necessarily good drafting. In my office, there are quite a few people that couldn't create a simple drawing set, if their life depended on it, but they are still pretty good at the CADDing that they do. I, on the other hand, can create large drawing sets in my sleep.

[ReMark]

I just wish that before learning CAD people would take a drafting course or that good drafting techniques were taught along with the CAD. Maybe that's a better way of saying it?

 

Is there any financial incentive to getting an AutoCAD certification?

[RobDraw]

No incentive in my world, maybe if I plan on looking for a new job but I think my experience would outweigh anything a certificate would mean.

 

I took a year long, full time, AutoCAD course that started off teaching drafting standards and required purchasing hand drafting tools in order to do a residential house on the board.

[ReMark]

The same here. Architectural design and drafting at a tech school on Flatbush Avenue in West Hartford. I took the CAD equivalent at Tunxis Community College many years later. Used the same book (updated obviously) for both courses! It was by Jefferies and Madsen.

[RobDraw]

Porter and Chester, Enfield for me. Circa: 2000.

[TheCADnoob]

I just wish that before learning CAD people would take a drafting course or that good drafting techniques were taught along with the CAD. Maybe that's a better way of saying it?

 

Is there any financial incentive to getting an AutoCAD certification?

 

It really depends on the company hiring, but My recent experience is that pieces of paper indicating that a third party vetted you trumps experience on both opportunity and pay scale. There is a really bad trend in HR right now (at least from the perspective of the job seeker) that locks you out if you don't meet a thresholds often controlled by certifications regardless of your ability.

[rkent]

Is this a condition of employment where you work now or where you think you might like to apply for a job?

 

These certifications just verify you are a good test taker in my opinion and have little to do with whether or not you can create a well thought out drawing using CAD.

 

The test is find whether you can use the software, never has been a test on how well you can create a drawing. I would think that having the certificate for very junior people would help get in the door, I wouldn't make a big deal of it if I were them, just put it on your resume and leave it at that.

 

It doesn't matter how good a test taker you are, if you don't know the software you can't pass the test. Calling it a professional certification sends the wrong message and I think they need to pick a better name for it.

[ReMark]

Too bad there isn't an equivalent of the EIT (Engineering-n-Training) for CAD techs. Is there even a professional organization for CAD techs? I think there was one many years ago but it folded after several years. One had to have a certain amount of hands on experience and formal education in order to become "certified" and I think there were three classifications (the last of which was "Professional"). There may have even been a test associated with each classification.

[ponyman1969]

I'm in the Tampa area and several of the bigger/better places to work for all require being certified. Several CAD managers I've talked to won't hire any new employees that don't have it. I think its just something that sets you apart when you are going for a new job or asking for a raise

[Squirltech]

I think it all depends on what you're trying to do and how far you plan to go with your CAD knowledge.

 

It seems that the more third party certifications you have, the faster you get looked at by a hiring firm but then your experience is what makes you shine. Personally, I have one certification and it hasn't done squat for my career. Currently, I'm learning all I can from other experienced users and using that to my advantage. Just my $.02.

[ReMark]

Maybe it is a way to weed out the "contenders" from the "pretenders"! LoL Good luck in your endeavors.

[rkent]

I'm in the Tampa area and several of the bigger/better places to work for all require being certified. Several CAD managers I've talked to won't hire any new employees that don't have it. I think its just something that sets you apart when you are going for a new job or asking for a raise

 

I am asking this purely out of curiosity, how current does the certification have to be? If the company is on 2016 and someones certification is on 2012 is that not accepted, etc.?

[dtkell]

Too bad there isn't an equivalent of the EIT (Engineering-n-Training) for CAD techs. Is there even a professional organization for CAD techs? I think there was one many years ago but it folded after several years. One had to have a certain amount of hands on experience and formal education in order to become "certified" and I think there were three classifications (the last of which was "Professional"). There may have even been a test associated with each classification.

 

Could you be thinking of the ADDA?

Which still has an active website (and seemingly content) http://www.adda.org/index.php/professional/professional-certification