I get a lot of questions like this from people who have failed either their certification or recertification exams all three times they attempted it. First thing: Don’t Panic!
Because the system is graded digitally, it’s important that the rule citations be entered precisely. Answers are multiple choice, so if you have the right one, clicking the button by it is the only choice you have to make. But, those pesky rules, amiright?!
First, let’s talk about why we cite them. In almost all cases when a range official is applying a penalty or explaining why a start position or gun condition is how it is, it’s important to be able to back that up with a rule. Something to “hang your hat on” so to speak. “Because I said so” doesn’t usually work with our competitors. So, you have to know where to look to find the backstop for the call you’re making. Range Officials who apply rules because they think that’s what it says may be in for a surprise when required to look the rule up. Therefore, the test asks you to back up your answer.
Why aren’t the rules multiple choice as well? Because we want our range officers to familiarize themselves with the entirety of the rule book and not just randomly guess, or memorize the rule answer from last year’s exam. This is important and creates something of a teaching tool from the exam, because the exam always notes the correct rule. I encourage you to look the correct rule up to gain a better understanding when the rule you cited is marked as incorrect.
One of the issues with citing rules is they must be precisely noted. That’s why under each question is an explanation of how to cite rules and appendices. The method isn’t the same, and extra punctuation or other notes will cause the rule to be marked wrong, even if the numbers are correct. Here’s an example of the text below each and every rule citation box on the exam:
So, what problems can cause a failure even though the rule is right? Adding punctuation, such as extra periods. This sometimes happens on some machines when the space bar is hit after typing in the rule. Reviewing the rule you entered can help fix this problem. Another one is improperly citing the Appendix. The example above gives clear instructions on that. Word searching the rulebook and stopping on the first place the word is found is also a problem–just because it mentions a key word doesn’t mean it’s the rule you should apply.
The other thing the system won’t accept is two rules. Even if two or more would apply, (there are several instances of this), only one correct rule is accepted. Being thorough is good, but not in this case. Only one will do, thank you.
It’s also important to understand what the question is asking you, and to not read anything else into it. The natural reaction to a “what would you do” type question is often to approach the question as a “what are you going to do to fix the problem” rather than to take a “what’s my call” stance. But many questions ask just that: what’s your call?
There really are no trick questions in the exam, but there are some that require you to think about the problem presented and give an answer based on your call, and not your action plan. That’s why reading and understanding the question is important.
Another easy way to get questions wrong is to use the wrong rule book. If you are Steel Challenge or Multigun endorsed (or both), you’ll see 5 extra questions per discipline on your exam. Each one is marked with the appropriate rule book to use:
We still get test failures or arguments over rule numbers because people are using the wrong rule book to answer. It’s easy to do when you are “in the zone” answering questions, but this does require some attention.
So, use those tips to get a passing grade, but if you don’t, the fix is simple: email me at dnroi@uspsa.org, include your member number (you know how many McManus’ there are in the member roles? 26. Johnson? 922–send the number!) and I can examine your exam and see if the problem is a simple one to fix, like too many extra periods or words in the correct rule, or reset your exam for another three attempts along with some advice on taking it based on the answers I see.
We want you to pass. The intention is to have a fairly thorough exam that acts as a teaching tool as well, not to beat you over the head with the rulebook, and certainly not to deny a retest if you are willing to take it. Help is an email away.