Cadet Honor Society

[MSG Mac]

If they only search and look for the answers, they will be in for a rude awakening. Not enough time to do that until the test times out. Then there is a mandatory lockout until they can retake.

[Flying Pig]

Wow.....   disappointed.  So cadets don't even need to actually study anymore.  Just search the book for key phrases and move along.  Any idea why this was done verus the "old way" of actually reading and studying the material?

They absolutely still need to study. The new text as well as the test questions and the fact that the tests are timed makes it very difficult to pass if you haven't studied. I just had a new cadet take the 1st achievement test. She thought she had studied enough, but ended up failing with a 72.

Why open book though?

[jeders]

Because NHQ wanted to move things online. Once you do that you might as well make it open book, otherwise you're wasting your time.

[MSG Mac]

The old method of filling out a F 59-1, 2, or 3 was slow, required manual input at National, and was liable to fudging dates and accomplishments. The new procedures are much less expensive, easier to manage, and faster to process.

[Eclipse]

If they only search and look for the answers, they will be in for a rude awakening. Not enough time to do that until the test times out. Then there is a mandatory lockout until they can retake.

I think you and Jeders are underestimating the power of F3 combined with a multiple guess environment.

You are also assuming that the respective cadet in question is the physical entity signed into the machine, and/or not getting any "assistance"
from anyone else.

By far the vast majority of CAP cadets are honorable and do the right thing, but the day they allowed for online / open book testing
they chopped a big chunk off the difficulty and integrity level of what was, for decades, a very objective program.

NHQ did the same thing to the Yeager, and for that matter OBC.

[Ned]

Not really the same.

Unlike some of the senior AE stuff, cadets are required to personally certify before each test that they are following the rules.

Most of the questions selected randomly out of the test bank for each test were written with "Control F" in mind; they require some level of synthesis rather than finding a specific phrase or fact in the text.  Restated, the questions were written with open book testing in mind.

But even more importantly, even in the unlikely event that a cadet is somehow able to receive unauthorized assistance during achievement tests, they will come to a screaming halt when they take the comprehensive milestone exams proctored at the unit.

The on line testing system was deliberately desinged with checks and balances, while restoring hours of training time back to the squadrons that was formerly used for paper testing during meeting nights.

Win-win.

[jeders]

+1 to what Ned said.

If they only search and look for the answers, they will be in for a rude awakening. Not enough time to do that until the test times out. Then there is a mandatory lockout until they can retake.

I think you and Jeders are underestimating the power of F3 combined with a multiple guess environment.

As a testing officer, I'm able to actually take the cadet tests, or at least I was when they first came out a few years ago. Taking the test cold and using F3, I could not pass it. In terms of difficulty, as a former cadet, I would choose the old curriculum closed book as being easier than the new curriculum open book.

You are also assuming that the respective cadet in question is the physical entity signed into the machine, and/or not getting any "assistance"
from anyone else.

And you're assuming that cadets weren't able to cheat on the old tests too. As you said, most CAP cadets are honest and honorable and would not cheat. Those that would cheat now would have found a way to cheat with closed book tests at the unit.

I had my doubts about the online testing when it first came out, but the only problem I see with it now is that cadets are advancing more slowly due to having to actually comprehend the material before testing and advancing.

[arajca]

+1 to what Ned said.

...snip...

I had my doubts about the online testing when it first came out, but the only problem I see with it now is that cadets are advancing more slowly due to having to actually comprehend the material before testing and advancing.

You know, I really don't see that as a problem.

[Eclipse]

I had my doubts about the online testing when it first came out, but the only problem I see with it now is that cadets are advancing more slowly due to having to actually comprehend the material before testing and advancing.

The only reason cadets might be advancing more slowly is the required time between grades.

Certainly online testing isn't causing any increase in comprehension.

The only way you could demonstrate that would be a significant increase in test scores at the milestones.

[jeders]

Certainly online testing isn't causing any increase in comprehension.

I never said it was. What I said was that cadets have to comprehend the material in order to pass. As a result, those who don't comprehend don't pass. I am seeing this right now, where there are cadets who aren't testing because they either don't understand the material or are afraid of failing and so don't try.

[Spam]

Ned, our CAC is working through an exercise to make recommendations for the future of the CPFT (as some members may not be aware, NHQ is recommending de-linking the PT test from promotions).  In light of your comments regarding using the major awards as Phase checks, would you think that a recommendation to reduce CPFT testing to Wright, Mitchell, Earhart, and Spaatz awards would be consistent with the present academic test approach (online self study, with in-unit written controlled tests)?

With respect to hindsight and the impact of on line testing, I can say that I have seen numerous cadets here in Georgia who have been left behind due to lack of internet access in the home (both rural poor and urban poor). My initial reaction to the first few times I heard this was incredulous: "What? Cadets who aren't on line? Why, every county library 'should' have free internet access". However, said cadets often cannot drive themselves to these sources, or have working parents with one or no cars, etc. The backup modes have been to tell units to make arrangements for testing on a unit laptop, but... many cadets will fail to admit they're in need, will decline this option due to social stigma, and have been observed to quietly drop out due to lack of advancement. This is, I assure you, happening, and a disadvantaged section of our cadet population is being sloughed off, even as others bang out achievements at a rate unconstrained by unit test night schedules, as when I was a cadet.

V/R,
Spam

[Eclipse]

Phase-only CPFT is a great way to have a significant portion of cadets never get past Wright Brothers, unless the
idea is to require PT performance as a requirement of membership.

[Storm Chaser]

Phase-only CPFT is a great way to have a significant portion of cadets never get past Wright Brothers, unless the
idea is to require PT performance as a requirement of membership.

+1

[lordmonar]

The lack of internet access is solved by continuing to do paper tests.    The old test are still good.  That is why there is a manual way to enter test scores in E-services.