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Mitchell Aerospace test

Started by Ethan Larsen, July 26, 2017, 04:49:38 AM

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SarDragon

Learning objectives aren't the answers; they are the concepts behind the answers.

Here's a sample: List the forces of flight.

If you can do that, you know the answers. (Thrust, drag, lift, gravity)

Here's another: Describe the Otto Cycle. Very simply - suck, squeeze, bang, blow.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

Ethan Larsen

Quote from: Майор Хаткевич on August 24, 2017, 06:37:48 PM
Quote from: jeders on August 24, 2017, 05:44:06 PM

but the Mitchell aerospace test is almost a roll of the dice if you pass it or not, unless you memorize every word in the books; and even then you're not guaranteed.


What?


That's bollocks. It's based on the AE modules, and AE terms/concepts that cadets are expected to learn over the course of their membership up to the Mitchell. Not once did I have a cadet report that the test had zero to do the books they used to study. And if my passive review of it is correct, it's no different than the tests I took in 2005 (in terms of material, not necessarily lack of changes).

I mean, I find that learning objectives are way to broad, given lots of questions are very specific. Anyway, outcomes did not really help, I just went through every page and annotated on everything that I assumed or knew to be relevant. Writing things helps you remember them.
C/Maj Ethan Larsen

Ethan Larsen

Quote from: jeders on August 24, 2017, 05:44:06 PM
Quote from: Ethan Larsen on August 23, 2017, 11:59:35 PM
I finally passed. Just a note, the test's questions do not seem to be taken from learning objectives. I didn't find much similarity. The way I passec was by using 500+ sticky notes and annotating every book...

Unfortunately I've heard this a number of times. The leadership test seems to be ok, but the Mitchell aerospace test is almost a roll of the dice if you pass it or not, unless you memorize every word in the books; and even then you're not guaranteed.

I just about annotated and took note of every important concept in all the books. Then I did tons of review and used my experience with the past 2 attempts to determine what would be important on the test. Even so, I didn't even make 90, so yeah, I definitely know what your talking about.
C/Maj Ethan Larsen

Майор Хаткевич

Quote from: Ethan Larsen on August 24, 2017, 10:34:46 PM


I mean, I find that learning objectives are way to broad, given lots of questions are very specific. Anyway, outcomes did not really help, I just went through every page and annotated on everything that I assumed or knew to be relevant. Writing things helps you remember them.


Learning objectives are broad because they are...objectives.


You need to know the specifics, which is what the test is looking for. It's a cumulative test, on the leadership, aerospace, drill, C&C, etc that you've learned through at least 18 months of membership. Congrats on the pass, because what you describe as your successful process, was the intended goal. Just remember not to forget the material, and pass on your knowledge and experience to the newer cadets.

SarDragon

This is perhaps drifting a bit, but it is still relevant.

Test questions are (supposed to be) written to meet the objectives. An objective is usually an action statement that asks for completion of a behavior, or recall of knowledge.

Here's one from The Journey of Flight, Ch 1Describe what makes air power unique. If you can explain, from memory, the requested info, you have achieved the objective.

Yes, it's broad, but doing the ? Test Your Knowledge ? questions gives you the opportunity to assess your retention. I'll bet they closely resemble the information in the test questions.

Take a look at chapters 3, 4, and 5 of AIR FORCE MANUAL 36-2236 to see the detailed process. Be forewarned, it's a snoozer, but it's good info to be familiar with.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

flyboy_x

One problem is that during the training up to the Mitchell, most tests are open book. A quick Ctl-F <searchterm> will find the answer to the questions in the PDF.  NO prior reading required.

Perhaps making them all proctored would benefit the cadet more.

I've looked over a cadets shoulder when she was reviewing the questions after she failed the test for the sedond time.  Some of the questions are so "off the wall" and trivial that I don't know if I could answer enough Questions correctly to pass the test. 

Although this does help me as asst and former AEO prepare them for the test.

TheSkyHornet

Quote from: flyboy_x on September 25, 2017, 09:57:12 PM
One problem is that during the training up to the Mitchell, most tests are open book. A quick Ctl-F <searchterm> will find the answer to the questions in the PDF.  NO prior reading required.
...
I've looked over a cadets shoulder when she was reviewing the questions after she failed the test for the sedond time.  Some of the questions are so "off the wall" and trivial that I don't know if I could answer enough Questions correctly to pass the test. 


Welcome to the era when answering the question correctly suffices over understanding the logic behind the question.

Can't say I'm not guilty of Ctrl-F a time or to on things I thought were a waste of my time. So I can't hold that over their heads. Our cadets don't see that the exact same way. There are some things that we just fail to see the importance of. Frankly, I don't think I'm necessarily wrong on those of those perspectives.

But I, too, have cadets who take the same test repeatedly and just can't pass. You can only do so much to help them work through it.

Ethan Larsen

The test does not have 0 to do with the books, it has 0 to do with the quizlet I used at first. That's what I wrote.
C/Maj Ethan Larsen