Hi Susan, from a neighbor literally right down the street - we're at 120th and Riverside probably a half mile or less from you. Feel free to come visit sometime! I took the test because I like the concept of certification. I like the idea of having standards for professional practice and conduct. I think it's a great idea. And I didn't know how bad the test was until I took it - how could I? How could anyone? They only release something like 6 practice questions (or used to, when I was preparing for it), and there was no way to know what to expect. I studied hard, worked hard, learned a lot, but was disappointed with the test. I am hoping that the certification process is an evolving one that will improve with time. In the meantime, the designation, as a symbol of my professional status, does help in a number of practical ways (not just to 'get a job'), and I'm not going to deny that or refuse that just because the test was bad. For me - at least this is how I choose to think about it - the test was just the tiniest piece of my experience, work, reading and studying, all of which led to the designation/certification. Ok, seriously, I'm done now. :-) Take care! Amy ________________________________ From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan Hamson Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 4:01 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: CA Exam Yeah, but there's still one more rodeo clown willing to run around one more time before I jump into the barrel. The exam was "shamefully poorly written and poorly conceived," but since the designation helped you get a job it's okay? A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>