Hello everyone! I thought I would share my recent feelings on failing the POSS test for Entergy this week.
First, make no mistake, I am NOT trying to hide my role in failing. Straight up, I didn't get it done. I would however, like to shed some light on some inconsistencies regarding test strategies, grading, etc.
Like most people, I downloaded and took the EEI practice test, which I found VERY helpful. One of my best friend's is an AO so I had that resource. Some of his managers even took me aside and gave me some "sage" advice. I studied for about 3-4 weeks before the exam, ate a big breakfast, slept well, the whole nine.
First, I will say that I didn't completely finish ANY section of the test. First section was Assembly and I skipped ones that were too difficult or taking me too long. I probably missed 5-6 out of 24? All of the sections were like this except for tables/graphs and math. I didn't finish the 60 table problems in 4 minutes or the graph problems in the same time. Math was oddly my most comfortable test. I got hung up on conversions with about 8 to go so I went to Algebra which i smoked through and then completed 5 word problems. My friend who is an AO didn't even complete that many and passed so I know I did enough, at least on that section. In fact, he didn't finish ANY section, like me.
Here's where it gets odd. The proctor told us flat out to narrow the answer down to 2 , maybe 3 options and then take an EDUCATED GUESS!!! This flies in the face of everything I have been told or read about the test. The assistant OPS manager told me to not worry if I left "10-15%" of each sections' problems blank! So that means I can only leave 3 out of 30 empty? That didn't sound right either. Also, the proctor told us the test is graded accumulatively. I've read here on this forum that isn't true...you "fail" one section and you fail the whole test. One Navy guy there even told us he heard if you answer 50% or more of the questions at at of 70% or better you pass! Huh?
I don't know. I'm kind of bummed out obviously, but it would be nice if more information on this test came out or was at least more consistent. I felt pretty confident in my answers, I wasn't guessing or feeling lost. When I encountered a problem that gave me trouble I skipped it. It also compounds things that i work in a Nuke plant and in a specific department that will never allow me to take the test again. My friend had to bust serious balls just to get me in to take it this one time. The other kick to the nuts was what Ive witnessed in a Nuke plant and my AO friend sees on a daily basis. The test encourages rushing IMO. At no point in time have I ever heard of someone needing to rush while doing their job in a Nuclear facility. just seems like an odd test for an industry that beats into our heads: Slow down, review, peer checking, STAR, etc..
Thanks for hearing me out guys...any info, comments would be appreciated.