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Generalist Written
Hello, Lynne,
My husband and I are both on a waiting list to take the CI/CT performance tests at Maryville College in Tennessee. We both passed our written test on the first try. We were in your study group on-line a couple years ago, and the discussions and questions you posed were a GREAT preparation! We had a weekly study group of ten people. Three of us decided to sign up for your online group as well. All three of us passed on our first attempt at the test. A fourth lady passed (by one point)... Nobody else did. Hallelujah, we're believers!!!!
Now, on to the performance testing! We don't know when we'll be contacted that Maryville College has openings, so we want to be prepared whenever they contact us. How do we go about getting involved in your performance test preparation? I didn't see any detailed information in the newsletter (except for "contact us," which I'm officially doing now! smile). We put it off in December and were sorry we did. We're watching lots of video tapes and DVDs, are with deaf a lot, but we need the help of someone like you to help us "tweak" problem spots.
Can you let me know how we can get involved in this latest mentoring program?
Thanks!
Kent and Denise Oviatt
East Bend, NC
Hi Lynne,
I just wanted to let you know that I took the PACE study group back in the end of June and I finally took the NIC computerized test in October and PASSED! This was very exciting for me because I had taken the generalist test the last time it was offered and missed passing by 6 questions. I think the group helped a lot and I used the practice test that was issued at the end of the class as some last minute studying tools, even though I read "So You Want to Be an Interpreter" again too.
I am now planning to take the interview and performance in the early spring.
Thank you for your assistance!
Mary Ahrendt
Madison, WI
Hi
Just wanted to let you know I got my test results, and I passed. Yippee!! I have taken the RID written test twice, and failed. I am glad, I participated in your study group. I felt if I was not involved, I would have not passed the written test at all.
Thank you very much. I'm so happy!!! I pass
Cinderella Branch
Dear Lynne:
This past September I received an email advertising a study group to prepare for the RID Generalist Written Test. I was fearful of taking the test and wasn't sure I was ready to put myself out there for chance of failure. After many hours of contemplating this issue I decided to send in the $100.00 to you and to "bite the bullet". Immediately after mailing the check I was relieved I decided to go through with the study group to see where it would take me. Having already decided I would be no worse for the wear because studying about my profession would only help me as well as the people I work with in the long run. I have been in an online study group before so I was aware of how the process would work, so after the initial introductory emails from my study mates the class began.
We were sent questions to engage us in a thought-provoking manner and in a way also to push our minds outside of the box we typically keep ourselves. After receiving the first set of questions the routine was to begin. I was to be doing reading, researching and discussing with my study mates and to have some guidance from you, Lynne. After posting our first set of answers we received hints or furthering questions to guide us further into our thought process. The supplementary questions and probing questions caused us to delve deeper into our profession and was what ultimately helped me find the way. At this point I do not know if I passed our failed this test. But what I do know, I reached my first goal, to take the test. That was a huge step for me. If (when) I pass this test then that is icing on the cake for me. Just being able to be in a study group with very competent interpreters and being able to share ideas, stories and philosophies with each other was an added bonus as well as beneficial for me to take this test. The discussing and reading from the fellow study mates and the added input from Lynne was the added piece I needed. I have found through this process of reading everyone's response we each have a different way to express ourselves and I was able to glean from many of my study mates by reading their responses and stories. We all have different study habits and learning styles. With this type of study group I felt several learning styles were met.
I would highly recommend this study group for anyone interested in taking the Generalist Written Test for RID. During your reading, researching and discussing you begin to own the information and that is when you learn. No matter whether I passed or not I learned from this group and am a better professional because of it. Bite the bullet like I did and take the class and test!
Treva Ullom, Interpreter Facilitator USD #233
Dear Lynne,
I passed! Thank you so much for your mentoring! I just wanted you to know that even though I was not 'active' in the class, it did help me prepare tremendously. Currently, I am in my first semester as a full-time doctoral student in audiology, so I'm sure you can relate to my time constraints. I've also never formally studied interpreting in any ITP program or even been able to find much work (with my busy schedule, and without the certification), so I was very nervous about my preparation level for even tackling this exam. While this course did not give me all the answers, it did help me to at least have exposure to the terminology on the exam. It was a great feeling when nothing on the exam was completely foreign to me, and therefore, I did not panic when taking it! Kudos to your program! Thank you,
Allison Cleland
Lynne:
YAHOO!! I passed my written test! (and with flying colors) With the step by step approach to preparation and study through your mentorship program, it greatly reduced the anxiety of taking the written test. Thank you for making it so painless, it was definitely worth every penny. Eternally grateful.
Cheryl Drummond
Iowa
Lynne and fellow group members,
I received my test results and I past the written exam!! I scored 105. It has been a pleasure studying with the group and all the input really helped a lot and I am thankful!! Lynne, I am very thankful for your insight on the information concerning the test, strategies for test taking, and your philosophy of "owning the information" ( this was probably the biggest help). The money I paid was a great investment to my career as an interpreter.
...Thanks a ton!!!
Adan Penilla
Dear Lynne,
I joined the group because I wanted the best preparation I could get for this test, and the track record you noted about how all of your previous students in a recent testing cycle passed the test, combined with what I knew beforehand about you and Signs of Development, were convincing. In the end, yes, I was glad that I did it as there was definitely a certain structure to the material that helped me to focus on it better, I think, than if I were left to my own devices. I also got to see how some other people would apply their varied backgrounds to answer the same questions that were posed to me, and could interact with them if I wanted more information, or had a different point-of-view.
I was glad, too, to get some feedback on my own responses to the questions posed just so I'd know how near to, or far from, the mark I really was. All in all, this was a very worthwhile experience for me as I got a resource of questions, answers and analysis to refer to as I prepare for this important test; was able to meet (at least on-line) some other people around the country who are pursuing the same profession that I am, and trying to better themselves in the process; and, perhaps most important, had an experienced hand to guide me in my preparations.
Bram
Hi Lynne,
First of all, GOOD LUCK on the 15th!! If you would like to use my comments re: the study group, please feel free to do so. I left the test feeling pretty good, the questions did not come as a complete surprise (though there were some I did have to guess on!) and I know I would have struggled a lot more without the study group. I have always had a difficult time memorizing dates and facts, but because we did all the research ourselves, with your guidance, I UNDERSTOOD the information and how it applied to the profession. The test became not so much a test of memory, but one of APPLYING what I already knew.
The online study group was a tremendous help in preparing and feeling confident for the test. Thanks! Are there other online groups/classes for the performance test or other topics which provide CEUs? I'd be very interested.
Jeanne Knickelbine
The PACE study group has been the best investment I've made in my interpreting career. My successful involvement in the study group for the RID written test, June 2003, and the continued work for my performance tests will make my dream of RID certification become a reality.
Pat Smartt,
Birmingham, Alabama
hi, i took the test last saturday and even if i didn't pass the test, i realized how much the study group helped me. i learned so much and felt good about the test. the mock test covered a lot that was on the test itself. the thing that was so helpful for me was seeing everyones postings, because that seemed to put it and keep it in my head. if i had to study on my own, it would have been much more difficult for me. i was not able to post every week, but i was reading all the emails daily. i set up a book with all the responses that i felt were good for studying and will keep it for future reference. this was the first time i had taken a class on line and was hesitate at first. it turned out to be an awesome experience. i want to personally thank you and pat for your time and patience with the group and some of my silly questions. again, thank you and i hope i will be able to email back and tell you i passed the test.
elyse schochet
Hello Lynne,
This Mentoring Program was a blessing to me. It help me to focus on specific topics. Before I joined this group, I was only reading and things were not sinking in. This group study helped me to focus and learn different perspectives from others in the group. It also challenged me to DIG and by digging and having to type and email my answers help to seal the information more in my mind. I am thankful for the group no matter the outcome of my test because it was a great learning experience for me.Thanks Lynne.
LaVerne Lowe
"...I am very interested in the classes you will be offering. Your site is packed with great information and I definitely plan on using your services. What a great idea. This is many interpreters dream come true."
Thank you for such a great service,
Erica Keil
CDI
Hello Lynne,
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the online preparation study groups! I've recommended them to everyone. Once, while in a restaurant talking to a date about signing and the online course, someone in the next booth overheard... and introduced herself... She was an interpreter that was not yet certified and worried about the test. I told her about Signs-of-development.org and all the wonderful study groups you offer.
I know I havent completed all 8 units of the CDI study group yet. I did turn in three units so far, hoping I could get some fraction of credit for that... I do plan to continue with the study group, but at a later date. It is my long term goal, to become certified as a deaf interpreter. Please keep me on the mailing lists for information and updates.
Thank you!
Marlene Shanker
Lynne,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to join your study group for the RID Written Test. I was skeptical at first not knowing how it could apply to CDI. After intensive studying, researching and responding to all questions I gained a wealth of knowledge internally as I went along. I would not have made it without the encouragement of two staff members who made me get out of the cubicle hole and expand further. The positive comments, the mock test and the test taking strategies were of tremendous beneficial to me.
Coming from a rural area where the study group and/or support group was lacking, it was a blessing to have access to the on-line study group. Thank you for making that possible, too!
With great appreciation,
Judith M. Gilliam
Lynne,
I am honored that you asked me of this. Even though, I did not participate much but I did read most of other comments and studied. Actually, I barely made it.... 81 points and in order to pass is 79 or above. The questions I had trouble are the questions relating to deaf (CDI) interpreting and I studied hard for "hearing" interpreting test. What I should have done is to look for items relating to CDI and those are the questions that I missed. But lots of other questions in general, I answered easily is because of the study group. It really helped me alot. Thank you. I took the test through reading not from the video through signing. I do have farily good English (reading) skills. You are right about questions being very tricky. Yes, It was my first time. When I finished it.... I knew I was in borderline of failing or passing because I counted the questions I was not sure the answers of and it was 20 of them and to my surprised I passed it. But then again, I really think that the study group has helped me to prepare for the rest of the questions (about 80%).
Thank you and again for making this possible.
Yours,
Nina S. Coyer
PACE Mentoring program is a wonderful resource for support and provided me with necessary tools to pass the CDI test. It also provided a great way to be aware of different issues from many states who participated in this program. I strongly encouraged you to consider this wonderful tool!
Good luck to future CDI!
Janice Cobb
Performance
After writing a letter to Lynne, I anxiously awaited the results of the written test. I passed. That was a huge victory for me. I struggle with written test like you wouldn't believe. Lynne advised me to take one portion of the test at a time. Focus on the written, then focus on either CI or CT but do one portion at a time and to stay in the train of thinking I was in. I took her wise advice. I immediately signed up for CT portion. I was not going to let grass grow under my feet. : ) I signed for the test in April in Iowa. The day before the test I was in an car accident. The lady did not see me, ending up totalling my car, causing a concussion and numbness in both my arms. Devastation. I put off the test. Went to therapy and regained the feelings back in my arms with occasional numbness. Resheduled the CT portion for Denver, CO on June 4. Drove to Denver, 10 hours away as opposed to 3 hours. Took the test. Waited 7½ months and received my CT. I was not going to let anything stop me from taking this test. I was determined and on a mission.
September 2004 I began work on my BA through Ottawa University, Kansas City and will graduate in April 2005 with a BA in Management of Interpreters. Next step, take the CI. I am walking through this one step at a time.
Thank you Lynne, for your great and wise advice. You were of great support and help.
Eternally grateful,
Treva Ullom
SC:L
The PACE study group was hard work, good fun and a great mind stretcher. I joined this SC:L written exam study group thinking it would be good fun - tossing ideas around with colleagues - and good practice - tossing more ideas around with colleagues, sharing expertise, generating new ideas - it was all this and more. Admittedly (as in all things) there were some bumps along the way but Lynne did a great job coming up with creative solutions guiding us toward a strong preparation for the exam and encouraging fruitful tangential discussions.
I feel much more prepared now for the SC:L written exam, I've had a great time learning with my colleagues, and I have a stockpile of valuable information from our work in my saved emails. This was a very beneficial experience.
Tracy Norris
The PACE Legal Written Test Study Group provided me with a disciplined framework for preparing for the SC:L Written Test. Through the weekly tasks, I was able to better assess what I did and did not know. The online format promoted an active interchange with interpreters from other parts of the country, with a side benefit of developing a relationship with others striving for the same goal!
Rita Dennis
Florida
The PACE online study group for the written portion of the SC:L not only increased my knowledge base considerably, but also taught me strategies for research and test-taking, allowed for the easy sharing of experience between colleagues around the country, and gave me a huge boost of confidence as I approach sitting for RID's written legal test.
Natalie Atlas
Lynne,
Thanks for a great class! Everything about it was excellent. It has prepared me in more ways imaginable.
Warm Regards,
Arlinel Weddington
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