November 1, 2006
Dear Everyone:
This is it. Tomorrow’s the Big Day. The day three of us will begin to take the long-awaited CRM (Certified Records Manager) Exam.
I’ve skimmed over the “Handbook”, written by a number of people, some of whom I actually knew at one time, who have survived the ordeal, proving that it is possible to pass the exam. I’m also remembering the kind words of another CRM who told me, “The keyword is ‘perseverance’.”
Or, in other words, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
The other keyword is “relax.” I can’t count how many times I’ve read that in different parts of the handbook. And I can honestly say, I’ve never been more relaxed the night before a big exam in my life.
(Another piece of advice: “Don’t cram. It didn’t work in college and it won’t work here, either.”)
The reason I’m so relaxed is that I know I don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of passing all five parts in one pass. I see this more as a practice run, or a technical rehearsal. If I pass one or more parts, hurray. That many less to take the next time. More importantly, I’ll find out what I don’t know so I can bone up on that over the next six months.
Because we can all take the test again in May, if necessary. And by that time, more of the original study group may have qualified and we’ll have an even bigger group then. The more the merrier.
Speaking of more, I have more than enough Number 2 pencils, three erasers, a pencil sharpener and a timer. And more than enough time to get ready tomorrow because, for some arcane reason, we can’t begin to take Part 1 until 1:30 in the afternoon.
Each test consists of 100 questions, each with five possible answers. And you get 80 minutes to take it. This translates into 48 seconds per question. And if you flat out guess, you have a 20% chance of being right.
More than 20% because statistically, people tend to guess the first, last or middle answer. Consequently, the people who write the questions and answers tend to put the correct answer in the “B” or “D” position.
One more piece of good news: Two weeks ago, during the Information Management Conference at work, our manager kept asking what kinds of questions were on the tests. The handbook includes 20 sample questions from each part. I copied the questions from parts 1 and 3 and gave them to him to read.
The day the Conference ended, he told me he took both tests. He got 80% on part 1. Since part 1 is all about the principles of management, it makes sense that he’d do well. He only got 60% on part 3, which is about records systems, storage and retrieval. His comment was, “I won’t be going out on any projects anytime soon.”
Here’s the thing: If a manager, who doesn’t know diddly-squat about how to run a file room can score 60% (70% equals pass), those of us who’ve done it for years should be OK.
So, parts 1 and 2 tomorrow afternoon, then 3 through 5 on Friday. Keep a good thought.
Love, as always,
Pete
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