ICCP Systems Developement Exam

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by MikeMCSD, Mar 5, 2004.

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  1. MikeMCSD

    MikeMCSD New Member

    I failed the damn ICCP Systems Developement 2 times.
    First time I got a 65 and second time a 60. How do I get a lower
    score the second time even after studying more for it the second time?
    This is the last exam I need for Excelsior CIS and just want to
    get it over with already.
    I was just speaking to another student that only has this exam
    left and he just failed it with a 62.

    I used the Bird study materials, a textbook, and Internet to
    study for it.

    Does anyone know how to pass this damn thing???
    Any suggestions would be helpful.
    Thanks

    [email protected]
     
  2. calidris

    calidris New Member

    ICCP System Development exam

    I suggest you get the "Preparation Textbook for ICCP Speciality Examination Volume III: Systems Development" published by SRV Publications.

    Also take a look at the ICCP practice exams for Procedural Programming and Software Engineering as they cover some of the same topics.

    If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me directly.
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    No, sorry, but for what it's worth you've done a good deed in warning me away from this test as a means of working toward my IS degree from Charter Oak.

    -=Steve=-
     
  4. TexasBlack6

    TexasBlack6 New Member

    Hey Mike. Doesn't the ICCP Core exam cover that one for Excelsior? I seem to remember it does, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I don't know that the Core would be easier, but it may be a second option.

    Even if it does cover the requirement I'm pretty sure it would be lower level credit, so that may not help you out.

    I plan to take the Sys Development exam as well, but haven't yet. I got Calidris' Preparation Textbook for ICCP Speciality Examination Volume III: Systems Development, but I should be done with it by mid April if you want one and can't find one by then.

    Good luck man.

    Take care.
     
  5. MikeMCSD

    MikeMCSD New Member

    Calidris, does the SRV Publications book have information in it that Bird doesn't cover and do you think that would do it for me to pass the exam (or at least give me another 10 points to pass it)?
    Is it a big book? I want to take the exam again in 2 weeks.

    I also memorized the ICCP practice exams for Procedural Programming and Software Engineering the last time I took the exam but I didn't recall seeing any of those questions.
    But the ICCP exams do seem to cross over a bit.
     
  6. MikeMCSD

    MikeMCSD New Member

    Guess what?
    I just failed this test for the 3rd time with a 63 and a
    fellow Excelsior student just failed it a 2nd time with a 63 also.

    AVOID THIS TEST AND ICCP.
    IT'S A MICKEY MOUSE OPERATION.
     
  7. TexasBlack6

    TexasBlack6 New Member

    Sorry to hear that Mike. I plan to take this test within the next few days. Did you ever get the SRV publication to help with your preparation?
     
  8. calidris

    calidris New Member

    ICCP Systems Development exam

    Wow, I'm really sorry to hear this. Did you ever get an ICCP score report that indicated the areas in which you did poorly?

    I was able to pass Procedural Programming and then Software Development a little more than a year ago, both on my first try, so these exams are "passable". I think the most important step in preparing for an ICCP exam is parsing the expanded full subject outline and preparing a study plan for yourself based on the coverage of each area on the exam and what you already know. The full subject outline is in the ICCP Offical Exam Review Outline book and can also be downloaded from Excelsior's web site.

    I found the SRV book helpful but not easy to follow. I had to extract each step in the SDLC to a spreadsheet to help me memorize what happens (according to the ICCP) in each phase of the SDLC. I also found the Whitten book helpful along with sections of Brookshear's "Computer Science" book about file types and other topics covered by this exam. Also, if I remember correctly, there were a couple of questions about OOAD so I was glad I had taken the the ICCP C++ exam and studied OOAD earlier.

    I studied the first couple of chapters of "Objects in Plain English" by Brown when preparing for the ICCP Software Engineering exam and think this book would be a good resouce for the Software Developement exam. Also, I took the TESC DB Mgmt exam and think preparing for this exam would be a good prerequsite to Software Development.

    I don't think much of the Bird Reviews and Q&A Drills but if you can get them used and resell them they might be worthwhile. The SRV book goes in to more detail than the Bird Review and is more aligned with the exam outline so I think it's a better resource. Also the test prep books by Jack Rudman are a little help but not worth paying full price.

    Calidris

    P.S. I received my diploma in the mail from Excelsior last week.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 29, 2004
  9. TexasBlack6

    TexasBlack6 New Member

    I passed the Sys Dev exam with a whopping 71%. It is a tough exam but it is passable. I would echo the above comments. Pay attention to the phases of the SDLC. Know the objectives and steps in each phase. Also file design seemed to play an important role. Understanding the difference between file design and file access is also important. There are a certain amount of questions that seem to be somewhat subjective so study hard so that you'll be able to be certain of the objective questions.

    I definitely recommend using the ICCP Vol III: Sys Dev study guide which expands the test outline to 150 pages. It is tough reading but I would venture to say it is essential to passing the exam. I also used the Bird Materials and Q&A CD which helped. I tracked my scoring on the Q&A Drills on a spreadsheet which helped me target my weak areas.
    That said, I would also suggest you pick up a text book on this subject. I didn't do this, but I only barely passed and I have a few years as a Systems Analyst. I definitely should have put more time and effort into my preparation, but I was busy selling my house. Also my wife is due to have our second child any day so that was somewhat of a distraction. Not to mention the sun was in my eyes.

    3 hours remain....
     
  10. calidris

    calidris New Member

    ICCP Systems Development exam

    Great going, Eric!!!!
    Was my spreadsheet of any help for this exam?

    What are you doing for your last 3 credits?

    calidris
     
  11. TexasBlack6

    TexasBlack6 New Member

    Thanks. It was by the hair of my chinny chin chin. Whew.

    Yes, your spreadsheet did help. I ended up finding the shell for your outline in a chart buried in the ICCP sample questions after the outline. I memorized most of the information and it did pay off.

    Thanks for your help and posts about this test here and on EPN.
     

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