Microsoft Moves to Pass/Fail Scoring System
1/16/2002 -- MCP Magazine has been given official word that Microsoft will no longer give test-takers an overall score on exams, opting instead for a simple pass/fail system.
Anne Marie McSweeney, Microsoft’s director of certification skills and assessment, said in an interview with MCP Magazine editors that the new grading method started in December 2001 and will include all future exams.
Even though the pass/fail system was introduced last year, most members of the certification community weren’t aware of the change. Microsoft didn’t make a general announcement about the revamped scoring, originally releasing the information in a FAQ section on its Web site.
“People will notice it most with 70-218,” McSweeney said. 70-218 (Managing a Windows 2000 Network Environment) is a core test for the new MCSA credential, which Microsoft expects to be very popular.
Microsoft decided to drop scoring, according to McSweeney, because, “scores are misleading. People put too much credence into what the scores mean.”
McSweeney added that giving an overall score, “introduces a mysterious element and gives odd perceptions ... At the end of the day,” McSweeney continued, beta testers said that, “pass/fail was what they cared about.”
Aware that Microsoft could appear to be imposing its will on the MCP community, McSweeney said, “We don’t want to look arrogant. The onus is on us to present our case” to the public and explain Redmond’s rationale for the change.
This is the second recent change Microsoft has made to how it notifies test-takers of their scores. For years, the company gave not only a total score, but section-by-section scores so testers could identify areas of weakness. More recently, Microsoft dropped section scoring in favor of an overall score and pass/fail bar. -- MCPMag.com
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There are 101  user Comments for “Microsoft Moves to Pass/Fail Scoring System”
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| 1/29/02: Kevin from Harlingen, Texas says: |
I think the grades are important if you don't make it but the score if you pass do9esn't mean anything. I think we should tell you how close you were to the passing point if you fail. But if you pass just leave it at that. $100 or $125 it doesn't matter. I would just like to know if I passed or how close to passing was I (being momney still doesn't grow on trees and all) . If I passed by 1 point or 1000 points, who cares? |
| 1/30/02: Olumuyiwa Isaac from Toronto, canada says: |
Not too good decision by Microsoft. Using raw scores will ginger a candidate who wants to write any Microsoft exams to aim high. That helps the candidate to prepare well before writing the exam. Now if the scoring method is no longer used, candidates will be nonchalant about it since they all they need will just be to get the minimum point and get certified. |
| 2/2/02: Anonymous from Bangladesh says: |
Microsoft Should Change Questions Rapidly. And Should stop illigal site which decrease the quallity of Certificates |
| 2/5/02: Mr Moore from Richmond,Ca says: |
I Don't like it. For my money give me some feed back. |
| 2/5/02: Whocares from Detroit, MI says: |
Big deal.. what a bunch of cry babies. Whether you know your score or not, there will still be a bunch of paper MCSE's. No employer has ever asked me what my scores were on my exams. If you take the exam and fail, too bad! You didn't deserve the certification anyway, put down your books and cram guides and try actually learning the material instead of memorizing the answers. The difference between a 900 and a 600 is only a handful of questions, give it a rest. If people are hiring based on your silly little exam score, shame on them! They should be hiring you based on your experience. If you are looking for something to distinguish you from your peers, try having a little bit of experience instead of running around with a piece of paper. Wah wah wah. |
| 2/5/02: Dan Reddell from Oregon says: |
I think that the move makes studying more difficult but they were never designed to be study tools at all. If you require feedback use practice tests. Let's face it if you are getting perfect scores on certs you are spending way too long studying anyway. |
| 2/6/02: Pablo from Dallas says: |
The Pass or Fail option is irrelevant to your actual capabilities. Can you or can't you maintain, operate, fine-tune your system and fix problems with the network? If you can't, your future employer will soon find out. I went through training at a prominent university for the MCSE, and this had some labs, but did not give you hands-on experience. When I hit a real live computer system, it was unlike anything encountered in school. I had a system with Unix, Novell, and combined NT 4.0 and 2000 Servers, along with Exchange that was migrating to Exchange 2000, and third-party software that provided a virtual classroom for distant learning. On top of this, I had a mix of computers ranging from Windows 95 to the latest and greatest. We had a mix of printers, from dot matrix (Yes, they still do exist on some networks) to the latest laser printers. I learned much more in the first few weeks on the job in the real world than I did in the classroom. I am now an instructor, so I am concerned with how to pass on my real-world experience to my students. It is only here that I take exception to the pass or fail option. Feedback on strengths and weaknesses would help both the student and the teacher to fill in the gaps. |
| 2/6/02: Barbara from Denton, Texas says: |
The real world is the best teacher. If you don't work with real, live systems, then get two computers, hook them together with network cards and or serial cables, load W2K Server on one and W2K Professional on the other, and then go through every possible dialog box, configuration possibility, and get hands-on experience. This will prepare you much more for the exam than simply reading and trying to memorize a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense. Seeing it on the screen will lock it into your memory much more. Then go and take the test. BTW, if you think this will cost a lot, you can get two computers which will meet the hardware requirements for W2K Server and Pro for less than $500 today at a used computer store. That is less than some people spend on study guides. |
| 2/6/02: cegoth from Dallas says: |
What do you call a med student who graduates last in their class? ....Doctor. As for the people who make 900 plus first time on their test. Either you studied too much (doubtful the way you whine) or you know where the braindumps or cheet sheets are. As for an interviewer caring. Do you want to be turned down for a job when you got an 800 on your test, but the guy behind you memorized the answers and got 1000. I thought not. If I passed by "the skin of my teeth", then I have made M$ requirement for that test. Done. |
| 2/6/02: Anonymous says: |
A high score on an exam doesn't mean you know your stuff more than the other guy. I know veterans in the IT field (15 years plus) that a gotten average scores on microsoft's tests. It's EXPERIENCE that distinguishes you from the next guy. |
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