TestOut and CertMaster Perform Simulations the Same as the Custom Quiz Labs ~ Why?

[Chris S]

Greetings. Over the past year, I redeveloped a few of our IT courses using TestOut (ITF+, A+, Network+, and Security+). We plan on moving these over to the new CertMaster Perform when they become available, such as with Network+ and Tech+.

The major concern I've had, and still have, is that the simulations in the courseware are the exact same as the custom quiz labs. I am finding that students go through the simulations in the courseware, score the labs, copy the steps provided, then take the custom quiz lab (we call them lab assignments) and use the steps provided. I don't understand why CompTIA doesn't make the custom quiz labs different from the simulations.

I am at a loss. I even had a student tell me they were the same and it was a waste of their time to practice, copy the steps, and then complete it again for a grade.

 

[precious]

Having identical content in both simulations and custom quiz labs could diminish the value of practice, as students are just replicating steps instead of critically thinking through problems.

One way to address this might be to push for some variability in the simulations and labs, ensuring they reinforce the same concepts but through different scenarios or configurations. Hopefully they'll resolve the issue.

 

[StephanieDowning]

Agree! I wish we had the option to "hide" applied labs from them, at the very least, so we could decide whether or not we want them to see them before the test. I have this option in other curriculums. Hopefully they will add this feature!

 

[precious]

Exactly @StephanieDowning! Hopefully, CertMaster takes this feedback into consideration and makes those changes to enhance learning Outcomes. That would give us, instructors more control over how students engage with the material.