[snazzlefrag]

Hi All,

As promised, here is my feedback on the Intro to Criminal Justice exam.

This truly is one of the easiest exams out there...if you have studied.

I think the recent reports of people failing this exam (or scoring quite low) is probably a result of all the earlier reports saying "it was easy" and "you can take it cold". I assume that people took this exam for granted because of that advice.

So here's the REAL scoop...

MOST of the questions are general knowledge/common sense. You COULD probably pass this exam cold if you have the right amount of general knowledge related to Criminal Justice.

However, it is important to remember that those questions would be easy for EVERYBODY who takes the exam. As a result, answering the easy questions might not be enough to score highly on this exam (if everyone gets them right, then the scoring curve will reflect that).

This is where the "study" comes in: There are lots of questions that you probably wouldn't just 'know' off the top of your head. I think THESE are the questions that will separate the high scores from the low.

Eg,

An easy question might ask (and there are LOTS of them):

Which of the following is included in the Miranda Rights?

A. The right to punch the arresting officer.
B. The right to escape.
C. The right to remain silent.
D. The Last Rites.

Very easy, right? But it is SO easy that EVERYONE taking the test is likely to get it right. Therefore, answering this question correctly is unlikely to separate you from the "average".

Now, a more difficult question might ask:

Which state established the first Juvenile Court in the United States?

A. Michigan
B. New York
C. Pennsylvania
D. Illinois

It is unlikely that most people would know this without having studied. But if you HAVE studied, this question is very easy. As a result, answering this question correctly would very likely set you apart from the "average" test-taker, and thus result in a higher scaled score.

Does that make sense?

The bottom line is:

A. If you study using Instantcert alone, you will know EVERYTHING you need to know to answer almost every single question on this exam.

B. If you take this exam cold, you might pass. But you will only be able to answer the questions that everybody else is likely to know too. As a result, your score could be perilously close to the perfect "Average" (50). As you know, a 50 is just as close to failing as it is to passing. So I would not risk it. Anything lower than a 49 is a FAIL.

I read Cliff's Notes in addition to Instantcert. I can absolutely assure you that Instantcert alone is sufficient.

This exam, in my opinion, is SO easy that the curve could very well work against you (everyone can answer a lot of the questions correctly, so it is harder to get a high SCALED SCORE).

It's very easy...but don't take it for granted. Hardly ANY questions on this exam are 'difficult' IF you have studied...so make sure you DO!

Hope that helps,
Snazzlefrag