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is there any web site where i can go and read what i need to learn to pass the MECP test? I have found a web site that gives practice tests, I continually score bewteen 65-75, and I havent even studied, thats just from stuff ive picked up off of here, and the web, and experience. But i want to get certified while im still in high school!
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You can pick up an MECP study guide for about $20(can't remember exact price). You can order these study guides from the same site that you took those practice tests.There are different study guides for the different levels of certification. If you start with your Basic Installer certification,you will need to know basic electronics(such as Ohm's Law,component ID,etc.), installation procedures and safety, and basic audio and security installation techniques and troubleshooting.There are 150 questions on the Basic Installer exam. The First Class exam has 200 questions and go further in depth on electronics,autosound,security,and troubleshooting.
Not bad considering I haven't looked at an MECP manual since 1997.
I just took the first-class practice exam and :
"You received a total score of 75%"
I was disappointed in the variety of questions in that exam. Some were very specific, while a bunch of them were very generic and even easier than what was in the basic exam.
Originally posted by caleb jim where would you recomend getting a manual or whatever to study from? are you first-class certified?
Well I am no Jim, but you can order the basic installer practice job study guide for $25. I already ordered it. Passed the practice test easy too. This should be good... And you can take in a library! Jeezus I could (wont need to though) cheat so easy...
greg
The first class exam used to be 200 questions.But now it is only 150 because the cellular section of the test is no longer part of the exam. It is a little harder than the basic.I had to think twice as hard on the first class than I did on the basic.For comparison,I passed with a 96 on my basic and only scored 84 on my first class exam.So if you plan to take the first class,do a lot of studying.
Originally posted by caleb are you first-class certified?
No. I had to pay out of my pocket for the testing. The place I worked for would only pay for the installers to take the test, and I did sales. Since I was a poor college student, I only took the basic exam. Plus... I think you had to pass the basic exam before they'd let you take the first-class exam, but they came around so rarely that I never got the opportunity later on. Now I work full time in the real world and have no need to take the exam.
I think that the MECP structure changed a couple years ago though. When I took it, there was the regular test, the "first Class" test and the "masters" test. The First class was always known as being very difficult and the "masters" was so specific that you had to have specific knowledge of a lot of different cars. A few years ago I thought they restructured the format of the exams, but I'm honestly not sure.
Originally posted by Jim85IROC No. I had to pay out of my pocket for the testing. The place I worked for would only pay for the installers to take the test, and I did sales. Since I was a poor college student, I only took the basic exam. Plus... I think you had to pass the basic exam before they'd let you take the first-class exam, but they came around so rarely that I never got the opportunity later on. Now I work full time in the real world and have no need to take the exam.
I think that the MECP structure changed a couple years ago though. When I took it, there was the regular test, the "first Class" test and the "masters" test. The First class was always known as being very difficult and the "masters" was so specific that you had to have specific knowledge of a lot of different cars. A few years ago I thought they restructured the format of the exams, but I'm honestly not sure.
ya I have my basic MECP certification. to take the first class you have to be in the business for at least one year. they also have "autosound" and "securtiy" specialist tests too. same thing you have to be in the business at least a year to test for em.
if you havent actually got experience in the mobile sound field, the tests will not help you much. i took and passed the basic test, got my certification then got a job. when i got there, i thought i knew alot. boy was i wrong. in most occasions, the stuff u learn will not help you at all when u get a job. it doesnt teach you wire colors for certain cars, where some wires are that are useful when installing alarms and such, or even how to wire up a dual voice coil speaker.
no one is gonna walk into your store and say, "Is that guy that is installing my radio MECP Certified?" the good thing is it looks good on a resume.
not trying to scare anybody away from taking the tests, just realize there is more involved than just reading a study guide.
good luck to anyone that ventures into this territory,
jacob
Originally posted by 87transam5.7tpi ya I have my basic MECP certification. to take the first class you have to be in the business for at least one year. they also have "autosound" and "securtiy" specialist tests too. same thing you have to be in the business at least a year to test for em.
Now you have to have notarized proof of three years work history in mobile electronics to take the first class or any of the specialist exams.It used to be one year. When I took my 1st class exam,the proctor had mentioned that MECP had changed it from 1 year to 3 yrs.
Originally posted by ninety1TAgta
Is the basic exam as easy as the practice test makes it look?
There are a lot more specific questions on the exams than the practice tests. But if you studied enough to pass the basic practice exam with a decent score,then you should have no problem passing the basic exam. But don't let the 1st class practice test fool ya. The actual 1st class exam seems ten times harder than the 1st class practice test.
Originally posted by tamu130 if you havent actually got experience in the mobile sound field, the tests will not help you much. i took and passed the basic test, got my certification then got a job. when i got there, i thought i knew alot. boy was i wrong. in most occasions, the stuff u learn will not help you at all when u get a job. it doesnt teach you wire colors for certain cars, where some wires are that are useful when installing alarms and such, or even how to wire up a dual voice coil speaker.
no one is gonna walk into your store and say, "Is that guy that is installing my radio MECP Certified?" the good thing is it looks good on a resume.
not trying to scare anybody away from taking the tests, just realize there is more involved than just reading a study guide.
good luck to anyone that ventures into this territory,
jacob
You're absolutely right. MECP certification doesn't mean that you know how to do anything. What it does do, is at least help others feel more confident that you know what you're doing. Although it's possible for any idiot with enough free time to pass the test, usually it shows that the installer at least has an understanding of basic electrical theory and installation techniques. More often than not, if a person is MECP certified, you can at least feel relatively safe that he's not going to burn your car down.
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