Events 2018-2019

[Tailsfan101]

Very true. Fun fact: This year's National DD test didn't have a single question based on foodborne illnesses...

I also heard the format was very different from years past, which would be unusual. The format had been consistent for many years.

Hm, I hadn't heard this (only heard the 40 minutes and no foodborne illnesses parts). Do you remember any details?

From what I remember, there was some basic knowledge at the beginning, followed by an outbreak of Y. pestis, and then an epi curve drawing at the end.

[nicholasmaurer]

I also heard the format was very different from years past, which would be unusual. The format had been consistent for many years.

Hm, I hadn't heard this (only heard the 40 minutes and no foodborne illnesses parts). Do you remember any details?

From what I remember, there was some basic knowledge at the beginning, followed by an outbreak of Y. pestis, and then an epi curve drawing at the end.

In the past, the test consistently focused on 2-3 scenarios, at least one of which related to the topic for the year. The scenarios would have a long block of text (think 1-2 entire pages) explaining an outbreak, investigation, etc. followed by a series of questions. As the questions progressed, additional information would periodically be introduced (e.g. lab results) to address more complex questions. In this format, there were few - if any - freestanding knowledge questions; questions focused on applying concepts to the scenarios.

I was told that this year's exam instead had many shorter scenarios and freestanding questions. This format is perfectly valid - I have used it in exams I wrote - but would be a departure from the traditional format at the National Tournament dating back to at least 2012.

[pikachu4919]

Hm, I hadn't heard this (only heard the 40 minutes and no foodborne illnesses parts). Do you remember any details?

From what I remember, there was some basic knowledge at the beginning, followed by an outbreak of Y. pestis, and then an epi curve drawing at the end.

In the past, the test consistently focused on 2-3 scenarios, at least one of which related to the topic for the year. The scenarios would have a long block of text (think 1-2 entire pages) explaining an outbreak, investigation, etc. followed by a series of questions. As the questions progressed, additional information would periodically be introduced (e.g. lab results) to address more complex questions. In this format, there were few - if any - freestanding knowledge questions; questions focused on applying concepts to the scenarios.

I was told that this year's exam instead had many shorter scenarios and freestanding questions. This format is perfectly valid - I have used it in exams I wrote - but would be a departure from the traditional format at the National Tournament dating back to at least 2012.

Who said the tests had to stay traditional?

[ik, ik, sometimes it's good to think outside of the box for test writing and sometimes that ends in total disaster, but still...]

[Unome]

From what I remember, there was some basic knowledge at the beginning, followed by an outbreak of Y. pestis, and then an epi curve drawing at the end.

In the past, the test consistently focused on 2-3 scenarios, at least one of which related to the topic for the year. The scenarios would have a long block of text (think 1-2 entire pages) explaining an outbreak, investigation, etc. followed by a series of questions. As the questions progressed, additional information would periodically be introduced (e.g. lab results) to address more complex questions. In this format, there were few - if any - freestanding knowledge questions; questions focused on applying concepts to the scenarios.

I was told that this year's exam instead had many shorter scenarios and freestanding questions. This format is perfectly valid - I have used it in exams I wrote - but would be a departure from the traditional format at the National Tournament dating back to at least 2012.

Who said the tests had to stay traditional?

[ik, ik, sometimes it's good to think outside of the box for test writing and sometimes that ends in total disaster, but still...]

I'm just waiting for some Nationals ES to intentionally change their writing style just to troll competitors.

[nicholasmaurer]

Who said the tests had to stay traditional?

[ik, ik, sometimes it's good to think outside of the box for test writing and sometimes that ends in total disaster, but still...]

I have no objection at all to utilizing different test styles; I just found the shift interesting after the format had stayed fixed for so long.

At the end of the day, format isn't what matters to me. I care that competitors receive quality tests that follow the rules and provide a good assessment of their knowledge. In my opinion, CDC has done a good job over the years of achieving that goal, and my students' only complaint this year was the lack of focus on food-borne illness. The format was acceptable - just different.

[pikachu4919]

Who said the tests had to stay traditional?

[ik, ik, sometimes it's good to think outside of the box for test writing and sometimes that ends in total disaster, but still...]

I have no objection at all to utilizing different test styles; I just found the shift interesting after the format had stayed fixed for so long.

At the end of the day, format isn't what matters to me. I care that competitors receive quality tests that follow the rules and provide a good assessment of their knowledge. In my opinion, CDC has done a good job over the years of achieving that goal, and my students' only complaint this year was the lack of focus on food-borne illness. The format was acceptable - just different.

Ah, didn't really mean to say there's something wrong with objecting to different test styles...

[Galahad]

any of yall got draft rules or the 2019 herp list yet

[karanbe123]

rip

[pikachu4919]

any of yall got draft rules or the 2019 herp list yet

Same I could really use those...

SOSI hasn't happened yet. That's when most of that stuff becomes more established. If anything's out now, it probably has quite a few more rounds of peer reviews among the higher ups left to go through before it's even close to what its final version will look like. (...right, chalker?)

If you're looking for things related to herp to study, then wouldn't hurt to look at stuff on the 2018 list since chances are some of those will return for next season or content about the specimens such as those described in rule 3.d. from the 2018 season.

[chalker]

Chill. SOSI hasn't even happened yet. That's when most of that stuff becomes more established. If anything's out now, it probably has quite a few more rounds of peer reviews among the higher ups left to go through before it's even close to what its final version will look like. (...right, chalker?)
.

Right..........although we do have our 'SOSI' versions locked down now.