Exam Preparation Tips: CMfgT and CMfgE

1. Start your preparation early. Don't wait until the week before. Allow a few months to prepare.

 

2. Purchase or borrow the necessary study material. The Body of Knowledge (BOK) tells you what categories of questions are on the exams – www.sme.org/certification and print the BOK. If you cannot afford all the materials, check with your local SME chapter about possibly borrowing a copy of the books or material and see if they have any study sessions that you may join.

 

3. All the questions are multiple choice and you will be required to choose the best answer. Some of the questions will be general knowledge questions. Some will be application questions and will ask you to take the info contained in the question and apply a principle of manufacturing to get the answer. Some questions will expect you to use your best judgment based on your knowledge of manufacturing to select the correct answer. 

 

4. This is an "open book" test. You will be allowed to bring reference material into the exam room. Sharing of reference material during the exam is not allowed. It is helpful to tab your references. You will not have time to look up every answer. The type of information that you might want to tab will be formulas, tables, topics that you think will have a high probability of being on the exam. Remember that glossaries, indexes and addendums are very helpful.

 

5. Only mark one answer. There is no penalty for guessing on the exam. Therefore you have a 25% chance of getting the correct answer even if you guess! Often you can eliminate one or more of the four answer choices when you first review the question, and then your odds when guessing become even higher.

 

6. Answer the questions you know first. Then with the remaining time, answer those that you are not sure of, or need to look up. You may find the answer in a later question, if you answer the easy ones first.

 

7. Bring your supplies with you. If you are taking the paper and pencil test, you will need several number 2 sharpened pencils, soft eraser, and a calculator that is a quiet, hand-held non-broadcasting or receiving type calculator may be used during these exams. You MUST clear all programmable memory before you begin and after you complete the exam. Cell phones or any electronic devices are not allowed. If you are taking the on-line test, pencil, paper, calculator, scratch pad is helpful.

 

8. No one has ever received a 100% on the exam. You will be certified if you receive a 98% or a 60%, so do your best, and if you don't get a 100%, it is okay. Exam scores are not given to anyone other than the applicant, so your score is personal. There is no need to retake the exam if you passed but did not get a 100%.

 

9. Now that you are prepared for the exam ... a few last minute tips.

 

10. The night before the exam, get 6-8 hours of sleep. Many have failed by trying to take the exam after working 12 hour shifts or staying out all night.

 

11. Arrive 15 minutes before exam time to allow time for check in.

 

12. Arrange all your materials on the desk or table. Avoid unnecessary noise during the exam by rummaging through backpacks or book bags.

 

13. Have a can-do attitude. Although you feel anxious, tell yourself that you have spent much time preparing and that you can do this. 

Good Luck!