Steve Weinrebe's Mode Studio

By way of Adobe Certified Instructor Jeff Witchel (InDesign and Illustrator trainer), there is an informative forum at InDesignSecrets (see below) on recertification exams, and a helpful page over at Adobe with a list of the new certification/recertification exams for Adobe Applications. Link here for the exam info, where there are links to sample questions for each of the tests.One interesting item of note: the Photoshop CS3 exam includes the video and 3D features of Photoshop CS3 Extended. This is an odd choice on Adobe’s part considering that not all ACE test takers are certified instructors, and sometimes are just trying to enhance their position in the workplace with a credential (as many of my past students have been). I don’t see the point in saddling a young designer, who wants an ACE certification to help obtain a job doing page layouts, with video and 3D material (though more appropriate for a web designer). Originally there was talk of a separate Photoshop “standard”, and Photoshop Extended exam, and I don’t know what happened to that initiative.If the sample questions are an indication, the new Photoshop CS3 exam likely has at least some  poorly edited questions that will be challenging to all. The problem isn’t with the underlying content of the material. The questions (in the sample at least) look as if no one has tech-edited the intent of the questions, nor copy edited the language. For example (from the sample questions) asking which option to choose when placing an Illustrator file, in order to soften edges of the placed object, the correct answer is “select Anti-alias in the options bar”, but Anti-alias is already checked by default, so you wouldn’t really have to choose it at all. Is that a trick question? Maybe not but it might throw you, and I believe (from past experience) that is the nature of most of the questions, not just to test knowledge but to throw you some curves in the process. It’s a dicey road to travel in any test, and if you are thinking of spending $150 to get ACE certification, or even the $50 (plus the hour+ commitment) to get re-certified, you might want to read the ACE exam post and discussion over at InDesignSecrets. Photoshop is mentioned several times and, while not being very specific, the discussion will give you an idea of what to expect, probably from any of the ACE exams.Posted by Steve Weinrebe