Thread: Computer Programmer Aptitude Battery Test (CPAB)

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    Smile Computer Programmer Aptitude Battery Test (CPAB)

    Has anyone here ever have to taken this test? I have to for a possible job...

    I know and can find nothing about it, but I'm told a lot of programmers have to take it in order to receive job offers.

    If anyone can point me in the right direction for practice tests I'd forever be appreciateve.

    I am very entry level.

    I believe the test I am taking is by EEI, but any general test will do.

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    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    Don't you think your prospective employer deserves to get an honest assessment of your aptitude?

    It's all very well coaching yourself to ace the test, but if you're accepted and then ask on your first day the equivalent of "where's the ON switch", your new employer isn't going to be pleased.

    Or they give you a problem to solve which would be easy given your apparent aptitude, but you respond with "Huh?", or worse, merely come back asking us to do your job.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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    Dr Dipshi++ mike_g's Avatar
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    I'm more confused by Battery Test.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    Don't you think your prospective employer deserves to get an honest assessment of your aptitude?

    It's all very well coaching yourself to ace the test, but if you're accepted and then ask on your first day the equivalent of "where's the ON switch", your new employer isn't going to be pleased.

    Or they give you a problem to solve which would be easy given your apparent aptitude, but you respond with "Huh?", or worse, merely come back asking us to do your job.

    Assuming you went to college, did you not study for tests? Same thing I'm looking for here.

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    And yes, the Battery part does seem a bit odd...

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    Officially An Architect brewbuck's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    Don't you think your prospective employer deserves to get an honest assessment of your aptitude?

    It's all very well coaching yourself to ace the test, but if you're accepted and then ask on your first day the equivalent of "where's the ON switch", your new employer isn't going to be pleased.
    Studying for tests is out these days? I had no idea.

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    I used to never study for tests. Then again I tended to fail those...It was to my advantage somehow.

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    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    Feel free to try any of the homework questions posted on this or any other forum.
    They're a rich source of ideas for problems to solve.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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    I've always wondered, though, what jobs really test you on, mainly if you're out of college. I was interviewing people and they saw that I had C++ and Java experience, but I wonder what KIND of experience they are looking for, just the language and standard librarie knowledge, and object orientation, or specific stuff like platform development and utilizing different libraries.

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    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    The actual language tests are usually pretty simple for anyone with several years of C experience, but would cause all sorts of problems for someone who'd only read a few books.

    What employers are also looking out for would include:
    - what is your general approach to problem solving and program development.
    If you lack any kind of method, your chances are slim.

    - what sort of personality you have, will you fit in with the rest of the team.
    You may be the world's best programmer, but if that comes with an attitude you won't be getting the job.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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    Quote Originally Posted by scotty101 View Post
    And yes, the Battery part does seem a bit odd...
    Perhaps they try to bombard you with numerous problems you must respond to at once, hence the "battery". This way not only will the *amount* of problems you solve be indicative, but also the way in which you choose which to solve when, i.e. prioritization... just a guess though.

  13. #13
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    > Studying for tests is out these days? I had no idea.
    Yes, didn't you know? The new technique is to play dumb and broadcast to the internet

    I took the OP's meaning to be "do you have specific questions known to be on that test and what are the answers". No actual knowledge required, just a good associative memory for questions and answers.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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    One day "Master Googler" will be the number one skill employers look for, due to future Google being able to transmit skills directly to your brain.

    True story.

  15. #15
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    Or everyone will be able to learn any skill "matrix style" just by plugging their borg implant directly into the net. Unless they're already WiFi connected, in which case it will appear like magic.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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