Apple Certified Tests
- Thread starter Mazur
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VaricamLife
Well-known member
Hard? Ahh how good are you at memorization? They are pretty much the Apple Pro Training Series books spit back out at you as a test. If you can get through those books and remember what you read/learn, then you can certainly pass the test if not do really well.
As for useful, I personally don't think so. Is a someone that knows nothing about editing going to hire you because you have a certificate, yes possibly. But do you really want to work for them/there? Is someone who really knows how to interview/grill an editor going to hire you because of it, not likely. Unless you're into doing assistant editing at all. I think it is probably a valuable tool for an assistant editor to have as they are becoming more and more IT specialists (demands from productions anyway seem to be driving them down that road).
Learning is a never a bad thing though. So I'd certainly say it could be worth your while to buy the two FCP pro training series books and if you own your own system the Optimize your FCP system book as well. Put your $150 towards those books and make a real effort to learn and use what is in them. I think that would help you a lot more than simply doing a quick memorization of the books and then paying $150 for a piece of paper.
Anyway, just my .02.
cheers.
As for useful, I personally don't think so. Is a someone that knows nothing about editing going to hire you because you have a certificate, yes possibly. But do you really want to work for them/there? Is someone who really knows how to interview/grill an editor going to hire you because of it, not likely. Unless you're into doing assistant editing at all. I think it is probably a valuable tool for an assistant editor to have as they are becoming more and more IT specialists (demands from productions anyway seem to be driving them down that road).
Learning is a never a bad thing though. So I'd certainly say it could be worth your while to buy the two FCP pro training series books and if you own your own system the Optimize your FCP system book as well. Put your $150 towards those books and make a real effort to learn and use what is in them. I think that would help you a lot more than simply doing a quick memorization of the books and then paying $150 for a piece of paper.
Anyway, just my .02.
cheers.
bbalser
Veteran
The book will teach you FCP like nothing else can. I teach FCP regularly, I have had editors from broadcast and production studios from all over the country in my classes. I've had editors from Fox News and the Discovery Channel in my classes. I've been contacted by TV stations and production studios across Louisiana asking me to refer students to them for editing jobs. They tell me that the end user certification is not a requirement, but they'll consider that peson above someone without it.
Fox News, Discovery Channel, etc, are there because the certification gives them some additional support deal or something with Apple, and helps with funding certain projects and such. So there are many more reasons to get it than just looking for a job.
So yes, the test does carry a good deal of weight. Indepindent producers I've taught who got it, and when I got it myself many years ago, we can all tell you we get more respect in the industry, and more work once we display the Certified End User logo.
I can tell you from actual real life experience that it is a very respected and sought after certification.
But, the decision is up to you. I know some folks who got it just so they could reinforce their self-confidence (everyone needs that boost on occation), and to just show they achieved something important.
All I can say is, this is from real life experience. I am currently combing through former students for a local TV station for a new editor/producer. They want the certification for sure. And this is NOT an entry level job!
I think there's only a 75 to 80 percent pass rate on the tests. They are not as easy as one would think. Full of trick questions, so you have to be very clear about what you know. But on the other hand, you can pass them if you really do know the application.
There is a level 300 (it may be 300 something, I forget which test it is) that is an actual editing technique class. The course material is the Advanced Editing Techniques book in the APTS librarly. The APTS library is actually "course material" for the various Apple certification tests.
The first level test, the Level 1 End User test, is the ONLY one you can take without taking the class first, just so you know.
Fox News, Discovery Channel, etc, are there because the certification gives them some additional support deal or something with Apple, and helps with funding certain projects and such. So there are many more reasons to get it than just looking for a job.
So yes, the test does carry a good deal of weight. Indepindent producers I've taught who got it, and when I got it myself many years ago, we can all tell you we get more respect in the industry, and more work once we display the Certified End User logo.
I can tell you from actual real life experience that it is a very respected and sought after certification.
But, the decision is up to you. I know some folks who got it just so they could reinforce their self-confidence (everyone needs that boost on occation), and to just show they achieved something important.
All I can say is, this is from real life experience. I am currently combing through former students for a local TV station for a new editor/producer. They want the certification for sure. And this is NOT an entry level job!
I think there's only a 75 to 80 percent pass rate on the tests. They are not as easy as one would think. Full of trick questions, so you have to be very clear about what you know. But on the other hand, you can pass them if you really do know the application.
There is a level 300 (it may be 300 something, I forget which test it is) that is an actual editing technique class. The course material is the Advanced Editing Techniques book in the APTS librarly. The APTS library is actually "course material" for the various Apple certification tests.
The first level test, the Level 1 End User test, is the ONLY one you can take without taking the class first, just so you know.