WARNING: Whizlabs Practise exam format has changed

[Steve Hicks]

Rather than a downloadable application which you can use as you like, Whizlabs exams are just internet based where you can ONLY HAVE 3 goes at each exam

This is naff for me as I like to use one or two practise exams as I go through the syllabus to check my learning (then do the rest as mock exams when in the swot stage just before doing the exam)

So it is a to the new format (and at $99.95 a go)

[Celinio Fernandes]

I totally agree with you.

And there is no warning at all while you make the transaction.
It is not mentioned anywhere that the number of attempts will be limited and that there is no longer a software to download.

I was pleased in the past with Whizlabs softwares but they have changed them.
That sounds like an highly suspicious way of selling software.
I want my money back if they do not change things.

It is like robbery to me.

If there are more people who have had this bad surprise, please let us know.

[Celinio Fernandes]

Here is the link :
http://whizlabs.blogspot.com/2009/07/run-mock-exams-online-or-offline-on.html

Offline version is still browser-based, still requires an internet connection to start and finish the exams.

And limited to 3 number of attempts.

That's a rip off in my opinion.

[Steve Hicks]

I posted a comment on this blog. It was polite, but to the point

I hope they publish it.

I will wait until Monday and then, unless they offer me the old application or change their policy, I will try and get a refund.

[Prasanna Wamanacharya]

I completely agree with all of you!

To summarize all the comments/posts:

* I like to use one or two practice exams as I go through the syllabus to check my learning (then do the rest as mock exams when in the swot stage just before doing the exam)
* Per the new format, it is not a software to download but Mock Tests to pass online only. There is an offline mode but it still requires to be online to start and finish them.
* Attempts allowed: 3
* There is no warning at all while you make the transaction. It is not mentioned anywhere that the number of attempts will be limited and that there is no longer a software to download.
* That's a rip off in my opinion.
* I was pleased in the past with Whizlabs softwares but they have changed them. That sounds like an highly suspicious way of selling software. I want my money back if they do not change things.
* If there are more people who have had this bad surprise, please let us know.

I am in the same boat!

Is there a way out of this???

[Steve Hicks]

Good News

Whizlabs have offered me the old (July 2009) off-line simulator. I will post when I get that up and running on my laptop

[Celinio Fernandes]

hey,
same here, Whizlabs asked me if i want the offline simulator.
I have not received it yet though.
Still waiting for their mail.

[Prasanna Wamanacharya]

Any more updates on this guys?

Steve and Celinio, how did you get in touch with Whizlabs?

[Steve Hicks]

I replied to the whizlabs "New enrolment in SCEA" email last Thursday

Whizlabs send me an email on Saturday (offering the offline version)

On Monday I asked them for the offline version.

I am now waiting for the offline version (I though I would wait for a few more days before nagging them).

I will update this thread when I get the offline version

[Celinio Fernandes]

Whizlabs has sent me the offline simulator. But the license key they gave me (i bought it, remember ?) is not working.

[Steve Hicks]

snap

[Sudeepa Basu]

Steve Hicks wrote:Rather than a downloadable application which you can use as you like, Whizlabs exams are just internet based where you can ONLY HAVE 3 goes at each exam

This is naff for me as I like to use one or two practise exams as I go through the syllabus to check my learning (then do the rest as mock exams when in the swot stage just before doing the exam)

So it is a to the new format (and at $99.95 a go)

Dear Steve, I apologize for your experience with Whizlabs mock tests. however the attempts have been restricted to 3 for a purpose as beyond 3 attempts we feel that you will start to remember the questions and the asnwers and that will defy the whole purpose of the test. the prime purpose of these mock tests is to show as close a picture of your preparation level. thus taking reattempts of the same mock test wont contribute to your preparation. Hope you understand. Do write in if there is anything else bothering you.

SCJA,SCJP 5,SCJP 6 (Online Training),SCJP 6,SCJP 6 Instructor Led Training SCWCD 5 ,SCEA 5,SCBCD 5

[Lorenz Baylon]

hmm.. how about adding new items in the questions pool so that users can take the mock exam more than three times and still not being able to memorize the questions? just my two cents.

[Steve Hicks]

Sudeepa

As I have stated above, this change does NOT suit me since I like to use a couple of the mocks WHILE I do the studying. I did this for my other certifications with your product and was happy. Indeed I recommended it to many colleges.

In fairness Whizlabs have offered me the offline simulator and ONCE I get a license to install that I will be happy.

However I suspect that my method of study is not that different from most people so I would prefer the product to be split with:
(a.) Two practise exams (best to make this an offline application to prevent people using it without paying). This can be used either while you are studying to check your progress or an addition practise exam. The objective tests should also be in the offline application.
(b.) Remaining practise exams with the three limit

I also think you should tell people before they buy about the three limit

[Sudeepa Basu]

Thanks Steve and lhorenz, i have noted your feedback and will definately put it accross to the relevent team for rethinking on the attempts feature. I' am sure if this methodology of studying is used by the customers we will need to rethink on the attempts feature.

At the same time i would suggest that you use the objective wise tests for your preparation.

SCJA,SCJP 5,SCJP 6 (Online Training),SCJP 6,SCJP 6 Instructor Led Training SCWCD 5 ,SCEA 5,SCBCD 5

[Steve Hicks]

Another bit of feedback is that not everyone can use Google gears on their PC

My PC is owned by the company I work for and they do NOT allow me to install Google gears on it

[Celinio Fernandes]

I too use the mocks for studying.
And I sometimes spend 2 or 3 weeks without studying, so i would still need to take the mock exams again after that period, no matter how many times i took them before.

An offline simulator is the best thing possible.
If you worry about security, you can still send an activation key by mail to active the software.

I too have recommended Whizlabs to my colleagues in the past, I am not sure at all that i will continue to recommend it if you keep these online mocks online
and if you limit the number of attempts to 3.

By the way, the license key you gave me for the offline simulator is not working. I sent you another email, waiting for a new and working license key please.

Thanks.

[Prasanna Wamanacharya]

For me, the online version will not work anyways since I have a very unreliable internet connection at home.

I've emailed this concern to Whizlabs yesterday, and received an automated response email with a ticket number, and it also said that I should expect to receive a response from them within one business day.

Have not heard from them yet.

[Steve Hicks]

I have now got a working licence for the offline whizlabs practice exams

I suspect that Whizlabs will need to adjust their online practice exams. Which I hope they do since I have had success in all my Java Certifications with Whizlabs

[Celinio Fernandes]

I got a working license too.

[Prasanna Wamanacharya]

I've got the offline version now, but don't think it will work for me.

Reasons:
1. It still needs internet connectivity for activation. Currently, I have NO connectivity at home.

2. I have Windows Vista on my laptop, and according to Whizlabs:

We have stopped providing our offline mock exams as it was showing errors on some operating systems like window vista,we can provide you the offline version,but we cant guarantee its workability.

Anyone using it on Vista?

[Celinio Fernandes]

My current OS is Vista, I had no problem activating the simulator with the license key they have provided.

An internet connection to activate the simulator is a minimal requirement and should not represent a major problem to anyone.

On the other hand, online exams and a maximum number of attempts limited to 3 would have been a big issue.

[P Das]

The same company sold me a voucher at a higher price than the market, which was short-dated, too. While NIIT would sell a voucher for INR 4,100 valid for 1 year, they sold me at INR 4,999 valid for 6 months (http://www.whizlabs.com/examprep/course/enrol.php?id=50).

Moreover, a rep from the company called up and offered to sell a voucher that would expire in 1 month, instead of their originally promised date!

Should Sun be invited to publish their registered education provider list and publish ethical standards for all of them in prominent ways such that no test taker can miss?

[P Das]

Is Sudeepa Basu a blogger/Ranch Hand or a Whizlab employee when she uses this forum to respond to transactions between individuals and Whizlabs?

[Atwal Usha]

Dear users after having read all the posts Whizlabs appreciates the inconvenience the limited 3 attempts caused in the usage of the mock tests hence the limitation of three attempts have been removed from all Whizlabs mock exams. Enjoy unlimited attempts in using the mock exams for 1 full year from the date of purchase.