How to Crack PCAP™ with Proper Planning
The PCAP™ certification, which stands for Certified Associate in Python Programming, is an intermediate-level certification that validates a programmer's proficiency in Python programming. This certification is particularly useful for mid-senior level programmers who wish to refresh their skills, as well as entry-level data science enthusiasts looking to establish a strong foundation in Python.
In this blog, we will discuss how to successfully prepare for and pass the PCAP™ examination in just one month. Yes, it's possible! I accomplished this feat and so can you.
I want to clarify that the purpose of this blog is not to provide you with specific resources or study materials, but rather to share strategies on how to effectively prepare for the PCAP™ exam. While there are many great books and resources available that cover the relevant topics, the focus of this blog is on the study methods that can help you succeed in the exam.
By implementing the tips and techniques outlined in this blog, you can maximize your learning and retention of the material, regardless of the specific resources you choose to use.
In order to study for the PCAP™ certification, I opted for a top-down approach. To prepare myself for the exam, I purchased several mock tests. Some of these tests were provided along with the exam voucher, which gave me the option to purchase the exam alone or with practice tests included. I chose the latter option. Additionally, I subscribed to multiple mock test resources online, such as MyExamCloud and Udemy.
To create my study plan for the PCAP™ certification exam, I developed a simple Excel sheet. This helped me stay on track and focus on the most important topics for the exam.
The sheet consisted of two columns: one for the main unit and another for the sub-topic. For each mock test, I added columns for the total number of questions, correct answers, incorrect answers, and total answers. I repeated these columns for every subsequent mock test.
To monitor my progress, I added a few more columns at the end of the sheet, which included formulas to calculate various statistics. For example, I used the SUMPRODUCT function to calculate the total number of questions, correct answers, and incorrect answers across all mock tests. I also used the AVERAGEIF and SUMIF functions to calculate the total number of questions and correct answers by unit, and the percentage of correct answers for each unit.
Based on this data, I ranked each sub-topic according to the total percentage of incorrect answers and the total number of incorrectly answered questions from all mock tests.
To make it easier to understand the purpose of each column in the Excel sheet, let's take a closer look at their functions. By understanding how each column works, you can better utilize the sheet to track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
The Excel formulas used in this sheet are designed to reference data between rows 3 and 51. Specifically, the formulas in this sheet reference row 3 as a reference point to calculate various metrics for the mock test data.
Here's a breakdown of the functions of each column in the sheet:
Total questions in all papers : does what it tells. =SUMPRODUCT(--(MOD(COLUMN(C3:CY3)-COLUMN(C3),4)=0),C3:CY3)
Total Correct Questions in All Papers: does what it tells. =SUMPRODUCT(--(MOD(COLUMN(D3:CZ3)-COLUMN(D3),4)=0),D3:CZ3)
Total Incorrect Questions in All Papers =SUMPRODUCT(--(MOD(COLUMN(E3:DA3)-COLUMN(E3),4)=0),E3:DA3)
% Correct Questions =DD3/DC3%
% Correct in Frequently Asked Questions : if the number of questions is greater than 5, they are frequently asked =IF(DC3>5,DF3,0)
Total Questions by Unit =SUMIF($A$3:$A$51,$A3,$DC$3:$DC$51)
Total Correct Answers by Unit =SUMIF($A$3:$A$51,$A3,$DD$3:$DD$51)
Total % Correct By Unit =AVERAGEIF($A$3:$A$51,$A3,$DF$3:$DF$51)
Priority By % Correct Questions =RANK(DF3,$DF$3:$DF$51,0)
Priority By Frequency of Incorrect =RANK(DE3,$DE$3:$DE$51,1)
Total Priority (% Correct + Frequency Incorrect) =DK3+DL3
Priority Rank By % Incorrect and Frequently Incorrect =RANK(DM3,$DM$3:$DM$51,1)
This helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses and prioritize my study efforts accordingly. I then focused on studying the sub-topics that required more attention before attempting more mock tests.
Thanks to the study plan that I developed, I was able to make steady progress in my preparation for the PCAP™ exam. With each mock test, I gained a better understanding of the sub-topics that required more attention, and focused my study efforts accordingly. As a result, I was able to steadily improve my scores over time.
In the end, my hard work paid off and I achieved a score of 94% on the PCAP™ exam, while the passing score was 70%. This certification has not only helped me to revive my programming skills, but also opened up new opportunities in the field of data science. I hope that by sharing my experience and study plan, I can help other aspiring programmers and data enthusiasts to achieve their goals as well.
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