CLD clarification general question

[RVL2010]

I will take the CLAD shorter than 2 weeks from now and want to take the CLD 3-6 months later, I need it to advance my career path. Time is crazy important to achieve functionality - design technique - documentation in 4 hours. Thus anything can reduce the development time is counted.

I read this from the preparation guide from NI

"The exam packet will include a USB memory stick with a VI and controls in a folder hierarchy that you must use to develop you application. You must not rename the main VI, provided components or alter the folder hierarchy. All your development VIs and controls must be saved in the provided folder hierarchy." 

My question is - do all of the controls are properly designed to be identical to the image captured from rquirements font panel (same size, same color, same text size, etc)?

[SteveChandler]

Wow, that's new to me. I took the exam in March. There were no controls or VIs provided. I had to create everything from scratch. As for time it looks like they are doing you a big favor.

Good luck on the exam.

[Mark_Yedinak]

I have heard some folks say that the front panel of the main VI was provided. If this is the case that is a HUGE bonus. Creating the front panel to look like the requirements takes a fair amount of time. If what they provide differs from the requirements I would recommend that you modify it to mathc the requirements. Meeting the specified requirements is part of the exam criteria.

[RVL2010]

Thank you for both answers.

As you took the exam in March.  Can you tell about the complexity of the actual exam versus the four examples? As it is a violation to tell the detail of them exam, I would only like to know some relative suggests like "the sample took me 3 hours but the real exam took 4 hours"

A few people who took it (seemed to be years ago) said: double complexity, . Although no matter what the complexity, time and effort fshould be dedicated to prepare for the exam, however, know the exam requirements gives test takers more confident.

[Mark_Yedinak · Accepted solution]

From what I have seen the exams tend to be a bit more complex than the examples. I am not sure there is an absolute number such as twice as complex but they generally contain a few more requirements. the one thing I have heard consistently is that most people feel that four hours is not enough. You do have to work effeciently, manage your time well and follow the requirements.

One of the best things you can do is get in the habit of writing clean code all the time. When you do this it becomes second nature and then things like aligning nodes, minimizing bends in wires, etc. are habit and you don't have to think about them as much during the exam.

[SteveChandler]

Definately the four new examples are much more indicative of the actual exam than the three examples they used to have. Compared to the old three examples yes the actual test was much more complex.

I could not finish the samples or the actual test in four hours but came pretty close. I think that I would have had a good chance of finishing if I had an extra 15 or 20 minutes which is about the time it took to make the front panel. But of course you don't have to finish everything in order to get enough points to pass.

With this new format I expect the pass rate to go up quite a bit.

[RVL2010]

Thanks for the comments.  If NI gives the font panel, it is great. I do not see the point of not giving the font panel. When we work on the test, its look and what type of controls/indicators used are on the paper, we only repeat it - not a problem with those who decide to have "developer" title.  Mark Yedinak - thanks for the tips. As I am new to LabView, your tips definitely save from wasting time playing around with "it is okay" style. 

I can solve the ATM machine example without any problem but require like 10 hours to fulfill every requirements as my experience with LabView is about 2 months - so I am not fast enough. I worked on a project for one month (DAQ, Analysis, Data Log), did not thing with LabView but AutoCAD, came back with LabView two weeks ago to learn about the CLAD.  Then I decided that I would take CLD after seeing the CLD examples.

[SteveChandler]

If you are not using quickdrop it will save huge amounts of time. Press CTRL-Space and you can type the name of the function or control without browsing the pallettes. You can even create your own shortcuts so you only have to type 'ubn' for unbundle by name, 'bbn' bundle by name, 'cs' case structure, etc.

If you can solve the ATM in 10 hours with only a couple months experience you are doing very well!

[Mark_Yedinak]

I think one of the reasons NI had the tester create the front panel was to see how they documented their code. Part of the test score is based on your documentation of the code. If they hand you the front panel they lose this "feature" of the test. Also, I think creating the front panel also illustrated your understanding of the various control/indicators types and their uses. The picture didn't always dictate how you implemented it.