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This is something that has been discussed here in the past. My personal answer is No. Not until STC achieves significantly more respect, credibility, and stature within and without the technical writing profession. Even then, I forsee serious difficulties in defining the scope and content of a Technical Writer Professional Certification. We are just too diverse a group to try to pin down. This is a problem frequently pointed out on this list. This problem is not insurmountable, however. I submit for your consideration the following.
TECHNICAL WRITER PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION TEST
Instructions:
Read each question carefully. Answer all questions. Time limit 4 hours. Begin immediately. Work in numerical order (equipment remaining from question 1 may prove useful with questions 3 and 6.)
1. Medicine.
You have been provided with a razor blade, a piece of gauze, and a bottle of Scotch. Remove your appendix. Do not suture until your work has been inspected. You have 15 minutes.
2. History.
Describe the history of the papacy from its origins to the present day, concentrating especially, but not exclusively, on its social, political, economic, religious, and philosophical impact on Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. Be brief, concise, and specific.
3. Public Speaking.
Two thousand drug-crazed aborigines are storming the classroom. Calm them. You may use any ancient language except Latin or Greek.
4. Biology.
Create life. Estimate the difference in subsequent human culture if this form of life had been created 500 million years earlier, with special attention to its probable effect on the English Parliamentary system.
5. Music.
Write a piano concerto. Orchestrate and perform it with flute and drum. You will find a piano under your seat.
6. Engineering.
The disassembled parts of a high powered rifle have been placed in a box on your desk. You will also find an instruction manual printed in Swahili. In 10 minutes a hungry Bengal tiger will be admitted to the room. Take whatever action you feel is appropriate. Be prepared to justify your decision.
7. Sociology.
What sociological problems might accompany the end of the world? Construct an experiment to test your theory.
8. Management Science.
Define management. Define science. How do they relate? Create a generalized algorithm to optimize all managerial decisions. Assuming a 7600 CPU supporting 50 terminals, each terminal to activate your algorithm, design the communications interface and all necessary control problems.
9. Psychology.
Based on your knowledge of their works, evaluate the emotional stability, degree of adjustment, and repressed frustrations of each: Alexander of Aphrodinias, Ramses II, Gregory of Nicea, Hammurabi; support your evaluation with quotations from each man's work. It is not necessary to translate.
10. Economics.
Develop a realistic plan for refinancing the national debt. Trace the possible effects of your plan on these areas: Cubism, the Donatist controversy, the wave theory of light.
11. Epistemology.
Take a position for or against truth. Prove the validity of your position.
12. Classical Physics.
Explain the nature of matter. Include in your answer an evaluation of the impact of the development of mathematics on science.
13. Modern Physics.
Produce element 119. Determine its half-life.
14. Energy Resources.
Construct a working fusion reactor.
15. Philosophy.
Sketch the development of human thought; estimate its significance. Compare with the development of any other kind of thought.
16. General Knowledge.
Describe in detail, briefly.
17. Extra Credit.
Define the universe; give three examples.
Al Miller
"Chief Documentation Curmudgeon"
Prometric, a part of The Thomson Corporation
Baltimore, MD
www.prometric.com
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
-- Author Unknown
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