Welcome to the 2020 test cycle!
As we continue forward, I like to send out periodic updates. For instance, I've just finished updating the question bank for the new versions of 300-07 and 800-02, which were issued earlier today. My web developer has pushed out the latest version of the test app, which fixes the bugs we found during the initial quality control. One of the bugs we found was that the answer choices were too close together, making it difficult to read. If you run into bugs, please let me know so that I can get him to push out a bug fix ASAP. You may have to clear your browser's cache if you still have problems with fixed bugs.
If you haven't done so already, I really recommend reading the FAQ on my website. I tried to put out a lot of valuable information - especially about my study methods. If you're serious about promoting, you need to set out a firm commitment to read the General Orders at least six (6) times. Fortunately, we're early enough that you can do it if you develop a firm, steady reading plan and start slow. You can do a full reading in April, a full reading in May, a full reading in June, and a full reading in July - and you'll be done with four readings by the time the books are announced! Alternately, you can take April and May together for your first reading. I really recommend getting a daily calendar and writing out your reading plan ahead of time so that you can hold yourself accountable. If you have a friend that you are studying with, make sure to hold one another accountable for completing your reading appropriately. You are the only one who can put in the work necessary to promote. You've now spent money on this process, so don't put anything less than 100% of your effort. Assume that everyone else is doing so, because many of them are.
Once you sign up and are approved, you should be able to register and log in at test.bluelineadvances.com. You may need to clear your browser cache if it doesn't work at first. If it continues not to work, let me know and we'll get it figured out. If you get the error message that "Sarge hasn't added you to the rolls" when you try to register after your approval email, let me know. The website works best on a desktop with a modern browser like Chrome, but it should work fairly well on tablet or mobile. If you have trouble with an older device, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
If you start a test, you don't have to finish it immediately. You can go back via "Test List" and check both your completed and in-progress tests. If you click on an in-progress test, it will place you on your first unanswered question. It saves automatically each time you answer a question, so you can just close the window if you want to pause.
When you take your first few tests, do not get discouraged. At this stage in the game, a 50% is a normal score. I designed them to be difficult and full of petty, bullshit minutiae. Part of my goal here is to train your brain to recognize petty, bullshit minutiae so that you're prepared when the vendor drops that type of question into your lap. Every single word in the General Orders is fair game for questions. A lot of their questions will hinge on a single word. You need to train your mind to slow down and read each word to make sure you don't skip important information. I've tried to include a lot of different styles of test question that I've seen over the years, so that you get a wide exposure. However, the only thing I'm certain of in this process is that they'll find ways to be unpredictable. Last year, the sergeant's test was filled with scenario questions, but the commander's test had very few. Take this website as a way to gauge your progress and to train your mind, but don't let it become your only source of learning.
I'm excited for all of you to start this process. I hope that I can help you do the best that you can. While you go through this process, please think of the best supervisors that you've had and make a commitment to be like them when you promote. A wise friend shared this with me a couple of years ago and it has stuck with me: Some supervisors care about the mission. Some supervisors care about their people. Some supervisors care about neither. The best supervisors commit to caring about both without compromise to either. Take this opportunity to do the best that you can, both in terms of taking the test and eventually becoming a good supervisor. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help you with either goal.
As we continue forward, I like to send out periodic updates. For instance, I've just finished updating the question bank for the new versions of 300-07 and 800-02, which were issued earlier today. My web developer has pushed out the latest version of the test app, which fixes the bugs we found during the initial quality control. One of the bugs we found was that the answer choices were too close together, making it difficult to read. If you run into bugs, please let me know so that I can get him to push out a bug fix ASAP. You may have to clear your browser's cache if you still have problems with fixed bugs.
If you haven't done so already, I really recommend reading the FAQ on my website. I tried to put out a lot of valuable information - especially about my study methods. If you're serious about promoting, you need to set out a firm commitment to read the General Orders at least six (6) times. Fortunately, we're early enough that you can do it if you develop a firm, steady reading plan and start slow. You can do a full reading in April, a full reading in May, a full reading in June, and a full reading in July - and you'll be done with four readings by the time the books are announced! Alternately, you can take April and May together for your first reading. I really recommend getting a daily calendar and writing out your reading plan ahead of time so that you can hold yourself accountable. If you have a friend that you are studying with, make sure to hold one another accountable for completing your reading appropriately. You are the only one who can put in the work necessary to promote. You've now spent money on this process, so don't put anything less than 100% of your effort. Assume that everyone else is doing so, because many of them are.
Once you sign up and are approved, you should be able to register and log in at test.bluelineadvances.com. You may need to clear your browser cache if it doesn't work at first. If it continues not to work, let me know and we'll get it figured out. If you get the error message that "Sarge hasn't added you to the rolls" when you try to register after your approval email, let me know. The website works best on a desktop with a modern browser like Chrome, but it should work fairly well on tablet or mobile. If you have trouble with an older device, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
If you start a test, you don't have to finish it immediately. You can go back via "Test List" and check both your completed and in-progress tests. If you click on an in-progress test, it will place you on your first unanswered question. It saves automatically each time you answer a question, so you can just close the window if you want to pause.
When you take your first few tests, do not get discouraged. At this stage in the game, a 50% is a normal score. I designed them to be difficult and full of petty, bullshit minutiae. Part of my goal here is to train your brain to recognize petty, bullshit minutiae so that you're prepared when the vendor drops that type of question into your lap. Every single word in the General Orders is fair game for questions. A lot of their questions will hinge on a single word. You need to train your mind to slow down and read each word to make sure you don't skip important information. I've tried to include a lot of different styles of test question that I've seen over the years, so that you get a wide exposure. However, the only thing I'm certain of in this process is that they'll find ways to be unpredictable. Last year, the sergeant's test was filled with scenario questions, but the commander's test had very few. Take this website as a way to gauge your progress and to train your mind, but don't let it become your only source of learning.
I'm excited for all of you to start this process. I hope that I can help you do the best that you can. While you go through this process, please think of the best supervisors that you've had and make a commitment to be like them when you promote. A wise friend shared this with me a couple of years ago and it has stuck with me: Some supervisors care about the mission. Some supervisors care about their people. Some supervisors care about neither. The best supervisors commit to caring about both without compromise to either. Take this opportunity to do the best that you can, both in terms of taking the test and eventually becoming a good supervisor. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help you with either goal.
RSS Feed