It is important to know you will be rewarded for correct moves and penalized for wrong choices. Points are awarded based on your troubleshooting skills. Then lay out your steps and procedures based on the information offered and be sure not to take unnecessary steps. By checking the amplifying device, it would be possible to determine which direction you need to move in for your next step. Say that upon checking the amplifier, you find the signals normal and according to system design specifications.
Heavy emphasis is placed on the use of a half-split method of troubleshooting.
Continually splitting the system in half, you will arrive at the cause of the problem in a much quicker and more efficient manner. Remember, proper diagnosis of the problem and a little thought in determining troubleshooting steps also will help you solve the problem more efficiently. Each step you take toward the resolution of each problem will be downloaded onto a floppy disk, with points added or subtracted accordingly. I hope this is of some help to all of you in taking this examination. Gary Selwitz is director of certification for the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers.