This
guide was designed to help prepare you for the Metrology Knowledge Test -
Revised. In it you will find:
§ Descriptions
of Metrology and the Metrology Technician job which will help you decide if the
Metrologist position is right for you.
§ An
introduction to the Metrology Knowledge Test – Revised, including how and why
it was developed.
§ A
description of the types of items you will find on the Metrology Knowledge
Test, including a description of the competencies it measures.
§ Tips and
strategies for preparing for and taking the test.
§ A list of
references in print and online where you can go for more information.
This section of the guide provides some basic
information about the field of Metrology and work as a Metrologist. Read through it for an introduction to the
field. Then, review the resources at
the end of this guide for additional information.
Simply put, Metrology is the science of measurement. It incorporates everything that has to do
with measurement, including, but not limited to designing, conducting or
analyzing the results of a test.
Metrology can be abstract, such as comparing statistical methods, or
practical, such as deciding which scale of a ruler to read.
The effects of the science of measurement can be seen
everywhere, allowing people to plan their lives and make commercial exchanges
with confidence. For example, most
people can assume that the clocks in their homes and the clocks in their places
of work all display approximately the same time. A pound of hamburger purchased at one grocery store will contain
the same quantity of food as the same amount purchased at a store across town,
and a screw purchased from Company A will fit into a hold made by a drill
purchased from Company B.
Most people also trust that the speedometers in their cars will measure
speed the same as the local police radar, that 14 karat gold jewelry contains
the appropriate amount of gold, and that the temperatures indicated by
thermostats, ovens, and thermometers are correct. Life would get complicated – and, in some cases, dangerous –
without proper measurements.
Metrology Technicians design and run measurement
tests. They can perform various
functions such as statistical analysis, database building, and writing
automation programs. They also design
measurement tests, analyze the results, and determine the final accuracy of
devices under test. In addition, they
calibrate measurement devices by comparing them against a standard.
At Verizon, Metrology
Technicians are responsible for the calibration, testing, and repair of test
and measurement equipment such as meters, scopes, time domain reflectors,
signal generators, cable locators, gas detectors, Telecom test sets, SONET, and
fiber optic measurements. They identify
and repair complex test and measurement equipment malfunctions and restore them
to proper operating condition.
Metrology Technicians work under limited supervision.
To become
a Metrology Technician at Verizon, you will be required to qualify on Job
Family 3 of the Universal Test Battery – Revised, the Metrology Knowledge Test
– Revised, and the Metrologist Structured Interview – Revised. The information provided in this guide was
designed to help you develop and improve the knowledge needed for the Metrology
Knowledge Test – Revised. Information
about the other pre-employment tests for this position can be obtained
elsewhere.
The Metrology Knowledge Test – Revised contains
questions on the knowledge areas required by a Metrologist. The questions measure overall knowledge,
technical understanding, types of test equipment, and trouble-shooting
skills.
The test includes applications of uncertainty levels, electronics
principles, mathematical relationships, reading and interpreting common test
standard displays, and the ability to identify common test standards used in
metrology applications.
The Metrology Knowledge Test – Revised allows Verizon
to systematically evaluate each candidate based on the same set of
requirements. This “common yardstick”
provides a fair and systematic way of evaluating all candidates for a given
position.
The use of validated, job-related
employment tests is one way Verizon ensures that all individuals are selected
based on the requirements of the job and not based on unrelated factors
such as race, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, or
disability. All employees are selected
based on how well they meet the requirements of the job.
The goal
in developing the Metrology Knowledge Test – Revised was to ensure that the
test was job-related, fair, and accurate. These goals were accomplished by
working closely with a large number of job experts.
Job-relatedness
was established by asking the job experts to do two things. First, they were asked to identify the
knowledge elements required to perform the job. Second they were asked to review the test questions to verify
that they measured the required knowledge elements and were relevant to the
Metrology Technician title.
Fairness
was ensured by asking job experts to review both the knowledge elements and the
test questions to be certain that they only represented knowledge required on
the job and not specific to Verizon.
To ensure
accuracy, job experts were asked to review each test question to make sure
there was only one, clearly correct answer.
This is a paper-and-pencil test
with multiple-choice answers. On the
day of the test, the test administrator will distribute the test and read the
instructions aloud. You will be given
45 minutes to answer 32 questions, and there will be no “trick” questions.
While no formal preparation is required, reading
through and understanding the information provided to you in this guide will
give you a basic understanding of what to expect during the test. Additionally, reviewing the supplemental
resources listed at the end of this guide will provide you with more
information.
The Metrology
Knowledge Test – Revised consists of 32 multiple-choice questions. They were written to measure four basic
competencies that are important for Metrology Technicians: technical knowledge,
calibration, repair, and computer literacy.
Sample questions are provided to you in the next section.
The test does not require any
knowledge of specific Verizon practices or instrumentation. The type of knowledge measured by this test
can be acquired either inside or outside of Verizon.
The
Metrology Knowledge Test – Revised is designed to measure four basic
competencies that are important for Metrology Technicians. Each competency is defined below, and a
sample test item measuring that competency is provided. The number of items devoted to each
competency on the test varies.
Technical knowledge is an understanding of the
techniques, materials, and processes used to perform as a Metrology
Technician. A sample test item
measuring this competency is provided below.
|
|
What
is the error (in volts) of a 10.0 VRMS source that is 2.2% high?
a)
2.200 volts
b)
1.220 volts
c)
0.220 volts
d)
3.220 volts
e)
0.022 volts
(Answer: c)
|
|
Additional sample questions measuring this
competency can be found at the end of this guide.
Calibration
is the comparing of a measurement device (an unknown) against an equal or
better standard. One calibrates to find
out how far the unknown is from the standard. A sample test item measuring this
competency is provided below.
|
|
What
are some common uncertainty factors that should be included when
determining uncertainty for a particular measurement device?
a)
Errors in the
measurement technique & method
b)
Random variability
of the measurement process
c)
Environmental error
d)
Technician error
e)
All of the above
(Answer: e)
|
|
Additional
sample questions measuring this competency can be found at the end of this
guide.
Repair is fixing any sort of
mechanical or electrical device when it is out of order or broken. A sample test item measuring this competency
is provided below.
|
|
Using the above figure, please
respond to the following question: At initial state (t0), J=1, K=1, PR-CL=1, Q=0, and CLK=0. At next state (t1), CLK=1. At the following state (t2):
a) =K
b) Q=
c) Q = 0
d) =0
e) =1
(Answer: d)
|
|
Additional
sample questions measuring this competency can be found at the end of this
guide.
Windows XP and 2000 use what hard disk formatting
methods?
a)
New Technology File
System (NTFS)
b)
Scaled Optical
Writing (SOW)
c)
File Allocation
Technology (FAT)
d)
A and C
e)
Parallel Random
Array of Independent Disks (RAID)
(Answer: a)
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|
Computer literacy is the knowledge and ability a person has
to use computers and technology efficiently.
It can also refer to the comfort level someone has with using computer
programs and other applications that are associated with computers. Knowing how
computers work and operate is another part of this knowledge area. A sample test item measuring this competency
is provided below.
Additional
sample questions measuring this competency can be found at the end of this
guide.
This section provides information
about things you can do both before and during the test to optimize your
performance.
*
Study to learn the material now, permanently, rather than
putting off the real learning for later.
*
Practice not, “I will remember!” but, “How do I
remember?” by finding patterns in the study materials.
*
Cultivate interest in the material and confidence in your
ability; both improve learning.
*
Avoid cramming just prior to the test. It reduces your concentration and increases
your confusion. Plunging into material
without an organized “plan of attack” does not contribute to learning. Instead, devise a special study schedule by
dividing material into organized units to learn in a specified period of time.
*
Set aside plenty of study time several weeks before the
test.
*
Let your family and friends know how important it is that
you stick to your study schedule.
* Arrange
for a distraction-free and efficient study area.
*
Review all the materials you have access to, but don’t just
skim. Strive to understand the material
as well as memorize for the test.
*
Use an active review method: Write things down as you study
rather than just passively re-reading the material.
*
Remember that finding patterns is very important to learning
large amounts of information.
§
Try to impose a pattern on each topic area you are studying.
§
Outline material by numbering or lettering important points.
§
Find relationships, concrete examples, and applications that
will aid your memory of the material.
§
Use mnemonics (that is, memory aids such as using the
sentence “Every good boy does fine” to
remember the correct order of musical notes – EGBDF) when possible to help you
learn the information.
Candidates
who are not feeling well before the test begins, or candidates who have a
reason to believe that they will not be able to do their best on the test are
responsible for notifying their Human Resources Representative to reschedule a
new test date. Once a test starts it
must be scored, and the standard re-test period must expire before the test can
be retaken.
*
If possible, get a good night's sleep before the test so
that you're well rested.
*
Go into the test with a positive attitude, determined to do
your best. Focus on what you know,
rather than worrying about what you do not know.
*
Make sure you know the exact location and time of the test.
Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the test site, use the restroom, and
compose yourself.
*
Wear something comfortable. Test sites may be slightly hot
or cool, so dress for any temperature.
*
Leave behind pagers, cell phones, calculators, portable
radios, etc.
*
Reduce test anxiety and tension by breathing deeply and
stretching before the test.
*
Try not to discuss the test with other people once you
arrive. Generally, this only increases everyone’s anxiety.
*
Listen carefully to all of the test administrator’s
instructions and follow them exactly.
*
Be sure you understand the test instructions before you
start. If you need to ask questions, do so.
*
Read the entire question and all response options before
choosing your answer.
*
Be careful not to add or delete any words in the question
stem or options.
*
Pay attention to words like NOT and EXCEPT.
*
Do not over-interpret questions or try to find hidden
meanings; the questions are not designed to be tricky. Instead, take questions at face value.
*
Try to stay relaxed during the test. If you have trouble
concentrating or become tense, pause and take a few deep breaths.
*
Pay attention to your own work, not to what is going on
around you. If you are wondering how other people are doing or how far they
have gotten, you are wasting valuable time.
This section of the guide should be used as a starting point
for those who would like to know more about the field of Metrology. You might want to read relevant portions of
the books and websites below, but you do not need to read or visit every source
that is listed. The books and websites
here are examples of the types of books or websites that you should read. It is
the content that you study, not necessarily these specific titles, that is
important. You may want to seek out or
focus on references that cover a variety of the content covered by the test.
Butcher,
J.L. (Ed.). (2004). The metrology handbook. Milwaukee: ASQ Quality
Press.
de Silva,
G.M.S. (2001). Basic metrology for ISO 9000 certification. Woburn,
MA: Butterworth Heinemann
Fluke
Corporation (1994). Calibration: Philosophy in practice. (2nd ed.). Everett,
WA: Fluke Corporation.
Harlow,
R.H., Dodson, C., & Thompson, R. (2002).
Fundamentals of
Dimensional Metrology (4th
ed.). Canada: Thomson Delmar Learning.
Jones,
L.D. & Chin, A.F. (1983). Electronic instruments and measurements (2nd
ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Penella,
R.C. (2003). Managing the metrology system. Milwaukee: ASQ Quality
Press.
Agilent
Technologies Metrology Forum
http://metrologyforum.tm.agilent.com
American
Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Calibration Technician Body of Knowledge
http://www.asq.org/certification/docs/cct_bok.pdf
International
Journal of Metrology
http://www.callabmag.com
International
Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET)
http://iscet.org
Metrology
World
http://www.metrologyworld.com
National
Conference of Standards Laboratories (NCSLI)
http://www.ncsli.org
(Answer
key provided at the end of this guide.)
1.
What is the difference between r and G?
a.
r has phase
and magnitude, G has
magnitude only.
b.
r has phase
and magnitude, G has phase
only.
c.
r has
magnitude only, G has
magnitude and phase.
d.
r has phase
only, G has
magnitude only.
e.
None of the above
2.
Resistance, Capacitance, and Inductance measurements are
done by utilizing a bridge and what method?
a.
Direct Method
b.
Ratio Method
c.
Indirect Method
d.
Both A and B
e.
None of the above
3.
Which of the following is NOT a recommended source to
obtain requirements to calibrate test equipment?
a.
Manufacture’s manuals
b.
Automated calibration software
c.
ISO 17025
d.
Prior experience on similar test equipment
e.
Calibration procedures
4.
Where
is the Rise-time / Fall-time measured on the slope of the pulse when using an
oscilloscope?
a.
Between the 0% and 100% of the slopes
b.
Between the 0% and 50% of the slopes
c.
Between the 10% and 90% of the slopes
d.
Between the 50% and 100% of the slopes
e.
Between the 20% and 80% of the slopes
5.
For the figure below, if R2 is open, what would the output resemble?
[a]
[b]
[c]
[d]
[e]
Repair (continued)
6.
Please refer to the figure above. When the Positive(+) lead of an ohmmeter is connected to the
cathode of a diode and the Negative(-) lead is connected to the anode, the
meter reads:
a.
A very low resistance
b.
An infinitely high resistance
c.
A high resistance initially, decreasing to about 100 ohms
d.
A gradually increasing resistance
e.
Zero ohms
7.
Which of the following is a Metrology-based program?
a.
Access
b.
Foxpro
c.
Lotus notes
d.
Metcal
e.
None of the above
8.
How many pins does a DB9 serial connection have?
a.
Serial don’t have pins
b.
4
c.
24
d.
9
e.
15
1.
C
2.
B
3.
C
4.
C
5.
D
6.
B
7.
D
8.
D
