GD&T Senior Certification Exam: What to Expect and Basic Strategy

[@xuchao5411]

Dean, I come to say thanks to you. I just passed the GDTP Senior and certified in the 2009 version. Appreciate your generous videos, these really help me lot. I come from China where the KZbin is forbidden, anyway I come to share you the good news. And best wished to you! You are the man!

[@Ryan-ue8uo]

i just passed the gdtp s exam and it's no easy feat. i estimated maybe 100 hrs time and it took over 300 hrs (overtime for me), over the course of a year. i read through & worked problems in two 400 page krulikowski books, a 200 page krulikowski workbook, took the 3 practice tests in the Nickolaisen, & read the standard cover to cover. I then read back through these all several times while reviewing & did each practice test at least 5x. Reading technical content is not leisure reading, it's maybe 10 pages max an hour. there's always pauses/roadblocks when something needs to be clearly understood. Life gets in the way where you have to pause studying for months then gear back up. i'm no R dean though, i only got an 85 vs his 97. benefits of certification are yet to be seen for me. thanks for this video.

[@shdwoflyte]

I just came out of the test SGDTP yesterday. Been doing GDT for about 5-6 years, consider myself pretty good at it. I refer to the standard all the time at work so already knew most of it. I read the 2018 and 2009 standard back to back the night before and got an 85% total score. I failed because I scored 42% on the runout section - of which I remember there were only somewhere about 4-7 questions. Here are my thoughts/reflections on my mistakes: -Watch this video. Unfortunately I didn't see this until after I took it. Everything Dean said here is exactly what I went through. The prometric center that I went also had no idea what the test was. Your first question of the test is really when they ask "what is GD&T?" Oh man that was fun to answer. -Do the test backwards - I'll be doing this the next time because the last questions were on runout profile and form and there are very few of them (remember it's a weighted test where you are scored on each section of knowledge). On my score breakdown you can literally see the decline in my percentage, not because I don't know it enough but because by question #120 you just want to finish and get out of there. -When you are finished review your answers (even though you won't want to) - I'll definitely be doing this the next time. -Take your time, you're allotted 6 hours for a reason, don't rush it like I did. -READ THE WHOLE STANDARD AND NOTHING ELSE. Try to memorize as much as you can. My suggestion is read the 2018 not the 2009 one because I found a good amount of errors in the 2009 and when I checked the 2018 I realized that they were fixed/omitted. Biggest difference between the two standards is that 2018 replaced 'true geometric counterpart' with 'datum simulation feature', and that concentricity and symmetry were removed. There were 2 or 3 questions that I remember referring to concentricity and symmetry, but no direct questions about it. Also the 2018 version has more examples than the 2009 version. So study the 2018 and just know that geometric counterpart and datum simulation feature are the same thing. -Make sure you are well rested, and take a quick break halfway through...Its a long test and you need to fully concentrate on everything. Don't be like me and stay up the night before lol. -It's not a hard test if you've read the standard back to back and you have a good understanding of GD&T. If you've only read parts of the standard this test will be near impossible. I would describe it as a tedious test, feels like a marathon.

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks so much for sharing!😀 The prometric testing situation was the worst part for me. It was like going to the local courthouse to deal with a parking ticket. Most of the test takers didn't want to be there and are taking mandatory tests for their jobs. I'd agree 2018 and 2009 are very similar. I'd warn people not to try taking the 2009 exam with the 1994 standard. Lots of changes between those revisions. For anyone who doesn't prepare drawings on a daily basis, be sure to read the first two sections of the standard very carefully. I hope you have more luck on the 2nd attempt!

[@bvaradarajan]

Hello Dean, thank you for the excellent education! Your videos on GD&T are my primary source for preparing towards the senior cert.

[@armandoperezjr]

You always deliver Dean. Thanks for that.

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad to hear from you!

[@williamh.bernhart4085]

Congratulations I take the exam June 17th and will keep studying until then…..thank you for your videos……

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks! Good luck on your exam. It’s really not too bad if you put in the study time.

[@feliperudiukmiglorancia996]

Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on your grade!

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks for watching!

[@arung5072]

Hi Dean, Thanks for your support. I had cleared GDTP senior level.

[@aakashnath1802]

Hello, thanks for making GD&T videos. They’re great! Could you make one on the experience of technologist level exam ?

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks so much! I’m not sure how much I can help with the technologist exam. I’d recommend studying for the senior exam in either case. If you have the 5 years of experience, I would highly recommend taking the senior exam.

[@askumarcbe1]

Hi ..This is a nice hints for GDTP exam. Can you make a video about virtual condition of composite position?. This will be helpful.

[@Evan-el2oe]

“I read it to the point where I found three spelling mistakes” haha

[@michaelmichiel1555]

Hello, thank for you for content. I have been a design engineer for quite some time (primarily sheet metal so I have never been exposed to GD&T). I’m looking into taking the technologist exam to be able to put on my resume to show exposure to this subject. I’m wanting to transition my career out of just sheet metal design. Do you have any insight on the technologist exam? Thank you!

[@TimewithAadi]

Hi, any feedback on the technologist exam, & what should we take care about ?

[@shankar554]

Thanks for the video Dean!!

[@RDeanOdell]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@TheCdub2011]

Im in the process of studying for the GDTP T. I'm a few pages away from reading the standard cover to cover.I read the 2018 revision. Do you think this will be a problem? All the changes have been listed in an appendix. Any recommendations on texts?

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, I would be nervous about using the 2018 standard to study for the 2009 exam. I base my opinion in having read the 1994 & 2009 standards cover to cover. The differences are subtle, but make studying much more difficult relying on the published changes in the appendix. I would try to procure a used copy of the 2009 standard. I got mine from EBay for $50 after waiting for the right deal. Good luck in your studies! The certification is tough, but totally within reach of anyone who puts the work in studying.

[@MBergyman]

Hello Mr Odell, thank you for outlining your experience here. I've been using GD&T at my job for the past several years, but without any real standardized process; at my work there is still a lot of push back on GD&T, with complaints of it being too difficult/limiting to use (the exact opposite of my opinion/experience). As a result, my use for the past several years (I am a furniture mechanical designer) has not been consistent. There is a push by upper engineering management to be educated and push for more widespread use of GD&T in our product definition, and I want to have my own personal certifications to demonstrate objectively defined bonafides as that is worth more to me, if not financially, it at least mentally gives me more satisfaction. I was considering just certifying at a technologist-level, but do you suggest just trying for the senior level cert? It is more in line with my use as a designer but would appreciate your input.

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, I understand your situation. It’s not uncommon. I’d recommend the senior level certification if you have a few years experience. Both exams require a good deal of study. Also, it helps to have your whole team go through training together. Several companies offer in person or remote training for GD&T.

[@MBergyman]

@@RDeanOdell Thank you, and yes, our team is currently going through remote training, but I am the only one pursuing a certification. I am of the opinion that if we are going to be serious about using it, someone should have credentials for advising the group. Does this sound sensible, or do you think a certification will not provide much value to the team in this instance?

[@RDeanOdell]

@@MBergyman I think it’s worth it. If you ever get into a contentious issue with a supplier or customer over drawings, having the certification gives you some additional credibility. Taking it to the extreme, if you had to go to court over a drawing, the certification could be the difference between your interpretation and someone else’s.

[@MBergyman]

@@RDeanOdell Thank you, I appreciate the thoughts, and will continue to study for the cert.

[@herenow4317]

Hello, I was submitted to a job opening last week. Part of the submittal was a GD&T test. The test was drawing with 2 inch x 2 inch x 1/2 inch part with 4 holes. Task was to apply GD&T so it can assembled to identical part. I learned today, I was not chosen to proceed in interview steps. I was wondering can I email you the test and you mark it up how you would do it? thanks for considering

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, sounds like a great video topic! You can send the example to [e-mail]

[@michl.182]

@@RDeanOdell yes please! If you receive the test from “Here Now”, please make a video! I am super curious about it. 🤩✨

[@yogarajsekar9778]

Do we need to memorize all ASME and ANSI references in the standard?

[@RDeanOdell]

Great question! The 1994 exam is notorious for asking what other standards' names are, the 2009 exam does not do this, or at least in my experience and from what I have heard from others.

[@yogarajsekar9778]

@@RDeanOdell Thank you for your reply. I'm preparing for the examination. Could you please guide me on the assessment book to practice.

[@maheshhk4647]

Sir please explain about spatial and planar rotation in alignment with part sir..

[@norton832]

Are there any test sheets for self-examination available?

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, yes link below. I don’t know who made this available, but it’s a pretty good barometer for the actual exam. In my opinion, if you took this exam and scored above 90%, the senior certification should be within reach. The catch is that the answers are not given, but it’s good to know where things are in the standard to find the answers if you are unsure. img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b517ea05-a285-4081-83bb-332ae6a0fc3c/downloads/GDTOLOGY_GDTP_PRACTICE_EXAM_2009_REV_F.pdf?ver=1598574640831

[@MBergyman]

@@RDeanOdell so helpful, thank you!

[@ankursharmaiitb7]

Can someone tell me in how much time the result gets declared once you have taken the GDTP exam. I did not see any result after i submitted the responses at prometric. Thanks in advance.

[@eloymarquez4783]

Hello Mr. Odell! Hoping that you can help me with a couple of questions. I would like to get certified by ASME on GD&T. I noticed the tests are for 2009 version and that the 2018 standard is already 5 years old. Should I wait until ASME updates their testing to 2018 or should I take the test now for 2009 version? Also, how does it work since they took concentricity and symmetry in the 2018 version? Thank you for your insight.

[@shashankramesh4356]

Hello sir iam having 3mm probe and its having 150mm length how can I calibrate it in vast xt gold

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, the machine should automatically compensate for the probe diameter and length if you follow these steps: CMM Zeiss Duramax with Calypso: Stylus Qualification, Z Minus Styli (Programmer Training Lesson 3) kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3PIaolpaq98hck

[@shashankramesh4356]

Sri can I get your mail id please

[@raghavendrapalekar6739]

Congratulations

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks!

[@mrlark22]

Well that is a wash, I used GD&T everyday in the first 15 years in part design and gage design, of a 40 year career all of my references are dead.

[@richp5060]

You mentioned being in the northeast, I'm in central Connecticut. Where are you?

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, I am located in upstate New York. I teach at Hudson valley community college in Troy, NY.

[@richp5060]

@@RDeanOdell I wish you were closer, you could teach me a ton. Seems like there's a lot of uncertainty out there in the GD&T world

[@jbeason2929]

@@richp5060 I live in the Hartford area, I would definitely like to take a class from this guy as well. Seems to be very clear and concise with his explanations

[@andreicharpentierquesada4530]

Is itnpossible to take the exam online for people living out of US?

[@Maro369]

Where are you from? There is no test online but there are more countries you can take an exam, for example I'm going to take exam in Warsaw (Poland)

[@MA-ns5ov]

***QUESTION*** Here in California top wages for Metrology inspector using Laser trackers, CMM's & Portable CMM's range from $25 - $45 as a direct employee. Some places pay more as a contract. Do you think having this Certification will increase the starting wage for an inspector ? or should someone invest in this if they are trying to be a consultant instead of a direct employee?

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, so I did a search of the GDTP-2009 holders in my state, there are only a few dozen people. I assume it is similar where you live. The certification is definitely a way to set yourself apart from the crowd. I can’t say if it will net a better wage, but I would bring it up in an interview for sure.

[@MA-ns5ov]

@@RDeanOdell thanks

[@steve5nash]

Wish I can take it without the 5 years requirement

[@arjunag7553]

Me, too. But hey..think about all the time we get to prepare ourselves😄. Cheers!

[@hariprasadraut9835]

I am going to write the exam on 21st June

[@RDeanOdell]

Good luck!

[@MichaelRodriguez-e8t]

Buckridge Avenue