The Skill Assessment Guides below list the objectives, test content areas, and sample questions for the following certification tests:
Skill Assessment Guide for the Macintosh/PowerBook Service Certification Test
The Skill Assessment Guide below list the objectives for the combined Macintosh/PowerBook Service Certification Test and the LaserWriter Service Certification Test.
Skill Assessment Guide for the Macintosh/PowerBook Service Certification Test
The Apple Macintosh/PowerBook Service Certification Test is a computer-based test offered at Authorized Prometric Testing Centers. The test lasts 75 minutes and is composed of 3 demographic items (your job title, etc.) and 80 multiple-choice and true-false items that cover the objectives listed in this Skill Assessment Guide.
Sample Questions
Here are a few sample items (the answers are at the end of this guide):
1. You install a CD-ROM drive in a Power Macintosh 8100 computer. But now when you power on, neither of the SCSI devices appears to operate. What are three possible causes for this problem?
- The SCSI data cable is faulty.
- The SCSI bus is not properly terminated.
- The CD-ROM drive and hard drive are on different SCSI buses.
- Two SCSI devices have the same SCSI ID number.
- CD-ROM driver software is not installed.
2. Which test is NOT part of MTP Emergency?
- The Hard Drive test
- The Logic Board test
- The Floppy Drive test
- The System Software test
3. While adjusting a live CRT, what should you do to reduce the risk of electrical current passing through your heart?
- Keep one hand in your pocket or behind your back.
- Avoid touching the neck of the CRT.
- Wear a grounding strap or heelstrap on a grounded workbench.
- Attach the grounding strap clip to the your wristband.
4. Which PowerBook module steps up voltage to power the display?
- Motherboard
- Inverter board
- Daughterboard
- Converter board
Test Content Areas
To prepare for the Apple Macintosh/PowerBook Service Certification Test, read through the test objectives below and determine whether you can meet each objective or whether there are areas you need to study prior to taking the test. You will not have access to any resources or references during the test.
1. Macintosh computers: Identifying parts and their functions. During the exam, you will be expected to:
- Identify functions of major modules (logic board, power supply, etc.) common to most Macintosh computers
- From pictures, identify major modules and features used in Macintosh AV and Power Macintosh computers (for example, AV cards and ports, PCI bus)
- Identify functions and features of modules and components used in Macintosh AV and Power Macintosh computers (for example, AV cards and ports, PCI bus)
2. Mac OS: Identifying and using features; common problems and their solutions. During the exam, you will be expected to:
- Identify components of the Mac OS and their functions, including aliases, Apple menu, control panels, system enablers, preference files, fonts, and desktop files
- Identify various types of system software installs and how to perform them (clean install vs. update vs. partial clean; easy install vs. custom install) and determine the appropriate install for a given situation
- From a description of symptoms, determine probable causes, cures, and troubleshooting techniques of common System folder problems, including corrupt or misconfigured System folders, corrupt or conflicting extensions, corrupted preference files, virus infection, etc.
- Identify methods for gathering information about memory-related problems and customizing memory allocation, including use of Get Info, About This Macintosh, Memory control panel
- Identify special keystroke commands (such as Command-option-shift-esc, holding down spacebar at startup, holding down Command-Option-P-R at startup, etc.) and their appropriate uses
- Identify proper use of different font types (outline vs. bitmapped, etc.); recognize symptoms of font problems, their causes and their solutions; and identify appropriate troubleshooting techniques
- Disk Tools: Identify the functions and uses of this disk and the applications it contains, including Disk First Aid, Drive Setup
- Identify when, why, and how to reset ("zap") parameter RAM it, and identify the effects of this action
- Identify when, why, and how to rebuild the desktop; identify the effects of this action; and identify problems associated with rebuilding the desktop
3. Troubleshooting. During the exam, you will be expected to:
- From a problem description, identify the most appropriate questions to ask the user.
- Identify Apple-recommended troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures
- From a problem description, identify the most appropriate Apple resources and references to use in troubleshooting (Service Source, Tech Info Library, etc.)
- From a description of a troubleshooting situation, identify the next step to take by reasoning from knowledge of parts, functions, and operating system of a Macintosh computer
- From a description of a problem, identify the probable cause by reasoning from knowledge of parts and functions of a Macintosh computer
- From a description of a repair, identify the proper test to verify the repair, according to Apple recommendations
4. CRT discharge and adjustment; CRT safety rules and procedures. During the exam, you will be expected to:
- Identify Apple-recommended safety rules and procedures for handling and discharging a CRT
- Identify Apple-recommended safety rules and procedures for adjusting a live CRT
5. Using MacTest Pro and MacTest Pro Emergency. During the exam, you will be expected to:
- Identify the features and functions of MacTest Pro and MTP Emergency applications, and indicate how to use the applications and their features
- Identify the features and functions of individual MacTest Pro and MTP Emergency tests, and indicate how to use them
- Given a problem description, indicate how to use MacTest Pro or MTP Emergency to help resolve the problem
- Identify actions to take based on MacTest Pro and MTP Emergency test results
6. Repair: Following recommended procedures. During the exam, you will be expected to:
- Identify cautions to take in take-apart and reassembly
7. PowerBook Technology: During the exam, you will be expected to:
- Identify and indicate how to use the three power modes: awake, sleep, and shut down
- Identify the function of control strip modules and controls
- Identify specific low-power warning messages and symptoms, and indicate the appropriate action to take in response to them
- Locate and identify the functions of, controls, buttons, ports, switches, and other external hardware features common to most PowerBook computers: for example, the power switch
- Identify the function of major modules and components of all PowerBook computers
Answers to sample questions: 1- A, B, D; 2- C; 3- A; 4- B
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Skill Assessment Guide for the LaserWriter Service Certification Test
The Apple LaserWriter Service Certification Test is a computer-based test offered at Authorized Prometric Testing Centers. The test lasts 60 minutes and is composed of 3 demographic items (your job title, etc.) and 60 multiple-choice and true-false items that cover the objectives listed in this Skill Assessment Guide.
Sample Questions
Here are two sample items (the answers are at the end of this guide):
1. What is the function of the DC controller board on all LaserWriter printers?
- Adjusts the print density by increasing or decreasing voltage to the primary roller.
- Controls and monitors the other three printer systems: power distribution, image formation, and pickup/feed.
- Detects the upper fixing roller temperature.
- Provides high voltage to the primary and transfer rollers and the developing cylinder.
- Adjusts the print density by increasing or decreasing voltage to the primary roller.
2. A Personal LaserWriter NTR produces prints that contain smudged vertical bands. Replacing the toner cartridge does not solve the problem and the fuser rollers are clean. What component could be causing the problem?
- DC controller PCA
- High-voltage power supply
- High-voltage contact assembly
- A dirty static charge eliminator
Test Content Areas
To prepare for the Apple LaserWriter Service Certification Exam, read through the exam objectives below and determine whether you can meet each objective or whether there are areas you need to study prior to taking the exam. You will not have access to any resources or references during the test.
1. Identify procedures for setting up and operating a LaserWriter printer. During the test, you will be expected to:
- Identify procedures for installing LaserWriter printer software
- Identify procedures for using the Chooser to select and print to a specific LaserWriter printer
- Identify functional characteristics of the SCSI, serial, AppleTalk, and EtherTalk technologies
2. Identify functional and sequential descriptions of the page creation and conversion process. During the test, you will be expected to:
- Define terms used to describe the page creation and conversion process (for example, QuickDraw, PostScript, bitmaps, resolution, screen fonts, printer fonts, LaserWriter printer drivers, etc.)
3. Identify functional descriptions of data transfer technology. During the test, you will be expected to:
- Identify the functional description of each of the four types of data transfer technology: serial, SCSI, AppleTalk, and EtherTalk
- Identify the cause of common problems associated with the transfer of data (for example, the printer prints much slower than normal; reduced available computer memory with a shared serial printer)
4. Identify functional descriptions of the components included in the printing process and the sequence in which they function. During the test, you will be expected to:
- Identify major components used in specific families of LaserWriter printers
- Identify the functions of major components common to all LaserWriter printers
- Sequence the steps in the printing process
- Define the term "ready state" and identify the nine LaserWriter printer ready states.
5. Identify troubleshooting procedures and using diagnostic resources. During the test, you will be expected to:
- Given a problem description and using knowledge of laser printer theory of operation, isolate the faulty operation to page creation and conversion, data transfer technology, or specific stages of the printing process.
- Given a problem description and using your knowledge of the LaserWriter printer theory of operation, identify the component most likely causing the problem
- Given a problem description, identify questions to ask and procedures to use when troubleshooting over the telephone
6. Identify repair information and procedures. During the test, you will be expected to:
- Identify cautions and safety-related actions to take specific to repairing LaserWriter printers.
Answers to sample questions: 1 - B; 2 - D.
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