Exams in which you cannot go back to a question after you click on Next

I know that the 2018 version of the CISSP exam is one of them. Are there any other exams that are like that? What is your opinion on this style of testing versus getting a chance to revisit a question before submitting your exam?

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stryder144

Cisco exams are like that. I prefer going back since sometimes the questions get answered by other questions that occur later on in the exam.

Iristheangel

The CCIE Collab written I took the other week didn't allow me to go back. Wonder if lower level certs are different. It's been awhile since I took one.

thomas_

I’ve taken some CCNP exams recently and they don’t allow you to go back to previous questions either.

E Double U

With GIAC exams you can skip up to 15 questions which you can get back to before completing the exam, but once you select an answer there is no returning to them.

I prefer how ISACA exams are because there is no limit as to how many questions you can mark for review. I like being able to answer all of the questions that I know for sure first and then going back to the rest. CISSP was that way when I passed the exam in 2015. CCNP Security is the highest Cisco certification that I obtained and none of those exams allowed going back (this was in 2014).

MontagueVandervort

Yes, Cisco exams are like this.

I prefer it this way for a couple of reasons:
1. Personally, it's too much of a distraction for me to have to concern about going back to something. I like to get it done and then move on.
2. Generally, I believe it's a more honest assessment of someone's skills as each question cannot be used to answer another. It's supposed to be an assessment process in action, not a learning process in action. Yes, the exam can be a learning process in its entirety though, and that's great.

All that said, don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those people who tests easily.

PC509

stryder144 said:

Cisco exams are like that. I prefer going back since sometimes the questions get answered by other questions that occur later on in the exam.

I like those ones, but I don't prefer that format. As MontagueVandervort said - it's an assessment process, not a learning process. However, seeing an answer in a question after you picked the wrong one a few back is a bad feeling. Especially when you second guessed yourself on it and would have had the right answer. But, if I go into that exam fully prepared, I should know the answers. Shouldn't be a guessing game or going back.

scaredoftests

I despise exams such as Cisco's. I am the type of test taker that likes to go back and linger over a few questions.

Jon_Cisco

I never go back. I think it's more of a personality thing then a strategy but once I commit to a choice I just move on.

After the first 40 minutes of any test I start to get impatient and just want to hit finish anyway!

thomas_

@Skyliinez92 That’s weird that they still gave you the flag option even though you couldn’t return to those questions. On the Cisco exams there is no flag or mark for review option.

bjpeter

thomas_ said:

@Skyliinez92 That’s weird that they still gave you the flag option even though you couldn’t return to those questions. On the Cisco exams there is no flag or mark for review option.

All Cisco exams are like that? Not just the entry-level Cisco ones?

shochan

Even when I took the CCNA v1 & v2 way back in 2000, they were like that...I didn't like it either.

matt333

Cisco you cant; Juniper Networks you can.

FluffyBunny

E Double U said:

With GIAC exams you can skip up to 15 questions which you can get back to before completing the exam, but once you select an answer there is no returning to them.

Wait, what? Yikes, I'm glad I heard it from you first! That would have been a sucky surprise on the exam...

FluffyBunny

thomas_ said:

@Skyliinez92 That’s weird that they still gave you the flag option even though you couldn’t return to those questions. On the Cisco exams there is no flag or mark for review option.

I think I recently read about at least one brand of exams (I believe it's GIAC), where the "Flag for review" button is not for you the test-taker, but so you can ask the vendor to review a question because you believe it to be of dubious quality.

Swift6

stryder144 said:

Cisco exams are like that. I prefer going back since sometimes the questions get answered by other questions that occur later on in the exam.

One of the reasons some vendors prevent candidates from going back.

E Double U

E Double U said:

With GIAC exams you can skip up to 15 questions which you can get back to before completing the exam, but once you select an answer there is no returning to them.

And I forgot to mention: GIAC exams allow breaks, but you must complete the skipped questions before you can take the break. I believe every exam that I have taken that is at least two hours allows breaks (ISC2, ISACA, GIAC), but the 90 minutes or less exams did not (Cisco, CompTIA).

bjpeter

Does the timer stop during breaks for some exams? I never took a break during any exam. I just punch through.

shochan

Sometimes, I will just wear a depend or a catheter X^D

LonerVamp

I also never go back to questions, so I don't mind not being able to at all.

Infosec_Sam

shochan said:

Sometimes, I will just wear a depend or a catheter X^D

Aw man, now I've got soap in my eyes from trying to wash that image out of my mind!

stryder144

bjpeter said:

Does the timer stop during breaks for some exams? I never took a break during any exam. I just punch through.

Not that I am aware of. We tell our students that if you have to leave for the restroom or a snack, the timer will not stop. Of course, we only test CompTIA, Cisco, and EC-Council at our facility, so no (ISC)2 or PMI exam experience.

That Random Guy

It depends. There are exams where they plainly give the answer to a previous question in the problem statement in a different question; thusly making the more obvious to answer question pointless. In that scenario, I find it stupid but I don't think it merits not being able to go back. IMO, we're paying for that time. We should be able to use it how we see fit—and if that includes wasting it on revisiting previous questions, so be it. I should be given that option. Of course, cert bodies and "experts" will hold their own opinions—yes, opinions.

scott28tt

Some exams use “adaptive” testing, where your answers to previous questions influence the questions you are given later in the exam - in those cases you would definitely not be able to go back.