Exam FCP X level 1

Dear people,

A few weeks ago I bought Diana Weynands book Apple Pro Training Series.
When I bought at Peachpit, there was only this (first) edition available. Now I read in the exam prep guide about the "second edition" all the time. Will the first edition help me to prepare for the exam (level 1)? I really hope so, because I'm already halfway the book. I expect to do the exam within the next few months.

Thanks for your help!

Eric

The book you have is based on FCP X 10.0.3.
The second edition is based on FCP X 10.0.7.

The book you have will have the old interface, be missing some features. You seriously need to get the second edition or you'll miss some things on the test. Sorry, but, Apple training is being very weird lately. And I'm a trainer, and even we think they're suddenly being weird.

For anyone wanting to do the Level 2 (advanced) test, that book will not be updated, but there is updated for 10.0.7 errata and book lesson files you can download from Peachpit Press.

Thank you BenB for you very clear and swift answer!
It's a pitty but I'm glad I checked first anyway.

Kind regards,
Eric

There's a little game or quiz I play each time I come here, it's really helping me learn this marvelous program.

What I do is read the titles in the forum, already my mind is working trying to place myself in the proper aspect of FCPX (audio, frame-rates, color adjustments, exporting or whatever). Then I read the problem, but before I scroll down to see the expert responses, I pause & try to figure out what the solution is by my limited experience. I find this method increases not only my learning but also my retention because of the mental visualization. Putting myself in the other guy's situation, the stress, the deadline, etc, frames the context. Then I read the solutions, see how close I was, & now since I applied a little mental effort, the actual solution becomes deeper seated as a kind of eureka moment.

I'd encourage others to try this technique...

In terms of passing the Level 1 Pro User certification exam, you have to know that book like the crazy. The test is the book, the book is the test. The terminology, the techniques, the phrases are strictly what is in the book. Other trainings and such will use different terms, different techniques, and I've seen folks get confused and fail the test. Not because they didn't know FCP X well enough, but they didn't know how "the book" specifically deals and talks about FCP X well enough. The test is very detailed, it ain't easy, be prepared. Do that book cover to cover at least twice. I'm very serious. The questions at the end of each lesson are misleading. The test is WAY more difficult than those easy questions. PM me for some tips.

Hey Ben. I started a similar thread a month ago about the 2 day class at NAB, which I have registered for. I thought rather than resurrecting that thread I'd just jump into this one.

I'm reading thru the second edition of the book now, and may hit you up for some tips once I have.

Get through that book twice before the class. No way a 2 day, or even a 3 day class alone gets you ready for the test. Glad to see you guys putting in the effort. Can't hurt to learn more than you already know!

A fellow trainer told me that some of the questions on the test, that pertain to older functions, show the old interface screen on the test, so don't get confused by that. The questions that use screen shots of newer functions use the newer version of the screen.

These updates are probably driving Apple Worldwide Training insane. Glad I don't work in that office...

Though I've been on the software for a year, I'm sure I'm still not optimizing the way I work- still hanging onto some decades-long held personal techniques. FCPX is a great opportunity to blow out the cobwebs and start fresh.

Alex4D retweeted a guy who said,

Premiere= work. Avid= work. Smoke= work. FCPX= workarounds. #fcpx

I think this is a PERFECT example of the problem. If you think you need to do workarounds for everything in FCPX, then you're not using the tool in the manner intended- and you might as well just be beating your head against the wall. Cause if you're going to try to use FCPX like FCP7, you're going to come out frustrated.

I don't have the time or give a rat's ass about folks with that attitude.

If you have books from Peachpit, register them, they'll email you about update errata that comes out with most FCP X updates and junk.
Click here.

If you have the Advanced FCP X APTS book, here's some important links that just went up this week (or last, I'm not sure).

Book errata:
Click here.

Updated DVD Lesson/media files:
Click here.

And as always, I teach the Apple authorized training these books were created for, and proctor the tests pretty regularly, so if you have any questions or concerns, by all means please don't hesitate to ask.