I've been mystery shopping for a few months and have passed every pre-shop test with little difficulty. I just paid $15 for the Silver Certification test offered by MSPA. I took the first module and passed just fine. The second module is defective.

I read the info before taking the test. I answered all questions and received a message that I'd gotten 2 questions wrong. I went back and retook the test and was told I had 5 answers wrong. After a third attempt, I was told I had 3 answers wrong. I could not figure out how I'd gotten so many wrong after reading and re-reading their pre-test notes.

I took the test again and went with my gut for the right answers. I was told I had 2 wrong again. I made note of all my answers and then went back and took the test again, only changing a couple answers at a time. I changed two true/false questions to the opposite answer and left everything else the exact same as my previous attempt. The results said that I still had 2 wrong- which would not be mathematically possible.

I called the MSPA customer service line. The receptionist told me that they'd be having problems with Module 2 all day and the day before. She said that they'd also had problems off and on with that module for the last couple weeks. She said she had no idea when it would be fixed and suggested I email the company. I did so and still have received no follow up.

Has anyone else had a similar problem with the silver certification test? Any ideas on how to proceed? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Apparently they are having some problems. I would continue to work with the MSPA customer service group. I'm not sure there is a choice unless you want to ask that they refund your money and forget about the certification and maybe come back at a later date and try again.

MysteryMojo Wrote:
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> ...I changed two true/false
> questions to the opposite answer and left
> everything else the exact same as my previous
> attempt. The results said that I still had 2
> wrong- which would not be mathematically
> possible.

MysteryMojo, sorry about the problems with the exam; I hope they take care of that soon.

As a side note, your comments reminded me of the SCM tests. I enjoy logic puzzles, also. It's mathematically possible that you changed 2 and still had 2 wrong. That would be the case if you switched one right answer to a wrong answer while also changing a wrong answer to a right answer (And leaving the second wrong answer the same.) That exact scenario caused me much frustration. 8(

Experiencing the same issues in Module #2 for days on end. In talking with MSPA on 1/15/13, the receptionist answering their phones in KY., this morning advises 'there is a conference call set up for today with the developer'. When the problematic Silver Certification Test will be resolved is 'unknown'. Refunds of your fee are in limbo.

According to her verification that at least this Module is having issues puts us all in the WAIT AND SEE column at this time.

distantwings, thank you for sharing. Very generous of you to come here and make your first post one where you give; that's rare.

Thanks again.

Same thing. I got 1 wrong and went back and gave the exact same answer. This time got 2 wrong instead of one.

I'm pleased to report that MSPA has fixed the test and I passed this evening. The worker who answers phones was extremely helpful both on the phone and by email throughout the week.

Minnie- you are correct - after MSPA corrected the test, I realized that I would've been better off checking one answer at a time for more efficient mathematical accuracy.

Sassie and several other sites have yet to update their systems to accept the new format for MSPA Silver Certification codes. Hopefully they will correct this shortly so we newbies can have fully updated profiles.

I'm finding it frustrating, too, that I have the code for having passed, yet so many systems (Sassie is one of them) consider it an "invalid format."

Its very frustrating that the code does not work with Sassie systems. Hopefully they will get this working soon. I took the test back in December and still waiting for them to fix the bugs.

It's February 1st, and I'm still having problems with the test. I have input the same answers, and still get anywhere from 2-5 wrong. Is anyone else still having problems?

tjessup Wrote:
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> It's February 1st, and I'm still having problems
> with the test. I have input the same answers, and
> still get anywhere from 2-5 wrong. Is anyone else
> still having problems?


I'm also having the same issue. I purchased the test Friday and passed Module 1 on the first try. I cannot seem to pass Module 2 and also get between 2-5 questions wrong. I did a print screen of the test with my answers filled out and when back to the test again and when I changed one answer I was told I had 5 answers wrong, which is not possible. I contacted MSPA yesterday letting them know my issue and told them that I saw here others had the same issue. Hopefully I'll hear back tomorrow with an answer.

I did the test in December. There was definitely something wrong with it. I don't remember the exact details, something like if it told me I had one answer wrong, then I changed one answer it said you have five wrong now. The problem was with the test, not me. I finally got them all right by accident. I pressed BACK then went forward and now all answers are right! Nonsense, but I'll take it!
Then I ordered the gold DVD in mid-December. When it did not arrive by Jan. 31 I called MasterCard and did get my money back.
I had emailed them twice about it but they ignored me. I also had emailed them in December about the silver number not working and they ignored me then as well.
I have a low opinion of them now.

If the shoppers on this thread who is having trouble with certification could email me personally with your name and phone number along with the specific problem you are having I will personally look into this.
NOTE: If you email me between 2-10 and 2-24-13 I may not respond until 2-25-13 since I will be out of town.
Doug

doug@nwlpc.com

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2013 05:20PM by dcrector.

dcrector Wrote:
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> If the shoppers on this thread who is having
> trouble with certification could email me
> personally with your name and phone number along
> with the specific problem you are having I will
> personally look into this.
> NOTE: If you email me between 2-10 and 2-24-13 I
> may not respond until 2-15-13 since I will be out
> of town.
> Doug
>
> doug@nwlpc.com


Who are you?

mistry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Who are you?


Doug Rector is president of Northwest Loss Prevention Consultants (NWLPC). He's a member of the board of MSPA and serves as MSPA Shopper Relations Committee Chair.

UnPDATE: February 5th ~ still issues with the Silver test and no further response from the Headquarters. It is quite frustrating but I shall contiue to try and work MSPA to get my certification. This week my further purpose will be to sign up with companies that hopefully will have shops available.

Doug still there are issues; I have spoken wth Jenn @ MSPA on severals calls as well as emails. But as of 2/5/13 nothing has been resolved. Your, as well as any help, would be greatly appreciated. Respectfully ~

I finally passed Module 2 yesterday, but I had to jump through hoops to do it. I originally missed 2 on Monday night, knew which ones, went back and changed my answers, and missed 5! Went back and changed it to my original answers, and I missed 4! Gave up and went to bed.

Got up yesterday and started over. I missed 1 - darn it, and I knew it when I hit submit. I went back in, fixed it, and my results started going wild again. I sat down and studied the verbiage on every question to make sure I was not missing some deep, hidden meaning, and, as another poster said, went with my gut, and missed 1 again.

SO...I got to thinking about cache and such. I deleted my browsing history, cache, cookies, everything. Came back in, did my "feels correct in my gut" answers, and wha-la, I passed! Module 3 had no issues, nor did Module 1. So maybe try that...not sure if I really fixed something or just got lucky, but it worked.

All that said, it seems impossible to add this lovely silver certification number to any of my shops, and the Sassie systems flat out reject it (as many have said). An email to the MSPA remains unanswered. So I have to ask, did it really matter? I've tried individually emailing the companies, but those who use certain systems reject the number (any MSPA cert number since Dec. 12) and tell me to email the helpdesk of MSPA. I'm not particularly impressed with my ROI as of yet. As a matter of fact, right now I feel the fool for wasting my time doing it.

Instead of MSPA, contact Doug Rector, president of Northwest Loss Prevention Consultants (NWLPC). He's a member of the board of MSPA and serves as MSPA Shopper Relations Committee Chair, doug@nwlpc.com