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Rising Star for the NYPD Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain Exam -> 2015 Lieutenant Exam -> The Essential Guide--Sample is up for feedback
Post Info TOPIC: The Essential Guide--Sample is up for feedback
eze


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The Essential Guide--Sample is up for feedback
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Since we're all up waiting for the Lieutenant exam list, I figure I'd get some input on our new Patrol Guidebiggrin

 

Rising Star will be replacing its Patrol Guide notes with The Essential Guide. The Essential Guide is the actual Patrol Guide, word-for-word, with certain enhancements

1. It will only include the actors required for your exam. So for this exam only Sergeant and below duties will be included (no lieutenant, captain, duty chief etc) 

2. Less important steps ("fluff") will be faded gray (but still legible). You should still read it, but now you can concentrate on the more important elements in the patrol guide

3. Confusing procedures will be explained or examples given

4. It will include notes, study tips, and acronyms. Certain procedures will contain 2 or 3 acronyms (you cross-out the one/s you won't use)

5. Most lengthier/complicated procedures will have "takeaway" boxes at the end of the procedure, summarizing or pointing out important steps

The Essential Guide was developed in consultation with dozens of studiers and it incorporated many of the things you wanted to see. The gray fading is designed to subdue the less important parts of the guide--our group of studiers indicated that this was less confusing than heavy highlighting. Furthermore, explanations are at the bottom of the procedure or right beside/immediately below a particular step: no distracting boxes that draws your attention away from the text or break your concentration. The new format still allows you to highlight, so now you'll have 3 tiers of text: 1. faded 2. regular text 3. highlighted.

We are still editing the guide, but we'd like to share it with studiers (and you) so you can see the new look.

Here is a sample of the new format:

http://www.risingstarpromotion.com/files/Rising_Star_Promotions_Sample_Essential_PG.pdf

Thoughts?

Good luck everyone





-- Edited by eze on Tuesday 12th of January 2016 05:27:36 AM

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machine


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You guys at Risingstarpromotion are geniuses so I almost feel unworthy to comment anything negative. That said however, I have to say Im not a fan of enhancement #2. Trying to read the "fluff" in faded gray hurt my eyes. If I'm reading for 10 minutes or longer I would probably ignore the text completely and as you also acknowledge, even though it's fluff, it still need to get read (especially after the last couple of exams!). In my humble opinion, I feel that using a smaller font or some other presentation for the "fluff" would be more effective and less strenuous for the reader. Just my two cents.

Machine, Sergeant.

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eze


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machine wrote:

You guys at Risingstarpromotion are geniuses so I almost feel unworthy to comment anything negative. That said however, I have to say Im not a fan of enhancement #2. Trying to read the "fluff" in faded gray hurt my eyes. If I'm reading for 10 minutes or longer I would probably ignore the text completely and as you also acknowledge, even though it's fluff, it still need to get read (especially after the last couple of exams!). In my humble opinion, I feel that using a smaller font or some other presentation for the "fluff" would be more effective and less strenuous for the reader. Just my two cents.

Machine, Sergeant.

Thanks for the feedback, Machine.

I agree with you on the difficulty of reading the faded gray in the sample lesson, however, it is crisper once printed. We did try the smaller font, but ultimately the faded gray won.

We are trying to be judicious with the shading of procedures. so in Desk Officer, for example we faded the obvious ones: perform duty in uniform, supervise your subordinates, etc. It's amazing how much fluff there is in that book like "be courteous" or this paragraph from 203-11:

 

"All uniformed members of the service are responsible and accountable for the proper use of force under appropriate circumstances. Members of the service are reminded that the application of force must be consistent with existing law  and  with  New  York  City  Police Department Values, by which we pledge to value human life and respect  the  dignity of each individual. Depending  upon  the circumstances, both federal and state  laws provide for criminal sanctions  and  civil  liability  against  uniformed  members  of the service, when force is deemed excessive, wrongful or improperly applied.The primary duty of all members of the service is to preserve human life.  Only that  amount of force necessary to overcome resistance will be used to effect an arrest or take  a mentally ill or emotionally disturbed person into custody. Deadly physical force will be used ONLY as a last resort and consistent with Department policy and thelaw."

 

It seems important--it even sounds important--but in reality there's nothing there that would be crucial if you missed it. Could they ask a question on it? yes, it's highly testable, actually; but if asked, common sense would (should) allow you to answer the question correctly. 

 

We're still going through edits, and for 206, for example, are still on the fence between shading the Schedule As. 

 

All the best!

 



-- Edited by eze on Tuesday 12th of January 2016 02:21:33 PM

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DRPapi1983


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I like it bro,...keep up the good work

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The end is near,..good luck to all!,...
Doggieloverwoof


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I would have loved to have this when i was studying for sgt. I think it's a great idea.

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Junius78


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Im most likely not making this Lts list thanks to the material i studied from the Key. Next time it will be rising star for sure. Best to be over-prepared than under-prepared

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TiNmAn


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I think this consolidates the guide and notes into one without feeling overwhelmed. I feel the notes in the past were good but often neglected to mention a lot of the procedure. With this I feel it is a win win. The faded gray I don't see being as issue because it is not omitted. It may not be for everyone but I think it is a step in the right direction. Keep up the great work.

From a former student



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psagrunt


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i really like all the things you have done with this guide except graying out the "fluff".I think we all agree that everything must be read and the gray shading only makes it stand out more
due to only a small percentage of the material that is actually being grayed out. besides that i think everything else especially only leaving in the rank that matters is genius.

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70please


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Is it possible for a digital version for the guide.. I found having the guide available on my iPad incredibly convenient

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eze


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70please wrote:

Is it possible for a digital version for the guide.. I found having the guide available on my iPad incredibly convenient

 In the future we hope to have it available digitally. I'm looking to customize the patrol guide with various filters to fit each student's needs.

for now it's just the paper format, which we prefer since it's the same format as the exams--pencil and paper.



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