sounding stupid ...
 

Uh, then we're saying True-False-False, right? Didn't think the replies would be as confusing as the questions and rule book! (And it's not like I'm asking about 90 of the 100 questions or anything.)

Fishing lessons. ;)

It doesn't say the markings are 36x36. It says the space is measured 36x36.

3-3-1c

Did you see anything that stated there was a limit on the number of panels?

It doesn't matter how few questions you're asking about. The point is we're trying to get you to think rather than just give you the answer. You don't learn anything from reading true, false, true. You need to know WHY they're true, false, true.<!-- / message -->

Fair enough, friends. I guess I was fishing a little ... and thanks for at least nibbling some.

As a fairly new ref (three years) but not a rookie, I do wish they would word questions in ways that tests knowledge as opposed to trying to play gotcha. But I guess that's just me.

I mean, take that last question on my list. No, I couldn't find anything regarding the number of panels on the basketball. But doesn't common sense dictate that there can't be "any number" of panels? I guess there's no room in basketball for love, war and common sense!

Anyway, I do appreciate the help.

Have a great season, everyone.

Mike

It's there. I was helping a friend with the Part 1 a few weeks ago and looked it up.

Sure, there's a physical limit to how many panels you can put on a basketball. But the rules don't impose a limit. And it's the rules you're being tested on.

No, it's not "just you."

I understand the "wanting to make you think" mentality myself, but do find some of the questions very frustrating.

However, over the years I have learned not to read too much into them, research the ones I am unsure of, give it my best shot, and move on.....and, if I miss a question because of a word such as could, would, shall, might, may, I try to learn from it. I usually feel pretty good when I'm done and I've gotten pretty good scores overall.

Continued good luck.

It's not "just you" either. I get a little hung up on a question or three every year too. Since I can't "ask the teacher" to explain the question better, I do the best I can with it. I look it up, try to examine it from every reasonable angle, then go with my best guess at what I think they want.

Of course, in doing that I've usually expanded my own understanding of the rule in question. So regardless of whether I correctly guess what it is the test is getting at, I come away better prepared for the tests that matter. They start with a jump ball.

Despite BillyMac's protestations. ;)

(Just yankin' yer chain, Billy)

Until the advent of online testing in my state, I used to sit down with the test and the books and look up the answer to every question. I'd list the citation on the test, along with the answer. For me it was a great way to dive back into the book at the start of the season.

Ah, the stench of progress.

Just finished the test only. Got a 93. So, really, I wasn't asking for the moon, just some clarifications on the goofy wording and some food for thought. But as I said re the charge of Fishing in the Third Degree ... guilty as charged. Again, thanks for the help. Mike

Congrats on a very good score!

If you're referring to my "Fishing lessons" comment previously...I was not accusing you of fishing for answers. I was making a (apparently much too) vague reference to the saying: Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for life.

(Not to be confused with a very similar, and probably more profound saying: Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll spend every waking moment in a little boat with his line in the water, drinking beer, and telling lies.)

Just FYI, it seems you're new here. If so you likely don't know that test questions are a prickly topic. In past years several folks have come swooping in during test time, posting what amounted to, "What are the answers to questions 12, 24, 48, and 96?" and reacting angrily when the answers were not promptly posted simply for the asking. It has gotten ugly at times. So we've basically adopted the policy that we're happy to help folks find answers, to nudge them in the right direction, even answer questions about the questions, but not to just give out answers.

Good luck with your season, and bring the questions that come up in games back here to discuss. You'll get much more direct answers in that situation. :)

Or my personal favorite:
Give a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

That just warms my heart.

Unless the answers are from Padgett, then they'll just be sarcastic as heck! :D

You have been warned!