I worked on Exam II this past weekend and managed to improve my best Exam II score from a 69 to a 72. I could probably do even better with some more practice, but I think I'm done for a while. My best Exam I score to date is 88, and my best Exam II score (limited to Masters level, since I am on an 8' table) is 72. That gives me a best total score to date of 160 (88 + 72). I'm pretty happy with that for now. My next goal will be to get a Doctorate-level score on a 9' table (maybe next summer). I would also like to see how high I can score on a Valley/Dynamo bar box (also limited to the Masters-level Exam II).
If you want to see my latest Exam II, here it is:
Dr. Dave's best Exam II run to date.
I can hear the detractors already, once they see the list below. They will say:
"There is no way you are a A++/AAA player (based on the BU rating) or an A+ player (based on the 10-ball ghost drill)." Concerning the BU rating, they would be right. I definitely don't play like a AAA player. However, remember that these are the best runs at the exams I have been able to accomplish over a many-month period. Also, I'm playing on an 8' table with fairly generous pockets. Now, if a person were to get a score of 160 on a 9' table with tight pockets on a regular basis (which I for one can't do), then the A++/AAA/semi-pro rating would probably be appropriate.
Dr. Dave,
Your own words seem to explain why the 'Diploma' aspect seems to be a bit off base to Elroy & now myself as I have looked at it a bit more closely. The level of performance can be related to a period of time & perhaps even table conditions that may or may not hardly ever be the same. You may score 160 one day & 145 another day.
Toby Keith's song lyrics, 'I may not be as good as I once was...but I'm as good once as I ever was.' seems to be rather applicable in this instance.
You ask others to take a look at the test.
I ask you to take another look at the whole design set up with the 'Diploma' motif with an objective eye & with Elroy's concerns in mind.
If it is how you want it, then so be it. But a disclaimer or the changing or adding of a few words can make a difference.
While the test may be a good thing in an objective way as a more universal measuring stick in
some regards, it certainly does not seem to be consistently definitive due to the performance variations that you yourself have mentioned & the fact that practicing the specifics can yield different scores.
It is not like a Billiard IQ test. It is dependent on performance variations from time to time, test to test.
Today I am a Masters with Honors but yesterday I was a Doctorate.
I hope you can see the points that Elroy & now I am trying to make, even though you have said in the recent past that you could not.
Regards & Best Wishes,
Rick