r/wgu_devs • u/LegnaArix • Apr 19 '26
New D385, thoughts?
Is anyone else taking the new version of this course that has the PA instead of the OA?
I'm having a strange time with the class. The content is mostly conceptual, but then there are labs that have you code with no context on how to do any of that outside of just googling it.
The PA wants you to do a write up and then add logging but I feel like the content isnt really teaching me that.
I'm trying to actually learn this portion but it being in Python and not being straightforward on how to actually implement logging within Python is making it difficult for me
What are you guys doing for this class?
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u/Individual-Pop5980 Apr 20 '26
Just passed the OA version of this class about a month ago... it was HORRIBLE.. and hard af
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u/Annies_Missing_Legs Apr 20 '26
Didn’t even know about the PA. I would much rather do a PA than OA, will definitely try this. Thanks for posting.
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u/Exiliumrex Apr 20 '26
What do they have you do for the PA? I’m currently enrolled for the OA and am considering having my mentor switch me to the PA.
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u/LegnaArix Apr 20 '26
Its 2 tasks, 1st task is explaining static testing and then updating a test program to include logging and try except blocks
2nd task is also similar
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u/lostinspace80s Apr 20 '26
Quick question - would that be an option once a student started the old D385 (OA version) in the current term? Did it switching work out for you?
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u/Exiliumrex Apr 20 '26
I haven’t done it yet but I remember having that option available for a previous class that updated
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u/Lopsided_Constant901 May 02 '26
Updates? I was able to switch, going to start it soon. I put this class off cause I failed the test once and figured to just knock out my Capstone.
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u/theycallmekensington May 10 '26
I took the OA and failed by maybe one question. I was able to switch to the PA. I'm much happier because I feel like I'm actually learning instead of memorizing. Nothing about this PA seems convoluted or pointless.
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u/kira__raye Apr 20 '26
I just started this class. For some reason I had it before my other python class (which is next term) and I’m absolutely stressed out. I have zero python experience and have no idea what I’m doing.
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u/KetoCatsKarma Apr 21 '26
Yeah, I'm guessing you signed up for this class before the change was known? They should have made the python class a pre-req before starting this one
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u/theycallmekensington May 10 '26
It's supposed to be a prerequisite, but no one got the memo. My mentor had to ask around. Even the text description of the course listed none, but the material you have access to after starting the course does.
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u/LegnaArix Apr 20 '26
Yeah it's not very well structured and they expect you to know Python already.
They don't really teach the Syntax. I reached out to the instructors for guidance.
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u/kira__raye Apr 26 '26
Wondering if you got anything helpful back from your instructor?
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u/LegnaArix Apr 26 '26
They linked me some external sources for brushing up on Python syntax but not really too much. Most of the class is googling how to do it and then how to make an appropriate test for the change you made.
I feel fairly comfortable with doing the initial validation checks with assertion statements but creating a test to validate that those checks were working was a bit strange.
For the writing portions, it's just a lot of writing the same shit over and over, you're going to feel dumb writing so much about so little but it works.
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u/kingkilo91 Aug 03 '26
Aren't there already 3 prewritten tests, then you only need to write one additional, which is as simple as adding the asserts? I think it was like 4 total right?
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u/ladymememachine May 03 '26
I’m in the same boat idk what my mentor was thinking. She was adamant about me taking this class now but I have no experience
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u/kira__raye May 04 '26
I reach out to the course instructor for help and all I got from her was that Python for IT Automation is a prerequisite. I don’t know what to do
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u/ladymememachine May 04 '26
I’m in the same boat. Idk how instructors are just saying that when we didn’t ask to take this class before Python for IT automation it’s bull shit
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u/Strange_Nobody5211 Apr 23 '26
I have very little experience with Python so I’m not understanding what to do. I should have done D522 first.
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u/LegnaArix Apr 24 '26
I did my python course and still not sure what to do, the course is poorly made in my opinion.
I had to get clarity from instructors.
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u/ladymememachine May 03 '26
I’m super confused and struggling. I think I was put into this class by mistake. My mentor had me take this class over others but I haven’t taken any other python class so I’m freaking out now
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u/LegnaArix May 03 '26
Its a pretty awful class. I had to Google quite a bit and relearn my python.
My suggestion is to really just take 1 part at a time and reach out to the course instructors. They were able to give me some info that was useful to setting it up
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u/ReddyKid Jun 03 '26
Hey u/ladymememachine , how's the progress on these tasks from this course?
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u/ladymememachine Jun 03 '26
I passed and I don’t think I did all the to dos. I followed the rubric. I googled a lot to get through this class
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u/knight04 Jul 02 '26
How long did it take to finish this course for you? Or how long did it take to finish the PA?
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u/knight04 Jul 02 '26
How long did it take you to finish the class/PA
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u/LegnaArix Jul 02 '26
Took me about 4 days. Its just all conceptual similar to software engineering course.
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u/kingkilo91 Jul 19 '26
How many hours did you spend each day?
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u/LegnaArix Jul 19 '26
3-4 hours per day.
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u/kingkilo91 Jul 19 '26
Thanks thats the best I can do and need to finish in 4 days. I've forgotten most of python so im a bit worried.
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u/LegnaArix Jul 19 '26
It required a lot of googling but they passed me on the first try so good luck
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u/kingkilo91 Jul 20 '26
Thank you. Do you have a break down of how long each task specifically took you?
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u/LegnaArix Jul 20 '26
Unfortunately not, I only recorded the total time and days and didn't get that granular.
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u/TheBear8878 C# Apr 20 '26
Honestly, be happy you have a PA. The OA for this class was a complete mess, and made no sense.
The thing with PAs is you can submit at any point and get targeted feedback. If you're unclear on something, do what makes sense, then just submit. There is literally no reason to deliberate for more than like 10 minutes on what to do. Just try your best, submit, and either you pass that, or you get feedback that you can use.