BCMA Test ????

T

treecareinc

I am preparing for the Board Certified test and thought some who have already taken it might be able to give me some advise.

How tough is the test?

What is the most pertinent study material?

Any other recommendations???
 
It's tough, especially if all your experience is in northern canada. I had no idea what the suggested root ball size is to transplant a majesty palm.

Scored 74%, after scoring 72% the first time. I'm still just a CA.

The test doesn't change and you can write it and fail, study and write it again and pass. A bit pricey to do it that way but it will work, well... for some people anyway. I was disappointed in the ISA for not having a large variety of questions. And also disappointed for not having questions tailored to the writer's region. It's a good credential and helps you stand out but just as with the CA designation, to get it is just money and studying. I was good with the money part, just not the studying.

I can't even tell you what a pecan tree looks like, let alone what the daily water requirements for one are in an arid region.

I'm still a bit bitter.
 
When I took the exam I agreed not to discuss the contents of the exam. I'm guessing others had to agree to confidentiality also.

So while I can't discuss the contents of the exam, I can say that by studying ISA's CEU catalog material, the ANSI standards, arboricultural texts, etc..., I felt adequately prepared. However, I took the test about six years ago, so the current exam may be significantly different.

I also found Michael Raupp's PHC short course (University of Maryland) helpful. I believe they offer the one week course and lab annually.

PHC Short Course 2011

Click on conferences.
 
I had the pleasure of speaking with one of the creators of the test. He said there was panel of 10 people that wrote the test. He said when the test was finished they all took it. 2 / 10 passed. He passed and said he scored in the 80ies... he's a whole lot smarter than me, I doubt I pass 1st time either!!!

I think I'm just gonna take it and see where I end up... study from there! You could spend a year with recommended material.
 
After you pass the exam, you'll need 60 CEU's every three years. I guess you know the exam outline is listed on the ISA's website.

Here's a thought. Do as many CEU's as you can in preparation for the exam, but don't submit them to the ISA until after you pass the exam.

I don't know if the ISA would encourage that technique, but it would save you time when you have to recertify at the three year mark. Perhaps that way, you could prepare thoroughly, but not feel as though you're wasting time.
 
Not real excited about the 60 CEU's... Good idea on saving them up! My CA renews this year anyway, so if I don't pass I can turn them in after Jan 1 and they will count towards my next renewal.

I became a CA in 1996. Back then it was a big deal. I was the only one for years in my area, now there are a ton. I hope the BCMA will set me apart again. What impacts has BCMA had on you business?
 
Jeff passed the test in 2006. Study the material outlined in the ISA BCMA outline. It prepares you well for the test. The credential has impacted our business for the better.
 
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What impacts has BCMA had on you business?

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Unfortunately, I can't definitively say that the BCMA designation has had a significant impact on my business. However that's probably tied to marketing strategies that need improvement. The certification is just one small step in the overall process.
 
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Here's a thought. Do as many CEU's as you can in preparation for the exam, but don't submit them to the ISA until after you pass the exam.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly what I did. I did the entire ISA compendia in 3 days hiding out in the library before my BCMA exam. I now have almost 60 CEU's waiting there in case I need them at recertification time.
 
[ QUOTE ]
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Here's a thought. Do as many CEU's as you can in preparation for the exam, but don't submit them to the ISA until after you pass the exam.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly what I did. I did the entire ISA compendia in 3 days hiding out in the library before my BCMA exam. I now have almost 60 CEU's waiting there in case I need them at recertification time.

[/ QUOTE ]


What is the ISA Compendia??
 
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It's tough, especially if all your experience is in northern canada. I had no idea what the suggested root ball size is to transplant a majesty palm.

Scored 74%, after scoring 72% the first time. I'm still just a CA.

The test doesn't change and you can write it and fail, study and write it again and pass. A bit pricey to do it that way but it will work, well... for some people anyway. I was disappointed in the ISA for not having a large variety of questions. And also disappointed for not having questions tailored to the writer's region. It's a good credential and helps you stand out but just as with the CA designation, to get it is just money and studying. I was good with the money part, just not the studying.

I can't even tell you what a pecan tree looks like, let alone what the daily water requirements for one are in an arid region.

I'm still a bit bitter.

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Wow, thats a bummer.... I think I will re-think taking this test.... for now
 
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Wow, thats a bummer.... I think I will re-think taking this test.... for now

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I haven't decided if i'm not smart enough to pass or if the test is just too geared to americans.

How would a CA from hong kong pass this?
 
The test questions change from test to test. I got 74% the first time but the second time I took the test I got 82%. There were several questions that I would never know the answer to I just answerd enough other questions correctly.
 
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I also found Michael Raupp's PHC short course (University of Maryland) helpful. I believe they offer the one week course and lab annually.

PHC Short Course 2011

Click on conferences.

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Ive had the pleasure of attending some of his courses. Hes a great instructor. Knows his subject and keeps it interesting.
 
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Study the Arboriculture text book by Harris, Clark and Matheny. The majority of the questions come out of there...
Good Luck!

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Ordered it today....

Thanks to everyone for the help and advise! If I pass I'll let you know!
 
I passed this morning!!!! Got an 81%!

It took me 3 times... 3rd times a charm I guess.

I took it the first time and scored 70%. I didn't study at all before this take. I did very poor on Plant Appraisal. I had never studied or performed a plant appraisal. I ordered the book and took it on vacation with me. I read it and decided to take the test while on vacation.... Bad idea! I only studied plant appraisal, on this take I got 74%! (75% is passing). That pissed me off for a couple vacation days!

The third and final time I spent about 2 days going over each domain I performed poorly. This resulted in the 81%!

This test was not a walk in the park for me. On a scale of 1 - 10 I would rate it an 8+. I am a very good test taker and can't remember ever flunking a written test. I think what makes it tough is the lack of defined study materials. Most tests I've taken have a study guide or companion or companies have published materials to help you with the test. The nice thing is you can take it over and over!

Now the daunting CEU collection begins!

Thanks for the great advise.... it helped!
 
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