ISA test question

If your studying from the book there's a proven study system. Scan the whole book first just reading the headings and whatever catches your eye. Then re-read it and make written notes. Your notes may be good enough to re-read and save time but it's best to re-read the whole book a couple times. The trick to being a good student is doing the work. Also turn off the computer and tv while studying. You could be ready in two or three days.
 
Try doing all the practice multiple choice questions BEFORE you even start reading / studying.
It will give you a good baseline of where you are at, and how far you need to go.
 
"It almost seems too easy........because the ISA has made it become very easy. The ISA wants you to pass this test. They are rooting for you. They want your $$$."

True, they profit on our investment--but so do we!

"Tree ID via leaf or twig samples probably was enough of a stumbling block that the ISA removed that. Regrettable, imo."

But necessary, given the lack of input from folks in chapters to have that stuff on hand. The basics of ID are (I hear) still in there.

"Ditto for having to get a minimum passing grade for each and every domain."

Totally with you on that one. I flunked cabling in '92 and had to retake, but would not have it any other way. Dumbing down diluted value.
Re practice, here are 2 CEU articles with tests. Email me your answers and I'll send you your grades!
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I think the trend to dumb it down further will be an easier path for the ISA to take vs. going in the other direction. How do they stop that boulder rolling downhill? By coming out with more certs and qualifications? At some point in time it is gonna become meaningless advertising gobblygook. Is the potential client supposed to be more impressed that Bob (with 5 years practical experience) has Certs A, B, C, and D, whereas Henry (with 15 years experience) only has Certs B and D?
 
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I think the trend to dumb it down further will be an easier path for the ISA to take vs. going in the other direction. How do they stop that boulder rolling downhill? By coming out with more certs and qualifications? At some point in time it is gonna become meaningless advertising gobblygook. Is the potential client supposed to be more impressed that Bob (with 5 years practical experience) has Certs A, B, C, and D, whereas Henry (with 15 years experience) only has Certs B and D?

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Yeah... That is exactly what happened with review sites as time marched on....

At first, the companies with 30-60 MORE reviews seemed like a safer choice over a company with just a few. However, when one company has 520 and the other has 650, that safe feeling gets lost.
 
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I think the trend to dumb it down further will be an easier path for the ISA to take vs. going in the other direction. How do they stop that boulder rolling downhill? By coming out with more certs and qualifications? At some point in time it is gonna become meaningless advertising gobblygook. Is the potential client supposed to be more impressed that Bob (with 5 years practical experience) has Certs A, B, C, and D, whereas Henry (with 15 years experience) only has Certs B and D?

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If the client needs work, which requires specialization in A and C, then yes.

I've taken the old test, and proctored the newer edition, so I'm familiar with both, and wouldn't say that the newer edition is dumbed down in the least.

Rather it's more in compliance with certification testing in other disciplines, which makes it a more, rather than less valuable certification.

There are all kinds of hats to be worn in the field of arboriculture, and advanced certifications and qualifications simply let prospective clients know which of those hats you make it your specialty to wear.

This lets prospective clients make more informed decisions as to the type of practitioner they wish to retain for their own particular problems.
 
Um stupid question. How come there's no cert for the removal specialist? Which is how most tree workers make a living and the part of the trade that needs the highest skill. Call it the Tree Ninja Cert. Or the Limb Reaper Cert.
 
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I think the trend to dumb it down further will be an easier path for the ISA to take vs. going in the other direction. How do they stop that boulder rolling downhill? By coming out with more certs and qualifications? At some point in time it is gonna become meaningless advertising gobblygook. Is the potential client supposed to be more impressed that Bob (with 5 years practical experience) has Certs A, B, C, and D, whereas Henry (with 15 years experience) only has Certs B and D?

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If the client needs work, which requires specialization in A and C, then yes.

I've taken the old test, and proctored the newer edition, so I'm familiar with both, and wouldn't say that the newer edition is dumbed down in the least.

Rather it's more in compliance with certification testing in other disciplines, which makes it a more, rather than less valuable certification.

There are all kinds of hats to be worn in the field of arboriculture, and advanced certifications and qualifications simply let prospective clients know which of those hats you make it your specialty to wear.


This lets prospective clients make more informed decisions as to the type of practitioner they wish to retain for their own particular problems.

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When the majority of prospective clients don't know what the difference is between a CA and one of a growing myriad of other badges and hats you can sport, I dunno that is a mark in your favour. Of course, it is possible to just shift the onus of responsibility onto the client to investigate credentials...

Furthermore, I betcha a heck of a lot more aspiring arborists now succeed in becoming CA's on their first attempt challenging the DUMBED DOWN exam. I have written both versions; don't be blowing smoke up my, or anyone else's azz that the new version isn't easier!
 
That's rather blunt, but possibly accurate. I have not taken the new, but have closely witnessed the devolution in question-writing over 15 years. Plus CEUs are easier to get. Effortless requirements compared to the old workbooks.

Re 'more in compliance with certification testing in other disciplines', what does that mean, Mr. C?
Just as dumbed-down as the others? The world (or at least the US) is losing its mind in its machines, so cert standards gotta slide?

'Compliance' implies some sort of standard, to my dumb ears.
And smells smoky to my nose.
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In a race to the bottom, everybody loses.

BCMA works for me in my market because it's promoted by practitioners. I'm glad for it. We make it worth more than TRAQ, despite the $teamroller behind that.
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Guy, last summer you mentioned to me (my Letter-to-the-Editor debacle - Huntsville, Ont) that the CA credential is like passing Grade 4. Or something like that. After a lot of reflection, I gotta say (however much that pains me) that you are correct, imo. It stung a bit at the time, as it is the only paper credential I have re. this profession. (Plus a few membership affiliations). It dismays me how very easy it has become to call oneself an ISA Certified Arborist. Several years experience (define or qualify "experience") in this field, and literally several hours of Study Guide perusal = significant achievement??? Sez who - the ISA? Who are they kidding?

It is perhaps a good thing that Joe Public is for the most part oblivious to the fact that a CA holder may be woefully ignorant or incapable of actually identifying, climbing, rigging, pruning, dismantling, or otherwise treating the patients he/she is looked upon to treat.

I hope the fellow who started this thread passes his exam, and that he learns a lot about arboriculture during the process, and afterwards.

Regards,
Dave
ISA CA# ON-0459A
 
No not 4th grade; maybe high school. This is not to demean it--high school is hard work for everyone there, as I remember it, and it's an achievement to pass.

Us old fogies also gotta remember that our perception has shifted. What was hard now looks easy; this is a bias to adjust for, if and when we try to judge CA's evolution.
 
arboricultural devolution....baboons will become ISA CA's.
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.....if and when the ISA can figure out how to get $$$ outta them.
 
Pelorus, I'm the one who started this thread and by what I have all read from all the comments, it seems to be a very easy test as long as you know your stuff and do enough studying. In April of this year it will be my 4th year of doing tree work and I have learned alot over the past few years and I'm glad to be a fast learner when it comes to hands-on projects and things I am interested in.
 
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Try doing all the practice multiple choice questions BEFORE you even start reading / studying.
It will give you a good baseline of where you are at, and how far you need to go.

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This comment here is some real good advice and I will have to do that. Hoping to do some jobs real soon so I can make some good money to buy the study book. I'm hoping to be certified by summertime but for the time being I'm splitting firewood for pennies to just to get by a little bit during the winter. I make good money when I'm out doing a removal or pruning job.
 
Know your stuff, Donald (esp. the Study Guide) and I guarantee you will have no problem. I purchased the ISA Compendium series a couple of years ago, and the material and questions contained therein are also excellent prep material, in addition to acquiring CEUs in the years to come.

My baboon comment above is purely facetious, as there is just no way the ISA can get a baboon to pay $250 to write that exam, even though the ISA has formed a committee to explore that revenue generator.
 
If baboons becoming CAs is devolution you would be saying Baboons are currently more advanced than CAs. Perspective again. Good luck Donald you'll do fine. And if you don't you can try again.
 
If baboons become ISA CAs it would indicate the devolution of the I$A CA exam content is a stunning milestone marker beyond their wildest dreams.
Devolution Accomplished!
 
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