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Professional knowledge exam moves online

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A quick heads up those aspiring to PSIA Level II or III in the Eastern Division - the exam format has changed so that the first requirement is to pass the written professional knowledge exam.  Previously, this was the multiple choice test taken during the Teaching phase of the exam.  Last year, PSIA-E administered the written exam after the skiing portion.  Now, it's first up and administered online.

I recently "got to" take the exam myself.  Here are some points I've been reminding our exam candidates at the home mountain:
  • You must pass the exam BEFORE registering for the skiing exam.  Remember, event deadlines are 3 weeks before an exam, so that means you need to be looking a month or more in advance to get the online portion done.  
  • You can register for it without a director's signature, but you have to mail or fax the form to the office.
  • As in the past, the best sources for the material are the Exam Guide, Alpine Technical Manual, the Core Concepts Manual and the Children's Manual.  If you don't have these yet, order them.  It can take a week or so to get them.
The test itself:
  • Changes each time its taken.  It pulls the questions from a database, so you could get two on counter rotation and none on edging.  Or the other way around.  The system also randomizes the order of the answers.
  • Covers technical information as well as industry knowledge.  Children's development and both learning and teaching styles are also featured.  The content is mostly the same as the paper version.
  • It's timed.  50 questions, 50 minutes.  It took me less than twenty, but I'm a fast test taker.
  • You agree at the beginning that you will take it on your own.  It's not open book, open internet, or "phone a friend" time.
  • You also agree to not copy, screenshot, or take notes on any of the questions.  Yes, your buddy wants to know what's on it, but you probably want to sleep at night knowing you're not a cheater.  Just saying.
  • At the end, you see your score and the questions you got wrong.  And the wrong answer you chose. You have to learn the right one on your own.
If you fail.  Which you won't, of course - 70% (35 right out of 50) is passing.
  • You get another chance within 48 hours.  Study up and pass.
  • If you fail again... The division office will contact you.  No, you're not getting called to the principals office.  They'll look at what you got wrong and recommend an event (or two) that will fill in the gaps in your knowledge.
Any other questions?  Post them in the comments.  Before you ask, yes, I passed.  So did all of the other PSIA Ed Staff members at our mountain and all of the PSIA-E examiners.
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  1. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    You can take the skiing portion before the written exam. The written must be completed before the teaching portion of the Level ll part. Direct from PSIA-E.

    ReplyDelete

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