Ok so I have my test date...

[JRoland]

Ok, so I am scheduled to take the CA exam on April 11. I have studied the green book (arborists certification study guide) , listened to the CDs as best I could ( needing a new CD player in my work truck ). What else would be good to study in the next two weeks? A little background, I am more familiar with the climbing/ rigging/ ANSI safety areas than the tree biology and soils, so I will be concentrating more on that coming up. Maybe I am just getting nervous for no reason. Thanks in advance. Jason.

 

[treecutterjr]

There's arborist exam study group on Facebook. They post q&a 's to help each other study. Might check it out.

 

[Pelorus]

Yeah, you are overthinking things.
A baboon can pass that test. (kidding)
Definitely need to know your tree bio, soil & water relationships, construction mitigation techniques, and don't forget lightning protection!

ISA Cert Arb ON-0459A

 

[Oak Savanna]

Ok, so I am scheduled to take the CA exam on April 11. I have studied the green book (arborists certification study guide) , listened to the CDs as best I could ( needing a new CD player in my work truck ). What else would be good to study in the next two weeks? A little background, I am more familiar with the climbing/ rigging/ ANSI safety areas than the tree biology and soils, so I will be concentrating more on that coming up. Maybe I am just getting nervous for no reason. Thanks in advance. Jason.

When I wrote it, it was heavy on planting, water and soil, disease and insect management, construction, urban forestry, tree selection, pruning etc. To be honest there was very few questions on climbing and only a couple on lightning protection. There was also some questions that had answers that I didn't come across in the green study guide. As they tell you "that is not the only recommended study material". Just read through every chapter in the study guide and complete the questions at the end of each one. Know your terms and definitions! Breeze through the glossary if you have time. After I completed all the questions and filled in the blanks in the whole book I had the girl friend read random questions to me and I would give her the answer. That helped a lot! I only used the green "Arborist's Certification Study Guide" and I passed. We were told it was a new style of exam and were the first ones to write it. I think the exam for each chapter/location might be different. Just take your time and read each question carefully. Select the "best" answer or "most correct" don't be fooled! If you don't know an answer, mark the question # down on a note pad and go back to it. Sometimes the answer is in other questions later on in the exam! If you put in the study time you will be fine. Get to bed early the night before, show up early, stay calm and get it done. You got it! Good luck!

 

[ATH]

Different test format that when I took it 10 years ago...but I found the Best Management Practices to be very helpful.

 

[JRoland]

Thanks for the input. I will definately check the Facebook study site out. I also have next Friday the 10th (the day before the test) off and plan to be rested up and ready. I generally am good at taking tests, and end up worrying too much, psyching myself out etc.

 

[Pelorus]

Please post your impressions of the exam after you write it.

 

[JRoland]

Please post your impressions of the exam after you write it.

Will do.

There's arborist exam study group on Facebook. They post q&a 's to help each other study. Might check it out.

Looked for this a little bit but did not find it...

 

[treecutterjr]

It's called "the arborist study guide"

 

[JRoland]

Got it. Thanks.

 

[Zale]

I recommend heavy consumption of alcohol and drugs prior to the night of the exam followed by copious amounts of Redbull the day of the exam. Worked for me every time. I've taken it 4 times and never had a problem following the above advice. I would also suggest you stay current on your CEU's when you pass unlike me.

 

[Pelorus]

I would also suggest you stay current on your CEU's when you pass unlike me.

Unlike me too. (3X)
I like to take a couple years sabbatical between writing the exam, esp. when recuperating from injuries.

 

[JRoland]

Thanks for the advice. Gonna have to pass on the heavy alcohol and drugs the night before idea though. It's supposed to snow tomorrow so I figure it will be a good chance to study. Copy on the CE units.

 

[Zale]

I was only kidding about the drugs and alcohol. That's for when you find out you passed.

 

[Sean80]

I write tomorrow afternoon. Will let you know how it goes. I've put in quite a few hours of study time at home and at work. Another co-worker got 91% last week, he said it wasn't a big deal.

 

[Oak Savanna]

I write tomorrow afternoon. Will let you know how it goes. I've put in quite a few hours of study time at home and at work. Another co-worker got 91% last week, he said it wasn't a big deal.

Everyone says its not a big deal after they find out they passed! LOL

 

[Sean80]

Got an 87%! Make sure you study construction, urban forestry, and soil. It seemed like they try to mess you up with the wording. And there were a few questions you had to figure out by eliminating the other options. Not much on climbing, but a bit on workplace safety and emergency procedures. Hope that helps.

 

[JRoland]

Please post your impressions of the exam after you write it.

I must not have been studying the right stuff, the right way. I don't think I passed. We will see in four weeks. The good news is it got me looking at some things and I will know a lot more what to expect the next time I take it. The wording on some of the questions could have been a little clearer as well, but I guess that's a part of any multiple choice test.

 

[treeseer]

"It seemed like they try to mess you up with the wording."..."The wording on some of the questions could have been a little clearer as well, but I guess that's a part of any multiple choice test."
It is. Questions are supposed to be about trees, not words, but the questions are words, so...? Writing good questions is a challenge, but good advice above about looking for the 'most correct', and not getting psyched out.

The best way to prepare is to practice.

 

[JRoland]

I'm thinking I passed but they really aren't kidding about the 4 week part. I received an email from isa about an event, and at the bottom it said I was receiving it due to my membership or certification status. So I went to the isa website and logged in, it says I'm a certified arborist and they've issued a number to me. But no official word yet.
Am looking forward to the learning involved with it, did the callus / wound wood ceu article last night from the journal of arboriculture.