And who are YOU to judge?

[JStop]

Having just sat a diving exam (for the first time in over 10 years), I am appalled to find that the exam paper was in many places impossible to answer. That's not because I'm thick, it is because there is simply insufficient information to be able to answer the question.

And before all you instructors get on your high horse, I would like to point out that I have been a director of a training agency. And in addition to this the person setting the paper registered during my time as director of that agency and later took it over.

I am not having a go at individuals here, but it raises a point of the quality and worth of the ticket every individual walks away with.

Are we getting the training we need?
Are we getting the training we deserve for the money we pay.

[JStop]

Having just sat a diving exam (for the first time in over 10 years), I am appalled to find that the exam paper was in many places impossible to answer. That's not because I'm thick, it is because there is simply insufficient information to be able to answer the question.

And before all you instructors get on your high horse, I would like to point out that I have been a director of a training agency. And in addition to this the person setting the paper registered during my time as director of that agency and later took it over.

I am not having a go at individuals here, but it raises a point of the quality and worth of the ticket every individual walks away with.

Are we getting the training we need?
Are we getting the training we deserve for the money we pay.

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by JStop

Are we getting the training we need?

I suspect so.

Are we getting the training we deserve for the money we pay.

We are probably getting the training we are prepared to pay for.
Setting up exam question review boards can be expensive.

Also beware of the 'correct' answer.
Radio Amateurs Exam:
Q: How often should tests be made? (of transmitting equipment)
People wrote reams.
A: From time to time.
The direct quote from the licence document was what was wanted.

[Mark Chase]

I have to agree that when I sat the Trimix exam they asked questions that couldent be answered using the tables provided in the manual. This seemed a bit daft at the time.

ATB

Mark Chase

[up 4 it]

Some diving exams, certainly as you go higher up the ladder, appear to be looking for a knowledge base outside the normal theory textbooks.

To that end you are expected to know the standard theory and a lot more as well.

I've just sat the BSAC FCD exam and there were certainly quite a few questions that would be difficult to find in the training manuals, but as an FCD you're expected to have a broad range of knowledge about all diving matters.

What was the exam you sat?

Steve

[Spacehopper]

Isn't that the point, by the time you get to FCD level (or equivalent in other organisations) you are expected to learn "outside the box" and not just from the manual.

Me, I'm just a PADI AOW, you can tell me by the way I walk

Gareth

[Simon TW]

Originally Posted by up 4 it

Some diving exams, certainly as you go higher up the ladder, appear to be looking for a knowledge base outside the normal theory textbooks.

To that end you are expected to know the standard theory and a lot more as well.

I've just sat the BSAC FCD exam and there were certainly quite a few questions that would be difficult to find in the training manuals, but as an FCD you're expected to have a broad range of knowledge about all diving matters.

What was the exam you sat?

Steve

whats FCD?

[up 4 it]

Hi Simon

It's BSAC First Class Diver qualification, equivalent to CMAS 4*, I don't believe PADI or SAA have an equivalent, but I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

Steve

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by up 4 it

Hi Simon

It's BSAC First Class Diver qualification, equivalent to CMAS 4*, I don't believe PADI or SAA have an equivalent, but I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

Steve

Are you sure "equivalent" to CMAS 4*? Seems odd since the 4* is a dive guide and there's no guide aspect to FCD?

PADI don't deco so no they can only do 2* (he he he). Their "haute de gamme" pleasure plongeur is Master Scuba Diver......

No idea about SAA.

Chris

[zepp]

Originally Posted by up 4 it

Hi Simon

It's BSAC First Class Diver qualification, equivalent to CMAS 4*, I don't believe PADI or SAA have an equivalent, but I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

Steve

Steve, The SAA equivalent is DIVE MASTER