ISA Test

[treeman82]

Hello again everyone. I got home from school tonight after taking my arboriculture test and wanted everyones' feedback on something. The book that we used for my arboriculture class was the ISA study guide for the arborist certification test. My background in tree care has been that I have been climbing for 4 years now, I have taken a semester of arboriculture and done well at Stockbridge, and I had taken 2 years of an urban forestry class in high school. Where I lack is in the fields of diseases and of insects. I would like though to be able to get my liscence this winter while I have off. Do you guys think that with my experience I could pass the test so as to get my certification? Mostly I have been climbing for myself doing my own work. I really don't feel like wasting my time here and my money to go and take the test only to fail. Should I wait a few more years or should I try to do it now? If you guys have taken it, what other study sources would be good to use for the test? Thank you for your input.

 

[treeclimber165]

You need to go ahead and schedule your test. They usually go around to different cities once or twice a year, so get on the schedule. Order your study guide, 75% of the questions come from it. At my test site, they had a 4 hour optional review class the day before the test. TAKE THE REVIEW CLASS! They will cover 90% of what is on the test. There are 10 'domains', and you have to pass each one separately. (If you score 95% on 9 and 60% on 1, you still don't pass) The good news is that IF you fail any domains, you only need to retake the ones you fail.
Oh, the latin names for identification are multiple chioce. You don't need to spell them, only recognize them.

Good Luck!! :angel:

 

[treeman82]

So Brian, if I pass 9 of the 10 sections I have to wait 1 year to retake that one part? I think I can do it, I am in the dark though at this time when it comes to insects and diseases.

 

[Treebeard]

I would'nt worry too much about the test. They did'nt seem to ask that many disease/bug questions on any of them I've taken. Re-taking the section if you fail it does'nt mean waiting a year if you can attend a few conferences that happen to have the test offered. I had to retake the tree ID section & got it done within six months by attending a regional ISA conference. Remember the initial re-takes are free & you only re-take the section you failed. Bug & disease ID is always a challenge. Most regions prob have a half dozen "easy to recognozie because you see them everyday" types of both & then a myriad of funky "what the hell is that?" that you eventually need a reference library for or using your state entomologist to ID. Some bug & disease books are even free, check out your local County Extension service for some. Colorado State University has a few too if they apply to your region/trees.

 

[treeman82]

Well I don't know if I am gonna do this. It's 225 dollars out of my pocket, and right now money is kind of tight. I am gonna do some reading on the ISA site tonight and think about it. I got until sunday to register i think.

 

[monkeypuzzle]

I bailed out of taking the test in Tampa earlier this month,my reason was that there will be a Arbo class at the Comm. Coll. starting Jan. 12 in Tally.This is the first class of it's kind in my area.The class is every Sat. from 9am to 1pm, around April 27th the test will be given.I,m still coming to see ya Treeman14.

 

[ArborView]

Personally, I'd recommend you take the test now, while you're still in school and stuff is still fresh in your mind. I took the ISA test my second year in Stockbridge and passed with a 86%. If I had to retake it now, I don't think I could do it without a lot more studying. I remember taking a tree ID class where we learned something like 300 trees and shrubs including the latin names. I bet I couldn't give you more then 10 now without looking them up.
As far as insect and diseases, they were pretty much common sense ones as I remember. I'd recommend getting a cd called "Tree Bytes". It has all the major insects and diseases you'll ever run into, at least in the Northeast. Bob Childs in the entomology dept. at UMass can hook you up with one of those.

 

[treeman82]

You took Ahern's class. I have only taken the intro to arb class so far. I also have a background with 2 years in an urban forrestry class in high school. Also I have been doing tree work since i was 15. I am thinking that I am going to go and take the test.