Certification Testing Cancel The title field is required!

1. Rodney Crow

   

   0 posts
   
   1/11/2012 10:01 AM

   For you guys and ladies that have recently taken the GCSAA Certification test, what study materials would you suggest? I would like to make sure I'm prepared for the test, and would also prefer to maximize my study time without going through a bunch of not-so-helpful reading.
   
   Thanks in advance for your help!

   
   
   
   
2. Michael Coy

   

   0 posts
   
   1/17/2012 5:01 AM

   I have not taken the test, but have been studying for some time now. GCSAA bookstore has plenty of resources to aid you in this. These books are also useful to have in my collection of reference materials.
   
   Michael Coy
   Oxmoor Country Club
   Louisville, KY

   
   
   
   
3. Joe Wachter

   

   5 posts
   
   1/17/2012 8:01 AM

   Rodney,
   
   I would contact Penny Mitchell at headquarters. She's the best resource we have when it comes to certification. She
   probably receives a lot of good feedback from superintendents who have taken the test of the years.

   
   
   
   
4. Matthew Weaver

   

   0 posts
   
   1/17/2012 8:01 AM

   I recently took the test for re-certification, and honestly I did not study and passed (third time I have taken the test). It was difficult for me when it comes to some of the southern agronomic issues, but if you have been a superintendent a while the agronomic questions should come easily. But I would recommend the following books from the GCSAA:
   
   Human Resource Management for Golf Course Superintendents
   Superintendents Handbook of Financial Management
   And Mathematics of Turfgrass Maintenance (this one should be known inside and out)
   
   If you have read and understand these books and with your experience of agronomics (if you feel weak in this area Turgons book should suffice.) You will pass.
   
   Some advice
   
   Go through test answer questions you know, go back and review questions you are unsure about or don't know, sometimes the answer will be revealed later in the test.
   
   Make sure you fill in the correct dots on answer sheet (take time to double check)
   
   If you don't know the answer eliminate the multiple choice questions you know are not correct and guess from there.
   
   Don't be nervous the first time around remember if you fail a section of the test you can study more and retake that section.
   
   Good Luck!

   
   
   
   
5. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   1/17/2012 9:01 AM

   Matt, is there still a rules portion on the test?
   
   I agree with what Matt said, I tried to do that as well, but I did take mine back in the open book era. The rules portion, I studied the hazard definitions and still pulled out the rule book to make sure I was answering the question correctly. It would just confirm what I knew.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
6. Matthew Weaver

   

   0 posts
   
   1/17/2012 11:01 AM

   I believe there were a couple of rules questions, they were very basic, the 2012 rule book has a great quick guide to rules starting on page 11 (new to rule book and probably best change) if you know this it will be enough, and know the definitions especially related to maintenance, GUR, OB, hazards, rub of green etc. Get 2012-2015 rule book from USGA since I am not sure if GCSAA has new one yet.

   
   
   
   
7. Rodney Crow

   

   0 posts
   
   1/18/2012 6:01 AM

   Thank you for all the feedback so far! Great information.