The BBKA website will, of course, be updated to contain later versions of this syllabus -
* There have been significant changes to the syllabus for 2016, as follows :-
A pass in the Basic Assessment is a prerequisite for entry into all other assessments.
1. Conditions of Entry
1.1 The Candidate shall have managed at least one colony of bees for a minimum of 12 months.
1.2 The entry form and fee shall have been received by the Local Examination Secretary, or the Secretary of the BBKA Examinations Board.
2. The Assessment
2.1 An Assessor, approved by the Board, is required to conduct the Assessment at any suitable apiary. Normally only the Assessor and Candidate shall be present at the Assessment. The Board may wish a trainee Assessor or member of the Board to be present as an observer.
2.2 The Assessment shall consist of four parts and the Candidate must achieve the pass mark in all four parts individually in order to pass the Assessment as a whole. The pass mark is 50% in each part. A credit will be awarded if the total mark is 75% or greater. The parts are:
2.2.1 Manipulation and Equipment. Practical Assessment of the Candidate’s ability to handle bees and beekeeping equipment and the ability to interpret what is observed.2.2.2 Oral questioning and Assessment of the Candidate’s knowledge of Natural History and Beekeeping.2.2.3 Oral questioning on Swarming, Swarm Control and effects.2.2.4 Oral questioning on Diseases, Pests and Poisoning,
2.3 Scientific names, although useful and show a greater depth of knowledge, are not required.The length of the Assessment should not normally exceed one hour.
*there has been no change to the syllabus for 2015 but from 2015 the Basic Assessment will be graded as follows:
The exam board has decided to implement the ADM proposition to grant a credit if the candidate gets more than 75% in the 'Basic. The pass is 50% and the large majority pass so at least there will be some idea of the candidates abilities.At first glance the syllabus looks too big, too complicated, and too full of difficult and scary stuff - stuff that will take ages to learn or revise. In reality there's nothing new because the syllabus comprises only what any beekeeper will (should) know after they've kept bees for a complete year - but few beekeepers realise how much they know, because they've never seen it all written down in one place.
