pa1 / pa6 exam

I felt at the time that I should have spoken to the assessors about it, but my employer is under the same umbrella organisation that runs the college and far from making it easier to have a 'quiet word' it was made plain that the college would be in a position to make things difficult for me with the organisation, so would be best dropped. Not a good situation.

What got me is the point that I 'should' be able to do all the maths in my head- the fact is that I know my mental arithmetic is appalling so I would never dream of spraying without checking my calculations with a calculator or with someone who's maths is better. After all we never go to a job without the right tools, so for me a calculator (usually on my phone which I carry anyway) is just another tool I know I need to carry!

Gary RK said:

You should feed that back to the assessing authority and training provider, Ben.

I sit on the committee of an industry Landscape Training Group and that sort of pressure would not be tolerated from an Assessor. Most I know will move heaven and earth to help a candidate pass without stepping over the "mark"

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk said:

The pa1 is simple to pass. Pa6 is much harder, so i would practice practice practise. And really get to know the calculation methods for spraying. Good luck for your exams

Having only recently passed, a week or so back, this is very good advice.

For instance, I was caught out on the water/chemical output figures, dividing by the number 1000 instead of 10000 (missed a zero when referring to the crib sheet..Doh!), others crossed their spraying 'lines'. The PA6 is 'easy' while learning the theory, but silly mistakes are likely on the practical assessment day if you've not prepared properly. Our assessor was forgiving of the odd mistake, and coaxed out the right answer, but they do draw a line for repeat offenders.

As Brian says, practice as much as you can, don't underestimate the PA6 practical, and you should be fine. Good luck!

Replies

Dan Frazer Gardening October 27, 2012 at 7:00pm

Take your time, be sensible and it's impossible to fail.
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk October 27, 2012 at 7:02pm

The pa1 is simple to pass. Pa6 is much harder, so i would practice practice practise. And really get to know the calculation methods for spraying. Good luck for your exams
PRO

Gary RK October 27, 2012 at 7:07pm

Watch it when they ask you dissemble a pressurised back pack sprayer in PA1.

Just think about what you are being asked to do.....
Liam Timmins October 27, 2012 at 7:09pm

also make sure you know the components on the knapsack i.e. different nozzles types, filter, whether or not your sprayer has a piston or Diaphragm pump, buffer zones around water courses i.e. bigger buffer zone around stagnant water sources
BensBotanics October 27, 2012 at 7:47pm

On my test the knapsack sprayer fell apart and I had to do the practical again. The guy who was examining was a b*st*rd and realised that my mental arithmetic isn't good so kept adding pressure onto me. I passed by taking my time and staying calm, and I made sure that I knew the calculations. Just keep practicing and rereading the information and you'll sail through.
Liam Timmins October 27, 2012 at 7:53pm

I would suggest you take your own sprayer if you have one as you can make sure its working properly before hand
PRO

Gary RK October 27, 2012 at 7:55pm

You should feed that back to the assessing authority and training provider, Ben.

I sit on the committee of an industry Landscape Training Group and that sort of pressure would not be tolerated from an Assessor. Most I know will move heaven and earth to help a candidate pass without stepping over the "mark"
Lawnman October 27, 2012 at 9:36pm

If you have your own sprayer practise everything beforehand from calibrating sprayer to actually spraying say 100 square metres, its all simple its just making sure you are methodical. You will only be spraying coloured water but remember all your ppe.
BensBotanics October 28, 2012 at 9:07am

I felt at the time that I should have spoken to the assessors about it, but my employer is under the same umbrella organisation that runs the college and far from making it easier to have a 'quiet word' it was made plain that the college would be in a position to make things difficult for me with the organisation, so would be best dropped. Not a good situation.

What got me is the point that I 'should' be able to do all the maths in my head- the fact is that I know my mental arithmetic is appalling so I would never dream of spraying without checking my calculations with a calculator or with someone who's maths is better. After all we never go to a job without the right tools, so for me a calculator (usually on my phone which I carry anyway) is just another tool I know I need to carry!

Gary RK said:

You should feed that back to the assessing authority and training provider, Ben.

I sit on the committee of an industry Landscape Training Group and that sort of pressure would not be tolerated from an Assessor. Most I know will move heaven and earth to help a candidate pass without stepping over the "mark"
Ian Olpin October 28, 2012 at 11:57am

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk said:

The pa1 is simple to pass. Pa6 is much harder, so i would practice practice practise. And really get to know the calculation methods for spraying. Good luck for your exams

Having only recently passed, a week or so back, this is very good advice.

For instance, I was caught out on the water/chemical output figures, dividing by the number 1000 instead of 10000 (missed a zero when referring to the crib sheet..Doh!), others crossed their spraying 'lines'. The PA6 is 'easy' while learning the theory, but silly mistakes are likely on the practical assessment day if you've not prepared properly. Our assessor was forgiving of the odd mistake, and coaxed out the right answer, but they do draw a line for repeat offenders.

As Brian says, practice as much as you can, don't underestimate the PA6 practical, and you should be fine. Good luck!