• Information
& Testing Procedure •
Provisional Instructor Examination - Information and Requirements
Single Handed and Two Handed Casting Disciplines
Introduction
The AAPGAI "Provisional" Level Instructor Programme
began in November 2005 and provides a pathway
for potential instructors to develop their career
through a Pre -assessment evaluation of technical
skills and an Instructor Mentoring Program leading
to an Examination Certificate. The Provisional
Level Instructor program provides the necessary
grounding for instructors to learn from qualified
AAPGAI "Advanced" and "Master" professional instructors
the best practices for becoming effective instructors.
This enables candidates to teach their students
properly so increasing the level of participation
and hopefully retention of people coming into
the sport of game fishing.
All candidates will on receipt of their application form and fees be sent "Assessor Notes" which will in some detail demonstrate the technical standards required for the examination. Some candidates may wish to prepare for the examination by undertaking a course of instruction from an AAPGAI instructor prior to the assessment weekend that will allow them to attend their Pre assessment with a view to undertaking the Provisional examination immediately on completion of the former. Others will use the Pre-assessment and the teaching sessions with the help of the instructors present to glean how much preparation they may need before undertaking the examination and will partake in the Mentoring Program.
The AAPGAI "Provisional" Level Instructor is recognised as a person having achieved a basic level competence and knowledge of game angling and fly-casting. "Provisional " level Instructors hold "Associate" membership of AAPGAI i.e. non-voting membership.
'Provisional' Level Instructors are required to pass an examination at 'Advanced' level within 2 years of completing 'Provisional' certification. Anyone unable to achieve 'Advanced' level certification within 2 years of completing 'Provisional' certification will have his or her 'Associate' membership withdrawn.
The 'Provisional' examination is intentionally rigorous and demanding in order to uphold the integrity of the entire certification process as well as maintaining the high standards of game angling and fly-fishing in the UK. The level of competence of all our examinations are AAPGAI standards i.e. the narrower syllabus at Provisional level would still require that the candidate has reached the same standard of competence as the wider Advanced and Masters level.
Pre - Assessment and Evaluation
of Casting skills
All candidates for Provisional qualification are
required to attend a Pre - Assessment Casting
Evaluation usually held at our Development
and Workshop weekends held twice yearly. During
this session the Assessor team will have an opportunity
to evaluate whether the candidate is a credible
candidate for undergoing the test at this juncture
or needs further time to improve his/her skills
before undertaking the test.
Those candidates who show the necessary abilities at Pre-Assessment will be invited to undertake the full test at this point and will if successful be entitled to becoming Provisional members of AAPGAI subject to passing the other parts of the examination namely the written paper and the interview.
In exceptional circumstances an extremely able candidate will be invited to undergo both the Provisional and Advanced tests on the same Assessment weekend.
For those candidates who are at Pre-Assessment deemed to be not ready for the full test the assessors will give a full teaching session of the areas where the candidate needs to improve. The assessors will also help the candidate to structure a training program tailored to suit their needs. However, please be advised standards are high and in some instances individuals may be advised not to continue in the AAPGAI 'Provisional' program but seek further experience in fly casting and/or fly fishing before being accepted into the program at a later stage.
Those individuals who show potential to become AAPGAI 'Provisional' Level Instructors in the future will be advised to join the AAPGAI Mentoring program.
AAPGAI Provisional Instructor - 'Mentor' Training programme.
Talk to any AAPGAI instructor and they will all tell you; they never stop learning. The fact that many of our members attend regular Professional Development 'workshops', to constantly hone their skills, is a testament to the high level of professionalism that's made AAPGAI the highly respected organisation it is today.
As a candidate, your Continued Professional Development (CPD) starts here, with your being assigned a personal tutor and 'Mentor' for the period leading up to your examination. The AAPGAI Mentoring program gives you the opportunity to gain valuable 'one-to-one' instruction in both the practical elements of fly-casting as well as teaching skills. On completion of your training you will be advised to sit the 'Provisional' level examination at the next assessment weekend. Training is offered on a regional basis and generally includes casting instruction days/ evenings, working voluntarily in support of an Advanced or Masters Level Instructor and receiving guidance and tutoring in preparation for examination.
Examinations - Interviews
As with all levels of AAPGAI examinations, the
interview consists of questions covering a number
of areas, including: Teaching skills & support
equipment, fly fishing, fly& bait casting, safety,
fisheries law, knots, fisheries science, fish
conservation and etiquette. Interviews generally
take place in a quiet classroom or small conference
room. They will normally follow the casting portion
of the examination. Typically, only you and two
examiners are present. Occasionally an observer,
normally a Trainee Assessor, may also attend.
In the limited time available (30-40 minutes), the examiners must pose questions they believe will adequately test your depth of knowledge in those areas listed. At the conclusion of the interview, the examiners must make a judgment regarding your knowledge level and whether or not it is sufficient to justify a passing grade. Rest assured they want to give you ample opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge level; they must however make certain they uphold the accepted standards of a 'Provisional' Level Instructor. This is a difficult task for both you and the assessors, especially considering that they hope to see you pass the test just as much as you want to pass it.
The AAPGAI Assessor Committee develops questions they believe will test your knowledge and experience. With the diversity of backgrounds and the depth of experience of the examiners, potential questions could vary considerably. Predicting precisely the questions you will get is impossible. You simply must be as knowledgeable and experienced as possible in these areas. Questions will reflect the level expected of a Provisional Level Instructor.
During the interview you may be asked to show practically some knots, identify some flies or show how to carry out some emergency repairs on rods or other fishing tackle.
Listed below are examples of the type of questions you might be asked during the interview or the Written Paper. The questions listed are intended as thought-provoking questions that stimulate your thinking, depth and breadth of knowledge. You may or may not encounter these same questions again. However, if you can cope with these, you are well on your way to a pass.
Written examinations last one hour - Provisional level candidates can expect some multiple-choice questions with others demanding a single word or short sentence answer.
Interview / Written Questions
- Examples
What do you think are the main attributes of a
good instructor? How would you go about organising
a weekend of instruction for a small group of
beginners? What are the core principles of fly-casting?
What do you consider to be the main responsibilities
of an AAPGAI 'Provisional' Instructor? How would
you improve the current examination program? Describe
your own 'style' of 'overhead' casting. What level
of importance do you place on AAPGAI adhering
to a fairly rigid program of testing?
Casting Performance Test and
Instructing Ability
The casting portion of the test is relatively
straightforward and, to put it bluntly, you can
either make the casts or you can't. You should
thoroughly study the requirements of the test,
also located on the AAPGAI web site: www.aapgai.co.uk
and also after application the "Assessor Notes"
sent by the secretary.
If your examiner asks you to do something you didn't anticipate, don't argue. Find out exactly what he or she wants and then do your best to meet their expectations. Sometimes examiners might ask for you to perform a cast just to confirm or dispel a perceived weakness. Again, don't argue, just get on with it! The casting portion will take place on water - some allowances may be given for other circumstances, such as an unfavorable wind. However, you must demonstrate, with comfort and ease, the casts you are asked to execute. The Provisional Level casting syllabus is significantly shorter compared to the Advanced and Masters. However, the execution and demonstration of the casts should be of the same standard. The key here is practice, practice, practice and practice again!
Your responses to the "explain and demonstrate" elements of the test should also be concise. When you know the main points about each cast to be made, it's a matter of organizing those into a clear and concise explanation that matches your demonstration. Practice and rehearse to the point that it becomes almost second nature. In your first rehearsals you will likely use far too many words. It may help to write out your explanation, and then edit to reduce the number of words. Rehearsing with a knowledgeable friend or your mentor will help.
The key to success
If you regard the test seriously and prepare yourself,
you will significantly improve your probability
of success. If you take it lightly, you may be
disappointed. In short, know your stuff and be
able to teach it to a high standard.
Requirements:
· Compulsory - Attend a Pre-Assessment Weekend
and undergo a Casting/ Teaching Evaluation.
· Optional - Mentoring Training program.
· Pass a comprehensive performance Fly Casting
Test & Analyze casting faults (performed by testers)
- (1hr - 30 minutes)
· Pass an interview/ oral style examination (30-40
minutes)
· Pass a written examination - (1hr)
Fees
Pre-Assessment Weekend/ Casting Evaluation/
Provisional Examination or In Depth teaching session
- Fee £200.00 (Accommodation is not included)
Mentoring & Training Programme in either 'Salmon' (Two Handed) or 'Trout' (Single Handed) - Fee £200.00 for voucher entitling the candidate to 8 hours of tuition/mentoring.
Provisional Level 'Salmon & Trout' Examinations - £100 per category for those candidates who have already attended a prior Casting Evaluation.
Candidates who are successful at 'Provisional' Level will be invited to take 'Advanced' level examinations in either 'Trout or 'Salmon' disciplines or both. 'Advanced' Level 'Fly Dressing' will be available only to those who already hold 'Advanced' Level 'Trout' or 'Salmon' or any other AAPGAI recognised qualification.
All payments for examinations to be paid in advance to AAPGAI Secretary:
Illtyd Griffiths, Carnedd - y -
Gors, Glandyfi, Machynlleth, Powys. SY20 8SS
Tel: 01654 781365 Mob: 07974 942 853 email: sewin2@hotmail.com
On receipt of fees the secretary will send electronically or by snail mail full assessor notes to the candidate to aid their preparation.
Cheques made payable to AAPGAI Booking forms to be found on the toolbar.
If you have any questions regarding
the examination process, please contact:
AAPGAI Examinations Committee: Glyn Freeman
AAPGAI Examinations Officer, Mid Farm, Fingland,
Kirkbride, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 5EN
Tel: 01697 351752 - Mob: 07808 563788 email: glyn.freeman@virgin.net
Provisional Level Instructor - Benefits
A comprehensive insurance that is
unique to AAPGAI in the UK that covers such areas
as "advice" and cover for working overseas.
A certificate suitable for framing
An AAPGAI Cap
An invitation to AAPGAI Continued Professional
Development weekends & Shows.
A regular Newsletter for AAPGAI instructors &
the opportunity to contribute.
Recognition as a 'Provisional' Level Casting Instructor
and listed as such on the AAPGAI Website and other
publications.