Entry Level Beekeeping Certificate Instructions
As a result of the Covid pandemic we have been unable to offer exams in the traditional way.
We are aware that this must have been very frustrating for all our associations and their beginners.
You will be pleased to hear that the Education Subcommittee has been working away to create an exam procedure which will allow your beginners to be assessed and obtain a certificate of completion to mark all their hard work.
To this end we have created the Entry Level Beekeeping Certificate.
This certificate consists of two parts.
Part 1. Theory
This is a written exam marked out of 100.
Pass mark is 70%.
There is no time frame for completion so the candidates can take as long as they like to complete it.
It’s an open book exam and we are hoping that it will act as a means of education as well as a tool to assess understanding of the subject matter.
The candidate can look up the answers, discuss with their mentors, and attempt the exam as many times as they need to get the required mark.
After each attempt they will get feedback on what they got wrong, and what the education committee felt the correct answer should be.
Options for completion
They can stop there or they can proceed to part 2.
Part 2. Practical
On completion of part 1 the candidate will be issued with a skills logbook containing a set of tasks.
They will have to complete these tasks to a satisfactory standard.
Again there is no time frame for completion and the candidates can take as long as they need to complete this part of the assessment.
With Covid restrictions in mind we are obviously not able to send examiners out to associations to assess large groups of beginners so we have a number of alternative options.
Options for completion
Cost
€10
Paid online via the following link or via the association secretaries if candidates do not have access to the internet and will be completing their exams manually.
Payment can be made by cheque. please make it payable to;
Irish Beekeepers' Association CLG, and send it to Denis O Sullivan, Barleymount East, Killarney, Co. Kerry. V93 AFH7
On completion of the paper manually the candidate should post back to Caroline McDonald at 2 Oldtown Gardens, Naas, Co Kildare, W91 R8DW.
Any candidates with disabilities please let our education officer know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
As a result of the Covid pandemic we have been unable to offer exams in the traditional way.
We are aware that this must have been very frustrating for all our associations and their beginners.
You will be pleased to hear that the Education Subcommittee has been working away to create an exam procedure which will allow your beginners to be assessed and obtain a certificate of completion to mark all their hard work.
To this end we have created the Entry Level Beekeeping Certificate.
This certificate consists of two parts.
- Part 1. Theory
- Part 2. Practical
Part 1. Theory
This is a written exam marked out of 100.
Pass mark is 70%.
There is no time frame for completion so the candidates can take as long as they like to complete it.
It’s an open book exam and we are hoping that it will act as a means of education as well as a tool to assess understanding of the subject matter.
The candidate can look up the answers, discuss with their mentors, and attempt the exam as many times as they need to get the required mark.
After each attempt they will get feedback on what they got wrong, and what the education committee felt the correct answer should be.
Options for completion
- Ideally this should be done online to get the full experience of all the incorporated educational material, but we are cognizant of the fact that not everyone has access to a computer.
- For those who can’t access the exam online we ask that the associations print out the question paper for the candidates to complete. Completed questionnaires can then be posted to our education officer Caroline McDonald at:- 2 Oldtown Gardens, Naas, Co Kildare, W91 R8DW.
- If the associations don’t have access to a printer let Caroline know by email, and we will post printed questionnaires to the candidates
- Candidates with disabilities will be facilitated as best we can.
They can stop there or they can proceed to part 2.
Part 2. Practical
On completion of part 1 the candidate will be issued with a skills logbook containing a set of tasks.
They will have to complete these tasks to a satisfactory standard.
Again there is no time frame for completion and the candidates can take as long as they need to complete this part of the assessment.
With Covid restrictions in mind we are obviously not able to send examiners out to associations to assess large groups of beginners so we have a number of alternative options.
Options for completion
- Ideally this will be done with the help of the associations. We are hoping that the associations will choose a number of individuals within their associations with sufficient practical experience to assess the beginners. They can then act as a mentor and sign off the tasks as the candidates complete them. They will be basic beekeeping tasks like assemble a frame, show correct use of hive tool and smoker etc. Obviously all of this needs to take place with necessary safety precautions and following HSE Covid guidelines.
- If associations are unable to facilitate this safely those candidates who have access to hives can video themselves performing those tasks and upload that video as an unlisted YouTube video. Our IT guru Stephen Gallagher will assist anyone who has difficulty with this task. Contact him by email.
Cost
€10
Paid online via the following link or via the association secretaries if candidates do not have access to the internet and will be completing their exams manually.
Payment can be made by cheque. please make it payable to;
Irish Beekeepers' Association CLG, and send it to Denis O Sullivan, Barleymount East, Killarney, Co. Kerry. V93 AFH7
On completion of the paper manually the candidate should post back to Caroline McDonald at 2 Oldtown Gardens, Naas, Co Kildare, W91 R8DW.
Any candidates with disabilities please let our education officer know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
IBA's Exam plans for 2020 were completely altered by COVID-19... a new Education Sub-committee is now in place since the AGM in June and will give updates, when it can, via this page for the rest of 2020 and then 2021
Examination Plan 2020 - CAVEAT, see postponements below
Examination Dates
Preliminary (Written + Practical) Sat. 23rd May (10.00 am) - to be reviewed / pending
Intermediate Scientific & Husbandry Sat. 28th March (10.00 - 1.00) - postponed due to COVID-19
Senior Scientific & Husbandry Sat. 28th March (10.00 - 1.00) - postponed due to COVID-19
Senior Apiary Practical* Arranged with candidate
Senior Microscopy* Arranged with Candidate
Bee Master** Arranged with candidate
*This examination is provided for a candidate having completed and passed both Senior written papers. As it involves visits to the candidate’s apiary this exam is arranged with the candidate.
**Beemaster Examination will be supervised at the candidate’s apiary. One Senior qualified examiner plus one of either qualified Bee Master or fully qualified Intermediate level person will make up the examining panel.
Examination Plan 2020 - CAVEAT, see postponements below
Examination Dates
Preliminary (Written + Practical) Sat. 23rd May (10.00 am) - to be reviewed / pending
Intermediate Scientific & Husbandry Sat. 28th March (10.00 - 1.00) - postponed due to COVID-19
Senior Scientific & Husbandry Sat. 28th March (10.00 - 1.00) - postponed due to COVID-19
Senior Apiary Practical* Arranged with candidate
Senior Microscopy* Arranged with Candidate
Bee Master** Arranged with candidate
*This examination is provided for a candidate having completed and passed both Senior written papers. As it involves visits to the candidate’s apiary this exam is arranged with the candidate.
**Beemaster Examination will be supervised at the candidate’s apiary. One Senior qualified examiner plus one of either qualified Bee Master or fully qualified Intermediate level person will make up the examining panel.
| Intermediate & Senior Exams Application Form 2020.pdf |
| Intermediate & Senior Exams Announcement 2020.pdf |
| How to send exam fee to IBAclg's Treasurer.pdf |
Education Board and exams
The IBAclg has a dedicated Education Sub-committee which is assisted by Dr Breandán Ó Cochláin.
contact education (@) irishbeekleepersassociation.com with any enquiries
contact education (@) irishbeekleepersassociation.com with any enquiries
Intermediate and senior exams information
INTERMEDIATE & SENIOR EXAMS ANNOUNCEMENT 2020
IBA CLG shall offer examinations for candidates who wish to seek recognition for their aptitude level in the craft of beekeeping.
We have prepared a suite of examinations in the above levels for 2020 which will be held on Saturday 28th March at 10.00 am sharp. Venue: Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
There are prerequisites to be met to enter for these examination.
The fee per examination being taken is €20 for IBA CLG member (full or associate) and € 30 for non-members of IBA CLG. There is no refund for non-attendance.
Applications must be submitted on the form provided via Association Secretaries.
Deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 6th March 2020. Make your application well in advance of this deadline. No extensions given.
A form for this purpose is supplied to all Association secretaries and will be on the IBA CLG website.
Make cheques payable to IBA CLG. See address below for postal applications.
Postal deliveries must be date stamped no later than Friday 6th March 2020.
Each candidate will be assigned an exam number, via email only, to be used on the written paper instead of their name. A script containing a name shall be deemed void, and will be declared as an examination fail. If a person does not have an email the Association Secretary will be provided with an email on their behalf. Sealed results will be provided to Association Secretaries for distribution to their candidates.
Special circumstances
Where a candidate has special needs (wheelchair access, sight impairment, dyslexia etc.), they are required to advise this on their application form. Proof of a condition indicated may be requested at the discretion of the education board (e.g. medical certificate).
The education board will endeavour to accommodate special circumstances per accepted academic practice in 3rd Level Institutions. (e.g. additional time or writing assistance as appropriate).
Address your applications to:
[address for 2021 to be inserted when known]
IBA CLG shall offer examinations for candidates who wish to seek recognition for their aptitude level in the craft of beekeeping.
We have prepared a suite of examinations in the above levels for 2020 which will be held on Saturday 28th March at 10.00 am sharp. Venue: Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
- The examination will consist of a 3 hour written examination consisting of 5 out of 6 questions. 20 marks each.
- The candidate must achieve 70% or better overall of the examination to achieve certification.
- Examples of questions used for the written examination are available on the IBA CLG website under the Education tab.
- The syllabus for these examination levels are also available on the website.
There are prerequisites to be met to enter for these examination.
- To enter the Intermediate Examination the candidate must possess a Preliminary Level Certificate.
- To enter the Senior Examination the candidate must have passed both Intermediate papers.
The fee per examination being taken is €20 for IBA CLG member (full or associate) and € 30 for non-members of IBA CLG. There is no refund for non-attendance.
Applications must be submitted on the form provided via Association Secretaries.
Deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 6th March 2020. Make your application well in advance of this deadline. No extensions given.
A form for this purpose is supplied to all Association secretaries and will be on the IBA CLG website.
Make cheques payable to IBA CLG. See address below for postal applications.
Postal deliveries must be date stamped no later than Friday 6th March 2020.
Each candidate will be assigned an exam number, via email only, to be used on the written paper instead of their name. A script containing a name shall be deemed void, and will be declared as an examination fail. If a person does not have an email the Association Secretary will be provided with an email on their behalf. Sealed results will be provided to Association Secretaries for distribution to their candidates.
Special circumstances
Where a candidate has special needs (wheelchair access, sight impairment, dyslexia etc.), they are required to advise this on their application form. Proof of a condition indicated may be requested at the discretion of the education board (e.g. medical certificate).
The education board will endeavour to accommodate special circumstances per accepted academic practice in 3rd Level Institutions. (e.g. additional time or writing assistance as appropriate).
Address your applications to:
[address for 2021 to be inserted when known]
Preliminary Exams
pay here for preliminary exams |
Intermediate detailsSenior ExamsBEE MASTERTo sit this exam, the candidate needs to hold the intermediate certificate.
The examination will be held in the persons own apiary | ||||
