BBKA basic exam. Worthwhile?

[psafloyd]

My Basic was great. Really good chat about bees with a very knowledgeable chap - what's not to like. It was a good experience with the added benefit of being useful when dealing with officialdom (eg bees on allotments), and the gateway to BBKA exams if you ever want to do them.

Me, too. Got to meet a very experienced and friendly beekeeper and showed him a thing or two –-made my frame with my staple gun (with brads) and filled my smoker with fragrant stuff –-lavender, orange peel –-which my bees react less violently to.

 

[Ely]

Me, too. Got to meet a very experienced and friendly beekeeper and showed him a thing or two –-made my frame with my staple gun (with brads) and filled my smoker with fragrant stuff –-lavender, orange peel –-which my bees react less violently to.

I like the sound of using orange peel. I'll have to try that. Dry it out first?

 

[Heather]

Some bees need wacky baccy... but yes, dry the orange peel. Not sure of burning quality though. Still, smells nice.

 

[Ben90]

''I'm yet to be convinced that there is a good reason for NOT taking it.

Its not essential - unless you want to take any other BBKA exams.
But really, why not?
Its just an informal rubber-stamping of your understanding of the basics of 'orthodox' beekeeping and a bit of ability opening a colony.
I'm not against 'unorthodox' beekeeping practices, but I think its important that beginning beekeepers should understand the whats and whys of the orthodoxy before either dreaming up their own concepts or following the latest YouTube 'guidance'. If nothing else, preparing for The Basic should help you tell the difference between the slightly unorthodox and the downright weird.''


I can give you one good reason. I have a lot of real university studies. Do not have the time to study for something I do not need to do. Do not confuse that with not educating myself at all. I still communicate with other beekeepers. I still read beekeeping books when I have the time and there is the practical experience. More important commitments come first.

And anyway, I know people like to big their passions up and make out it is really complex but if you have more than one braincell knocking about it is hardly difficult to pick up. It isn't rocket science. All you have to do is do a bit of reading, make sure you are thinking ahead and thinking in general and get stuck in. The hardest bit is controlling swarms and even the experts lose them from what I've read on here. Wonder if I should be taking exams to look after the chickens too.

I disagree. I, too, am a university student, and have to balance beekeeping with university studies. But given I haven't had a module grade below 70% (1st) except one which I just missed at 68% (high 2:1) this year, I think I've got that balance just right. Granted, you could argue that my subject and beekeeping feed into each other in that I'm a Zoology student who specialises in the behaviour of social insects, but I spend more time in the lab with bumblebees and European paper wasps than I do with honeybees.

It all comes down to time management, and the Basic is hardly a third year dissertation you have to spend months preparing. It's all stuff you should know at a basic beekeeping level of competence anyway. You should be able to walk into it with a year of experience without any preparation and be confident of passing it.

 

[Madge]

I'm not yet convinced there is any reason (good or otherwise) for taking it


I suppose some people's insecurities mean they need little bits of paper to wave at others.

I don't know of anybody taking the exams doing so for the sake of a bit of paper - that's nonsense.

 

[Heather]

Yes, but our Welsh friend is one of life's cynics.. I don't even know what happened to my certificate!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Is it?
The only reason I would do it is so that I can go for my judging certificate - not even sure if I want that though either.

My grandfather never saw the need to take it (or to join the BBKA for that matter) nor my uncle Noah - didn't seem to affect their ability to keep bees successfuly though.

 

[Teebeeaitch]

Post # 18, (Ely)
Final paragraph sums it up perfectly for me. Cant really add anything else other than to say brilliant.

 

[Ely]

I disagree. I, too, am a university student, and have to balance beekeeping with university studies. But given I haven't had a module grade below 70% (1st) except one which I just missed at 68% (high 2:1) this year, I think I've got that balance just right. Granted, you could argue that my subject and beekeeping feed into each other in that I'm a Zoology student who specialises in the behaviour of social insects, but I spend more time in the lab with bumblebees and European paper wasps than I do with honeybees.

It all comes down to time management, and the Basic is hardly a third year dissertation you have to spend months preparing. It's all stuff you should know at a basic beekeeping level of competence anyway. You should be able to walk into it with a year of experience without any preparation and be confident of passing it.

I'm sorry? You disagree with me prioritising my studies? What is right for you may not be right for me. I am not very academic and struggle enough and I can't have too many distractions. It is not something for you to disagree with. What you find works in your work/studie/hobby/life balance is your business and what works for me is mine.

That said I don't care how easy or necessary others may find it, I still wouldn't do them because I don't need/want to. I have no need for academic beekeeping to produce my honey.

And anyway (sorry for the edit) if these qualifications are that easy, then how much are they worth? On paper it may allow one to seem an expert beekeeper even though they have less than a clue in practical experience.

 

[masterBK]

Go for it especially if your association pays for the entry fees (or reimburses you if you pass and most do). You will most certainly pick up loads of useful tips from the assessor. Best to have a "mock" Basic first to iron out any problems and to get you used to being "watched" and questioned.

Some "so called" experienced beekeepers may be afraid to take it in case they fail (and lose face in their association) and many are not used to having their beekeeping techniques observed/scrutinised by others and over the years may have acquired some really bad habits

 

[REDWOOD]

Personal development, how you get it is up to you, whatever floats your boat, just don't make exams compulsory. There is a percentage of people out there who for some reason can't take exams and should not be victimized for not doing them. I would take on the council that adopted that law.

 

[Madge]

Yes, but our Welsh friend is one of life's cynics.. ...

You're very generous about such a display of ignorance and he's not the only one, for example, 'I don't need exams to make honey'. Taking the exams does not necessarily improve you practice, but it might and it will enrich you.

 

[REDWOOD]

I think the international beekeeper gentleman in question knows more about beekeeping than most without taking any exams

 

[Madge]

I think the international beekeeper gentleman in question knows more about beekeeping than most without taking any exams

That's not the point. There are lots and lots of very excellent beekeepers who never took any exams. You don't need exams to be a good beekeeper - but to rubbish people who enjoy taking it as being insecure and needing a piece of paper is ignorant.

 

[Ben90]

I'm sorry? You disagree with me prioritising my studies?

That's not even close to what I said.

 

[Ely]

As I said earlier. Do not confuse not taking exams with not learning.

 

[Ely]

That's not even close to what I said.

So what was your point? Why compare your study situation with mine if this wasn't the point?

 

[youngyoungs]

For me, the syllabus provided a structure to study most aspects of beekeeping. The classes gave me a peer group to discuss issues and the exam a demonstration of the standard I have achieved. Yes, I thought it worthwhile.

 

[REDWOOD]

Beginners section !!!

 

[VEG]

At the end of the day do what you like, sod what anyone else thinks. I did the basic simply because i was asked to but will not be doing any more as I dont have the time or need to.