BSAC

The Open Water Instructor grade requires students to pass three separate elements to complete.

Click here for information on Examination Pass Rates

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Introduction by

Open Water Chief Examiner
The Theory Paper forms part of the Theory Instructor Examination.
From my review of the Examination Pass rates since the introduction of the current Open Water Instructor training programme in January 2002 this exam component has the highest pass rate averaging 94%.
I am often asked if a theory exam is necessary because the divers have already passed these exams in attaining Dive Leader grade? My response is twofold. Firstly and most importantly it is essential that as instructors we fully understand the theory and principles that underlie our teaching for it to be effective. Instructors are relied upon by our students to be the fount of all knowledge and we need to ensure that it is there. Secondly, the evidence for the pass rates is that around 6% of those who take the examination fail to demonstrate sufficient knowledge to pass and so justifies the need to assess this component. In addition a large contribution to this pass rate is the prior study and refreshing of knowledge that candidates undertake before the examination itself to bring their knowledge up to date.

There is one significant factor that we have identified in recent years that also contributes to under performance in the Theory Paper. The format of the question paper as a multiple choice exam does present difficulties to people with mild forms of dyslexia and other reading difficulties and we frequently can identify this by reviewing the paper. We have specific Guidelines to address this and other learning difficulties and I would encourage anyone with such difficulties to discuss the options with either HQ prior to the event or the Senior Examiner on the day.
The additional Guidance given below is designed to help candidates prepare for a successful examination and hopefully improve the pass rate still further.

DAVID WAKELAM
Open Water Chief Examiner
Email - owi.chief@bsac.com

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Before the event
The Theory Instructor Exam consists of 2 components:

Prerequisites
The preparation for a successful examination begins long time before the actual exam and this in effect includes ensuring that you meet the relevant Prerequisites which have provided you with the necessary skills and training for the role of an Instructor (IFC & Dive Leader + minimum age of 18).

Are you ready?
The next step is to decide if you are ready to take the Exam Paper.
To a certain extent this will depend on how long it has been since you gained the Dive Leader qualification and your performance on the theory paper for that grade and the preceding diver grades. A review of the questions at the end of each section of the students notes will give a further indication of how up to date your knowledge is as will repeating any exam papers your branch can provide for you.

READING DIFFICULTIES
A significant number of people suffer from mild forms of reading difficulties sometimes associated with physical difficulties ranging from being party sighted or complete blindness through to varying degrees of dyslexia.
In line with BSACs Accessibility policy we do not wish any such problems, however mild, to prevent would be instructors achieving their goal. We have therefore prepared specific guidelines for the conduct of written examinations to address this issue both for diver and Instructor assessment.
One key aspect of these guidelines is that it is better to highlight the matter at the time of Booking the Exam.
See the Experiences of Steve Almond below
Booking the Exam
Once you have decided to do the exam based on the above booking is simple with one of 3 methods available to you

Dates are published in the Annual Programme of Events sent to all members, Online as part of the Find an Instructor event and for the coming months in the latest issues of 'DIVE' and BSAC Talk.

Things to check
Please make sure that your membership is current (now and at the time of the examination), that BSAC HQ has a record of the relevant Diver grade and your attendance at the IFC and OWIC. It may be necessary for you to submit documentary evidence of this to complete the application.

What to expect?
You should receive confirmation of your booking shortly after completion of the process and all documentation has been checked and confirmed. 2 weeks before the event Joining Instructions (sample) are sent out with details of the event, venue and what to bring plus local contacts and accommodation lists should they be required.


Planning and Preparation
Preparation for the Theory Paper will entail reviewing all of your training up to and including Dive Leader level. Instructors would be expected to have a level of knowledge above that required for Dive Leader and so it would be sensible to review the papers for Advanced Diver as well
The current Instructor Manual includes a CD ROM which has three different Exam papers for Ocean, Sports, Dive Leader and Advanced Diver grades. We would suggest attempting one exam paper from each grade and then review the training for any weak areas identified before attempting subsequent papers.
The Theory paper also includes questions on Instructional Theory drawn from the theory taught on the IFC and OWIC. If you have yet to do the OWIC when you book the TIE then please request a copy of the student Notes from Central Bookings at the time you book the Examination. On the IFC you planned a number of practical lessons with your tutor using the

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During the Exam
Typical timetable
The Theory Instructor Examination will take slightly longer than half a day, 4.5 to 5 hours depending on local conditions. A sample TIE Timetable can be viewed here. In certain locations a PIE may be offered on the same day and may involve this as a Typical Combined TIE & PIE Timetable. The opportunity to do such a combined examination will be largely dependent on the facilities at a particular location and members should note that as both the PIE and TIE can be booked separately the situation may arise that one part of the exam may be fully booked before the other. We do not reserve places for those who wish to book both events at the same time.
What happens?
The day will start with an overall brief from the lead Examiner on the day. They will introduce the Examiners, Local Organiser and any other relevant people and give a brief overview of the location and perhaps highlight appropriate teaching locations and any specific information you may need.
The timing of the Theory Paper will vary depending on the location of the event and the other activities on the day
The Examination will start with a specific briefing from the Invigilator detailing the important points of the examination and how it is to be conducted.
Each candidate will be provided with :

Each candidate will need to provide their own :

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Personal experiences

I wanted to share my experiences with everyone. As a person who has problems in the reading department (dyslexia).
I recently attended a TIE exam in Cornwall. Being averse to asking for help I sat the written paper and promptly failed it. I went back to my branch and some of the members urged me to re-take the exam but to tell the examiner and ask for the questions to be read out.
So I applied for a pilot exam being run in Exeter by the local regional coach Sophie Rennie, and took her to one side and explained my predicament. Sophie took me to another room and went through the paper with me. She let me have a copy of the paper beside me to look at but I found that having the questions read out so much easier and in fact I came away with a merit!
I was so pleased I can't tell you and it has restored my faith in the ability to sit theory exams.
So if there are any of you out there who have the same problems as me - the best thing you can do is tell someone - it worked for me.

Steve Almond.
Torbay Branch

For Reference Please see Guidelines for Examination

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After the Exam
Results
Following the completion of the Examination by the candidates there will be an Examiners meeting were the Senior Examiner on the event discusses and agrees the Marks to be awarded and a supporting comment. The Examiner prepares a detailed written comment for each candidate. Any concerns are discussed with reference to the Essential Criteria and marks revised accordingly. The Senior Examiner is then responsible for producing a consolidated report for the event and for each candidate. The Senior Examiner is allowed 2 weeks to return the results to BSAC HQ. The results then need to be approved by the Chief Examiner and a further week is allowed for this. Finally once the finalised and approved results are back at HQ the Central Bookings Administrator has a further week to complete the administration and send out the results. Overall the process takes 4 weeks though we aim to process results faster than this.
However if the simple Pass/Fail results can be returned to HQ within the 2 week period candidates are able to phone HQ for these results though no discussion on reasons etc. can be entered into until the report has been received by the candidate.
HQ staff are NOT authorised to give the results over the phone to anyone other than the candidate themselves.

Each candidate will receive a written Assessment Sheet detailing their performance in the examination against the Essential Criteria. If both elements of the TIE are successfully completed then the candidate will qualify for either a Theory Instructor or Open Water Instructor Award then they will also be sent the relevant Logbook sticker stating their Instructor number and in the case of OWI a cloth badge.

Appeals process
Should a candidate on the exam feel that their report does not truly reflect their performance on the Essential Criteria they should make a formal appeal in writing to the Chief Examiner with a copy to the ITS manager at BSAC HQ. Email -
owi.chief@bsac.com
itsman.chief@bsac.com
Appeals are considered on their individual merit and are investigated thoroughly by consultation with the Examiner and the Senior Examiner on the day.

What can I teach?
A Pass in the Theory paper is necessary to become any level of Instructor within the BSAC. This is because it is essential that any theory or practical training is underpinned by sound theory knowledge.
A Pass in the Classroom Assessment and the Theory Paper would result in the award of the Theory Instructor qualification.
A Pass in the Practical Assessment and the Theory Paper would result in the award of the Practical Instructor qualification.
A Pass in all three elements will result in the award of the Open Water Instructor qualification.

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Teaching Resources Downloads

Practical Lesson Planning Sheets
Classroom Lesson Planning Sheets
Theory Lesson Checklists
Practical Lesson Checklists
Theory Examination Question Paper (sample cover sheet)
Theory Examination Answer Sheet (sample Answer Sheet)
shotline configurations

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Book a Theory Instructor Exam (TIE) Online