tnlandsailor
Well-Known Member
Well, I just finished taking the BJCP exam on Saturday (2-18-06). Just thought I would post some comments.
For those of you not familiar with the test, it is 10 essay questions (closed book) and judging of 4 beers. You answer all 10 questions and then every 30 minutes or so, the exam proctor drops off a beer for you to judge (also closed book). You have to complete the whole thing in 3 hours.
Was it worthwhile? If you had asked me a day before the test, I would have said no. Studying was hard for me. I couldn't see the point of memorizing all those beer styels and writing essay questions. Today, I've done a complete 180 and think it was more than worthwhile. I know the BJCP guidelines better than I ever have, and can now appreciate the subtleties between the styles. I also feel a huge sense of accomplishment. I think I did relatively well, hopefully well enough to reach the Certified level, but we won't find out for about 8 - 10 weeks.
Was it hard? Hell yes. Essay tests are always hard. They test you more thoroughly than a multiple guess test could ever hope to. In hindsight, the essay format is the only way to go. It's the only way to really test how well you know the styles and all the other aspects of brewing. And let's face it, it SHOULD be hard. Not just anyone should be able to be a certified beer judge. It should take effort, commitment, and skill. If it was easy, then what good would it be? Also, since judging is in essay format, you should be able to express your comments and evaluation in this fashion.
If you prepare properly, it should be a matter of endurance and time management, not struggling to remember answers. Either you know the material, or you don't. When I was finished, the 10 essay questions took up 15 hand written notebook pages, plus 4 fully filled out score sheets for each of the beers judged. Needless to say, I was exhausted afterward. I was writing up to the very end. I think the test is structured so that you have to manage your time well. I don't think there will be many people finishing 30 minutes early.
For anyone entertaining the idea, I would totally recommend taking the exam. Start studying now, go to the BJCP website and download the guidelines and study guide. Talk 5 or so of your brewing buddies into taking it too. It won't be easy, but you will be better brewers for it.
Prosit!
For those of you not familiar with the test, it is 10 essay questions (closed book) and judging of 4 beers. You answer all 10 questions and then every 30 minutes or so, the exam proctor drops off a beer for you to judge (also closed book). You have to complete the whole thing in 3 hours.
Was it worthwhile? If you had asked me a day before the test, I would have said no. Studying was hard for me. I couldn't see the point of memorizing all those beer styels and writing essay questions. Today, I've done a complete 180 and think it was more than worthwhile. I know the BJCP guidelines better than I ever have, and can now appreciate the subtleties between the styles. I also feel a huge sense of accomplishment. I think I did relatively well, hopefully well enough to reach the Certified level, but we won't find out for about 8 - 10 weeks.
Was it hard? Hell yes. Essay tests are always hard. They test you more thoroughly than a multiple guess test could ever hope to. In hindsight, the essay format is the only way to go. It's the only way to really test how well you know the styles and all the other aspects of brewing. And let's face it, it SHOULD be hard. Not just anyone should be able to be a certified beer judge. It should take effort, commitment, and skill. If it was easy, then what good would it be? Also, since judging is in essay format, you should be able to express your comments and evaluation in this fashion.
If you prepare properly, it should be a matter of endurance and time management, not struggling to remember answers. Either you know the material, or you don't. When I was finished, the 10 essay questions took up 15 hand written notebook pages, plus 4 fully filled out score sheets for each of the beers judged. Needless to say, I was exhausted afterward. I was writing up to the very end. I think the test is structured so that you have to manage your time well. I don't think there will be many people finishing 30 minutes early.
For anyone entertaining the idea, I would totally recommend taking the exam. Start studying now, go to the BJCP website and download the guidelines and study guide. Talk 5 or so of your brewing buddies into taking it too. It won't be easy, but you will be better brewers for it.
Prosit!