BJCP Exam Tips - LONG post

[claphamsa]

Im taking the class now.... at first I was like i have a good palate ill take the test too.... now..... after one class... hey i just wanna be able to not go "huh?" when looking at some of these sample questions. Ill still probably take the exam... but wow

 

[brewfun]

Hello everyone!

I stumbled on this thread while looking for something else. I had to register to give Kudos to TexLaw for doing a masterful job of explaining the exam and what to do to prepare.

The exam is fundamentally about your ability to communicate clearly over many beer related subjects. Primarily, you are asked to describe beers, since beer evaluation is a core skill.

The current exam format downplays stats in favor of more vivid descriptions of aroma, appearance, flavor and mouthfeel for each style. Making each come alive as a unique example is a challenge. A Master level score can be had without ever mentioning a beer stat (OG, FG, SRM, abv.). Regardless of how a style question is phrased, describing these elements is critical to success.

While a difficult and comprehensive exam, the entire pool of questions is published in the Study Guide on the BJCP website. Only questions found in the question pool are asked on an exam. With only Rauchbier (22a) as the exception, you will NEVER be asked about a style above category 19.

The recipe question is NOT about making a recipe to win BOS at the AHA Nationals. It is about using appropriate ingredients and methods to communicate the brewing process. Think of brewer feedback about how someone can achieve a good, in style example.

Again, excellent job, TexLaw

Kev Pratt
BJCP Exam Grader
Grand Master I

 

[claphamsa]

Hello everyone!

I stumbled on this thread while looking for something else. I had to register to give Kudos to TexLaw for doing a masterful job of explaining the exam and what to do to prepare.

The exam is fundamentally about your ability to communicate clearly over many beer related subjects. Primarily, you are asked to describe beers, since beer evaluation is a core skill.

The current exam format downplays stats in favor of more vivid descriptions of aroma, appearance, flavor and mouthfeel for each style. Making each come alive as a unique example is a challenge. A Master level score can be had without ever mentioning a beer stat (OG, FG, SRM, abv.). Regardless of how a style question is phrased, describing these elements is critical to success.

While a difficult and comprehensive exam, the entire pool of questions is published in the Study Guide on the BJCP website. Only questions found in the question pool are asked on an exam. With only Rauchbier (22a) as the exception, you will NEVER be asked about a style above category 19.

The recipe question is NOT about making a recipe to win BOS at the AHA Nationals. It is about using appropriate ingredients and methods to communicate the brewing process. Think of brewer feedback about how someone can achieve a good, in style example.

Again, excellent job, TexLaw

Kev Pratt
BJCP Exam Grader
Grand Master I

wow a grand master

 

[Beerrific]

I got my scores back today. I am happy with the results. I guess I should be getting the scored exam back in the next week and I will plan to make a post while everything is fresh (if you can call March fresh) in my mind.

Thanks to everyone that helped...Reverend JC, TexLaw.....thanks!

 

[Homercidal]

I have been looking into the BJCP exam process as a way to improve my own brewing. Essentially I would like tasting practice and I thought following the study guide would help, along with taking a class.

Does anyone know where I could find classes to take? What is the class like? I'd likely have to drive at least an hour to find one.

 

[Beerrific]

If you check the list of exams (here), and find one near you, the organizer or local club will usually put together a class a few months before the exam date. If it is a drive, they might also be willing to provide you with the class materials via e-mail or something.

 

[Homercidal]

If you check the list of exams (here), and find one near you, the organizer or local club will usually put together a class a few months before the exam date. If it is a drive, they might also be willing to provide you with the class materials via e-mail or something.

Ugh. Nothing near me at all. I suppose I should settle for something less formal for tasting classes.

 

[claphamsa]

Im taking the exam this sunday! Im hoping to pass.....

 

[TexLaw]

I got my scores back today. I am happy with the results. I guess I should be getting the scored exam back in the next week and I will plan to make a post while everything is fresh (if you can call March fresh) in my mind.

Thanks to everyone that helped...Reverend JC, TexLaw.....thanks!

Congratulations!


TL

 

[BNVince]

I'm thinking about studying for the exam and taking it come February when it's around me.

By the way, a lot of the links in the original post here are no longer working. I think the BJCP changed the website a little bit. Just wanted to let you know.

 

[TexLaw]

Thanks. I went through and updated the links, along with a little information (nothing major). Let me know if you have any questions about the exam or the BJCP materials.


TL

 

[BNVince]

Thanks. I went through and updated the links, along with a little information (nothing major). Let me know if you have any questions about the exam or the BJCP materials.


TL

Thanks a lot. I printed out most of the stuff from the bjcp website. I also got in contact with an LHBS that will be running classes before the exam in February. Hopefully I'll be able to learn the off flavors in this class as this is the only thing I'm not really sure how to study for.

 

[explosivebeer]

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to follow up on this post since I just got my scores today from the 2/28 exam (we had a large exam group which takes the BJCP graders longer to handle than normal).

For anyone who decides to cram at the last minute, there is hope. I started studying 15 days before the exam and managed to get an 82 (81 written, 84 tasting). I wouldn't recommend this method, but at least it's an option if you just find out about an exam and can dedicate a fair amount of time to cramming. I also took a practice exam in that time which was very helpful.

Really though, if you can find a study group and absorb the info over time, that would be much better. Good luck!

-Brandon

 

[Tonedef131]

I just wanted to follow up on this post since I just got my scores today from the 2/28 exam (we had a large exam group which takes the BJCP graders longer to handle than normal).

How many were in your group? I took it 5 months ago with about 17 people and have heard nothing.

Congrats on the good score though!

 

[explosivebeer]

How many were in your group? I took it 5 months ago with about 17 people and have heard nothing.

Congrats on the good score though!

I don't remember the exact number but I think it was somewhere in the 30s. I talked to some of the BJCP guys at NHC and it sounds like they're swamped but trying to get more graders up to speed at the same time. I forget the numbers but the number of people taking the test has sharply increased in the past year or two so they're still figuring out how to deal with the increased volume.

 

[TexLaw]

Congratulations, Brandon! That is a great result!

There definitely are more people taking the exam, nowadays, and fewer graders to carry the load. It also does not help that some of the graders (like me) are not buckling down and getting their work done. Just like most everyone else, it has been a weird year for many graders and, sometimes, life gets in the way. We ask for and appreciate your patience.


TL

 

[Kauai_Kahuna]

I'm in no rush to take another certification exam, the last one I did (CISSP) seems to have soured me on pressure studying and long exams. I get enough at work.
BUT. This does sound like interesting information, and I love to study the material just to know it. A lot of people mentioned putting together study material, etc. Has anyone put them together in a repository? I think it would be a fantastic sticky also.
I don't see an exam happening any time soon in Hawaii, so there is no rush. Heck, I think studying for the exam would be a lot more fun than taking it.

 

[explosivebeer]

Congratulations, Brandon! That is a great result!

There definitely are more people taking the exam, nowadays, and fewer graders to carry the load. It also does not help that some of the graders (like me) are not buckling down and getting their work done. Just like most everyone else, it has been a weird year for many graders and, sometimes, life gets in the way. We ask for and appreciate your patience.

TL

Thanks TexLaw. I was obviously eager to get the result but didn't mind the wait. And after learning how much time and effort the graders put in to doing a great job with each individual exam, in addition to the logistics of grading a large group, I definitely understand the delay. I'm just glad there are guys like you out there who volunteer to put in the time necessary to do such a good, detailed job grading.

 

[TexLaw]

A lot of people mentioned putting together study material, etc. Has anyone put them together in a repository? I think it would be a fantastic sticky also.

Nearly everything you truly need to study (i.e., the stuff I linked above) is on the BJCP website. That is about as good a repository as anyone would need. You have the guidelines, the study guide, the exam grader's guide, and wonderful example scoresheets. Anyone else going through the trouble of building a repository could do little more than duplicate it.

I am working on a list of other tips that is coming from my experience as a grader, just so that participants might avoid losing some easy points. If I ever actually get it done, I will be happy to post it up here.

If anyone wants to make a sticky, this is becoming a pretty good thread for that. I am not a big fan of stickies, but if you want one . . . .


TL

 

[TexLaw]

Thanks TexLaw. I was obviously eager to get the result but didn't mind the wait. And after learning how much time and effort the graders put in to doing a great job with each individual exam, in addition to the logistics of grading a large group, I definitely understand the delay. I'm just glad there are guys like you out there who volunteer to put in the time necessary to do such a good, detailed job grading.

Thanks, again. Yeah, grading an exam can take almost as long as taking it!


TL

 

[Beerrific]

I kind of forgot about this thread. Thought i would post a couple tips/strategies that helped me when I was studying and taking the exam.

1. Don't just read the style guidelines and try to memorize them. It is tough and moving that much information into long term memory can be very difficult. Instead try to imagine you are drinking a commercial example of the style while you read the guide. It of course helps if you have had one, try to recall your memories of what the beer smelled and tasted like. If you have time, I would suggest going and seeking out a commercial example of the styles you are not familiar with, sit down with the beer and the guidelines and drink the beer while thinking about the aroma, taste, body, etc. Consult the guide to make sure your tastes are on track. If you have never had a Munich Dunkel, go get one. You will remeber more about drinking the beer than what is written in the guidelines.

Humans have a great ability to tie flavors and aromas to memory. Smell is one of the most powerful memory jogging agents. Use this to you advantage when you are preparing for the test.

2. (this is my opinion, others may disagree) Don't memorize numbers. I just think it is a waste of space in your brain that could be used for other more worthwhile information. If you have mastered all the other material, I guess you can do it.

3. It is almost guaranteed that you will get a question on one of the following: hop, malt, yeast, water. The questions are in the study guide. Sit down and practice writing the answers to these questions. There is no excuse for having to waste any time thinking about how you will answer these.

4. Same goes for the "three locations" and troubleshooting. Practice writing these, don't just think about it. Having written it once in practice will keep you from stumbling on the test. Time is precious.

5. During the test pace yourself. You really have less time than you think. Bring a watch. I spent way too much time on Q1 and had to rush on some of the later questions. All the questions are worth the same number of points. Some of the questions will require less writing, don't focus on detail of a longer question (like a style question) while neglecting parts of the shorter questions (like the troubleshooting).

6. Having the tasting beers brought to you can really throw off your concentration. Pay attention, when you see the exam administrator get up and it looks like he/she is going to get beer, start to wrap up your current thought. If you have to, let the tasting beer sit for a minute and wrap up what you were previously working on.

7. (this goes for judging too, not just the exam) Don't make assumptions about the brewing process. You can make suggestions about correcting problems without making any assumptions about process. Saying something like "beer seems astringent, you sparged too hot" is wrong (IMO, even if the brewer did). A better comment would be "beer seems astringent, one source of this is sparging too hot." Making statements that make assumptions about the brewing process can be frustrating to people when they get the sheets back when they are not true.

 

[TexLaw]

Those are great tips. I especially agree with nos. 1, 3 and 4.

With regard to #1, that really is the way you should approach describing a style. You need to think about it somewhat holistically, and that will help you remember all the little parts. I was grading an exam where, for every British style beer that came up, the participant would say "no diacetyl." That is jsut incorrect, as low levels of diacetyl are acceptable in British beers (at least, all the ones I can think of off-hand). I expect that the participant was concentrating more on the written guidelines than the actual beer when making that mistake.

With regard to nos. 3 and 4, you certainly can and should know those cold before going in. I'll all also add the troubleshooting question to that one. All three test a limited amount of information that likely will also help you throughout the exam.

I am one of those that do disagree on #2, though. If you can get out those numbers on the recipe and style description answers, you gain immediate credibility with the exam grader, and you give yourself a framework in which to set the rest of your answer. It is a lot of trouble, but it can have tremendous payoffs. If you really are shooting for a National rank, you probably need to get those numbers straight. If you shooting for Master, they are a virtual necessity.


TL

 

[Beerrific]

If you really are shooting for a National rank, you probably need to get those numbers straight. If you shooting for Master, they are a virtual necessity.

I know from conversations and such that this is in fact not true. You may need to know the numbers to get a masters level score on the particular question, but since it is the overall average to all the questions that determines the score, you can get a 90 on the test without knowing them.

But, I general I agree with you, knowing those numbers (as well as the rest of the style guidelines) goes a long way in showing that you know your stuff. But, my only addition to that is that the numbers should be the last thing to remeber. IMO, it is more important to nail the flavor/aroma/mouthfeel descriptions than to know the numbers.

 

[Tonedef131]

Just got my results in the mail, right now I am Recognized until I get another 2.5 points then I will be certified. The tasting portion I was the same score as the proctors except one of the beers and I was real close on that one too. This is a good reminder that when I am talking beer I need to remember to dumb it down. Some of the real basic stuff I just expect people to know or I forget that not everyone does and skim right over it. Everything I missed I could tell you in my sleep but just don't even think about writing it down cause it's so basic I don't even think about it. I have always been bad a taking tests for this reason. But overall I am happy that I don't have to take it again, I will probably never get enough judging points to move above Certified anyway.

 

[BeerAg]

So, due to family constraints, I have a hard time making it to the local homebrew meetings. I would really like a book that I could buy that would take me through the tastings of some of the classic examples of each of the styles, so that I could help hone in my palate.

I was thinking about something like MJ's Ultimate Beer, but I was wondering if you guys had any ideas as to better or additional resources.

 

[flyangler18]

Took my exam today. It went as expected and I felt well prepared to answer all the questions completely and intelligently. Tex ain't lying - preparation for the all grain recipe is absolutely crucial and time management is imperative.

 

[TexLaw]

Since this thread was linked in another, recently, I took a moment to reread it.

FYI to all, the format of the exam has changed slightly. The "classic" question no longer leads the test off. Instead, you are still asked the purposes of BJCP, but then you answer 15 true or false questions regarding judging procedures and practices. Also, one of the short answer/essay questions now is a question where you fill in a judging sheet for a 50-point beer of a given style (i.e., English Barleywine).


TL

 

[ohiobrewtus]

I've been studying for a month and I still don't think I'm ready to take it this Saturday.

 

[beerocd]

I've been studying for a month and I still don't think I'm ready to take it this Saturday.

That was two weekends ago! How did it go?

 

[z987k]

Took my exam today. It went as expected and I felt well prepared to answer all the questions completely and intelligently. Tex ain't lying - preparation for the all grain recipe is absolutely crucial and time management is imperative.

Hmmm, I just took it a few weeks ago, and I'm trying to figure out what was difficult about the AG recipe? As brewers we make recipes all the time no? Just take 2mins to learn some rules of thumb for lbs of grain = OG and same for hops.
If you know the style and have brewed for a bit, the picking of ingredients takes all of 2 seconds.