Holy Smokes! Ref Recert Test

Geez, this was hard as hell this year. You would think that an "open book" test listing all the manuals to use, would make it easier, but it is certainly not! I actually believe that a few of the questions on the test are outright wrong. At least a third of them are highly ambiguous and most EVERY question tries to trick you in some form or another.

For all of those who wanted payback against refs will certainly get it in 2013!

I guess the only reason we might not see a decline in refs, is that you can take the test multiple times. And no, I passed on the first attempt, even though I still disagree with half of the ones I got wrong.

Totally agree with your assessment of this year’s exam.

I had the opportunity to take the State exam during an upgrade clinic. It was funny because we had a chance to review and attempt to find the answers to the most missed questions. Each question that was reviewed was argued amongst the class because of the way each person interpreted the question. I was thinking why not make the questions relevant but quit trying to trick-up the questions. Most of these guys were State and National referees.

You would probably do better on the test if you could bring in some NTX parents to stand by your desk and yell the right answers at you.

Uncle Numanga wrote:You would probably do better on the test if you could bring in some NTX parents to stand by your desk and yell the right answers at you.

Its Me wrote:Totally agree with your assessment of this year’s exam.

I had the opportunity to take the State exam during an upgrade clinic. It was funny because we had a chance to review and attempt to find the answers to the most missed questions. Each question that was reviewed was argued amongst the class because of the way each person interpreted the question. I was thinking why not make the questions relevant but quit trying to trick-up the questions. Most of these guys were State and National referees.

I thought the trick questions were interesting. But so much of the exam is technical and has little to do with being a good official. It's important to know LOTG, but I think the program could use a more significant practical component, especially for those who aren't aiming beyond 8 and might not be evaluated on a regular basis.

Its Me wrote:Totally agree with your assessment of this year’s exam.

I had the opportunity to take the State exam during an upgrade clinic. It was funny because we had a chance to review and attempt to find the answers to the most missed questions. Each question that was reviewed was argued amongst the class because of the way each person interpreted the question. I was thinking why not make the questions relevant but quit trying to trick-up the questions. Most of these guys were State and National referees.

I wish I had taken it in that setting. I would have definitely asked for clarification on quite a few of them; I would argue some others. I remember taking the 100 recert question test in written form from a National ref one year and not even he could answer some of my arguments. He said to me, "I'll have to get back to you because I don't understand either."

The only change I like is the new dropped ball rule. I have lost a game I was coaching because of that.

I agree that this exam was not focused on the spirit of the game.

Do ALL soccer refs in N Texas take this test? Is it bilingual? I mean I can tell you the majority I see can barely speak English and probably could barely read too.

Curious, what is the pass/fail threshold? I hope 90 and above.

Joe scafone wrote:Do ALL soccer refs in N Texas take this test? Is it bilingual? I mean I can tell you the majority I see can barely speak English and probably could barely read too.

Curious, what is the pass/fail threshold? I hope 90 and above.

Good points JS....No way IMO can the very old spanish refs pass a test like this without some type of assistance....maybe it like the drivers permit.... retake, retake, retake....

Press 1 for english, press 2 for the other national language

Fortunately, there's no vision test for refs. That would guarantee a 100% failure rate.

Xara wrote:Fortunately, there's no vision test for refs. That would guarantee a 100% failure rate.

Once you make a few calls and get ref pay quadrupled they'll be afford to a new round of lasik with every recert.

3-4-3 wrote:

Xara wrote:Fortunately, there's no vision test for refs. That would guarantee a 100% failure rate.

Once you make a few calls and get ref pay quadrupled they'll be afford to a new round of lasik with every recert.

Now you're talking. Given their current pay (or lack thereof), the officials can't even afford prescription glasses.

Joe scafone wrote:Do ALL soccer refs in N Texas take this test? Is it bilingual? I mean I can tell you the majority I see can barely speak English and probably could barely read too.

Curious, what is the pass/fail threshold? I hope 90 and above.

LOL! Actually, there is a Spanish version of the test!

102 questions. The minimum passing grade is 85; up from 75.

I actually agree sometimes the test questions are very tricky. Im currently working on my high school refereeing exam. Its tricky. They make the questions confusing and you really have to pay attention to make sure you read correctly. I had one time i took the test and 3 of them i just did not pay enough attention to wording. I think they could find a better way to word many of the questions. Although I have to say the grade 8 re cert much nicer then the high school one which is all true and false.

ekkeeper1 wrote:I actually agree sometimes the test questions are very tricky. Im currently working on my high school refereeing exam. Its tricky. They make the questions confusing and you really have to pay attention to make sure you read correctly. I had one time i took the test and 3 of them i just did not pay enough attention to wording. I think they could find a better way to word many of the questions. Although I have to say the grade 8 re cert much nicer then the high school one which is all true and false.

Man, I would ref high school since the money is better, but I just don't like: dual centers, "rules" instead of "laws", and most importantly, BEING OUT IN THE FREEZING RAIN!

Coach&Ref wrote:

Joe scafone wrote:Do ALL soccer refs in N Texas take this test? Is it bilingual? I mean I can tell you the majority I see can barely speak English and probably could barely read too.

Curious, what is the pass/fail threshold? I hope 90 and above.

LOL! Actually, there is a Spanish version of the test!

102 questions. The minimum passing grade is 85; up from 75.

I thought the threshold is now 90? Maybe that's because I am upgrading?

There is a spanish version as well.

The problem comes in where all officials call their own games differently and all assessors are different.

soccerman771 wrote:

Coach&Ref wrote:

Joe scafone wrote:Do ALL soccer refs in N Texas take this test? Is it bilingual? I mean I can tell you the majority I see can barely speak English and probably could barely read too.

Curious, what is the pass/fail threshold? I hope 90 and above.

LOL! Actually, there is a Spanish version of the test!

102 questions. The minimum passing grade is 85; up from 75.

I thought the threshold is now 90? Maybe that's because I am upgrading?

There is a spanish version as well.

The problem comes in where all officials call their own games differently and all assessors are different.

If you're upgrading the requirement is 90% passing.
What's really amazing is when you look at the referees that have a grade 7 or higher you're looking at less than 100 out of 4500 refs in NTX.

Coach&Ref wrote:

ekkeeper1 wrote:I actually agree sometimes the test questions are very tricky. Im currently working on my high school refereeing exam. Its tricky. They make the questions confusing and you really have to pay attention to make sure you read correctly. I had one time i took the test and 3 of them i just did not pay enough attention to wording. I think they could find a better way to word many of the questions. Although I have to say the grade 8 re cert much nicer then the high school one which is all true and false.

Man, I would ref high school since the money is better, but I just don't like: dual centers, "rules" instead of "laws", and most importantly, BEING OUT IN THE FREEZING RAIN!

So far the only high school assignment I have is not a duel. So hoping most of the games I get that way. I have so many schools within 20 miles of where i live that are bigger schools hope i pick up a lot of those games. I have to pay for grad school. Maybe the winter will behave and we wont have much ice or rain this year at least on game day. Currently continuing to work through the test. I think i prefer the grade 8 test better at this point bad wording and all