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1. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   3/5/2017 2:03 PM

   I recently applied for certification. I am now about to schedule my testing. I can see that this test could be a bit difficult. However, some guys are saying just schedule and take it while others are expressing how extremely difficult it is.
   
   Are there specific study guides or books you guys can recommend to me
   
   Also, does anyone know of the percent of supers that are certified? How many superintendents there are and how many are CGCS?

   
   
   
   
2. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   3/5/2017 4:03 PM

   Read Beard's book. Study the Rules of Golf.
   That's the best advise I can give you.

   
   
   
   
3. Peter Bowman

   

   11 posts
   
   3/5/2017 7:03 PM

   When I took the test the questions in the Rules of Golf section were out of the Tom Watson Illustrated Rules of Golf book, verbatim.

   
   
   
   
4. Ryan Green

   

   2 posts
   
   3/5/2017 8:03 PM

   Hi Jeremy,
   
   I just took and passed the exam in December. I didn't really study and just went with the advice of take it and worst case I would have to retake. A lot of it was not as difficult as I anticipated. Sharpening your basic turf product application math will help. Also know how to do a simple depreciation method and study up on basic accounting and knowing how to classify assets, liabilities and some accounting ratio definitions. This was the most unfamiliar compared to the turf questions. If you're a northern guy like me, study up on your southern grasses and their basic uses and major strengths. Finally knowing about types of drainage design and irrigation definitions would be helpful.
   If you have not already received it you should get a breakdown of the amount of questions there are in each category so you can focus your studying.

   
   
   
   
5. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   3/6/2017 7:03 AM

   I highly suggest taking the class " Preparing Your Way to Certification" as GIS. This will breakdown the process and covers what is on the test. They will also provide you with a list of study materials and books that will help you. I'd also suggest asking the Certification Manager at GCSAA as they can point you to the list of items you may want to purchase to help you pass. They do have several books touching on these subjects that go to great depths. One is:
   
   http://www.cswebstore.net/gcsaa/default.aspx?p=viewitem&item=GCS814&subno=&showpage=6&subcat=
   
   I agree with the accounting side - understanding the differences in the types of depreciation, accounts receivables and accounting definitions. This book "Mathematics of Turfgrass Maintenance" is a good one.
   
   http://www.cswebstore.net/gcsaa/default.aspx?p=viewitem&item=GCSB110126&subno=&showpage=4&subcat=
   
   I'd also review the rules of golf and proper marking of a golf course. Also, know both cool and warm season turfgrasses and disease.
   
   Good luck. If I can be of any help, let me know.

   
   
   
   
6. Rodney Crow

   

   0 posts
   
   3/6/2017 7:03 AM

   Jeremy,
   
   I was on the certification committee in 2014/2015/2016. During that time the testing questions and objectives were changed a bit to reflect the changing environment that superintendents are faced with. The GCSAA website has a wonderful section on the certification program:
   
   http://www.gcsaa.org/education/certification/
   
   The section has tons of information, examples and resources for anyone interested in becoming a CGCS. Also, there are around 1,600 currently Certified superintendents that would LOVE to help you in any way possible.
   
   Please let me know if I can help you in any way!!

   
   
   
   
7. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   3/6/2017 8:03 AM

   Rodney Crow said:
   Also, there are around 1,600 currently Certified superintendents that would LOVE to help you in any way possible.
   
   

   
   
   
   I'd say that is about 9-10% of all Superintendents, correct?

   
   
   
   
8. Rodney Crow

   

   0 posts
   
   3/6/2017 8:03 AM

   In 2012 when I was certified, it was right at 7%. Shelia Finney has done a wonderful job of adding new members, so my guess would be that 9%-10% is really close.

   
   
   
   
9. Anthony Nysse

   

   1 posts
   
   3/6/2017 9:03 AM

   Andy Jorgensen said: I highly suggest taking the class " Preparing Your Way to Certification" as GIS. This will breakdown the process and covers what is on the test. They will also provide you with a list of study materials and books that will help you. I'd also suggest asking the Certification Manager at GCSAA as they can point you to the list of items you may want to purchase to help you pass. They do have several books touching on these subjects that go to great depths. One is:
   
   http://www.cswebstore.net/gcsaa/default.aspx?p=viewitem&item=GCS814&subno=&showpage=6&subcat=
   
   I agree with the accounting side - understanding the differences in the types of depreciation, accounts receivables and accounting definitions. This book "Mathematics of Turfgrass Maintenance" is a good one.
   
   http://www.cswebstore.net/gcsaa/default.aspx?p=viewitem&item=GCSB110126&subno=&showpage=4&subcat=
   
   I'd also review the rules of golf and proper marking of a golf course. Also, know both cool and warm season turfgrasses and disease.
   
   Good luck. If I can be of any help, let me know.

   
   
   Very good class. Took it this year and have started the process. Can be a little overwhelming from the start.

   
   
   
   
10. Shelia Finney

    

    11 posts
    
    3/6/2017 10:03 AM

    Morning Guys,
    
    Jeremy, I'm assuming that you have already gotten the Certification Guide that we have here? And Rodney is right, any of the CGCS superintendents would love to help you. If you look online at the most recently certified superintendents, their experience is more fresh on their minds.
    
    If you are looking at just Class A (those who qualify for CGCS) the percent that are certified is just over 25%. If you add in the Class B its just over 15%.
    
    If you compare it to the total number of professional members, its close to 10%. That is probably the number that you are thinking of. That would include A,B,ISM,C and EM's.
    
    Shelia Finney
    Senior Director, Member Programs
    (785) 832-4472

    
    
    
    
11. Mark Novotny

    

    0 posts
    
    3/9/2017 1:03 PM

    When I took it (decades ago) I had all of the books with me. I looked at every page and flagged (post-it flags) the topics that I thought would be asked.
    
    I went through each test section to answer the questions I knew quickly. If I thought I could find the answer quickly I used the flags to find the topic.
    
    It was tough but I passed the first try.

    
    
    
    
12. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    3/9/2017 4:03 PM

    Mark Novotny, CGCS said: When I took it (decades ago) I had all of the books with me. I looked at every page and flagged (post-it flags) the topics that I thought would be asked.
    
    I went through each test section to answer the questions I knew quickly. If I thought I could find the answer quickly I used the flags to find the topic.
    
    It was tough but I passed the first try.

    
    
    I did something similar, but not as organized as Mark. It was almost a detriment to have the open books. I remember a rules question, multiple choice, read through the possible answers, knew they were not the correct answers, but still read the rule to make sure the only answer left was correct. Crazy. I got lucky and passed on the first try too. And believe me, I will find a way to get my recertification points.
    
    Mel
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
13. Christopher Thuer

    

    101 posts
    
    3/9/2017 4:03 PM

    Same as Mark.
    
    I took it in 2000 so things have probably changed. I bought the books used from another super who had taken the exam. I started studying in October about 2 hours every day after the crew left for the day. I had post it tabs sticking out all three sides of every book. I took the exam in March in a meeting room in the club house. The GM was good about keeping it quiet in that part of the building. I had the reference material spread out on several tables and grouped for each category and just worked my way around the room.
    
    I too passed it all on the first try but the turf management almost got me. There were some calculations that I never do and after several attempts never got one of the 4 multiple choice answer options and I stumbled on the southern turf issues.

    
    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN
    
    
14. Timothy Walker

    

    0 posts
    
    3/13/2017 10:03 AM

    closed book exam...take it and see how you score.

    
    
    
    
15. Anthony Nysse

    

    1 posts
    
    3/15/2017 5:03 AM

    Timothy Walker, CGCS said: closed book exam...take it and see how you score.

    
    
    Yes. This was made very clear at the GIS class.

    
    
    
    
16. Jeremy Hreben

    

    0 posts
    
    3/18/2017 11:03 AM

    Well I am scheduled in 2 weeks. I am reading a book or two but not going crazy. I'm just going to take it and see what happens.

    
    
    
    
17. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    3/18/2017 5:03 PM

    You should study for a test you want to pass.

    
    
    
    
18. Vincent Dodge

    

    1 posts
    
    12/15/2017 10:12 AM

    I took the certification exam when it was open book in 2001. Did the whole post it note preparation thing with the stack of books. I used almost all the allotted time and I passed.
    
    A few years later when the beta testing was going on with the new closed book exam, GCSAA offered education points for taking the new exam if you passed. I figured why not. Took the test with absolutely no preparation and passed. It was surprisingly easy and I had a lot of time left over.
    
    My take on the exams is that the old test, being open book, gave the test makers a "license to kill" with some pretty interesting questions that required digging. I am glad I prepared for that one. I think that the test was made much easier after the move to closed book. Maybe it has changed since then.
    
    The advice to study Beards Book and the Rules of Golf booklet is sound. Maybe a Vargas disease book would be smart to study as well. I do not remember the basic accounting questions when I took the test. Probably added since I took it.
    
    Just my thoughts, Vin