Tree Life Arboricultural Consultancy Ltd

Assessment Procedure - NQF RFS/ABC Professional Diploma

Written Papers

4 papers, 1½ hours, answer 2 questions from 3 examining Units 2, 4, 5 and 6.

Scenarios

2 set scenario based exercises requiring a report, 2 hours each, examining Units 1 and 3.

• Scenario 1. Unit 1. Tree Biology and Management of their Environment

• Scenario 2. Unit 3. Tree Management Urban Forestry and Tree Maintenance

ALL the above elements must be passed prior to entry to the management exercises.

Management Exercises

Four management exercises of 1½ hours duration to include oral assessments of 10-15 minutes. These will be offered on one occasion per year in September.

Exercise 1. Units 2 and 5.

       2. Management of Tree Health and the Identification,  Prevention and Control of Disorders

       5. The Processes of Selecting, Purchasing, Handling,

Planning and Planting Trees

Exercise 2. Unit 1.

       1. Tree Biology and Management of their Environment

Exercise 3. Units 3 and 4.

       3. Tree Management, Urban Forestry and Tree Maintenance

       4. Management and Organisation of Tree Care Operations

Exercise 4. Unit 6.

       6. Management of Amenity Woodlands, Veteran Trees and Tree Ecosystems

To achieve a pass, candidates must gain a minimum of 40% in each component and a minimum of 50% in at least 2 exercises with a final average of 50%.

NB There is no Internal Assessment

Certification

Awarding is at Level 6.

Candidates must pass each of the examination papers for a certificate to be awarded.

A Diploma will be issued to successful candidates. Grades of achievement will be recorded on the diploma as follows

• Pass 50-69%

• Distinction 70-100%

Taken from the ABC Specification on Website

 Assessment Procedure – NQF AA/ABC Technician’s Certificate

Candidates must be successful in the following assessment components to achieve the ABC Level 3 Technician’s Certificate in Arboriculture:

Unit 1 (Elements 1 and 2) - Plant function, growth and the soil environment.

Examination of 1hr 30mins duration: 4 questions choice of 3 from 4.

Unit 2 (Elements 1 and 2) – Woodland ecology and management.

A management exercise based on a woodland site and unit related oral questioning with the examiner.

Exercise duration including oral questioning 1hr 30mins.

Unit 3 (Elements 1 and 2) – Plant supply and utilisation.

A Plant Identification exercise based on the select list of plants (Appendix 1).Plus unit related oral questioning with the examiner.

Exercise duration including oral questioning 1hr 30mins.

Unit 4 (Elements 1 and 2) – Tree condition.

A management exercise and oral questioning with the examiner.

Exercise duration including tree troubles identification and oral questioning 1hr

30mins.

Unit 5 (Elements 1 and 2) – The management of trees in the environment.

A management exercise and oral questioning with the examiner.

Exercise duration including oral questioning 1hr 30mins.

Unit 6 (Elements 1 and 2) – Personnel and organisational management.

Unit 7 – Business, finance and support.

Examination of 1hr 30mins duration. 4 questions with a choice of 3 from 4 to cover Units 6 and 7.

Unit 8 – Trees and the law.

Examination of 1hr 30mins duration. 4 questions with a choice of 3 from 4

Certification

Awarding is at Level 3. The ABC will award candidates a grade according to the following scale, calculated on the basis of the average total achieved for both sections of the examination:

• Pass 50-64%

• Merit 65-74%

• Distinction 75-100%

Learners will be certificated for all units