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Taking the Certification Exam PDF Print E-mail
By: Don Layne, Wastewater Technician I for VRWA

Taking and passing a certification test is a very important step in the career as a wastewater professional. Here are some tips the writer has learned during his career as a wastewater professional, and an employee of Virginia Rural Water Association, providing wastewater training classes to prepare operators to take and pass the certification examination.

Passing the certification is not easy and requires a lot of hard work and dedication to the wastewater profession. As a wastewater professional you not only operate your plant as safe and efficient as possible you are protecting the health of your community and downstream users.

Certification examinations are intended to test every aspect of an operator’s involvement in wastewater treatment. Because mathematical problems dealing with detention time, flow rates, chemical dosages, tank volumes and so forth, it’s a good idea to memorize the most common conversion factors (constants) used in wastewater math. Keep a copy of formula/conversion tables handy. As a wastewater professional you are responsible for knowing all aspects and types of wastewater treatment processes not just the facility you are presently operating.

Keep in mind that examinations are changed frequently, don’t try to learn the answers that you have heard about from other operators. Concentrate on learning how to work various types of problems, such as detention times, chlorine dose and feed rates, how to adjust chemical feed pumps and process adjustments, safety and management. This way you will be prepared to handle any question that shows up on the test. When preparing for the test, allow enough time to prepare for the test. Don’t try to "cram" all the information a few days before the test. Relax the day before the test "if you haven’t studied and are prepared by now you are wasting your time and money".

On the day of the test be at the location well ahead of time. Be sure you have the necessary reference materials, pencils and a spare calculator in case one doesn’t work. You can waste valuable time by performing mathematical questions by hand. Before starting the test, skim through the types of questions that are on the test. By seeing the questions and math problems you need to answer at the start, you will have a better idea about how to use your time. It is a good idea to answer all the easy questions first and the more complex problems that will take longer to work last.

The certification test is multiple-choice questions. Never leave a multiple-choice question blank, you can determine that one of the two obviously are not the right answer. If you narrow your choice to two possible answers, you have a 50-50 chance of getting the right answer no matter which answer you choose.

Take the test systematically and deliberately, avoid the temptation to rush through the test, be relaxed and take a break periodically to ease the stress.

  1. "Read the question, read the question, read the question be sure what answer is required".
  2. Simplify the problem, if the problem is complex break it down in small pieces and solve separately.
  3. Be sure the decimal point is in the right place.
  4. Make sure all necessary conversions are correct, such as feet to inches, gallons to million gallons.
  5. Give your answer to the nearest significant figure.
  6. Check to see if your answer makes sense.

Remember, if you have properly prepared for the certification test and can perform your work well, you should pass the test.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 January 2009 07:21