By Exam Director Sarah Bridegroom
Due to the COVID pandemic, exam activity throughout 2020 was lower than projected. Over 70 exam sites were affected by either cancellation or postponement. Most areas experienced challenges including available venues, ability to operate using social distance protocols, travel safety and low interest from participants and proctors.
Some areas were able to administer exams either prior to the pandemic outset or sporadically throughout the year. Nearly 500 individual exams were administered: 74% beer, 7% written, 8% mead, 11% cider. Approximately 700 people earned a passing certificate for an entrance exam: 11% for mead, 6 % for cider, and the remainder for beer.
We welcomed many new judges in 2020, saw several judge promotions, and welcomed both new graders and proctors into the program.
Grader communication methods changed significantly in 2020 due to constant exam schedule changes. Broad-scope invitation type emails were suspended; it was nearly impossible to expect that schedules would be predictable. If you’re an active grader, feel free to contact me when you’re available and we’ll place that request into the queue as sets become available.
Given the circumstances of the pandemic and potentially reduced judge participation in exams, we note the following protocols:
When applying for exam administration (to host an exam), remember that qualified proctor service for the exam is part of the application. If the proposed staffing plan does not meet BJCP standards, an exam may be placed in pending status while the area works to improve the application. Similarly, exams may be removed from the calendar if the staff plan does not develop as needed to meet BJCP qualifications.
If COVID-related travel restrictions create obstacles for securing qualified proctor participation, we recommend that you either delay applications or postpone scheduled exams until conditions stabilize and proctor travel can be considered.
It can be tempting to schedule proctors that do not meet BJCP qualifications or standards for the sake of accommodating an exam. However, jeopardizing exam quality or integrity in favor of convenience is not an acceptable strategy. In the end, a location might have an exam, but one with potentially low quality, less-than-desirable results and one more likely to be scrutinized and even protested.
Further, two specific positioning statements commonly used by potential exam administrators are deserving of clarification. To clarify:
Previously approved proctor participation is not a qualification. Just because a Judge’s proctor service was approved in the past does not mean it is pre-approved for the future. Each exam is different, conditions in an area change, and all parameters affecting the exam program shall be considered. Previous exceptions are not perpetual solutions.
A Judging exam score of 80 or above is not a stand-alone proctor qualification. It is one of numerous data points that an Exam Director might use to evaluate a request.
Managing exams under COVID related conditions can be difficult and inconvenient. It’s affected everyone. It’s not a reason to lower the standards of the organization. Only when we commit to quality proctoring and administration do we create quality judges.
Numerous BJCP members have been personally afflicted with COVID and its symptoms. Others have experienced loss and intense stress due to the pandemic. Our well wishes to all during this time. We all welcome the prospect of a healthy year and a return to enjoyable activities.