[CASK1]

As an exam grader, I would recommend using stats only if you're sure you know them WELL. 9+ points are possible without the numbers, but it's hard not to deduct points for numbers that are way off.

[foobrew]

And charts are perfectly acceptable rather than all prose.

I'd think twice about that strategy. I answered all my compare/contrast questions with charts of the statistical data and only wrote a small paragraph of prose for each question. Both graders shredded me for it even though the numbers were all correct. The message was that the prose is far, far more important than regurgitating the numbers. So, personal experience was that charts are absolutely not acceptable in place of prose but are certainly welcome in addition to prose.

[udubdawg]

Do not forget "distinguishing characteristics" when comparing 3 styles.  This is worth 2 of 10 points - history, fermentation technique, ingredients, serving method, etc.
 
I did what I thought were thorough grids with aroma/appearance/flavor/mouthfeel/commercial example/similarities/differences but for some reason when I made my grids at the start of the exam I forgot the line for distinguishing characteristics on two of the three "compare 3 styles" questions.  Gave away 4 points...

hopefully you won't get the water question. 

cheers--
--Michael   
 

[alikocho]

Didn't get the water question, and I did use grids (with prose in them). I'm still waiting for the result three months on from taking the exam, so hopefully will know soon.

[thomasbarnes]

Didn't get the water question, and I did use grids (with prose in them). I'm still waiting for the result three months on from taking the exam, so hopefully will know soon.

Unfortunately, turnaround is about 5-6 months these days.

This thread is a bit stale, but I highly recommend that folks planning to take the BJCP exam in its current form check out Al Boyce's BJCP Exam for Dummies 2010 edition. (http://www.bjcp.org/docs/BJCPExamForDummies.pdf).

That, plus the guidelines, the Interim Study Guide and a good book on brewing (e.g., John Palmer's "How to Brew"), plus adequate exam prep, is guaranteed to give you a passing score.

[jeffy]

Didn't get the water question, and I did use grids (with prose in them). I'm still waiting for the result three months on from taking the exam, so hopefully will know soon.

Unfortunately, turnaround is about 5-6 months these days.

I think it depends on the size of the group.  Our January Tampa tests were returned in 3 months.

[alikocho]

Didn't get the water question, and I did use grids (with prose in them). I'm still waiting for the result three months on from taking the exam, so hopefully will know soon.

Unfortunately, turnaround is about 5-6 months these days.

I think it depends on the size of the group.  Our January Tampa tests were returned in 3 months.

That's good to know. Our group was 8 people....still waiting after 3 1/2 months. Even if I have to wait longer for the full feedback, I'd like to know if I passed or not.

[thomasbarnes]

I think it depends on the size of the group.  Our January Tampa tests were returned in 3 months.

I think it has more to do with the speed of the graders than the size of the group. Your group got lucky with some highly motivated graders.

[jeffy]

I think it depends on the size of the group.  Our January Tampa tests were returned in 3 months.

I think it has more to do with the speed of the graders than the size of the group. Your group got lucky with some highly motivated graders.

Two partial retakers and 5 (was it 4?) full exams.

[alikocho]

Thanks for all the help earlier in the year. I got my score this morning - 84  

Better than I'd thought I'd done, but proves that studying hard does pay off.

[tschmidlin]

Awesome Ali, congratulations!  Now you just need to get some points . . .

[denny]

Congrats!  84 is a great score!

[bluesman]

Thanks for all the help earlier in the year. I got my score this morning - 84  

Better than I'd thought I'd done, but proves that studying hard does pay off.

Way to go!

A National level score is fantastic.

[gordonstrong]

Congratulations and welcome.  Outstanding score on your first exam.

[chezteth]

Congratulations on your score!  Something, definitely, to be proud of.  Welcome to the world of judging.