Getting Ready for the CSFM Exam

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Getting Ready for the CSFM Exam

• Mary Owen, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Mike Schiller, CSFM, Lake Forest Academy, Lake
  Forest, IL
• George Trivett, CSFM, Granite Falls, NC, Middle
  School
• With special thanks to Dr. Tony Koski, Colorado
  State University

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Purpose of the CSFM Exam

• Along with education and/or experience, the final
  qualifying step towards certification
• Examines
• book knowledge
• knowledge gained through practical experience

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Format of the CSFM Exam

• Agronomics (100 questions)
• Pest Management (50 questions)
• Administration (50 questions)
• Sports Specific (100 questions)

Exam is taken in 3 sections, each consisting of
100 questions
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Agronomics (100 questions)

• Soils
• Physical and chemical characteristics
• Water retention, movement
• Fertility management
• The Grass Plant
• Warm- vs. cool-season grasses
• Basic photosynthesis, respiration
• Species selection
• Agronomic Math
• Fertilizer label
• Calibration problems

5
Pest Management (50 questions)

• Basic pest groups
• Life cycles
• Management principles
• IPM
• Pesticides
• Types
• Safe use
• The pesticide label

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Administration (50 questions)

• Human resource management
• Communication principles
• Financial management, budgeting
• Employee motivation
• Project management

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Sports Specific (100 questions)

• Based on real-life, field experiences
• Questions on a wide range of sports
• Field/playing surface management
• Game preparation
• Event scheduling
• Damage prevention and repair
• Field safety

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Question Format

• Multiple choice
• Four answers
• Only one correct answer
• 2 obviously incorrect answers
• 1 distractor but still incorrect
• Some questions require the use of a calculator

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Sample Multiple-Choice Question
 
Photosynthesis rate in turfgrass
plants a.      increases as the amount of shade
increases b.      decreases as the amount of
shade increases c.      is highest just before
sunrise d.      is not affected by the amount of
sunlight
Answer B
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What about questionable questions

• Each exam section can be evaluated by you after
  it is completed
• Comment on any questions you feel are poorly
  worded, unclear, or ambiguous
• Frequently missed questions are evaluated by the
  committee
• Evaluations and comments are taken seriously and
  acted upon - when a legitimate problem is found

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Resources for Exam Preparation

• Prepare by focusing on the Competency Outline
  and the Detailed Competency List provided in the
  Certified Sports Field Manager Certification
  Program Information Packet

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Resources for Exam Preparation

• Prepare by focusing on the Competency Outline
  and the Detailed Competency List provided in the
  Certified Sports Field Manager Certification
  Program Information Packet

• Choose from any of a number of excellent
  resources and study materials

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Resources for Exam PreparationAgronomics

• Sports Fields
• Puhalla, Krans, Goatley
• Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management
• Christians
• Mathematics of Turfgrass Maintenance
• Christians and Agnew
• Practical Drainage
• McIntrye and Jakobsen

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Resources for Exam PreparationPest Management

• Controlling Turfgrass Pests
• Fermanian et al.
• State Pesticide Applicator Training manuals

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Resources for Exam PreparationAdministration

• Human Resource Management for Golf Course
  Superintendents
• Milligan and Maloney

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Resources for Exam PreparationSports Specific

• Sports Fields
• Puhalla, Krans, Goatley
• Baseball and Softball Fields
• Puhalla, Krans, Goatley
• STMA Sports Turf Topics
• Everyday experience

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Test-taking Strategies

• Get a good nights rest
• Prepare but dont overstudy
• Arrange for a comfortable setting in which to
  take the exam
• Allow plenty of time to take the exam
• Choose a time when family and work obligations
  will be minimally distracting