BBKA Forum

New exam sylabusses (sorry) have been published by the BBKA here.
https://www.bbka.org.uk/modules

I assume having glanced through the 7 modules of 1 - 8 (!) that the additional topics are in bold.

It's very easy to be critical, however to promote discussion here's a couple of comments
1) For module 1 section 1.1 and 1.2, "name the advantages and disadvantages of polystyrene hives compared to wooden ones" might be more relevant rather than a history topic.

2) I have always thought that a topic about dealing with packaged bees (both supplying and receiving) would make sense as it's a good way of supplying bees without the worry of comb diseases.

Agreed Adam, at least you now don't have to learn the exact sizes of the frames used in the different hives. A requirement when I took the modules many moons ago. . But I do wonder what they are up to when they say.
"the methods of introducing a new queen to a queenright nucleus and to a large colony;"
Why on earth would you want to introduce a queen to a queenright nuc?
I understand they may be seeking that the candidate knows to first remove the old queen.....but why not say so, as in "methods of replacing a queen in a queen right nuc" rather than give an ambiguous impression that they want you run a 2 queen nuc!
Exams are hard pressurised places for candidates and they deserve to have clear obvious questions or syllabuses to work from.

Do pass on your comments to the exam board. Someone bought it up at the ADM about the history elements being not "honeybee management".

I haven't found any advantages from having poly hives for the last 4 years. Surely this is my observation and can't be measured for an exam mark, just like Hazel cannot be considered a spring source of pollen in my location. BBKA fails at every chance to be an inclusive national body.

With the re-vamp, why is there still a 'missing' module?

It's been like that for years.

AdamD wrote: ↑

24 Jan 2022, 16:27

It's been like that for years.

You could say the same about the Acropolis. When are they finally going to get round to finishing that ?

They can't, we stole part of it and won't give it back.