Failed USPTA Exam

[Crusher10s]

Anyone out there who can help me out?

I took the USPTA teaching exam back in December and just found out that because I failed the Stroke Analysis subsection I subsequently failed the entire exam. (I actually passed everything else on the exam at the P2 level)

Anyhoo, here's my question: The Stroke Analysis practice video was very easy but the actual exam video was extremely hard due to what I consider extremely subtle changes in the stroke and I'm wondering if anyone out there has had trouble with the Stroke Analysis part of the exam and how can I bone up on it so I can pass next time?

Thanks in advance

 

[Mountain Ghost]

USPTA Stroke Analysis Exam

The stroke analysis section of the USPTA exam can be a bit tough. While the primary differences in some of the stroke examples are blatantly obvious, some are much more subtle. It’s important to not “zoom in” or get fixated on any one thing you might notice at first glance and to take a quick scan over every part of the player’s body during each clip. Even if you can easily identify one difference, that might not be the primary (or “root cause”) difference. For example, what looks like a difference in the forward swing or the contact point might actually be due to a different grip.

Also, even if you don’t categorize the changed stroke with the appropriately numbered option, if your explanation of the change includes a correct “understanding,” you might still get partial credit. So make sure your written answers describe everything you see as completely as possible.

Sorry to hear that you failed the stroke analysis section, but a P2 in the other areas means you DO know how to teach a lesson and hit the ball. As for how to improve your observational skills for your next attempt at certification, practice watching players with “many eyes” at once. In other words, don’t be distracted by any one aspect of a stroke. Use the list in the stroke analysis chapter of the USPTA study book as a guide and see if you can progressively learn to pick out what happens in every area of a stroke by just seeing it a few times.

MG

 

[burosky]

The stroke analysis section of the USPTA exam can be a bit tough. While the primary differences in some of the stroke examples are blatantly obvious, some are much more subtle. It’s important to not “zoom in” or get fixated on any one thing you might notice at first glance and to take a quick scan over every part of the player’s body during each clip. Even if you can easily identify one difference, that might not be the primary (or “root cause”) difference. For example, what looks like a difference in the forward swing or the contact point might actually be due to a different grip.

Also, even if you don’t categorize the changed stroke with the appropriately numbered option, if your explanation of the change includes a correct “understanding,” you might still get partial credit. So make sure your written answers describe everything you see as completely as possible.

Sorry to hear that you failed the stroke analysis section, but a P2 in the other areas means you DO know how to teach a lesson and hit the ball. As for how to improve your observational skills for your next attempt at certification, practice watching players with “many eyes” at once. In other words, don’t be distracted by any one aspect of a stroke. Use the list in the stroke analysis chapter of the USPTA study book as a guide and see if you can progressively learn to pick out what happens in every area of a stroke by just seeing it a few times.

MG

You are spot on, MG! It is very easy to fall into the trap of just spotting differences in the stroke and saying that is the culprit. I think this is exactly the point of the test.

 

[Crusher10s]

MG, you are my new hero! Thank you so very much for giving me such great insight and advice. And Burosky is right too, your explanation is spot on. Thanks to you I finally "get" that a grip change might indeed cause a different contact point or backswing. I can remember being flustered because I could see the change in contact point but couldn't figure out what exactly was causing it. And it didn't help that I was looking at the "tree" instead of looking at the whole "forest". Thanks again so very much

 

[patrick922]

i took the uspta exam back in december as well and got a p3 rating because i got a p3 on one section [the group lesson, because i didnt 'set the stage' or what ever]. but everything else i got a p1 in and two p2's. overall pretty good.

in my opinion the changes in the stroke stood out. there were a couple that was pretty subtle. but yeah make sure you scan the whole body then when they show the changed stroke look for the difference. i didnt think it was too hard.

 

[40Love]

Anyone out there who can help me out?

I took the USPTA teaching exam back in December and just found out that because I failed the Stroke Analysis subsection I subsequently failed the entire exam. (I actually passed everything else on the exam at the P2 level)

Anyhoo, here's my question: The Stroke Analysis practice video was very easy but the actual exam video was extremely hard due to what I consider extremely subtle changes in the stroke and I'm wondering if anyone out there has had trouble with the Stroke Analysis part of the exam and how can I bone up on it so I can pass next time?

Thanks in advance

I had the same issue when I took the PTR exam. The error correction study video made it very obvious what the problem was but when the PTR tester demonstrated errors on court it was very subtle. I managed to pass the error correction at the lowest level while all the other sections were at the highest level. When I took a retest a few months later with a local PTR tester I was able to upgrade by following the advise given in the earlier post.

 

[10ispro]

In the next Few months, the majority of the exams will be online. so Written, part of Grips, and Stroke Analysis will be done online. Stroke production, and both lessons will still be physically tested in person at testing facility.

So if you need to upgrade, no need to take off work to go take a section--it can be done online

 

[patrick922]

In the next Few months, the majority of the exams will be online. so Written, part of Grips, and Stroke Analysis will be done online. Stroke production, and both lessons will still be physically tested in person at testing facility.

So if you need to upgrade, no need to take off work to go take a section--it can be done online

see i dont like how they will make it online.... it is going to give the impression that it is very easy to become a teaching pro.

 

[SFrazeur]

In the next Few months, the majority of the exams will be online. so Written, part of Grips, and Stroke Analysis will be done online. Stroke production, and both lessons will still be physically tested in person at testing facility.

So if you need to upgrade, no need to take off work to go take a section--it can be done online

I am glade to know this, thanks. This help me for the reasons you have cited.

-SF

 

[Crusher10s]

Actually I just spoke to the head of testing for the USPTA (Vicky Tristan) and she point blank told me it would be anywhere from 12-18 months before the online testing would available

 

[csustennis]

i failed the uspta test as well, however it was due to the Grips portion...I didn't know there was this number system with the grips...I was in Vegas so I didn't goto the review but having spent 5 mins studying that particular thing( the only thing I studied out of the manual) I passed. I found the stroke Analysis portion the easiest part, right after the stroke production....seemed to be very obvious and almost silly with how they change the contact point, stroke and whatever else they changed

 

[Mountain Ghost]

Silly?

Sorry you failed the test, but kudos for only spending 5 minutes studying the manual, not needing to attend the certification review course and for breezing through the stroke analysis part of the exam that you thought “seemed to be very obvious and almost silly.”

One thing though, while your Mr. Cool “I was in Vegas” story sounds totally un-silly and legit, I wouldn’t go around advertising that you “didn't know there was this number system with the grips.”

MG

 

[SFrazeur]

Here are five suggestions before taking the USPTA exam:

1: Go to the CRC. Never miss the CRC (certification review course). If ever taking an exam of any kind and the ones making and giving the exam ask you if you want to review, you review. Respect the exam.

2: Actively read the training manual. Study what you think you already know. Study eve what you may not agree with. There is very little that the USPTA asks that you know how to do their way. They will test on it. History and business sections are important.

3: Practice the stroke production portion. The manual explains how they will test, better to practice, practice is never needless.

4: Practice video stroke analysis. For some people analyzing a video clip is very different than doing it live. Again, practice is never needless.

5: Repeat 1 through 4.

-SF

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

Here are five suggestions before taking the USPTA exam:

1: Go to the CRC. Never miss the CRC (certification review course). If ever taking an exam of any kind and the ones making and giving the exam ask you if you want to review, you review. Respect the exam.

2: Actively read the training manual. Study what you think you already know. Study eve what you may not agree with. There is very little that the USPTA asks that you know how to do their way. They will test on it. History and business sections are important.

3: Practice the stroke production portion. The manual explains how they will test, better to practice, practice is never needless.

4: Practice video stroke analysis. For some people analyzing a video clip is very different than doing it live. Again, practice is never needless.

5: Repeat 1 through 4.

-SF

That sounds like very good advice. Very specific and actionable.

But, does any of this actually demonstrate that a person can teach? or is it simply an exercise to pass a test.

People pay people to teach, communicate tennis stuff clearly, hopefully with a good critical eye, and to inspire them.

I remember failing a driving test because I didn't know the exact fines and breathalyzer readings for moving violations and exact point conditions for losing a license.

It had nothing to do with testing whether I could safely operate a vehicle.

So, I jammed those facts into my head in 30 min. took the test and quickly flushed them from memory.

I think its tests like these that cause people to I don't know not place value on various kinds of certification.

 

[SFrazeur]

That sounds like very good advice. Very specific and actionable.

But, does any of this actually demonstrate that a person can teach? or is it simply an exercise to pass a test.

People pay people to teach, communicate tennis stuff clearly, hopefully with a good critical eye, and to inspire them.

I remember failing a driving test because I didn't know the exact fines and breathalyzer readings for moving violations and exact point conditions for losing a license.

It had nothing to do with testing whether I could safely operate a vehicle.

So, I jammed those facts into my head in 30 min. took the test and quickly flushed them from memory.

I think its tests like these that cause people to I don't know not place value on various kinds of certification.

Very good points on testing methods in general.

It is so very difficult to test what makes a good instructor, or teacher of any kind. To every person that is something different, because people need different qualities at different times. Sometimes a student just needs their chain jerked. Because of the difficulty of testing these abstract situations, they're left testing the concrete. Also, the USPTA does not test on what methods they use to instruct or what styles of strokes they teach. So they are left again testing the concrete; Is the instructor specific in their instructions however the instruction may be. They test even on attire. The men have to wear a collar shirt, and points are deducted if the shirt is not tucked in. Does my ability to instruct hedge on whether or not my shirt in in or out, no.

-SF

 

[Mountain Ghost]

The Value of a Test?

That sounds like very good advice. Very specific and actionable.

But, does any of this actually demonstrate that a person can teach? or is it simply an exercise to pass a test.

People pay people to teach, communicate tennis stuff clearly, hopefully with a good critical eye, and to inspire them.

I remember failing a driving test because I didn't know the exact fines and breathalyzer readings for moving violations and exact point conditions for losing a license.

It had nothing to do with testing whether I could safely operate a vehicle.

So, I jammed those facts into my head in 30 min. took the test and quickly flushed them from memory.

I think its tests like these that cause people to I don't know not place value on various kinds of certification.

The on-court portions of the USPTA certification exam include a private lesson, a group lesson and a stroke production section. These really cannot be crammed for or faked! Believe it or not, the USPTA testers have been around enough to recognize who can play, who can teach and who can’t. Also, while it’s easy to criticize the process and even the concept of certification in general, where are your suggestions for a viable alternative to the current testing model? I have found that a big part of being a good teacher is in replacing that which I have labeled as “incorrect” with a “better” version. Where is yours?

More importantly, the real issue isn’t whether the written test demonstrates an ability to teach tennis or not, but whether someone teaching tennis should have a solid and broad knowledge of the game along WITH the basic ability to teach. I personally think every teaching pro should know all the rules of the game. I also think being able to identify, name and explain the advantages/disadvantages of virtually every game component (like grips) should be part of each teaching pro’s inventory of studied knowledge.

If you have a problem with some specific certified pro’s “value” as a teacher that is based on actual experience, then your problem is with that one pro, not with every pro who is certified . . . unless you happen to be supernatural yourself and you just want to preach.

MG

 

[csustennis]

Brokeback Mountain ghost, don't give me the Mr. Cool speech about how I didn't study for test, you knob, it was not in defiance of the test,and I wouldn't mind broadcasting that I didn't know the number system of the grips, because I feel it is the one thing( out of many) that is wrong with the USPTA testing..But I will just bite my tongue about that

 

[Bud]

i failed the uspta test as well, however it was due to the Grips portion...I didn't know there was this number system with the grips...I was in Vegas so I didn't goto the review but having spent 5 mins studying that particular thing( the only thing I studied out of the manual) I passed. I found the stroke Analysis portion the easiest part, right after the stroke production....seemed to be very obvious and almost silly with how they change the contact point, stroke and whatever else they changed

Sorry you failed the test, but kudos for only spending 5 minutes studying the manual, not needing to attend the certification review course and for breezing through the stroke analysis part of the exam that you thought “seemed to be very obvious and almost silly.”

One thing though, while your Mr. Cool “I was in Vegas” story sounds totally un-silly and legit, I wouldn’t go around advertising that you “didn't know there was this number system with the grips.”

MG

Brokeback Mountain ghost, don't give me the Mr. Cool speech about how I didn't study for test, you knob, it was not in defiance of the test,and I wouldn't mind broadcasting that I didn't know the number system of the grips, because I feel it is the one thing( out of many) that is wrong with the USPTA testing..But I will just bite my tongue about that

Now... both of your posts are obnoxious and arrogant

 

[Ultra2HolyGrail]

Anyone out there who can help me out?

I took the USPTA teaching exam back in December and just found out that because I failed the Stroke Analysis subsection I subsequently failed the entire exam. (I actually passed everything else on the exam at the P2 level)

Anyhoo, here's my question: The Stroke Analysis practice video was very easy but the actual exam video was extremely hard due to what I consider extremely subtle changes in the stroke and I'm wondering if anyone out there has had trouble with the Stroke Analysis part of the exam and how can I bone up on it so I can pass next time?

Thanks in advance

Maybe this is a sighn? Do you really want to teach tennis or do you just want to make money? Do you really feel you know enough to teach tennis? To many teaching pros suck imo and have no clue how to teach. They are just worried about their paycheck.. But if you really feel you can make a difference to somebody than keep pursuing it.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Anyone out there who can help me out?

I took the USPTA teaching exam back in December and just found out that because I failed the Stroke Analysis subsection I subsequently failed the entire exam. (I actually passed everything else on the exam at the P2 level)

Anyhoo, here's my question: The Stroke Analysis practice video was very easy but the actual exam video was extremely hard due to what I consider extremely subtle changes in the stroke and I'm wondering if anyone out there has had trouble with the Stroke Analysis part of the exam and how can I bone up on it so I can pass next time?

Thanks in advance

Dont feel bad, the stroke analysis was tough for me and the rest of the participants. In particular, it can be somewhat subjective and trying to see the slight issues in a stroke can be difficult. Which is why many players never correct their strokes even if they see a coach!

All I can say is try again.

 

[Crusher10s]

Just a followup to my original post about failing the USPTA exam.....today I received my official USPTA certification in the mail......Woohoooo.....just wanted to thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for help with such wonderful and helpful and encouraging feedback, tips and advice. Thanks again guys, I really really appreciate everything. (I retook the Stroke Analysis portion back in March and am now officially certified as a P3 to teach tennis).

 

[skierpaul]

Hey congrats, glad that the hard work paid off! I've worked my way up through the system in other sports and know how rewarding achievements like this can be. Well done!

 

[fuzz nation]

Right on! Way to keep after it, amigo.

I'm waiting on my results right now and I wouldn't be surprised if I got tripped up by a few of those stroke analysis videos - I talked over a couple of them with one or two of the other test-takers later and we shared the perception that maybe two or three of the examples had multiple "issues" going on. One lady was hitting volleys like the Tin Woodsman! AAAAAGGHH!!!

Just doing the face-to-face Cert. Review Course was very thought provoking and gave me great insight toward efficiently identifying and addressing the limits of an individual player's skills. I've taught on my own and coached for a number of years, but that process still taught me a whole lot - I'm actually bummed out to hear that they plan on conducting that course online in the future. Hopefully the powers that be at the USPTA will make a solid effort to keep up the quality of their review at a high level.

Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[Ash_Smith]

I really hope this idea of on-line certification doesn't take off. There are a few "teaching systems" which offer online certification and to my mind it's not a good idea. I tutor courses for the RPT and in terms of passing somebody as "fit to coach" as it were without seeing them teach and demonstrate their abilities not only to coach but to present a good role model would be impossible.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Anyone out there who can help me out?

I took the USPTA teaching exam back in December and just found out that because I failed the Stroke Analysis subsection I subsequently failed the entire exam. (I actually passed everything else on the exam at the P2 level)

Anyhoo, here's my question: The Stroke Analysis practice video was very easy but the actual exam video was extremely hard due to what I consider extremely subtle changes in the stroke and I'm wondering if anyone out there has had trouble with the Stroke Analysis part of the exam and how can I bone up on it so I can pass next time?

Thanks in advance

Yeah, that was the hardest part for all of us when I took the exam. We had 12 people taking the test and by far the most subjective and hardest part was the strokes analysis.

Congrats.

 

[Mountain Ghost]

USPTA Test Update

Just a followup to my original post about failing the USPTA exam.....today I received my official USPTA certification in the mail......Woohoooo.....just wanted to thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for help with such wonderful and helpful and encouraging feedback, tips and advice. Thanks again guys, I really really appreciate everything. (I retook the Stroke Analysis portion back in March and am now officially certified as a P3 to teach tennis).

Good Work!

MG

 

[chess9]

Good on ya' for doing so well on the exam! Your post raises a great issue, that is admittedly somewhat tangential, but has already been touched upon, so I'll venture further into that mine field.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT COACH?

I would say:

1. Patience;
2. Extensive knowledge of the game;
3. A well-trained analytical eye;
4. An innate ability to inspire others to be the best they can be.
5. A love of people;
6. An understanding of human limits, e.g., knowing that progress can often be slow and sometimes the student takes 1 step forward and two steps backwards. This is related to patience.

If anyone can add to this list, please do so.

-Robert