2021 RETA Breeze March-April

RETA TESTING CORNER NO. 23

RETA’S CREDENTIALING EXAMS AND ACTIVITIES Dr. Ron Rodgers, RETA’s Psychometrician (testing expert) and ANSI Accreditation Manager

Test performance data since RETA introduced new test forms for CARO and CIRO in July 2020 show that some candidates are earning much lower scores than was true for earlier forms of these tests. A total score of 70 is required to pass each test. RETA Study Guides and Practice Tests are designed to help candidates earn credentials as an essential part of RETA’s mission “To enhance the professional development of industrial refrigeration operating and technical engineers.” T he average CARO total score has fallen just two points from 74% to 72%, but many more CARO candidates are achieving lower scores on the current exam. One reason is that many candidates are scoring poorly in Safety Standards and Procedures. Average scores also have fallen to the lower 70s in six of ten CARO content areas.

AVERAGE CARO SCORES BY CONTENT AREA SINCE JANUARY 2020

EARLIER EXAMS

CURRENT EXAMS

CARO CONTENT AREAS

1. Fundamentals

76%

71%

82%

77%

2. Refrigeration Cycle

62%

68%

3. Refrigerants and Tables

74%

72%

4. Compressor Types

5. Compressor Maintenance & Operations

77%

73%

76%

72%

6. Lubrication

75%

70%

7. Evaporators & Cooling Units

74%

70%

8. Condensers & Receivers

9. Purging

78%

76%

10. Safety Standards & Procedures

73%

66%

74% 69%

72% 60%

Total Scores Pass Rates

28 RETA.com