2021 RETA Breeze Nov/Dec

RETA TESTING CORNER NO. 27

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

R ETA’S RECENT EFFORTS to promote greater use of Practice Tests have helped more candidates earn RETA credentials. Seventy-two percent (72%) of CARO, CIRO and CRST candidates who took a practice test shortly before their full exam have earned a RETA credential during the first several months under the new policy. The pass rate for candidates who did not take a practice test was 59%. RETA now includes one Practice Test in application fees for CARO, CIRO and CRST. Candidates who applied before RETA adopted the change last summer may take one Practice Test for the same $30 increase that was implemented in the new policy. All candidates also can purchase additional Practice Tests for $59 per attempt. Candidates who took a CIRO Practice Test shortly before their full exam achieved a pass rate of 58%. Just 32% of candidates who did

not take the CIRO Practice Test passed. CIRO certifies that a candidate is qualified to supervise refrigeration system operations. RETA also requires at least two years of machine room experience before taking CIRO. A smaller difference occurred for CARO candidates: 81% who took a Practice Test passed while just 69% passed without taking a Practice Test. CARO certifies that a candidate is qualified to work in a refrigeration machine room under supervision. CRST pass rates were in the 60s for both groups. Just 10% of RETA candidates took CRST during this period. RETA launched CRST in 2018 to certify service technicians. Candidates must have earned CARO or CIRO or document at least four years of progressively more challenging refrigeration experience before taking CRST.

28 RETA.com