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RESNET National Rater TestThe RESNET National Rater Test is an on-line 50 question true or false / multiple choice test. The test in open book and raters have two hours to complete the test. The test is on building science concepts and rating procedures. Raters receive the results from the test immediately after completing the test. A passing score is 80%. The test must be administered by a RESNET accredited rater training provider. A directory of accredited rater training providers is posted on RESNET's website. There is a $50.00 fee to RESNET for taking the test. A Rater Trainer or Rating Quality Assurance Designee who has passed the RESNET Rater Trainer/Quality Assurance Test with a score of 90 or better is considered having met the testing requirement for rater re-certification. The RESNET National Rater Test's questions are divided into the key categories of building science and home energy ratings. The following are the categories of the test questions and the percentage of questions in each category that are contained in the test:
RESNET National Rating Inspector TestThe RESNET Standards includes a category of rater certification called the Rating Field Inspector. This rater classification goes into effect on January 1, 2007. The Standards require Rating Field Inspector candidates pass a National Rating Field Inspector Test administered by RESNET. To meet this requirement, the committee has adopted the following steps be taken to offer this test on-line beginning January 1 2007. Because many of the skill and knowledge needed to be a Rating Field Inspector are identical to that of a Certified Rater, the committee voted that a new test be not developed but rather, the current RESNET Rater test be modified in the following ways:
The Rater Field Inspector test will be open-book, consist of a total of 50 questions with a two hour limit and cost $50.00 - as is the case with the current Rater test. The following test question categories will be used for the Rater Field Inspector test
To view the supporting documentation on this action click on RESNET Rating Field Inspector Test Specifications. How the RESNET Rater Test Was DevelopedThe test was developed over a four-year period using the best minds in the rating industry. The test is based on the tests previously used by RESNET's accredited rater training providers. A training committee composed of representatives of the nation's leading rating providers and rater training providers including Southface Energy Institute, Conservation Services Group, Florida Solar Energy Center, Kansas Building Science Institute, Energy Rated Homes, Northeast HERS® Alliance, and California Home Energy Efficiency Rating Services spent three years culling the best questions and weighing their priority among the categories listed above to write the pool of test questions. Once the test question pool was developed, RESNET conducted an alpha test. The alpha test was open to all rater trainers and involved a review and the ability to comment on all questions. Upon completion of the beta test, RESNET staff and the RESNET Training Committee reviewed the comments and reworded a number of questions for clarity, as well as, replacing some of the questions. Upon the completion of this process, a professional technical editor was retained to review and edit each question for consistency and clarity. After the professional edit of the test, RESNET conducted a beta test, which every rater was invited to take. Upon completion of the beta test, RESNET staff compiled those questions that were most often missed and again, RESNET's Technical Committee reviewed and edited the questions for accuracy and clarity. This entire effort was led by Kathy Spigarelli, RESNET's Education and Training Coordinator. Kathy is an adult education professional and has over three decades of professional testing experience. RESNET Rater Test Study Guide OutlineAll of the questions in the national rater test were supported by publications and web sites. It would be good to familiarize or secure these resources prior to taking the test. The following are the source documents for the national rater test:
To assist certified raters to prepare for the national rater test RESNET has developed a study guide line. To down load the study guide click on RESNET Rater Test Study Guide Outline. In addition to the study guide outline, it is suggest that raters review the following documents prior to taking the test:
Many training providers supply rater students with training materials such as John Krigger's "Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Homes" and the EEBA Builder Guide. Studying these resources should provider a rater with the information needed to pass the test. Please remember, this is a national test and may cover topics that are not addressed in detail in a particular state's program. If you do not have a copy of your rating provider's training manual, you should contact one of RESNET's accredited rater training providers to secure a copy. Click on directory of accredited rater training providers. The Northeast HERS Alliance has developed a rater training manual the "Northeast Home Energy Rating System Alliance Training and Reference Manual". The Alliance has a link on its website that shows a sample of the manual and complete table of contents, plus an order form at www.energyratings.org/Sample-HERS_Manual-2007.pdf. For more information contact information@energyratings.org. The Southface Energy Institute has released a study guide for the national rater test, "HERS Rater's Handbook of Essential Subjects: A Study/Prep Guide for Anyone Taking the RESNET HERS Rater/Quality Assurance Designee Test" by Brett Dillion & Mike Barcik. The guide is in an electronic version and costs $83.00. For more information on the rater test study guide contact Nadine Lang at 404-872-3549, Ext. 108. Saturn Online is offering online training to prepare RESNET raters to pass the national home energy rater test. Their training website using narrated slide shows, videos, interactive lessons, quizzes and Saturn publications. Saturn is guaranteeing that you will pass the RESNET HERS Rater Online exam. If you pass their course and subsequently fail the exam, Saturn will put you through their course again for free. Guaranteeing student success on the rater test demands a highly focused approach and Saturn says they are achieving that. Visit Saturn Online for more info or to register or call Jody at 800-735-0577 to register by phone. How to Take the RESNET National Rater TestAn accredited rater trainer must administer the RESNET rater test. Contact an accredited RESNET accredited rater training provider to schedule a test. Click on directory of accredited rater training providers for a listing of accredited rater training providers. |
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