who's seen the latest prices for the BHS exmas ????
Those of you who are unable to raise you're hands because you've fainted with shock - I totally understand!!!
http://www.bhs.org.uk/Examinations/Examination_fees.htm
The BHS no doubt have their reasons for such drastic increases , but they're hardly going to encourage new teachers into the system when they keep upping the fees.
Many new / trainee instructors ( myself included ) find it hard enough to keep on top of the membership fees , let alone the training fees , travelling , and actual exam costs.
Come on BHS... stop taking the P ennies ( well , P ounds actually !! )
I still wholly support the BHS exam system , and agree that it is the most widely recognised and respected around , but am starting to get sick of being 'taken for a ride'!!!
So , what do you think ????

Jonathan
http://www.equestre.co.uk/

had just visited the BHS site before coming here and noticed exactly that!!! consider myself very lucky to have done my stage 3 and ptt last year as the price increase is incredible!! though it won't be for quite a while yet (!) i am hoping to do my stage 4, and was considering sitting the riding and horse care sections seperately to ease the stress, but at a combined cost of £219, i may have to take the risk and sit it as a single exam for £160!
for anyone who has the chance though, i would definitely recommend enrolling on a part time college course as i got my stage 1, 2, and 3 paid for me by doing this! as well the registration fee for my nvq2! i only (! seems ironic when i consider how much i have spent!) had to pay for nvq1 registration and ptt. still had to pay for training, which cost me A LOT, but at the end of the day i am doing these exams as i would love to make my living from teaching, so i don't mind paying for tuition so that other instructors can make a living of their own.

Thank goodness I've only got stage 3 riding to do!

I hope I pass it this time, was planning sometime early 2003, but wonder if I should re-think, wonder what they will be by then?

better apply for a mortgage on the house before sending in the applications , eh ??!!!!
I was seriously hoping to get on and get my 3 / PTT this year , but with the extra cost as well as everything else I think it will be put on hold yet again.

Anyway ,
good luck to all of you who can afford to take them !!! and thanks for visiting the forum and keeping it alive with your posts.


Jonathan
http://www.equestre.co.uk/

I actually think the prices are ridiculuous.
I am in Ireland but still have to pay Sterling prices - which, with the current rate of exchange means a I'll be paying 230 Euro for my PTT

Do any of you think it would be a help for all of us to complain????

I know you are shocked by the increase in exam fees but they have had to rise due to:

-examiners fees going up
-examiner mileage allowance going up
-centre facility fees going up
-cost of administration and postage going up

The exams do use a lot of resources - horses, equipment,facilities etc etc. let alone the examiners who are professionals and do not receive a realistic fee for examining (even with the increase). The exam venue has to close for the day and they therefore lose revenue so have to be realistically reimbursed.

We realise money is tight and do sympathise but with rising costs it was the only thing we could do.

My advice is to ensure you are fully prepared for the exam so that you definitely pass it first time. At least at Stage 4, IT and BHSI level we are introducing the modular retake system which is being greeted enthusiastically.

Really appreciate your input Jeremy, thank you.

I do cetainly appreciate they are expensive to arrange and would of course not expect the centre to lose money over putting on an exam day.

However, having taken stage III once before and failed riding part, I trusted my instructors judgement (my instructor was chief instructor at exam centre where it was taken) as to my suitablility/readiness for taking the exam. I don't intend to fail again, indeed I didn't intend to fail the first time.

Coming back as a mature student and with hindsight.

This time I am going to train at a different exam centre to prepare and have asked if they don't suggest I apply for the exam until they are absolutely sure that I'm well above standard, I want to be nearer stage IV - my words were 150% ready (as I suffer v. badly from nerves on day). But also, as a pupil we rely heavily on our instructors judgement that we are ready.

Once again thanks for response.