Take the Professional Examination
Every November between 150 and 180 CAAV Probationers take the Association’s demanding two day practical, written and oral examinations for professional qualification, based on a wide-ranging syllabus.
It is held at seven centres around the country, each using a farm as the basis for the practical parts of the examinations, appraising and assessing the subjects of the questions, and also taking nationally set written papers before an interview with the examiners as clients.
Qualification as a Fellow (FAAV) turns on achieving 65% of the available marks with no less than 60% in any one part. A candidate achieving 65% in either the combined Practical/Oral or the national Written is then exempted from re-sitting that part for three years.
The CAAV’s local associations and groups provide a wide range of tutorials around the country to help candidates prepare for the examinations, supplementing the experience they are gaining in work. In addition, the CAAV organises a one day National Tutorial, particularly aimed at topics for the Written examination.
The candidate with the highest marks across all three parts taken in one year receives a prize at the CAAV’s AGM and, since 1999, has been awarded the Royal Agricultural Society for England’s Talbot Ponsonby Prize.