3. Knowledge assessment

The knowledge assessment for basic scaffolding is one of three assessments which applicants must pass to qualify for a basic scaffolding certificate (certificate of competency). The other components are a written assignment and a practical skills performance assessment.

What does the test cover?
How does the assessor evaluate me?
How is the test carried out?
Where does the test take place?

What does the test cover?

In the knowledge assessment the certificate assessor evaluates the extent of the applicant's underlying knowledge.

The knowledge assessment for basic scaffolding is a 'closed book' short answer examination divided into six sections:

Section 1: Certification
Section 2: Site hazards
Section 3: Tools and equipment for scaffolding
Section 4: General scaffold requirements
Section 5: Particular scaffold requirements
Section 6: Associated equipment requirements

Further details of the knowledge and skills required to complete assessment are available in the unit of competency to Perform basic scaffolding operations (PDF, 170 KB).

How does the assessor evaluate me?

To pass the assessment, the applicant must correctly answer (either in writing or orally) a majority of the randomly selected questions in each of the six sections.

The questions in each section are to be randomly selected from a bank which contains a total of 100 questions.

An applicant who holds a Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Rigging Certificate does not require assessment in Section 6.

A full knowledge assessment consists of 26 questions and can take up to 30 minutes to complete. The time permitted for partial assessments should be approximately one minute per question.

An applicant undergoing re-assessment need only be re-assessed in those sections which he or she previously failed to answer a majority of selected questions correctly.

Any other partial or full waiver of knowledge assessment should only be permitted in compliance with guidelines, determinations or advice given to the certificate assessor by the certifying authority.

How is the test carried out?

There are two ways in which the knowledge assessment can be conducted:

Written examination - where this method is used, the applicant must be given the chance to be orally assessed on any questions which are not completed in writing.
Oral examination - where this method is used, the assessor will enter the applicant's answers on to the examination paper.

Where does the test take place?

The written assignment assessment can be conducted at any location such as:

your workplace;
at a training organisation; or
any other suitable location.