Dave Gannaway told officials at the IHSA Convention, that he encouraged officials to talk about the test and go over it. So anyone can report me, I have the right, and I will continue to give the test to anyone that wants it. It is up to them how they use it and how they want to take the test. This is an open book test that does use the results as a single factor for playoff consideration. They also consider official ranking (promotional level), Top 15 list percentile, coaches/officials ratings percentile, and previous playoff experience. Each of these things I just mentioned has equal consideration. Each category has 5 points depending on what your ranking or level is to accumulate a 30 Point Power rating. The test is one thing you actually can control. All the others an individual official cannot control how many points. The test can be done online or thru the mail. When you do it online, they tell you immediately what your score is. I received a 99 doing the test basically on my own and confirmed my score with others that took the test. This is very common and done in our state with just about every single official's association that I belong to and that I do not belong to. As a matter of fact, check all the agendas with IHSA Official's Associations on their website and they talk about Review of the Part 1 Exam. If this was a secret, it would not be on the associationÂ’s official website. Some even talk about what questions they will go over.
So Windy, report me. Pass this on to whoever you like. The head of the Official's Department said it was OK and many were kind of surprised. But if he has no problem with that, I do not have a problem with it. Every state uses these test differently and if they choose to take the answers, that is on them. It is not my job to set the standards of every state in the country. Many states create their own tests or require the test to be close book. As I have stated before, the only time anyone has to take the Part 2 in this state is if they are going for promotion. Once an official reaches the "Certified" level, they do not have to ever take the Part 2 Exam ever again. I am currently at that level in basketball where I never have to take that exam ever again if I pay my dues each year.
Windy, attend some meetings outside of UMPS sometime and you just might learn something. Every association I belong to distributes the test. Mostly what we use it for is to go over the rules and spark further discussion. The test is not much different than going to a rules meeting as a requirement (also a requirement to work playoffs) and sparks many debates about the rules and how to apply the rules.
BTW, November 15 is for the State of Illinois, not for everyone else. I personally do not know of anyone from the State of Illinois that has asked for the test. BTW, the association I belong to just went over the test last night. I have another association that will go over it next week. Be my guest. Because many of the folks that asked for the test thru email, do not take this test as a requirement. If it helps them study for another state run test that is there business.
Peace