2019 Nov-Dec RETA Breeze

Candidates who are not familiar with the references for their exam can be at a major disadvantage during their exam. For CRST candidates, the Study Guide and on-screen references provide the following resources for their use during each test. • Formulas to interpret or compute relevant information that appears in test questions • Screens that document refrigeration system operating conditions that may require corrective actions or maintenance to improve system safety and efficiency • Diagrams that support questions about system operations and controls • Ammonia and HCFC-22 Saturated Properties tables • An Ammonia Safety Data Sheet (SDS) RETA study guides also provide sample screens and information to help candidates navigate these references during each test. Candidates can move a vertical red line to adjust the size of the on-screen references. Practice tests let candidates experience using the PDF to locate sources, expand images and navigate inside these PDFs. RETA offers CRST, CIRO and CARO Practice Tests for $59 per attempt. Candidates may take these timed practice tests online on computers with a current version of Adobe Reader that supports navigating within the references PDF for that test. All practice test questions are validated to meet the standards for RETA exams, then “retired” so that RETA can use them to help candidates prepare to earn a RETA credential. Practice test questions are not used in current RETA credentialing exams. RETA’s Certification Committee defines each test with an industry practices survey. CRST requires that candidates achieve a total score of at least 70% to pass. Safety Standards and Procedures, Condensers, Electric Systems and Compliance Guidelines comprise 42%

of CRST, plus 6 to 10 questions in each of the 11 remaining topics. Scores from candidates through October 2019 show three levels of mastery in 15 CRST topics. The pass rate among these candidates was 82%. The order of answers to each question is randomized for every candidate during each test, which creates a unique answer key for every attempt. No candidate scored over 70% in all 15 topics. The scores of these candidates documented the following three performance clusters. 2018-19 CRST Performance by Content Area Average Performance of 80% or higher • Electric Systems • Purgers • Safety Standards & Procedures • Shaft & Bearing Maintenance • Troubleshooting Average Performance of 70% to 79% • Controls Maintenance • Evaporators • Leak Detection • Pumps & Transfer Systems • Vessels, Piping, Valves, Controls Average Performance below 70%

• Ammonia Refrigeration Compliance Guidelines

• Compressors • Condensers • Insulation • Oil Analysis 

We welcome your questions about RETA’s credentialing exams and activities. Email your questions to the Certification department at certification@reta.com.

26 RETA.com