NABS-TCP Home > Test Descriptions > Level 1 (Family) Test  
 Acknowledgments Minimize

The NABS Taxonomic certification program would like to thank those who have provided photographic material for use in the family test:

Art Bogan - North Carolina Museum, Gail Corkum - Acadia University, Chris Jones - Ontario Ministry of Environment, Steve Fend - U.S. Geological Survey,  John Pfeiffer - EcoAnalysts, Pilar Rodriguez - Universidad del Pais Vasco, Charles Staines - Smithsonian Institute, Steve Taylor - Illinois Natural History Survey, and Mark Vinson - BugLab, Utah State University.

 
      
 Level 1 (Family) Test Minimize

   The Level 1 Certification Test is image based and being made available through the NABS website. Test results are distributed to the candidate by email immediately on completion. 

 
The Test is administered on the NABS website and will be taken in a controlled, supervised environment. To take the test the Candidate will need to make arrangements with a Test Supervisor at an approved Test Centre.  (Those interested in being Level 1 Test Centres should review the requirements and contact the Program Coordinator.)   Once payment has been received the candidate will be able to take the test.

Payment Options.

1 . Online payment through the PayPal link (active when logged in)

2. Payment by cheque to the test supervisor prior to the test (cheques to be made out to NABS TCP) 

3. Payment by cheque to the Program Co-ordinator prior to the test (cheques to be made out to NABS TCP)

Test Procedure

1. Contact a Test Centre and Test Supervisor to arrange a test date

2. On arrival at the Centre and prior to the test the Supervisor will explain the test conditions and ensure payment has been received.

3. Candidate will then Login (note: you must be logged in to make the "Take the Test" link active) and select the Level 1 (Family) link (to this page), and agree to accept the test conditions (below).

4. The Candidate will begin the test procedure by selecting the "Take the Test" link below - leading to the test log in page.

5. Supervisor will then enter their unique keycode, the Test will commence. The candidate may choose to stop the examination at any time without recording the results, but without reimbursement of fees.

Take the Test 

Test Supervisors

Supervisors/proctors will provide technical assistance with the web-administered system and verify the candidate's identity and his/her independence in the taking of the test (i.e., the absence of outside literature or other unauthorized assistance). The Supervisor will assure that the candidate follows the requirements of the tests and accepts the test conditions which include:

Test Conditions

The Level 1 TCE will consist of image sets (3-5 images) for 40 taxa selected from an image database in a stratified random manner representing the relative frequency of occurrence of the groups representing families of insect adults (aquatic forms only) and larvae; orders of benthic insect pupae; families of Mollusca; and higher taxonomic levels of other invertebrate groups (Oligochaeta, Hirudinea, Crustacea, and Arachnida) found in North American lakes and streams. For a complete list of families and other groups in the test see this link.  While every attempt is made to keep these current they should be considered as a guide. 

Answers will be provided in "multiple choice" format; for each image, a hierarchical drop-down list will be available and the candidate will select the name he/she believes is the correct answer. The drop downs may include families other than those included in the lists.  A maximum of 120 minutes (2 h) will be allowed for the exam.
  • The candidate can move through the specimens at their own pace and return to specimens if they wish and change their identification.
  • Specimens may be represented by one or more images, as required to provide a family level identification.  In order to show key features required for identification an image set may include specimens from more than one genera.
  • Identification will be made through hierarchical drop down boxes – identification should be to the family level in most insect cases but to higher level for some taxa, this will be evident through the available choices in the drop down boxes.
  • At the end of 120 minutes, unless the test has been aborted by the candidate, a score will be provided to the candidate, and either electronic or mail letters, indicating the candidates result will be sent to organizations requested by the candidate.
  • A test score of 95% (38 correctly identified specimens) will result in certification.
  • Certification will last for a period of 5 years from the test date
  • The test is open book, and candidates may use taxonomic keys as required.
  • The candidates will receive no assistance from any other individuals.
  • The candidates will not print or save any of the electronic material

A printout of final results will be made available to the candidate.


The candidate who correctly identifies 38 or more of the 40 taxa correctly will pass the Level 1 TCE. At the end of the examination the candidate will have an opportunity to review his/her answers and make any changes, provided the 120 - minute time limit is not exceeded. The results of the exam will be calculated automatically and the candidate will then have the option of discarding the results (without reimbursement of examination fees) or recording them. The NABS TCP Coordinator will send the results to as many as three addresses provided by the candidate. The Level 1 TCE results may be sent to additional addressees for a fee of $10 per addressee.

To participate in the Level 1 Login and select the Level 1 Family Test Booking Option.

 
      
NABS-TCP | AWF Portal | User Terms