Billiard University (BU) playing-ability-exam scores and ratings

Gerry Williams said:
I repeated exam 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH3wa20wOTc&feature=youtu.be

Score 80 for a total BU Score of 160 now.
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Amazing! You really brought your score up quite a bit over the last week.

FYI, I've updated your info on the BU website alumni list and at the top of the thread:

dr_dave said:
List of AZB'ers who have taken the BU playing-ability exams so far (in ranked order):

BU score, Username, BU Rating, Video links (if available):

160, Gerry Williams, semi-pro, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II)
141, Neil, adv-3, Exam (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135, dr_dave, adv-2, Exam I, Exam II
132, Gerry Williams, adv-2, Table Setup, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132, BRussell, adv-2, Exam I, Exam II

Here are the details and scores for all official BU graduates.
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I'll be sending your "Doctorate of Pool" diploma in the mail later today.

Thanks again for participating and for working so hard at it.

Good job,
Dave
 
Are we allowed (we must be) to do the 2 exams at different times, or separately? If so, will have a better chance of doing this time-wise.

I tried to film today at a local place, got interrupted by some crazy guy coming in the store and asking a bunch of questions about my cue, then he came around the corner and startled me later (think butler in Mr. Deeds) causing me to miscue... Before I got interrupted, did make all 10 shots in exercise 1 and scored 10's on the next 2 as well.

Through all of that, and speeding up at the end, I scored 74 on the first part but didn't have time to do the second part. Did worse than I thought at the wheel (6, 7, 9, and 10) and even the stun exercise. Also lost points on the position exercise, mostly from rushing and 1 stroking.

Anyway, if I can do them separately, will probably do the first exam again with normal concentration then do the second one when I can. Doing them on a tourney edition Diamond or Brunswick makes it even more fun... Regardless, Gerry's score will be hard to beat.

Scott
 
scottjen26 said:
Are we allowed (we must be) to do the 2 exams at different times, or separately?
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Yes. You can take each exam as many times as you want, and you can use your two best attempts for your score, rating, and diploma. For more info, see the BU Exam Instructions document.

scottjen26 said:
I tried to film today at a local place, got interrupted by some crazy guy coming in the store and asking a bunch of questions about my cue, then he came around the corner and startled me later (think butler in Mr. Deeds) causing me to miscue... Before I got interrupted, did make all 10 shots in exercise 1 and scored 10's on the next 2 as well.

Through all of that, and speeding up at the end, I scored 74 on the first part but didn't have time to do the second part. Did worse than I thought at the wheel (6, 7, 9, and 10) and even the stun exercise. Also lost points on the position exercise, mostly from rushing and 1 stroking.

Anyway, if I can do them separately, will probably do the first exam again with normal concentration then do the second one when I can. Doing them on a tourney edition Diamond or Brunswick makes it even more fun...
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Sounds good. It look forward to seeing you score (and videos if you have a camera available).

scottjen26 said:
Regardless, Gerry's score will be hard to beat.
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... no doubt about that; although I hope CJ and really bring it.

Catch you later,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
Thanks for the positive feedback. I appreciate it.

Please post your total score after you finish Exam II, with or without videos (although, cameras work in pool halls also ;)).

You might want to check out the following online videos. They might help some with your F5, F7, and F8 scores:
NV D.8 - Stun Shot Drill - from Vol-II of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.10 - Draw Shot Trisect Aiming System - from Vol-II of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.11 - Cue Ball Control Target Pool Drill - from Vol-II of the Billiard University instructional DVD series

I'll be curious to see which Exam II drills give you trouble.

You're welcome ... and thank you for participating. I'm glad you like what you see so far.

Catch you later,
Dave
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Thanks Dave. I will need to redo the exam 1 as I did not follow the instructions at least fro the stun drill. I was shooting at each locaton for a total, and not starting at 4 and moving accordingly. I will be sure to read or watch all the instructions before attempting this again and then the appropriate scction 2.
 
dr_dave said:
I think that's highly unlikely (especially with that brutal wagon wheel drill and the Doctorate-level banks); although, I sure would like to see it.

Regards,
Dave
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That last bank in the masters section on a bar table is really, really, tough! It can be made though. It's actually less of an angle on a 9' table.
 
Neil said:
That last bank in the masters section on a bar table is really, really, tough! It can be made though. It's actually less of an angle on a 9' table.
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Have you looked at the Doctorate version of the banks drill yet? I personally think it is a lot tougher than the Masters version (although, more points are available). What do you think?

Regards,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
Have you looked at the Doctorate version of the banks drill yet? I personally think it is a lot tougher than the Masters version (although, more points are available). What do you think?

Regards,
Dave
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You don't really have any reverse banks on the doctorate though. Don't get me wrong, they are tough, but I think reverse banks are always tougher than forward banks.
 
Neil said:
You don't really have any reverse banks on the doctorate though. Don't get me wrong, they are tough, but I think reverse banks are always tougher than forward banks.
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Good point.

Are you going to do the exams on a 9 footer some day so you can challenge Gerry?

Regards,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
All of the exam documents (with well-illustrated shot diagrams) and score sheets needed to take the exams and monitor your progress over time are available on the BU Exam Resources Page.

The following videos provide complete demonstrations of all exam drills, along with how to score them:
BU Exam-I Overview - demonstrations and scoring of the Fundamentals Exam
BU Exam II Overview - demonstrations and scoring of the Skills Exam
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Now that the exams have been out a while and some of you have tried them, do you have any suggestions for possible changes in the future?

What do you think should be added?

What do you think should be removed?

Are there any important skills missing?

Are the exams too long?

If you think something should be added, what would you remove so the exams don't get longer?

What do you like or dislike about the scoring system?

Do you think the BU rating is an accurate measure of your playing ability?

Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions you might have.

Best regards,
Dave
 
Become a BU Instructor

dr_dave said:
Try the free Billiard University (BU) playing-ability exams to assess your game and monitor improvement over time. Your BU score gives you a player rating and can qualify you to earn a diploma (Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate of Pool).

All of the exam documents (with well-illustrated shot diagrams) and score sheets needed to take the exams and track your progress are available on the BU Exam Resources Page.

The following videos provide complete demonstrations of all exam drills, along with how to score them:
BU Exam-I Overview - demonstrations and scoring of the Fundamentals Exam
BU Exam II Overview - demonstrations and scoring of the Skills Exam

Please post your score after you take the exams so I can add your results to the list below. Also, if you have a video camera, please film and post videos for your exams. Instructions on how to do this can be found in the BU Exam Instructions document, and the following videos demonstrate each step in the process:
Video Recording - recording official exam runs for on-line submittal
Video Submittal - uploading videos and applying for a diploma
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

List of AZB'ers who have taken the BU playing-ability exams so far (in ranked order):

BU score, Username, BU Rating, Video links (if available):

160, Gerry Williams, semi-pro, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II)
141, Neil, adv-3, Exam (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135, dr_dave, adv-2, Exam I, Exam II
132, Gerry Williams, adv-2, Table Setup, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132, BRussell, adv-2, Exam I, Exam II

Here are the details and scores for all official BU graduates.
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If anybody out there is an instructor (or wants to be an instructor) and would like to be involved with the BU, please consider joining. Here's the current list of BU Instructors.

If you want to be added to the list, see the BU Instructor How To Guide. Its explains how to participate and earn money in the process. There is no application fee or annual dues to be a BU Instructor; although you are required to either earn a diploma or have a student earn a diploma before you can be listed on the website.

Regards,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
Now that the exams have been out a while and some of you have tried them, do you have any suggestions for possible changes in the future?

What do you think should be added?

What do you think should be removed?

Are there any important skills missing?

Are the exams too long?

If you think something should be added, what would you remove so the exams don't get longer?

What do you like or dislike about the scoring system?

Do you think the BU rating is an accurate measure of your playing ability?

Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions you might have.

Best regards,
Dave
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I was hoping to get some input from AZB members, especially those who have tried the exams. Please give me your feedback.

Also, if you've tried the exams and haven't posted your BU score yet, please do so and let us know whether or not you think the BU rating is an accurate measure of your realistic level of ability.

Thank you in advance,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
... if you've tried the exams and haven't posted your BU score yet, please do so and let us know whether or not you think the BU rating is an accurate measure of your realistic level of ability.
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I was especially hoping to get some lower scores since we haven't covered the range very well. I know there must be quite a few people out there that are in the "intermediate" category.

Thanks,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
Now that the exams have been out a while and some of you have tried them, do you have any suggestions for possible changes in the future?
I think F2, stop shot, should be in the open table and not by the rail. When I shot this one, I was extremely disappointed in how I did, but I still got a high score because of the rail holding the cb. I feel the rail gives a false scoring.

The masters banks , S7, has two reverse banks, yet the doctorate exam has none.


What do you think should be added?
I would make F1 something to test the straightness of the stroke and hitting center cb. Such as putting a chalk cube angled at the center diamond so you have a definite target, and then putting the cb just in front of the foot spot (in case of a divot being at the foot spot) and having the cb hit the end rail and back to your tip.
What do you think should be removed?

Nothing
Are there any important skills missing?

Are the exams too long?
About right.
If you think something should be added, what would you remove so the exams don't get longer?
Don't see anything that should be removed.

What do you like or dislike about the scoring system?
At first, it seemed odd to get a bonus point for every "7", but in the end it all works out quite well.

Do you think the BU rating is an accurate measure of your playing ability?
To be honest, I was a little surprised that it did work out pretty accurately. However, on a good day, and warmed up first, I believe I could score another 10 or so points. But, that still keeps me in the same "range", so... yes, fairly accurate.

Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions you might have.

Best regards,
Dave
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..........
 
dr_dave said:
Now that the exams have been out a while and some of you have tried them, do you have any suggestions for possible changes in the future?

What do you think should be added?

What do you think should be removed?

Are there any important skills missing?

Are the exams too long?

If you think something should be added, what would you remove so the exams don't get longer?

What do you like or dislike about the scoring system?

Do you think the BU rating is an accurate measure of your playing ability?

Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions you might have.

Best regards,
Dave
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The test looks a little too dry to complete. It needs spicing up a little. The fact so few have completed it indicates this. It may be a good barometer of skill but is that any use if people don't fancy it?

Many of the shots seem virtually the same, with only marginal differences. More variety would lead to more interest, I think.
 
I agree with Neil on the stop shot. I doubt anyone shooting this shot for the purpose of this drill is consciously trying to favor the rail side of the ball to use the rail to hold the ball. Why would they? They just miss center ever so slightly to that side and the rail bails them out. Had the miss occurred on the opposite side the cue ball would have rolled out of scoring. Move it away from the rail and maybe widen the scoring zone by half a ball? Or not.

EDIT: Also more weight should be put on potting in the fundamental section. Cut down to 2 shots each at the targets and 10 more pots. You can miss that target paper by a couple inches and still run out 99% of the time but when you miss a ball it's game over for you.



JC
 
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