AR Bonus Certification (ABC) is a separate program from USQ and is not currently mandated by any major quidditch organization. That said, ABC is designed to improve your referee skills and confidence, so participation is beneficial to you as a referee in many ways.
The written exam (not yet available) is based on the AR textbook (currently in revisions) and covers all aspects of how to be an effective AR. Materials supporting the passage of the written test will be available on this website.
Requirements for each level of ABC are listed here:
- Silver AR certification: achieved by taking and passing the exam with 80%. No field test is required.
- Gold AR certification: achieved by first reaching Silver ABC, then by passing the exam at 90% (no retake necessary if was already passed at 90% for Silver), then completing one of two field tests:
- A Level 3 or 4 simulation under the supervision of an ABC proctor, with feedback given, and then at least one additional Level 3 or 4 simulation (the proctor has the right to order a third if s/he is not confident in the qualification). This may be done with a partner AR, and only two ARs may be tested at a time (a second proctor may test two other ARs for a total of four ARs on the field). The partners do not need to be attempting the same level of certification.
- Working as an AR for a full quidditch game. The proctor has the right to determine that the challenge level of the game is not sufficient to test the referee at the conclusion of the test and defer to another game or call for simulations. The proctor may field test up to two ARs in one game.
- Platinum AR certification: achieved by first reaching Gold ABC, then by completing one of two field tests:
- A Level 4 or 5 simulation under the supervision of an ABC proctor, with feedback given, and then an additional Level 4 or 5 simulation at the proctor’s discretion. The beaters must be experienced and be instructed to cheat flagrantly and subtly. Both ARs may be judged by the same proctor. This must be done with a partner AR, and only two ARs may be tested at a time (a second proctor may test two other ARs for a total of four ARs on the field). The partners do not need to be attempting the same level of certification.
- Working as an AR for a full quidditch game. The proctor has the right to determine that the challenge level of the game is not sufficient to test the referee at the conclusion of the test and defer to another game or call for simulations. The proctor may field test up to two ARs in one game.
Your proctors will contact ABC to report pass/fail for Gold and Platinum level certification. Your certification will be confirmed with you afterwards.
Same-day testing is available, so your proctor may also be in contact with the tournament director as needed. You may continue to AR games on the same day as your field test if you have your field test at a quidditch event.