DSC1 full training or assessment only

[swesandy]

Hi All

Been stalking a number of years and consider myself quite experienced, i have decided to get my DSC1 but was wondering what peoples thoughts are on doing assessment only or the full course. obviously if i were to go the assessment only route I would brush up with some revision beforehand and possibly sign up at dsctraining.org

Work commitments make it difficult to take time off hence why I have not done it sooner.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[davidm]

I enjoyed the course and getting to meet and hear other people's opinions and stories, but if you can't get the time off I see not harm in doing assessment only as you say just need to read up at home when you have the chance.

Definetly recomend dstraining.org I found that helped a lot.

David.

 

[Essex stalker]

If you can get the time and the expense isn't an issue I'd say do the course, even if you already know the content it's a good chance to spend a week with like minded guys and forming friendships which for some can last for years

 

[VSS]

+1 for doing the course.
It wouldn't be difficult to pass the test by swotting up at home, but you'd miss out on all the extras, and the chance to meet a group of like minded folk.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I recently did assessment only and kinda wish I did the full course for the above reasons. If you have the money and the time go for the course

 

[Girl_with_a_gun]

Hi swesandy. I reckon every day's a school day: cliché but true. I was really glad to do the course, mostly for the legal, disease and butchery side of life. I looked at it as a good opportunity to network and make sure I was up to date with any changes/revised stuff I should have known. Obviously £ is a factor, but like any hobby/sport/profession, we never stop learning, can never know everything and often have stuff we did know fall out the back of the brain! Good luck whichever - a good friend of mine failed the identifying deer section

 

[timbrayford]

I recently did assessment only and kinda wish I did the full course for the above reasons. If you have the money and the time go for the course

Having done the old BDS online study followed by attending the assessment I'd agree to a point.

From my own perspective however without putting in a lot of hours studying beforehand I wouldn't have passed by just going on the course.

 

[artschool]

I did the course and really enjoyed it. I also learnt a load so it was well worth it.

 

[swesandy]

Thanks guys! I think the consensus is what I was thinking, hence the question.

 

[airman]

Is there enough time on the course to absorb all the information (assuming that there are no learning difficulties of course) or is it advisable to swot up for a while first?

 

[Kalahari]

I found the full course very helpful. I worked through the stuff extensively before the course but meeting people and being able to chat about different aspects of stalking was very useful to me.

David.

 

[Chanty Wrassler]

Is there enough time on the course to absorb all the information (assuming that there are no learning difficulties of course) or is it advisable to swot up for a while first?

No matter how good the training and instructors, I do not think many people could go from zero to hero over a 2 or 3 day course. For someone with little or no previous experience, a good study of a training manual and pictures of the various species male/female young/old summer/winter would be time and (not much) money well spent.

 

[Alantoo]

I read the course book and went through the questions and double checked any answers I was not 100% sure of a couple times before the course...I meant to do it more thoroughly but life got in the way.

When I got to the course I took notes through the lectures and then studied those rather than the book in the evenings. I reckoned the instructors would probably be telling us the bits that were more difficult to guess. The species identification tips like starting at the back of the animal were really useful for example.

I enjoyed the course and learnt a lot, so the fact that I passed and received a certificate was almost a bonus.

Alan

 

[OISÍN]

The course is good and the 2 days is quite condensed, the CDs are good to support the course from Galloway sports, you will need to obtain the book as a pre read anyhow.