For more info, visit billiarduniversity.org
Exam Purpose: The BU Exams provide a complete, structured, well designed, and challenging pool workout you can use to develop and improve your game to reach the next level. They also provide an accurate assessment and rating of overall pool-playing ability. More information concerning the design of and rationale for the exams can be found on the BU Assessment Philosophy page.
Exam Instructions: Detailed instructions for taking the BU playing-ability exams, determining your BU rating, and earning a diploma can be found in the BU Exam Instructions document (Download and print). The following video also provides an overview:
Exam Instructions: Detailed instructions for taking the BU playing-ability exams, determining your BU rating, and earning a diploma can be found in the BU Exam Instructions document (Download and print). The following video also provides an overview:
Exam I - Fundamentals: The first exam covers fundamentals including aiming, stroke, stop/follow/draw control, and cue ball position control. Here are the documents you need to complete the exam and track your progress over time:
- (Download and/or print) Table Setup instructions (B&W version)
- Exam I Diagrams and Procedures (Drills)
- (Download and/or print) Exam I score-sheet
- (Download and/or print) Exam I historical log to track performance over time
- (Download and/or print) Rectangle target template
- (Download) Excel spreadsheet file for automatic scoring and record keeping
Exam II - Skills: The second exam assesses important pool skills including aiming, position play, rail cut shots, safeties, kicks and banks, jump and masse shots, and the break. There are three different levels of Exam II (Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate). Your performance on Exam I places you into the appropriate Exam II. The difficulty level and number of available points increases with Exam level. Here are the documents you need to complete the exam and track your progress over time:
BU Score: Your BU score is the sum of the two exam scores (Exam I + Exam II). The score determines your rating and playing level according to the BU rating chart (Download), which also provides comparisons to more-traditional rating and handicapping systems. Your BU score also determines if you have earned a pool diploma according to the following ranges:
- Exam II - Bachelors level
- diagrams and procedure (Drills)
- (Download and/or print) score-sheet
- (Download and/or print) historical log to track performance over time
- Exam II - Masters level
- diagrams and procedure (Drills)
- (Download and/or print) score-sheet
- (Download and/or print) historical log to track performance over time
- Exam II - Doctorate level
- diagrams and procedure (Drills)
- (Download and/or print) score-sheet
- (Download and/or print) historical log to track performance over time
- (Download and/or print) rectangle target template
- (Download) Excel spreadsheet file for automatic scoring and record keeping
BU Score: Your BU score is the sum of the two exam scores (Exam I + Exam II). The score determines your rating and playing level according to the BU rating chart (Download), which also provides comparisons to more-traditional rating and handicapping systems. Your BU score also determines if you have earned a pool diploma according to the following ranges:
If you qualify for a diploma, you can apply online and be officially recognized by the BU.
Video Resources: Step-by-step online video demonstrations are available to help guide you through the process and to show examples of the exams. A 3-DVD instructional video series (external web-link) is also available to provide advice and guidance concerning how to practice and learn strategies to help you achieve the highest BU rating and diploma possible.
Here are online videos providing overviews of each BU Exam:
Video Resources: Step-by-step online video demonstrations are available to help guide you through the process and to show examples of the exams. A 3-DVD instructional video series (external web-link) is also available to provide advice and guidance concerning how to practice and learn strategies to help you achieve the highest BU rating and diploma possible.
Here are online videos providing overviews of each BU Exam:
More from Author/Instructor "Dr. Dave" Alciatore's Billiard University
- About Billiard University
- Demo videos (Drills format)
- Rating system
- DVD's (external web-link)
- Diplomas
- Graduates (external web-link)
- Resources
- Instructors
- School (external web-link)
For more info, visit billiards.colostate.edu
