Dear reader,

There seems to be no end to this year full of Corona measures, but it is already November. Only 2 months before this year is over.

We would like to thank everyone for your adaptability, and that together we were able to continue most exams.

In this newsletter you can read that as of November 3, 2020, the examination offices have imposed a mandatory mouth mask during the exams, for both candidates and examiners.

VCA Infra has worked out the questioning of the digital exams, and added a larger score display at the end of the digital exam, you will also read more about that later.

In any case, we are already in the holiday mood at the office, because this week a large box has arrived with super cool Christmas gifts for you. Unfortunately nothing about that in this newsletter, but a nice prospect for December.

Enjoy reading!

Mandatory mouth masks during the exams 

As of November 3, 2020, all candidates and examiners are obliged to wear a mouth mask when entering and leaving the examination room. As soon as the candidate is in the designated place, he / she may remove the mouth mask.

However, the examiner will keep the mask on during the exam, because he / she cannot guarantee the 1.5 meter distance while answering questions, walking around for verification and closing. The candidate is obliged to put the mask back on when leaving the exam room.

The ‘examenkamer’ will check on this new rule and the inspector will also wear a mouth mask.

We ask all clients to inform their candidates in advance about wearing a mouth mask. Wearing your own face mask is allowed. We strongly ask that candidates to bring their own (single use) mouth mask. The candidate can be refused to the exam if not wearing a mouth mask. The examiners have extra masks with them, so that the candidate who doesn’t have a mask can still wear one.

There are a number of exceptions;

The following exams are excepted from the masking requirement:
a. SOG practical exams with a maximum of 1 candidate in the exam room. In this context, there is always a good distance between candidate and examiner;
b. SOG practical exam Attacking and guiding loads
c. SOG practical exam Aerial platform
d. SOG practical exam Forklift truck
e. SOG practical exam Respiratory protection
f. SOG practical exam Telehandler
With all the above titles, the mouth mask must be worn up to and including the start of the physical practical exam.

It is allowed to still wear a mouth mask with these exceptions.

Winter coat stays off

Wearing a jacket is not allowed during the regular exams. Some locations choose to leave windows open during the exam to ensure adequate ventilation, but this also means that candidates can feel cold.

We ask clients who wish to leave their windows open to inform their participants that they have to dress warmly and it is not allowed to wear a coat during the exam.

In exceptional cases, if it appears that a candidate is too cold, the jacket may be worn in accordance with the modified VCA protocol.

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Types of questions and larger score display

VCA Infra has made a complete description of the types of questions that can come up in the VCA exam. Our examiners also explain before an exam what kinds of questioning there is.

You can read the full explanation in Dutch of the questions via this link:

https://www.vcainfra.nl/content/wp-content/uploads/VCA-Toelichting-vraagvormkeuze-versie10-2020.pdf

The score is always immediately visible at the end of the exam. Now that we have to keep more distance from each other, the score is shown larger. This allows the candidate as an examiner to see the score clearly.

Extension of validity of Dutch driving licenses

The dispensation from the national government in The Netherlands with regard to the validity of driving licenses has been extended.

The period of validity of all Dutch driving licenses that (have) expired in the period from February 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020, will be extended by nine months.

Reports from the National Government and the CBR state that the dispensation applies to all EU driving licenses. We would like to point out that foreign driving licenses are not valid proof of identity for the VCA and SOG examination. For the VCA and SOG examinations, this means that the dispensation only applies to (expired) driving licenses issued by a Dutch government agency.

You can read more about it via this link: https://www.cbr.nl/nl/over-het-cbr/over/laatste-nieuws/nieuws/alle-nederlandse-rijbewijzen-en-code-95-negen- months-longer-valid.htm

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See you next month

It was a full newsletter this time, but we hope everything is clear. If you have any questions regarding the newsletter, you can always email them to ruby@ascendexamen.nl.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook too.

See you in December! Stay healthy and safe at work.

Sincerely,
Team of Ascend examengroep B.V.