Bowen EHS, Inc.

Here are comments sent to us by recent clients. We feel that they give you valuable insight into the CIH exam and the preparation that we have given our clients. A few minor edits have been made to some of the comments.

01/22/2012

I'm enjoying my first foray into the online classroom. I may never go back to brick and mortar!

-TW

01/17/2012

I truly enjoyed the class in Houston and the online class is a great way for me to review things again. You said again today that you are not an expert in all rubrics. I think this is a strength of your class: I realized that you need to know a lot of things really well but you do not need to be a complete expert in all of them. Before I took your class I was not at all confident that I could pass this exam and while I still have a few months of studying ahead of me, I get the feeling that this is manageable.

-MR

12/05/2011

Russ,

I must say, I was in tears when the words "our preliminary analysis indicates you have NOT passed the CIH exam" at the end of 8hrs, as this marks my 2nd attempt and I felt MUCH more confident as I went thru the questions this time around. Sadly, I guess I will be in that bunch who will need the "3rd time is the charm"-mojo to pass this coming Spring 2012.

I was however, encouraged to see that my score had increased from 52% to a 63.4%.  I was both impressed & shocked to have seen some of my rubric scores improve, yet others that were previously excellent—the first time—had dropped down on the second attempt. Perhaps I didn't focus as heavily on those, as I knew I scored well on those sections the first time? Either way, I am determined to pass this next time around come Apr/May 2012.

I sincerely appreciate everything that you and your team do to try to help us "wanna-be-CIHs" succeed. I just hope & pray I will be one of those students boasting success come next Spring, as I have invested so much time/effort and it just about broke my spirit not passing the 2nd time, (and seeing/hearing that so many of my classmates passed).

Many thanks & greatly appreciate your guidance,

-LP

12/02/2011

I passed the exam on Wed, last day of the cycle. Thanks Russ for ALL the support, including the phone call at the beginning, the open study sessions at various times to accommodate everyone, all the questions I threw at you and the responsive staff at Bowen.

To Russ, Colleen, Jill et al,

Thank you for the journey. Just doing this gig made me a more effective hygienist regardless of the outcome.

- RS

11/30/2011

Hi Russ,

I was fully prepared to fail today but I want to tell you it is ONLY because of the fact that I did not have the time (effort?) I needed to put into getting through all the rubrics that you so wonderfully pull together for us. Had I made it through all of your sections, I would have passed. Of that I am convinced.

I did understand and made it through a lot of the questions, but was not prepared for the preponderance of management questions today.  Since that was not one of the Bowen rubrics I listened to or even paid any attention to in general, it's no surprise to me that I failed.

You truly have a great product. I will promote you as much as I can. Thank you and hopefully I'll be able to give you good news in the spring.

-KS

11/29/2011

I too passed the CIH exam today and am quite shocked!  Thank you, Russ, for your well-designed course and to everyone for the encouragement you gave each other. (posted in CIH Exam Logistics Forum of the Resource Center)

-DB

11/29/2011

Yesterday I wrote the CIH exam and from the preliminary results I passed. I found the second part more challenging with more problem questions than the first, requiring better time management.  

Thanks Russ for your online course which was very helpful in keeping me in focus while preparing for the exam. Your resource center was a treasure trove of information and advice.  I'm also thankful to the many students and participants who provided helpful insights and encouragement. 

Thanks to all.

-PF 

11/29/2011

Many thanks to you Russ. Your practice problems certainly did the trick! Much more applicable than DataChem.

-WP

11/28/2011

Thanks a lot. There is no doubt that purchasing your course made the difference. Thanks for all your help. Sure I am going to sit for the CSP very soon.

 - OT 

11/22/2011

You can add one more to your tally of successes. I took the test today and received a preliminary pass. I found your course challenging (those who had to bear with me during the course know this). Unfortunately, I found the test quite challenging as well, unlike some others who have recently shared their experiences, but what is life without a challenge?

 - KL 

11/18/2011

Good news, I passed the CIH exam today! I am very relieved and can go back to normal life now. I started studying for the exam in February of this year and may have put in close to 800 hours of study time.

Russ, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't ever want to see another Bowen study question for the rest of my life, SATURATED!!

I want to say I appreciate all of your assistance in helping me achieve my goal. Your class was just what I needed because it helped me to "funnel" my studying efforts. I did use other references before I took your class, white books, big and small, NSC IH fundamentals and others, but after your course, your workbook was the focus of my studying, and it paid off. I also reviewed the lectures online, that helped me understand the concepts better.

Thanks for all your help.

- WS

11/18/2011

I took the exam today and am thrilled to say I passed.  Russ the class really helped me focus on what was important and really appreciated the great tips. I felt fairly comfortable answering most the questions. I would recommend Bowen EHS to anyone prepping for the CIH exam. Many thanks.

-MP

11/10/2011

I just wanted to thank-you for the great course. I took the CIH online review in the Spring of 2011. I took the exam later that Spring and did not pass. However, I was very close and gave it another try this Fall. I used your online review material to prepare and thankfully received congratulations this time around. The course was very helpful in helping me prepare. I highly recommended it. Thanks again.

-MM

11/07/2011

Russ,

11/04/2011

I took my CIH exam yesterday and passed it!

-SK

9/16/2011

Dear Russ,

-SK

9/7/2011

Russ,

8/22/2011

I just hope my quiz scores are indicative of the real test. My Datachem scores are not so impressive. But I think Russell does a great job wording the questions in an easy-to-understand way. Russell and Colleen are great teachers. I'm very blessed to have a great resource like this class and website. Thanks again!

-MS

7/8/2011

I wanted to THANK YOU for everything. Your on-line training/CD and study materials are just what my "Professional soul" needed. THANKS I'm again going back to review all the materials.  Even though I've taken your training last year I'm planning on taking the CIH this coming November. I'll email ya once I know my results.

The last time I had taken it was Nov 1998 when I got a score of 60%. Now I'm studying harder and longer so I can pick up more knowledge to pass the test. So from Nov 1998 thru Nov 2004 I was a IHIT. Now the IHIT is history and has been dropped by the ABIH. For some the CIH is just another test or a test required to advance their careers. For me it a personal goal I've had since 1988.

Because of your training I've finally learned "IH statistics". For years I've avoided it, but because of your training I know know it backward and forward. I now can do a n=15 mean and SD within 48 seconds. I've actually learned to use the buttons on my calculator.

For the past 6 months I've been trying to convince my other colleagues to also take the CIH exam, so I borrowed your technique of sending out made-up questions. Slowly I developed tons of my own questions/answers and sent them out to 10 others. I made up Q/A I had problems with. So over the 6 months I've sent out about 350 questions/answers all I made up myself. Some were easy for the just starting out folks, others were more difficult for folks who were more advanced.

PS: I remember you from our training class we had at Harvard back with Mr. Stewart, the developer of the Datachem I think around August 1997 . I liked your class A LOT MORE than the training I got at Harvard.

I also enjoy your weekly CIH & CSP email questions.

THANKS for everything.

-JW

6/16/2011

I unfortunately did not pass the exam this past May, and I would VERY much like to take your lectures again before I sit for "round 2" in the Fall of 2011. Katie mentioned that it would be helpful to you if I sent you a copy of my ABIH rubric-scores to show you where my strengths & weaknesses were.

I was proud of how awesome I did in Toxicology... kicked butt with a 71%. Obviously, super-bummed that I stunk at "Air Sampling & Instrumentation" & "Community Exposure/Work Environment & Industrial Processes", but in retrospect I didn't spend as much time studying those as I did Tox and a few of the other subjects. Ventilation & Eng. Controls was no surprise, as it's never been my strong suit & know I need to spend more time being able to just know which equation to use just by reading the question rather than having to waste time by referring to the equation sheet.

I really enjoy the pace & quality of your online lectures & find it WAY more valuable than that of the 1-week, intensive IH reviews. I took a 5-day review in 2010 and didn't get much out of it besides a very sore brain and bruised ego from trying to cram so much into it in such a short period of time and realizing how much I'd forgot since grad school.

Thanks again for all that you and your team does.

-LP

6/8/2011

I would like to thank you for your class CIH prep class. I took the exam in May and passed!

Even though I was not able to attend many of the live sessions due to technical difficulties with connecting to the live windows with my work computer it was a tremendous help to be able to play back the sessions. You and Colleen were great.

I have recommended your class to my co-worker and have let my Group Leader know that I would highly recommend the class to anyone planning to take the exam.

-TA 

6/1/2011

I just wanted to let you know that I wrote the CIH exam yesterday. It was brutal, so I was quite surprised (and ecstatic!) when the computer indicated a preliminary pass!! It was really an experience that I don't want to repeat so I hope the computer was right!

Just thought I'd let you know that I thought your CIH Online Review Course was quite helpful in review of material that I had not looked at for some time and for providing structure for my studying. I don't think I would have known where to start otherwise. It also provided some great information and material that was totally unfamiliar to me. Most of all, the insightful tips that you and Colleen provided throughout the course were extremely valuable and definitely helped me get through the exam experience.

My thanks to you, Colleen, and the rest of your team.

-YG

6/1/2011

I took the exam yesterday and preliminary results state that I passed! Woohoo!!!

I just wanted to thank you and your staff. Your CIH Course and Resource Center is the best I have come across, as I have taken a few others.  It was very helpful for me to listen to the recorded lectures at my own pace.  Also, to email you and/or post questions to the forum at any time knowing that you would respond, was very reassuring.

-IM

5/31/2011

Hi Russ, Colleen, and Patrick,

Thank you so much for the spring webinar classes as they helped me prepare, focus, and pass the exam today. I had taken another prep seminar in the past but it didn't help me as much as yours did. Patrick's emphasis on reading the TLV book helped me nail quite a few questions. With help from you three, the other students, and a lot of focussed studying the exam seemed quite easy.

Thanks so much again.

-TG

5/25/2011

A new CIH is born...

I took the CIH test yesterday and got the message "Congratulations! A preliminary analysis of your responses indicates that you have passed the CIH". I can't believe it! I appreciate all the help that you and Colleen gave me.

-DK

5/25/2011

Passed the Exam! At least the preliminary results at the Prometric center. Your course was a great help, I actually learned a substantial amount of material in some of my weaker areas. This will help me in my work as well as for the exam.

I do not believe I could have passed the test without taking the course. I would not have developed the understanding that now have in the areas of ventilation, radiation, and noise. As I was learning more about the practical aspects with your course, it is a great companion with the coursework for the Masters that I am working towards.

So, another success for Bowen graduates!

-DC

5/19/2011

Russ,

Thanks so much for all your help! I received my certificate today from ABIH. I passed the exam on 5/10/11. Your classes (I took both class and online) were a great help! In addition, the support through online blogs, client comments, extra questions helped me prepare for the exam. I was glad I was able to email you personally for the crazy noise questions I had. Most importantly, thank you for giving me great advice when I was deciding to either take the exam the same month as my wedding or postpone the exam and focus on the wedding (which was going to happen in the same month). I am glad you advised me to focus on just one.

Thanks again and see you at the next conference!

-TD

5/18/2011

Hi Russ, just wanted to let you know that I completed my CIH exam May 10th and based on the immediate results the computer provided I passed!

I thought your review material was very useful in my preparation. I was surprised there were as many ergo related questions as there were. The IH Reference Guide and ACGIH TLV book was also useful, as many people suggested.

-PP

5/18/2011

Russ,

I just thought I'd write to say that I took the CIH exam for the 2nd time...and passed! Thanks for offering this class. It's as close to a real classroom setting as you can get while still being able to work around a busy schedule.

Thanks to all the others that teach the class as well!

-BD

5/12/2011

I passed the exam on Tuesday thanks to all your help, first try too. I do not have my official results yet but the computer said "Congratulations". I will share my scores with you once I get them. I was a little worried after the morning session but I really felt like I aced the afternoon one.

The CIH Online Review really helped and gave me the tools to prepare for the exam.

-KB

5/12/2011

Russ,

I took the exam April 29th for the first time and passed!! Thanks for all the help. Your class was by far the best tool I found to prepare for the exam.

-RM

5/8/2011

Russ,

I just wanted to let you know I PASSED!! I took the test two weeks ago and I still can't believe it. I also wanted to thank you for the review course, sample questions, and advice you gave. I know I couldn't have passed without your material.

-ZI

4/20/2011

First of all I need to let you know that The online study is an excellent program. Your presentation is flawless and I feel that I am in a live class environment. Your patience is admirable Sir!

As an engineer and construction manager I will recomment Bowen EHS to my various contacts which include Sunoco , DuPont ,a dozen contractors ,crafts,Operations supervison and EPC.

Thanks!

-DC

4/14/2011

Good morning Russ!

I wanted to send along my thanks to you and Colleen for an excellent review class. I took the exam on Monday (4/11) and preliminary analysis indicates that I have passed! Let me know if you need any additional info for your records (breakdown, etc.)

Many thanks!

-JC

4/13/2011

Yay!! Thanks a lot, I had a great time with you guys!!

-ER

4/12/2011

I took the CIH Exam yesterday. My preliminary results indicate I did not pass. As you can imagine, am bummed. I know all the preparation and studying I did was not for nothing, as I do understand things much better than before I started the process, I'm just frustrated that I have to go through the process AGAIN. So many times I could boil it down to two answers - and I obviously picked the incorrect one!

I was under the impression that more questions would relate to the equation sheet and spent too much time understanding the equations and how to apply them. Very few questions actually required use of the equation sheet at all.

-JW

3/24/2011

Hi Russ,

I am really enjoying the on line class and look forward to using the site through out the year. I have taken many graduate courses on line an your process is very well thought out!!!

Keep up the great work. Would you be willing to put something together like this for the CHMM?

-AH

 

1/3/2011

First, Happy New Year!  I hope you and your crew had a great holiday.  Second, I wanted to communicate I really enjoyed your CIH Online Review Course this past fall.  After having taken the exam, I was certainly appreciative of the topics presented and means which you covered them.  Also, forgive me for not responding sooner, but I wanted to let you know, unfortunately, I did not pass my CIH exam taken in November.

 

Admittedly, I was not able to prepare as much as hoped.  I found out I was able to sit for the exam about midway through your course.  I really began preparation about that time hoping to go off previous experience and knowledge from recently finishing my MPH degree earlier last year.  I was, however, able to read several resources, study using your materials, and go through the datachem prior to taking the exam.  While I was able to review a great deal, it obviously was not enough to ‘master’ the subject areas.  Having my results from the fall  exam, I know what to focus on and plan to sit for the spring exam.  With several more months to prepare, I hope to ‘master’ these topics… which I know will only help and make me more knowledgeable in this field.

I would like to take you up on your offer and sit in your 2011 CIH Spring Online Review.  If ok, just let me know what I need to do or submit/do.  I have already begun preparing for the spring, and I think your course would again prove beneficial in my preparation.
-AP

12/22/2010

I sat for the CIH exam on November 17^th and unfortunately, did not make the cut this time around.  I am confident that I can pass when I sit again in the spring, especially now that I have a good idea about which areas I need to focus on.

 

I took the Fall 2010 Online Review course, and I would like to register for the next online review course.

-BD

 

12/8/2010

I finally got the official results yesterday and I PASSED!!!  I had the “congratulations” message on the computer screen when I finished the exam but wanted to wait until I got the official letter from ABIH to let you know.

 

Thanks for the course and all the support after the classes.  The input from other students during the extra study sessions gave me help solving a couple of exam questions.  I will definitely recommend your course to anyone preparing for the exam.

-NK

12/7/2010

I took the test on Nov. 23rd. I passed with an unweighted composite score of 85%. There were no problems at the testing center. They even let me take in a piece of gum, though I had to unwrap it first.
-MR

12/6/2010

 

Thank you very much for your fall online CIH exam review course. I'm happy to tell you that last Tuesday I took the exam for the first time and passed. I received my rubric scores in the mail today and remembered that you asked us to email you our results.

Thanks again for your help. I found your class to be integral in my understanding of not only the breadth but depth of material on the exam. You will see me again when I am ready to attempt the CSP exam.
-JS

12/2/2010

I just wanted to let you know that I passed my CIH Exam on my first try this November.  I took both your training class and also the Rocky Mountain Review.  I thought yours did a better job of focusing on the core material and the Rocky Mtn (a typical array of speakers for the differing topics) was strong in some areas and less focused in others.  In all, the two complimented each other nicely.  I found myself more likely to go back to your course book for review during final prep.  My only recommendations for your consideration would be to look at going to a full 5-day format so that you could cover more of the material. 

Thanks for the assistance.  Do you have any recommendations for study material specific to the CSP?  I plan to go ahead and sit for that exam as well in the next six months.
-TT

12/1/2010

I wanted you to know that I studied again your material from my San Diego class, more of the Datachem CIH software, and read a bit more of the IH Reference Book, and on my 2^nd attempt at the CIH exam (1^st attempt was in May 2010) I passed the exam!! I took it yesterday and passed! (preliminary of course) but good enough for me.

Just wanted you to know that your material was what I studied the most and the problems really helped me. Thanks again!!
-KH

 

11/22/2010

I sat for the CIH last Friday and I passed!  So now you can update your stats for the online spring course.  I took the class early because of a new baby on the way (and who is now here!) and I knew I would have less time to devote to studying after she was born.  Your course served as an excellent structured preparation, and it was very helpful to me.  Several times during the exam I would think back about items that were covered in the course.  I hope to attend the AIHA conference next year in Portland, and I hope to meet you there in person.
-DH

 

10/8/2010

Thanks for the great online CIH review course experience this fall...nicely done!  I sat for and passed the CIH exam today...it was a long, long time to sit for a single exam!  Your online review provided a great value and was just the ticket for my being able to efficiently brush up on the diverse knowledge-base covered by the exam. 

Thanks again for your excellent exam prep help!  Keep up the good work!

 

9/24/2010

Thanks folks, You are a great team. I really enjoy your class. It put me quickly on track and convinced me to try to pass the exam in the beginning of 2011.

 

8/26/2010

It is truly my pleasure to spread the great service you all provide.  I've told many military folks from South East Florida to Northwest Oregon.   You all never owe me anything but I greatly appreciate it and may someday take you up on it.   Your training was some of the best I've recieved over my 22 year career.

 

8/19/2010

I'm gonna be taking the exam in November.
It's only been 13 years since my last attempt.

PS: I'm telling as many folks I can about your wonderful services and hope to bring you lots of military business.

 

6/9/2010

Just wanted to send a note to let you know I will be retaking the exam in the Fall.  With that said I do have to let you know the materials in the review course really helped.  Passing this Spring was 62% and I ended up with a 58%.  Bummer, but I need to focus my efforts a bit more on those non engineering controls and industrial processes! Thanks so much and I will probably sit through an on line review prior to my Fall exam.
-NC

 

6/9/2010

I wrote my exam on May 29th.
At the end the computer told me that I passed but I haven’t received actual confirmation yet. And to be honest, it’s driving me crazy not knowing for sure.  I really, really, REALLY don’t want to have to write that exam ever again.
-KL

6/8/2010

It was helpful to gain an idea of what to expect would be asked, but I feel it was more difficult than the SPAN software and other sample questions I practiced with.  One of the biggest challenges was determining answers with more than one missing variable, which occurred on my exam in several instances.  I think I need to spend more time memorizing the constants.  Did surprisingly well in a few areas I felt weakest (radiation, ventilation) and poorly in those I felt confident going into (toxicology, non-engineering controls).

I really wish the board would consider shortening the length, b/c towards mid-afternoon, my brain turned to mush and I know I performed most poorly then.  It was a LONG exam for me.  I used the full time permitted, minus about twenty minutes in the afternoon.  The CSP exam paled in comparison to level of difficulty in my humble opinion.
-JB

6/8/2010

Just wanted to thank you for your help - I passed the CIH exam!  I took a week of vacation off to lock myself home to study.  It's hard to fit in study time when you work full-time and have a family!  But I finally did it!
-JS

6/3/2010

Sorry to have missed you at conference.  We took that day to go to the mountains hiking and just didn't make it back in time.Just wanted to let you know that it worked this time and I did pass the CIH!Thanks for all your help.
-KO

6/1/2010

Preliminary results indicated I passed the exam!  I’ll get you more info when I get the letter in the mail.  Thanks for all the help.  Your class really helped me to feel more comfortable with the material.
-CC

6/1/2010

I took the CIH exam last Friday and I passed.  Your course was very intrumental in my passing the CIH exam.
-SZ

6/1/2010

I'm pleased to announce that I passed the CIH exam on Saturday!!!

If I had taken your online review course in the Fall, then I may have passed the exam the first time.  In the Fall, I was going at it alone with the DataChem software with no advice from anyone on what other resources to study, except to get the DataChem.  The DataChem, in my opinion, sometimes does not do a good job at explaining how they worked some of the problems (maybe the new version is different).  I remember studying in the Fall wondering where did they get this equation....it's not on the ABIH equation sheet.  The computer does not talk back to you and explain things like you get in your class.  I know there are candidates, who are successful by just using the DataChem.

For the Spring 2010 exam I did not use the DataChem to study, except on a handful of occasions to run through questions.  My strategy was to preview and review.  I would preview the lecture before you taught it in class, then review the recorded lecture and add to my notes.  Any homework problems that I missed, I would rework.  After the class ended, I continued to study as time permitted by making note cards of material that I was having difficulty with, and I reworked all the problems from class several times.  I went a little deeper by going to my reference books on subjects that I felt I needed more information, and I took the OSH hub CIH quizzes for extra practice.  The little white book is a great way to breeze through information on all the topics in a short period of time.

The guidance and direction you give the class sets candidates up for the opportunity to successfully pass the exam, if they put the time and effort into it.  Thank you so much for your continued support, encouragement, and well wishes for success. 

I plan to pursue the CSP next, and I'm thrilled that I can exempt the first exam now.  I do want a bit of a study break.  I would appreciate your thoughts on the CSP exam (difficulty level compared to CIH exam, how soon to take CSP exam after CIH...or does it matter, etc.)?
-KC

6/1/2010

Last Friday I had appeared for CIH examination and unfortunately I am sorry to inform you that I was not able to clear it. The exam was not as per my expectations, reading reference materials, books and taking class will take you to certain level and beyond that you are on your own. The questions asked were purely based on experience/ research and to me most of the books will not have answer for it or requires huge brain storming.  Its quit disappointing and frustrating that after putting in lots of efforts (almost a year) you don’t get the desired result.
I can say that your classes have helped me in solving most of the calculations, making some judgments and selecting correct answers, rest all was left on experience. I am waiting for my final result analysis, which will intern help, me in understanding my weakness.
There are lots of positives which I am taking it forward, now being an IH professional (No more from students perspective) with around 8 Years of experience the preparation has help me to under subject in a different way. I am planning to start preparations once again with different perspective and taking exam in Nov 2010, will keep on trying till I succeed and will keep you posted about my progress.
-MP

5/31/2010

"It is official, I passed...I am a CIH! The Bowen EHS CIH Exam Online was exactly what I needed to get me motivated to study. I especially liked the fact that there was homework to complete - it forced me to stay on the ball and remain focused. I was a little sceptical at first on the on-line format, but it works….don't be fooled, you still have to put in the extra time to study, the course alone will not guarantee a passing grade. Having the course spread over 8 weeks is better. Plus, Russ is available the whole time to answer questions - he answered mine up until the day before I wrote the exam. If you can, take the course just before you write the exam, that way everything stays fresh. Russ, thank you again to you and your team.
- PG"

5/30/2010

I did not pass the CIH on Friday.  After the first part, I felt confident; however, the 2nd part did me in.   I was familiar with the material, it just took too long for me to recognize the correct answer.  More studying and problem practicing would have helped me recognize the answer faster.

I believe I had the right strategy as far as the material I studied.  The main references I used was your workbook, all three volumes of your practice test, TLV book, and Fleegers IH Study Guide.  I will be purchasing your ventilation questions.  In addition, I am looking to add another book to read in preparation for the test.....any recommendations?  I believe I have enough math problems; I just need a good all around IH book that is up to date and recent on IH best practices in the 2000's.   

Thank you for answering all my questions and the assistance you provided right up to the last minute.  Overall, I just didn't study enough and tried to cram too much material in at the end.   Look forward to your assistance this next round.  I will start cracking the books ASAP and register to take the test again this fall. 
-DS

5/29/2010

I got the congratulations screen after my exam today. I'm impatiently waiting for a confirmation by mail.

Thanks for all your help.
-BE

5/27/2010

Wanted to pass along the good news that I passed (preliminary results only) the CIH exam this past Monday!  It was brutal, but I know your course made the difference for me.  It really helped me focus my studying efforts, and the evening on-line format was perfect since I didn't want to spend an entire week at a review course away from my family and my job.  I will certainly pass along the benefits of your class to my colleagues who are planning to sit for the exam.  

Thanks again for everything!  I could not be more excited!
-MT

5/18/2010

I want to truly thank you for all your support in helping me pass the CIH exam on the first try. In addition to the technical knowledge I gained from your class, even more important was feeling comfortable with the testing process and testing strategy.  I was so excited to see the 'Congratulations' screen.  I thought I had succeeded, but had heard from many that they thought they had passed too. You went out of your way to be available to us test takers to answer all questions promptly and your extra efforts to have free study sessions was helpful. Who said nothing in this world is free?

Some tips for future test takers:
Get to the testing center early!
Good Resources: Russ' Ventilation Workbook,  the Jeff Burton workbook and the little white book, Patty's. READ the whole TLV booklet at least twice.
Use the whole test time to review answers until time runs out, but use caution when changing the answers, only change if you are really sure!
Take a short break when you need it, so you're not cross-eyed and dehydrated.
And most of all, BELIEVE in yourself!
-HP

5/18/2010

Just wanted to let you know that I took the exam yesterday and successfully passed!  Thanks again for your help.  Looking forward to seeing you at AIHCe.
-TO

5/18/2010

Unfortunately I did not pass the test yesterday. 

I have made a few notes on question topics that I want to look up.  Maybe in a few weeks I’ll open the books again.  Right now I am just disappointed because I felt okay when I hit the end button, not great but okay.  I used all the time allotted, right up to the last minute.

Your training definitely helped a lot.  Thanks for all the support.
-NK

5/17/2010

I unfortunately did not pass the CIH exam.  Attached is the letter from ABIH.  I hope to get it next time.
-JP

5/12/2010

I passed.

Thank you for your doing your job, you do it well.
-MA

5/11/2010

Bad news. Failed.  Looks like I’ll get to take your class again.
-NI

5/10/2010

The most frustrating part of this is that this was my 3rd time to sit for the exam.  After the 1st time I knew I probably didn't past; time 2 I thought I'm on the fence (which turned out to be true); this time I'm at a loss.  I did have a lot of the same questions (the ones I asked you about were on the exam again :)  I wrote down probably 75 questions from this one (some of them I still can't believe they would ask on the CIH).

 I'm hoping I'm in the 0.01% that get a letter stating that I did pass even though my initial results said differently (I know this is probably wishful thinking).

Do you know when the class will be offered in the Fall?  I'm definitely going to take it again in the fall (as much as I don't want to).
-JB

5/7/2010

I just faxed my latest results from the CIH exam.  It was taking a while to get them back and I was hoping against hope that they had made a mistake and I had made it.  But, alas, I again failed.  I don't understand it...I felt very confident this time, but only improved my score by 1%.  I do not want to give up and want to take it again, but I'm not sure I could handle another failure.  What is your suggestion, take it again immediately in the Fall of 2010 or wait until next year?  Any help would be appreciated.  I faxed my other 2 previous results at the start of class.  Maybe you could compare the 3 results and give me some input when you have time.
-DM 

5/8/2010

Thanks - it helps.
I'll let you know if I have more questions.
I greatly appreciate you taking time to see me through this last crunch. It is almost unbelievable that you are investing the time in helping me - incredible!
-PG

5/4/2010

Webinar Comment

I would just like to thank you for putting together the Webinar. I thought it would be quite dry but I actually enjoyed it. I'm disappointed that the time zone makes it difficult for me but I do appreciate the facility for offline viewing. I think it worked very well.

This should be the last requirement for finalising my CIH application. I just need to work hard and pass the exam now.
-FL

4/19/2010

Did not pass the exam this time (took it on the 8th) - seemed like I spent too much time on equations and toxic - will try again this fall.  I am waiting on the official results and will mail them to you.
-MT

4/14/2010

Thank you for sending this practice question, but I won't be needing them anymore (unless they count for CE credits). I passed my CIH Exam yesterday! Thank you very much for the great prep course and I hope to meet you in the future so I can thank you face-to-face.
-SW

3/5/2010

Thanks for the corrections.  Also, I wanted you to know how much I’m enjoying this class.  I’m taking (and passing!) the test in the fall, so I’m using this course to figure out which areas I really need to study over the next few months.  I was the “safety gal” for 15 years at FDA after a couple years as a chemist, then switched gears to facility design and management, now I’ve been back in safety for two years and it’s almost like riding a bike…almost.
-JH

12/01/2009

I wanted to let you know that I passed the CIH exam yesterday. I thought that your class was very helpful in preparing for the exam, and I will certainly recommend it to others. Thanks for all of the help.
-TN

11/30/2009

I took your bootcamp course in Newark, NJ this fall.
Due to your support and enlightment, I was able to pass the CIH exam on my first try(although it's only preliminary results for the time being)

The exam was tough. I think I got lucky on making guesses on many of the "judgemental" questions. To me, the math problems were easy.

I think your class will need put more emphasis on Management/Haz Comm. parts. They write the wrong answers so well that sometimes all the choices make perfect sense. Also, many of the questions do not have one definite answer, it is almost always the most appropriate answer.

Also, you need to have a thorough understanding on basic principles of ventilation. There were many questions on air filtration systems, such as electrostatic, cyclone, bag filter, and so on. the advatages and disadvantages and mechanism much be understood.
-AC

11/30/2009

I have been confirmed as passing the CIH Test and am a CIH.  I took the bootcamp course which is a weekend course designed to cover exam pertinent material in a short time but requires a concrete foundation having already been established by the student.  I did not pass my first attempt, but was painfully close.  I had taken other courses prior but found yours offered some distinct advantages.  These are strengths I noticed:

• Bowen EHS' customer service and commitment to students is an industry standard.  I contacted the company with questions prior to my second attempt (6 months after taking the previous course) and received a quick reply, thorough answers, and with the caveat that I could still arrange to contact you for further clarification despite the fact you were teaching a class in Egypt.  Other situations I have been involved with gave me the opportunity to purchase a book that they had authored or sold to answer the specific question that were in excess of $100- for one question.
• You have written books to aid in studying the exam.  I purchased two.  They are well written, affordable, and pertinent to the exam.  If you complete your ventilation study book, you are prepared to answer a large percentage of the ventilation questions thrown your way.  I have never had a ventilation course in the past, yet still scored over 70% in the exam.  This is due to your prep book AND the information covered in the crash course.  (Do not misinterpret that this will make you a ventilation expert by completing the book, but it will give you a solid foundation in the logic of the questions and an understanding of how things work.  Each question builds on the one before as opposed to a bank of random questions.)
• To apply for the exam, you have to have previous experience with the field.  I feel you recognize this.  Classes don't start at ground zero, but just above.  Then you catch people up that need the assistance.  However, this was a rarity that someone needed the assistance and I ALWAYS felt comfortable to ask a question- it never slowed the pace and I never felt uncomfortable.  Previous experience started the classes so elementary that the first 15 minutes of each class offered me no gain toward my study and the final portion was rushed to fit in the time frame- it was not based on the professional but almost teaching the basic background.
• Your free monthly questions are pertinent to the exam.  I had one question that I had mastered that had three variations appear on the exam- this was an easy and confident three points.
• I did not attend the on-line course but had friends that did.  Their experience was the same as mine and they passed as well.  In retrospect, I wish I had attended the course to solidify my foundation but was still pleased with my experience at the boot camp.
• The course also practices ethics.  A professional passes the exam because they understand the material, not because they are looking at questions exactly as they will appear on the exam.  Your company holds a high ethical standard that gives me the confidence of knowing I passed the exam because of my knowledge, not because I could memorize answers.

Thank you for the tremendously positive experience.

 

-LN

 

11/28/2009

I wrote my CIH Exam on Thursday and I passed!!!! Woo hoo. Thanks so much for a great course. You prepared us well and I will definitely recommend it to everyone.
-JC

11/18/2009

I just wanted to let you know that I wrote yesterday and have my preliminary result of a pass. Thank you for doing such a great job designing and teaching your course. It was definately the biggest help in my study efforts and key to passing the exam. 
-RF

11/13/2009

Some thoughts on taking the CIH test.  I really liked the student comments so I thought it'd be helpful and add to them.  I was surprised how different the test was from DataChem.  I'd been doing Datachem questions for the last several months.  I found them to be somewhat annoying... these aren't real life situations just random trivia.  I got into the test and yes, there were the ventilation and other equation questions, a bit of random trivia, and then a lot of situational questions.  Common phrasings were... If you're going to do X what's the key factor? or what would you do first?  The other common one was "People are complaining of X, how would you go about identifying the problem?"

Advice to future test takers:

1. Take the on-line class it's a good way to get the foundation in.  It's spread out so concepts can build on each other and don't get lost in burnout at the end of an intense week.  Also, the classes are recorded so you can make them up at your leisure.
2. Read the ACGIH TLV book.  There are questions straight from it.
3. Know the big concepts for the rubric - how would you recognize it and how would you start to fix it.
4. I thought it helped to study concepts and equations and then do practice problems.  It helped put things together in my head and hold them in there. There is that random bit of trivia in the test practice problems as odd as they are they helped me remember the random trivia. They also gave me confidence going into the test and got me used to working with the testing software.
5. There are several ethics questions and they try to make them tricky. Someone told me to read the old Synergists ethics examples, I didn't but they would have helped.
6. I was surprised by the biohazard questions, more than one or two but mostly focusing on big concepts.

Thanks again for a great class and if you need a recommendation - send them my way.
-CH

11/09/2009

I passed - yippee!!  Just some feedback to you.  
Thanks so much for your great class - it was worth every penny.  I got the cd when I got home from taking the test - that's the way things go for me.  I was wondering if at all possible, if I could still turn in my homework?  Please advise.  Thanks.  And thanks again for your direction and prompt answers to last minute question on isokinetics.
-TM

10/23/2009

I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I passed the CIH exam! Your online course was a tremendous help in my preparation, and I couldn't of passed without it.  Also, thanks for the responses to my many questions through emails.  Take care and good luck with everything.
-SS

10/06/2009

I just wanted to give you the good news that I passed the CIH exam on Saturday.  Thanks again for the great lectures.  I definitely feel that they helped me during the exam.
-MH

10/06/2009

Just wanted to send you a quick note on how my test went last Friday.
I got the good screen this time...the one that we all want to see after the
exam!!! Let's hope that I'm not the less than 0.01% that get the opposite result from what they see in the testing center. Once again thanks for all your help and assistance this past year. Definitely couldn't have done it without your guidance!!!
-RC

09/25/2009

Thank you very much for the Fabulous prize and all the help and assistance with homework & solutions, lecture notes, calculator and clarification with all defficult concepts with many equations (radiation, ventillation etc.). Overall, the online class is excellent! I did learn a lot in a short time! Thus, Kudo to you and Kim! Keep up the good work. And I will recommend your online course to anyone preparing for the CIH exam.
-MY

09/08/2009

I just thought I would throw you out a note of what has happened in my life since passing the CIH Exam.

I have been contacted by two different headhunters about two different job opportunities. Both were absolutely amazing positions in major companies in the oil sector and the mining sector. I turned one down but am pursuing one further as it is way to monetarily generous to not continue with.

I currently sit on a committee with the AIHA that is part of the planning process for the AIHce every year.
- KG

06/04/2009

I passed the exam on May 21 and have already received my CIH certificate.  Thanks for the great course and it was nice to meet you in person at the conference.
- VM

06/04/2009

Thank you very much !  I thought to provide some feedback as it may help with your course, and perhaps will help other students to pass the CIH exam.  Feedback as follows:

1. Second Attempt:  Do not get discouraged.  Although I did not pass the CIH exam the first time (missed by one point), I believe that my second attempt allowed me to better understand concepts within the industrial hygiene discipline.  I honestly feel as if I was able to learn a great deal more the second time around.  Also, and as you mentioned during the CIH review course, if you do not pass the exam on the first attempt, then try to remember as many questions as possible since you will definitely see some of the same questions on your second attempt.
2. ACGIH TLV Guidebook:  As you suggested, the TLV guidebook needs to be studied thoroughly and read from front cover to back.  And do not skip over the fine print...   Whether on a train or a bus read and study the ACGIH TLV guidebook.
3. CIH Review Course (lecture series):  I cannot recall the name, but one of your students made some study recommendations during the review course.  The student recommended as a test-taking strategy to make an additional blank copy of each lecture homework set, and to re-work the problems in preparation for the CIH exam.  The reasoning is that it will help the sudent to familiarize him/herself with the subject matter, and helps to facilitate and improve problem-solving skills.  This strategy helped me to gain my confidence for example on Basic Chemistry (some of those questions were fairly difficult as chemistry is not my strong-point).  Having re-worked the lecture series questions was an immense help and increased my understanding of the subject matter.
4. Flash Cards:  Another recommendation from the above-mentioned student; to make your own personalized flash cards based on the CIH lecture series powerpoint notes.  I did this as time permitted and it helped me to better understand and remember some of the more difficult concepts [e.g., isokinetic sampling, relative risk, biosafety levels, hypothesis testing, spirometry, epidemiology studies, toxicology on heavy metals, ACGIH TLV Guidebook (i.e., TLV-TWA, STEL, C, EL definitions), etc.].  Whenever I had free time I would review the flash cards.
5. DataChem Software:  Initially I did not feel as if the software was very helpful, but after giving it more thought, I definitely think that working the problems from the DataChem software was a useful study tool, and helped increase knowledge of subject matter.  But, I also think you need to follow up on the questions with additional research and reading (especially if you do not fully understand what the question was about).  As a disclosure, I did not use the DataChem software extensively during my second attempt at the CIH exam; instead I focused more of my energy and time on the Bowen CIH Review Course, and reviewed each lecture series.  When I reviewed the CIH lectures, I was able to pick up on and better understand study material that I seemed to miss the first time through the course.
6. Toxicology:  If you are not well versed in toxicology, I would strongly recommend to focus time on this subject matter, and perhaps purchase a good study book... a good majority of the questions were tox-related, and I could have spent additional time studying in this area.  The DataChem software has a lot of toxicology questions (~20%).
7. Bowen CIH Study Questions:  Make sure to sign up for the Bowen CIH study questions... this is a very helpful study aid, and allows you to keep a consistent practice in preparation for the CIH exam.
8. Exam Time:  I am almost embarrassed to admit this, but I miscalculated the amount of time allotted for the morning and afternoon sessions of the CIH exam.  Initially I was under the impression that each section was allotted four (4) hours.  Not until I took the actual exam did I realize that only 3.5 hours is allocated to each part of the exam (oops!).

One other comment I wanted to mention is that the review course provides good direction for the CIH exam.  One of the most diffucult parts that I experienced was knowing where to start, what to study, and selecting key reference books.  Your website and course provides a great selection of reference books for study and exam preparation.  One of my favorite reference books that compliments the ABIH Equation Worksheet is as follows:

Reference:  Industrial-Occupational Hygiene Calculations: A Professional Reference, Second Edition, Stewart et al, 2005.
 - JL

06/04/2009

Yeah it was really frustrating, seven hours sitting in a computer answering question all in one day was definitely a journey. My brain was completely fried after the first 125 questions, the second half is only a blur!  I have written a few questions and still looking for the answers for some of them. I am banging my head for not knowing the answer to some of them--seem so simple now after the test!

I will send you the results and thank you for your support! Looking forward to another great class in the fall!
- AA1

06/04/2009

Russ, I did not pass. I made a major mistake in my test taking strategy. I stopped to solve the equations and had 25 questions left when the computer said 5 min left. Ahhhh...I should get my actual score in a week or two.
- JF

06/03/2009

Hello Russ, I have officially ended my mourning period and have gotten over failing by one point.

I have begun to re-crack the books!
- RM

06/03/2009

I wanted to let you know that I passed my CIH exam. Your class made a real difference. As someone who took your class twice, after not passing the exam, I realized the importance in course participation and keeping up on your homework assignments. It obviously worked well for me this go around.

I want to thank you again for all your help and look forward to staying in touch as professional peers.
- AA2

06/02/2009

I was able to take the test last tuesday, and I liked it so much that I will be retaking it on the fall!!! Lots of toxicology questions.
- AA1

06/01/2009

I just wanted to let you know that I passed the CIH exam according to the preliminary results.  Thanks for the course and all of the support! 
- AL

05/31/2009

I just want to inform you that preliminary Prometric results indicate that I passed the CIH exam.  I think what motivated me the most during the actual test, was the thought of having to sit thru your CIH Review Course once again (just kidding... ha! ha!).  But, seriously, I would like to personally thank you for all your support and dedication, and the time to answer the countless IH questions that I sent to you.  I am quite certain that your CIH lecture series was a key part to my success.  This time around, I focused mainly on lecture series, and followed up on lecture notes and references.

I will provide more feedback later... it was a very strange CIH exam.
- JL

05/31/2009

I failed the exam again. This time the most emphasis was on the TLV/BEI guidebook. Depending on how much I improved from my 41% correct last time will determine weather I continue on. ..... I took the time to recognize each of the nominal hazard zone formulas, from left to right on exam sheet were regular NHZ eye; difusion, and lens. ....  Moreover, I became intimately familiar with all of the heat stress formulas, as I have a problem in this arena so I can relate.  ....... Overall, very disappointing. Additionally, knowing the definitions to the words terestrial & elastomeric would have been very usfull. I thoght of E.T. the extra- terestrail, realizing that I was so familiar with the acronym not knowing what the terestrial actually stood for. The value of a knowledge of word etimology can not be over emphasized.  One of my many professor's proclaimed that alot of learning is just vocabulary, he was so right.
- MD

05/29/2009

I passed the CIH exam this time around!  Thank you very much for all of your help!
- WB

05/28/2009

I took the exam yesterday and did not pass.  I think I had to be very close to the passing grade but was on the wrong side.

Observations you may find useful based on my exam:

New appreciation for how much more I will need to study to pass this than the CSP.

Indoor Air Quality - I kind of regard much of this as voodoo science, but ABIH must not.  ......

The problems we worked in class were fairly representative of  what was found on the exam.  There were not many types that I had not seen either in the lecture or in working the homework problems.  I would guess maybe 20 to 25% of overall questions were ones that required you to pull out the calculator.  Of the time I spent studying, I spent too much of it working problems.

Hazardous Trades - I should have spent more time memorizing the chemical exposures found there

As advertised - lots of Tox questions and ones from the TLV booklet.  I am glad I sent as much time as I did reading and understanding the process to develop TLV, the application, and the exposure levels.  Need to spend more time memorizing the target organs and processes. 

I will have to try the exam again in the Fall.  Overall, I think your course did a good job of helping me to understand what I should know, I just need to spend more time memorizing.
- BB

05/26/2009

I'm pleased to tell you I passed the CIH Exam.  I'm glad I enrolled in your course, it helped a lot.
- PS

05/27/2009

I just wanted to give you the GREAT news that I passed the CIH exam this round!  It took a couple of tries, but I'm so glad it is finally over.  I just wanted to thank you for your support and offering the study course.  I'm certain that I would not have passed it so soon without attending your course.  Take care, and stay in touch!
- JC

05/23/2009

Just wanted to send a quick note of my experience today.  I got the dreaded did not pass preliminary result paper. No time to dwell.  It's time to continue studying!!! I do want to thank you for your course and guidance the past few months. I look forward to continuing to have you as a resource if you don't mind. I managed my time well as I had over 45 min during each session to go back and review my marked questions. Maybe that was my problem? There were only about 10-15 questions total that I had no clue about...specific disease cases, non-ionizing radiation, etc. I felt confident, but I guess I'll find out when I get the detailed exam results where my weaknesses are. It's funny how the rubrics I know I have down cold didn't even show up on my test!!! :)  Take care and maybe I'll see you in Toronto. Do you have time for a cup of coffee in the middle of facilitating sessions?
- RC

05/20/2009

I passed the CIH Exam yesterday…WOW…feels great.  Thanks for the great class this Spring.  I’ll surely recommend your course.
- JD

05/12/2009

I took the CIH exam last week and I preliminarily passed the exam.  Does everyone just get a preliminary result after taking the exam? 
- DD