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Frequently Asked Questions

Use the tabs to toggle between the Candidate FAQ and the Administrator FAQs; or, scroll down to download the FAQ documents.

What does the cost of the exam include?

The exam fee is $185 per candidate. The fee includes:

  • Access to the Online Practice Exam Course
  • A first and second attempt of the exam
  • A digital credential upon passing

How many times may a candidate take the exam?

Candidates are permitted to take the exam a maximum of three times per year.

How frequently may a candidate take the exam?

There is a 20-day waiting period between attempts. While 20-days is the minimum waiting period, candidates are encouraged to schedule four to six weeks between exam attempts to provide adequate time to study and improve their overall score.

How do candidates find out if they passed the exam?

Candidates who take their exam on a computer may see their score results through UF e-Learning immediately. Exam Site Score Reports are sent to the Site Administrator for all candidates within two (2) weeks of processing. If taken independently of an Exam Site, the candidate will be notified via email from Biotility within two (2) weeks of processing.

What is a candidate’s username and password for UF e-Learning?

All users must have an account in order to access the BACE content in UF e-Learning (UFEL). Biotility will email the Exam Site an invitation containing a unique Enrollment Link to distribute to their candidates. To create an account candidates are asked to:

  • Click the Enrollment Link
  • Complete the registration with an external identity (Google, LinkedIn, or Microsoft)
  • Provide requested registration information including name, birthdate, email address, and phone number
  • Verify their account by opening and responding to the account confirmation email

Please review Accessing Biotility Courses and Exams for a complete description of the account creation and enrollment process.

How much time is allotted for the exam?

Candidates have four hours in which to complete the exam.

What subjects are covered on the Knowledge portion of the BACE?

General topics for the knowledge portion include General Topics in Biotechnology, Technical Skills and Applications, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biological Systems, and Workplace Safety and Behavior.  See the Knowledge Portion Categories and Subcategories for a detailed list.

What subjects are covered on the Practical portion of the BACE?

General topics for the practical portion include Biotechnology Skills, Applied Mathematics, Laboratory Equipment, and Workplace Safety and Behavior.  See the Practical Exam Categories and Subcategories for a detailed list.

What items are permitted during the exam?

Candidates are not permitted to bring any items into Exam Rooms.  The proctor must provide a pencil, basic non-programmable calculator, and scratch paper.

How do candidates prepare for the day of the exam?

Candidates should read the appropriate BACE Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) prior to testing.

  • CIB for Live Paper & Pencil Testing – The exam is administered at an Exam Site via Paper & Pencil and monitored by live proctors. Should we include the hands-on practical point here? It is a big point of contention for a lot of sites and the less confusion the better!
  • CIB for Live Computer-Based Testing – The exam is administered at an Exam Site via computer and monitored by live proctors. No hands-on practical.
  • CIB for Remote Testing – The exam is taken remotely and monitored remotely by Honorlock.

The CIB includes contact numbers, resource links, a detailed exam description, technical requirements, and exam policies.

What are the recommended study references?

The suggested study references are listed below.

  • Brown, J. Kirk. Biotechnology: A Laboratory Skills Course (Second Ed.). Hercules, CA: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., 2018.
  • Daugherty, Ellyn. Biotechnology: Laboratory Manual (Second Ed.). St. Paul, MN: Paradigm Publishing, Inc., 2017.
  • Daugherty, Ellyn. Biotechnology: Science for the New Millennium (Second Ed.). St. Paul, MN: Paradigm Publishing, Inc., 2017
  • Seidman, Lisa. Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology: Textbook and Laboratory Reference (Third Ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2021

Additionally, the online Practice Exam Course is an excellent representation of the content candidates will encounter during the actual exam, as well as home to supplemental study resources and materials. Many of the study materials within the Practice Exam Course are also available publicly on the Candidate Resources page.

Why are significant figures NOT required in all of the calculations on the BACE?

In order to maintain accuracy when making calculations for solutions, a question may ask for significant figures, for a number with a specified amount of decimals, or for a whole number. It is important for candidates to remember to use significant figures only when the question specifically asks for them. Otherwise, they must follow the directions in each question.

For example, a candidate may see a question similar to the following:

 

“Calculate the volume in mL of 20X TAE Buffer required to make 1500 mL of 1X TAE Buffer. Record the correct amount below.”

C1V1 = C2V2

(1X TAE) (1500 mL) = (20X TAE) (V2)

V2 = 1500 mL / 20X TAE

V2 = 75 mL

 

If you were to follow significant digit rules, the answer would be 80 mL of 20X TAE stock buffer.  However if you plug this answer back into the equation, you get a value of 0.9375X TAE buffer for C2, which is incorrect.

C1V1 = C2 V2

(20X TAE) (80 mL) = (C2) (1500 mL)

C2 = 1500 mL / 1600 mL

C2 = 0.9375X TAE

 

Please follow the directions in each question.

What is the "Simple Dilution Method"?

Unlike chemistry labs, molecular biology labs use the “Simple Dilution” method.  A simple dilution is one in which a unit volume of a solute (the material to be diluted) is combined with the appropriate unit volume of a solvent (the substance in which the solute is dissolved) to achieve the specified concentration. The dilution factor is the total number of unit volumes in which your solute will be dissolved. Mix the diluted solute thoroughly to achieve the dilution.

A 1:6 dilution (verbalized as “1 to 6” dilution) requires combining one unit volume of solute (the material to be diluted) + five unit volumes of the solvent.

For example, you may see a question similar to the following:

“Using the simple dilution method, calculate the volume in µL of 6X loading dye required to run a 20 µL DNA sample on an agarose gel. Record the correct amount, rounded to one decimal place.”

X= 3.3 µL

How do candidates claim their credential?

Upon passing the BACE, electronic credentials are sent directly to the candidate using the email address they provide on their exam booklet. Electronic credentials are issued through Accredible. Candidates are provided multiple options for sharing their digital credential. Please refer to the Digital Credentials document for the most common methods. For details on all options available, please visit Accredible’s Recipient Knowledge Base.

For how long is the credential valid?

The Biotechnician Assistant Credential is valid for 5 years.

How do employers verify the credential?

Electronic credentials are issued as a badge from Accredible. Badges may be digitally verified by anyone, and candidates may also share the badges on social media. Instructions for sharing a digital verification may be found here.

How do I register as an Exam Site for the BACE?

Educational institutions and companies who wish to deliver the BACE must become an approved Exam Site by completing the Exam Site Registration Form on the BACE Registration and Ordering website. Within the form, you may register as an Exam Site and designate your testing personnel. Please review the Exam Site Registration Process for the Paper & Pencil Testing Option for a complete description of the process and requirements.

When should I register as an Exam Site?

Biotility requires the Exam Site Registration Form to be completed annually. Most Exam Sites register 4 to 6 months in advance of testing to ensure their candidates have sufficient time to use the Practice Exam Course to prepare. The minimum timeframe is six (6) weeks in advance of the testing date.

How do I become qualified to administer the BACE?

Within one (1) week of completing the Exam Site Registration Form, each individual designated to serve as Exam Site Personnel is emailed an invitation to enroll in the BACE Exam Site Personnel Certification Course in UF e-Learning. This course must be completed annually and at least two weeks prior to a testing event. Please review the BACE Personnel Certification Process for a complete description of the process and requirements.

Do I need to earn the Biotechnician Assistant Credential in order to administer the BACE?

Biotility does NOT require an Exam Site Personnel to earn the Biotechnician Assistant Credential. However, we encourage you to check with your administration to ensure you meet local or state requirements. Educators and Exam Site Personnel are only permitted to take the BACE directly through Biotility. To register to take the BACE, visit the BACE Individual Registration page.

What is the structure of the BACE when administered via the Paper and Pencil Testing Option?

The BACE is one exam that consists of a Practical and Knowledge portion. Candidates take both portions in one session. The assessment is closed book and administered by a Biotility-Certified Exam Proctor via paper and pencil. The exam also requires a Biotility-Certified Skills Evaluator.  Please review the BACE Exam Specifications and the BACE Administration Procedures for the Paper & Pencil Testing Option for a complete description of the exam and administration process.

What is the structure of the BACE when administered via the Computer-Based Testing Option?

The BACE is one exam that consists of a Practical and Knowledge portion. Candidates take both portions in one session. The assessment is closed book and administered by a Biotility-Certified Exam Proctor in a computer lab or a standard classroom using the candidates’ personal computers. Please review the BACE Exam Specifications and the BACE Administration Procedures for the Computer-Based Testing Option for a complete description of the exam and administration
process.

What does the cost of the exam include?

The exam fee is $185 per candidate. The fee includes:

  • Access to the online Practice Exam Course
  • A first and second attempt of the exam
  • A digital credential upon passing

Are candidates permitted to retake the exam?

Candidates may retake the exam once at no additional cost. To schedule a second attempts, the Exam Site Administrator must complete the Second Attempt Scheduling Form. Candidates are permitted to take the exam a maximum of three times per year. To order and schedule a third attempt, go to the BACE Registration and Ordering website and complete the Order Form a second time.

How frequently may a candidate take the exam?

There is a 20-day waiting period between attempts. While 20-days is the minimum waiting period, Exam Sites are encouraged to schedule four to six weeks between exam attempts to provide adequate time for candidates to study and improve their overall score.

How is each portion of the exam scored?

To pass BACE and earn the Biotechnician Assistant Credential, candidates must achieve an overall score of 80%. The score is determined by averaging the highest grade of the Knowledge Exam and the highest grade of the Practical Exam.

Which payment methods are accepted?

Exam Sites may choose between three payment methods: credit card, P-card, or check. If you pay by
credit card or P-card, the Site Administrator and Billing Contact will receive an email with a link to make
the payment. Exam Sites paying by check may submit it to:
University of Florida
14193 NW 119th Terrace
Suite 20
Alachua, FL 32615
FEID 59-6002052
Please review the BACE Ordering Process and Policies for a complete description of the payment
options and deadlines.

What is a candidate’s username and password for UF e-Learning?

All users must have an account in order to access the BACE content in UF e-Learning (UFEL). Biotility will email the Site Administrator an invitation containing a unique Enrollment Link to distribute to their candidates. To create an account candidates are asked to:

  • Click the Enrollment Link
  • Complete the registration with an external identity (Google, LinkedIn, or Microsoft)
  • Provide requested registration information including name, birthdate, email address, and phone number
  • Verify their account by opening and responding to the account confirmation email

Please review Accessing Biotility Courses and Exams for a complete description of the account creation and enrollment process.

How much time is allotted for the exam?

Candidates have four hours in which to complete the exam.

What subjects are covered on the Knowledge portion of the exam?

General topics for the knowledge portion include General Topics in Biotechnology, Technical Skills and Applications, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biological Systems, and Research and Scientific Method.  See the Knowledge Exam Categories and Subcategories for a detailed list.

What subjects are covered on the Practical portion of the exam?

General topics for the practical portion include Biotechnology Skills, Applied Mathematics, Laboratory Equipment, and Workplace Safety and Behavior.  See the Practical Exam Categories and Subcategories for a detailed list.

How do candidates prepare for the BACE?

Candidates may prepare for the exam using the study materials presented under Candidate Resources. An Online Practice Exam is also available, and is an excellent representation of the content candidates will encounter during the actual exam. The Online Practice Exam is free with Exam Site Registration.

Why are significant figures NOT required in all of the calculations on the BACE?

In order to maintain accuracy when making calculations for solutions, a question may ask for significant figures, for a number with a specified amount of decimals, or for a whole number. It is important for candidates to remember to use significant figures only when the question specifically asks for them. Otherwise, they must follow the directions in each question.

For example, a candidate may see a question similar to the following:

 

“Calculate the volume in mL of 20X TAE Buffer required to make 1500 mL of 1X TAE Buffer. Record the correct amount below.”

C1V1 = C2V2

(1X TAE) (1500 mL) = (20X TAE) (V2)

V2 = 1500 mL / 20X TAE

V2 = 75 mL

 

If you were to follow significant digit rules, the answer would be 80 mL of 20X TAE stock buffer.  However if you plug this answer back into the equation, you get a value of 0.9375X TAE buffer for C2, which is incorrect.

C1V1 = C2 V2

(20X TAE) (80 mL) = (C2) (1500 mL)

C2 = 1500 mL / 1600 mL

C2 = 0.9375X TAE

 

Please follow the directions in each question.

What is the "Simple Dilution Method"?

Unlike chemistry labs, molecular biology labs use the “Simple Dilution” method.  A simple dilution is one in which a unit volume of a solute (the material to be diluted) is combined with the appropriate unit volume of a solvent (the substance in which the solute is dissolved) to achieve the specified concentration. The dilution factor is the total number of unit volumes in which your solute will be dissolved. Mix the diluted solute thoroughly to achieve the dilution.

A 1:6 dilution (verbalized as “1 to 6” dilution) requires combining one unit volume of solute (the material to be diluted) + five unit volumes of the solvent.

For example, you may see a question similar to the following:

“Using the simple dilution method, calculate the volume in µL of 6X loading dye required to run a 20 µL DNA sample on an agarose gel. Record the correct amount, rounded to one decimal place.”

X= 3.3 µL

What items are permitted during the exam?

Candidates are not permitted to bring any items into Exam Rooms.  The proctor must provide a pencil, basic non-programmable calculator, and scratch paper.

How do candidates claim their credential?

Upon passing the BACE, electronic credentials are sent directly to the candidate using the email address they provide on their exam booklet. Electronic credentials are issued through Accredible. Candidates are provided multiple options for sharing their digital credential. Please refer to the Digital Credentials document for the most common methods. For details on all options available, please visit Accredible’s Recipient Knowledge Base.

For how long is the credential valid?

The Biotechnician Assistant Credential is valid for 5 years.

How do employers verify the credential?

Electronic credentials are issued as a badge from Accredible. Badges may be digitally verified by anyone, and candidates may also share the badges on social media. Instructions for sharing a digital verification may be found here.

Last Updated: September 18, 2023

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Administrators - Computer-Based Testing

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