APT TRAINING PROGRAM
This year, the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) will again host its special culture and history series, beginning February 27, 2012 at the Physick House, 321 South Fourth Street. The series, which includes seven Monday evening lectures and two Sunday evening workshops on tour guide techniques and training, will run until April 9, 2012.
The region's top experts will lead the series, which explores key events in Philadelphia history, art and architecture, as well as significant sites and noted residents. APT's certified guides will also share behind-the-scenes insights that have earned them plaudits as among America's best tour guides. This year's featured presenters include Charlene Mires, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia; George Boudreau, author of the just-released Independence: A Guide to Historic Philadelphia and Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.
If you wish to become a certified Philadelphia Tour Guide – or just want to learn more about this fascinating city – this program is for you!
The fee for the entire series is $150; individual lectures are $25. Discounts are offered to members of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides or members of the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks. Tour companies also qualify for group discounts.
Last year's well-received program resulted in the first-ever contingent of 50 Philadelphia guides certified by the Association. The tour guide association has grown significantly since its inception in 2010, and currently numbers some 150 members.
You can download a lecture series calendar and registration form by clicking here. For further information about the series, you may also contact program director, Edward A. Mauger, education@phillyguides.org, 215-627-8680.
APT CERTIFICATION EXAM
The first Certification Examination took place at the Christ Church Neighborhood House on North American Street behind Christ Church at on April 12, 2011, and 29 examinees passed. The next exam was on June 2, 2011 at 6 pm, also at the Christ Church Neighborhood House. There have been several exams since then. The next exam of the year will be on Monday, April 16th.
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THE EXAM
Part I of the exam, based almost verbatim on the content of the Handbook, will consist of 100 straightforward questions to test basic knowledge of important Philadelphia people and places. At least 60% of the exam will deal with the Historic District.
Part II will consist of 4 visual identifications. Here you will be asked to identify the site pictured in a photograph, (1 point), give its location (1 point) and briefly identify its significance and the persons, facts or events associated with it. (3 points).
Scoring:
100 questions 1 point apiece 100 points
4 site identifications 5 points apiece 20 points
TOTAL 120 points
The minimal passing score is 80 out of a possible 120 points (66% correct answers).
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The purpose of the exam is to certify basic competency for anyone wishing to work as a Philadelphia city tour guide.
• Those who pass the exam will be recognized in our online directory, and awarded a certificate and an APT Certification pin.
• We will not make individual test scores public.
• Those who do not pass may re-test free of charge at a later date.
Click here to download a sample of certification exam questions.
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The first APT Certification Awards at the Physick House, Wednesday, April 20th, 2011:
THE NEXT CERTIFICATION EXAM:
The next APT Certification Exams will be Monday, April 16, 2012, location TBA. Please direct any questions you may have concerning the exam to Ed Mauger at education@phillyguides.org. APT is also working on an examination for a Philadelphia Master Guide certification.
Anyone wishing to take the next Certification Exam (April 16, 2012) may register by either paying the examination fee at the APT Store, or -
by sending a check for $35 payable to the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides to:
J. Del Conner
APT
c/o Landmarks
321 S 4th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, FEBRUARY, 2011
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