
No Shortcuts: How to Actually Prepare for Your Certification Exam
From First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast by PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast
March 25, 2026 · 35 min
About this episode
This episode discusses effective preparation strategies for the PSIA-AASI certification exam with insights from Eric Rolls.
Thinking about your PSIA-AASI certification? Here’s how to actually prepare—and what examiners are really looking for. In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas talks with AASI Snowboard Team member Eric Rolls about certification exam preparation, based on his 32 Degrees article. Instead of shortcuts or “cheat codes,” Eric breaks down the real skills that lead to success—on snow and in the assessment environment. You’ll learn how to manage nerves, adapt your teaching in real time, and understand the five success patterns that examiners use to evaluate candidates. Whether you’re preparing for Level II, Level III, or supporting other instructors, this episode gives you a clear, practical framework to approach your next assessment with confidence. What You’ll Learn: - The 5 success patterns for certification success - How to handle nerves and recover from mistakes - What examiners are actually assessing - How to improve movement analysis (MA) communication - Why listening and adaptability are critical skills Resources: Learn more about certification: https://thesnowpros.org Register or manage your membership: https://members.thesnowpros.org/register Explore webinars + training…
People in this episode
Host: George Thomas
Guest: Eric Rolls
Topics covered
- certification exam preparation
- teaching skills
- movement analysis
- exam success patterns
- nervousness management
- adaptability in teaching
Keywords
- PSIA-AASI
- certification
- exam preparation
- teaching
- success patterns
- movement analysis
- nerves management
- adaptability
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: PSIA-AASI, AASI Snowboard Team, 32 Degrees, The Snow Pros
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