Botanical Skills NI: Challenge Your Botanical Skills with a practice FISC Session

Are you ready to test your plant ID skills in a supportive, low-pressure environment? The Botanical Skills Northern Ireland Project invites you to a hands-on, practice Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) session.

The official FISC, currently running in England, Scotland and Wales (and soon to be in Ireland), is the gold standard for assessing botanical proficiency in real-life situations. It benchmarks skills on a scale from Level 1 (beginner) up to Level 5 (professional), with Level 6 awarded in exceptional cases.

Overcoming the "Exam" Fear

If the thought of tests makes you nervous, this session is perfect for you! The true aim of a FISC is simply to measure skills in the field, not to trip you up. Years of evidence show that no one can identify every single plant correctly, so there is absolutely no need to worry about being perfect. This mock day is explicitly designed to demystify the process, build your confidence, and make the prospect of a real assessment much less daunting.

Event Details

• ​Date: Saturday, 8 August 2026
• ​Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Location: Drumcairne Forest, Co. Tyrone (Exact meeting point details will be sent in your confirmation email)

​What to Expect

• We will kick off with an introductory session explaining exactly what to expect during a real FISC, how best to approach the assessment, and how to maintain or improve your current botanical level. There will be plenty of time to ask questions.
• Put your skills to the test with shortened practice versions of both assessment elements:
  • 'Lab' Test: 10 fresh specimens to identify (instead of the usual 30).
  • Field Test: Survey a pre-determined plot at Drumcairne Forest and record as many vascular plant species as you can within a set time limit.
• Afterwards, we will talk through our finds together as a group and provide valuable feedback (either individually or as a group, depending on the content). Your results won't be scored post-exam like in a real FISC, but you'll have an opportunity to score yourself against the day's gold standard surveyors.

By the end of the day, you will leave feeling more comfortable with the FISC format and know how to progress your learning.

Rules & Resource Guidelines

• Please note that this is a practice environment, not a training workshop. There will be no formal ID instruction provided during the tests—the goal is to see what you can achieve using your own knowledge and tools.
• You are highly encouraged to bring and use any physical ID books or keys you like. However, to mimic the true certificate environment, no digital identification tools or apps should be used during the tests.

Important Note on Grading

This is an informal practice session for self-assessment and experience. While you will receive feedback indicating your potential level, this is strictly for your own personal guidance. An official BSBI certificate and level can only be awarded by undertaking a formal exam, and your results from this mock day cannot be used for official purposes.

What to Know Before You Go

• This session is entirely outdoors. Please dress for the unpredictable Irish weather (layers and waterproofs are essential). Don't forget your favorite field guides, a clipboard, and a hand lens!
• Drumcairne Forest offers a brilliant mix of habitats, from rich broad-leaved woodland to lowland grassland. The site is relatively flat, but you will be on your feet moving throughout the day, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
• To learn more ahead of time, check out the BSBI FISC webpage, where you can download the official FISC Booklet covering the full assessment process in detail.
• If you have any queries about the day, please get in touch with Kim Lake at kim.lake@bsbi.org.

Whether you want to gauge where you stand on the BSBI scale, overcome your test anxiety, or just enjoy a focused day of field surveying, we would love to have you join us.