No matter what level you play… YOU can get a DIPLOMA in BILLIARDS!!!
We’re pleased to present the highlights of How to Get a Diploma in Billiards – from Billiard University (BU)!
Tap into these Q&As, and you’ll know everything you need to decide if this is for you – now or in the future.
Taking the Billiard Exams and working toward a Diploma is the perfect opportunity to up your game.
So if you love playing pool, this incredible experience will bring you lots of satisfaction and great fun for a lifetime!
HOW DO I GET A DIPLOMA FROM BILLIARD UNIVERSITY (BU)?
The preparation process is completely mapped out for you in detail. You can approach it at your own PACE, in your own TIME, and at your own STARTING LEVEL.
Your preparation will involve:
- Assessing your playing abilities,
- learning new skills, and
- raising your game to new levels!
As opposed to the exams you took in school, Billiard University offers a very supportive preparation process, and all the information you’ll ever need to learn the shots and skills that are covered in the exams. You get every chance to master the exam shots and earn the Diploma you desire!
WHAT ARE MY BILLIARD SKILLS NOW?
The BU Exams and Rating System are each carefully designed and tested – to give you a complete and accurate assessment of your playing ability.
The Billiard Exams give you a complete, well structured, carefully designed, and appropriately challenging “pool workout”. Because they are so thorough, they give you a very accurate assessment of your overall skill levels and pool playing abilities at this time.
If you’re interested in learning more about the design and rationale of the exams, you can read about that on the BU Assessment Philosophy page.
WHY WORK TOWARD A BILLIARD DIPLOMA?
You’ll discover so many great benefits of working toward your Diploma in Billiards:
- EXCITING – New skills boost your game to new heights!
- FUN – Display your Billiards achievements!
- REWARDING – Receive official recognition!
- OPPORTUNITY – Take the first step to become a BU instructor!
For more information on becoming an instructor for Billiards U, see this page: BU Instructor How-To Guide.
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION
Watch these Intro Videos about the Diploma-earning process
This BU Exam Instructions document outlines…
HOW TO…
- …take the Playing-Ability Exams
- …get your BU Rating
- …work to earn a Diploma
WHAT IS THE EXAM LIKE?
BU provides a chart (above) of the EXACT SKILLS you’ll be using – the actual shots you will exhibit – for the exam. Remember, BU provides all this info because BU is all about helping you become the best pool player you can be! No pressure, no tricks. Everything is up-front and supportive.
Here’s an EXAMPLE shot from the Advanced Exam. (NOTE: This example is more difficult than your exam):
- Pro Player shooting an advanced technique (#A14) in a real game
- A14: “Inside Across the Table” shot – from Pro Carlo Biado’s video
More Pool Shot EXAMPLES HERE and related Pro Demonstrations
HOW DO I PREP FOR THE EXAM?
Exam One includes billiard basics, such as: your aim, stroke, stop/follow/draw control, and position control of the cue ball.
Exam Two covers essential billiard skills, such as: your aim, the break, playing position, kicks and banks,jump and masse shots, rail cut shots, and safeties.
Read through and practice the drills in Exam II – Skills for the Diploma you seek:
Watch these videos to learn more about taking the exams, pool table preparation, and scoring and submitting your results.
To give you a sense of organization, here’s a complete Table of Contents of all three Instructional Videos
BU clearly gives you all the instruction it takes to learn the important Skills for each Drill in the Exam.
You’ll find that the BU Exam Instructions document provides all the specifics, with links for:
- preparing to take the BU playing-ability exams,
- determining your BU rating, and
- earning a Diploma
Your score determines your Player Level. For instance, if your total score on both exams is 84, then you are an Intermediate Level 3 player. See the chart below.
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?
Be sure you’ve followed all the directions in the BU Exam Instructions document
- Access your Online Application
- And pay the Diploma Fee BU purchase page
HOW IS THE EXAM SCORED?
Your BU Exam Score determines which Pool Diploma you earned – see the chart above.
Remember, the Diploma level that you earn is completely up to you! If you don’t like your score, you can always wait to submit your application. Review the shots that need improvement, and retest for a higher score. You can submit the score that YOU like best.
WHO HAS ALREADY EARNED THEIR DIPLOMA?
Take a look at the BU Alumni page. Imagine YOUR NAME on that list.
Happy learning!
And may you always play in ‘high gear’!
BILLIARD REFERENCES:
Billiards at Colorado State University
Learn how to play and excel at pool and billiards – Principles, Techniques, and Resources
Detailed guide through the entire process of determining your Billiard University player rating and obtaining a Pool Diploma
Billiards Diploma EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
Complete Instructions help you prep and succeed in earning your Billiards Diploma
Instructional products for learning and teaching how to play and excel at pool and billiards
Resource for Pool Cues and Billiard Supplies, Billiard Tables, Equipment and Accessories – and a growing Blog for Billiard- and pool table-related resource information
Instructional products for learning and teaching how to play and excel at pool and billiards
Annual Billiards Boot Camp offered by Dr. Dave in Fort Collins, Colorado
YouTube Channel – Dr. Dave Billiards
Billiards and pool instruction, high-speed video, engineering and physics demonstrations, etc.