TOTW - CPLP Knowledge-based Exam - What Happens If You Fail?
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CPLPCOACH.COM Tip of the Week - March 2008
=================================================================== CPLP Knowledge-based Exam - What Happens If You Fail?
It's an understatement to say that the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam isn't easy.
150 multiple choice questions covering topics from across nine (9) Areas of Expertise, to be answered within 150 minutes - no easy task.
Suffice it to say, not everyone passes the exam the first time out.
Many candidates who have been unsuccessful with the knowledge-based exam find the experience to be devastating.
Some candidates become even more frustrated in trying to figure out what went wrong, and what corrective action to take so they can be successful when they sit the exam again.
Keep in mind - re-testing is also a question of time and money. If you do not pass the exam - and you want to try again - you must wait to take the exam in the next exam window (which can be weeks or months in the waiting) and you must pay a re-test fee of $350.
So figuring out a new approach to the exam is not only a matter of boosting personal pride, but critical in deciding how to spend your time and money.
Here are some tips to help you do just that:
Tip # 1: Have Hope! Now that you've sat the exam, you are intimately familiar with the exam and the process. A negative experience can become a positive one - if you are open to learning from it. Reflect on your experiences and incorporate them into the next attempt.
Tip # 2: Write down ideas on what really tripped you up. Think about it and be honest with yourself.
Consider the testing environment: Were you comfortable in the test facility? Did you find anything about the test environment to be distracting?
Consider your state of mind: What was your state of mind as you walked into the exam room? Were you tired? hungry? over-stressed? anxious? Did something get you aggravated/wound up before you arrived at the test facility?
Consider your health: Were you sick that day? Even a minor cold? The start of the flu? a sinus infection?
Consider the exam: Were you surprised about the test itself? Were there specific questions that stumped you? Was the exam delivered in the format you expected? Were the questions architected in the way you expected them to be?
After you list ideas on what you think went wrong, work on a list of strategies for addressing each one.
For example, if you were anxious on the day of the exam, identify - and practice - ways to minimize your anxiety. If you were hungry, and being hungry was distracting, then make sure you eat before re-testing. If you found sitting in the chair at the exam facility for a long period of time - as you sat the exam - to be tiring/painful/distracting, then practice sitting for long periods of time as part of your preparation for the exam, so your body is more acclimated to it when you re-test.
Tip # 3: Review your Score Report and the Diagnostic Indicators.
Diagnostic indicators on the score report look a little something like this:
Designing Learning: 88%
Delivering Training: 71%
Improving Human Performance: 42%
Measuring and Evaluating: 66%
Facilitating Organizational Change: 55%
Managing the Learning Function: 55%
Coaching: 61%
Managing Organizational Knowledge: 42%
Career Planning and Talent Management: 45%
100% is the highest percentage you can score in any Area of Expertise.
ASTD CI recommends aiming for an 80% in each area to pass the exam.
Understanding that 80% is the goal, figure out which Areas of Expertise (AOE) require your attention.
Tip # 4: Don't just study the AOEs where you scored the lowest. Yes, be sure to spend some extra time in those areas - but review material across all AOEs. Otherwise, neglecting some areas in favor of others could cause you to score lower in the neglected areas. That's not what you want! You want to stay strong in the areas where you scored well before, and boost your scores in the areas that previously gave you problems!
Tip # 5: Review the exam objectives. Now that you have an idea of what went wrong and what areas require extra focus, sit down with the exam objectives (found in Appendix C of the Candidate Bulletin) and put together your own personal study plan.
Tip # 6: Understand how you learn best. Consider the tools you used to study with before. How did they help you? How did they hinder you? The worst thing that you can do is study using one tool or technique. Seek out a combination of study tools that help you to engage with the content.
Note: Simply reading all of the material in the ASTD Learning System does not guarantee success. For most people, simply reading the material is not enough - you need to find ways to engage in the content.
Idea: Write your own multiple choice questions based on the material presented in the ASTD Learning System. This will help you to analyze and synthesize the information.
See previous CPLPCOACH.com Tips of the Week for more ideas on different study approaches:
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/department27.cfm
Tip # 7: Seek out other people to study with. There are lots of folks around who could help you - other CPLP candidates, current CPLPs, etc. Look for them near and far. Contact your local ASTD chapter to see what kinds of resources they offer and/or to see if they know of others they can hook you up with:
http://tinyurl.com/2vfb6m
Drop me a line - I'd be happy to help too!
trish@cplpstudyprep.com
Tip # 8: Dedicate time to studying. Decide on the study materials and techniques. Set aside the time. Get into the study mood - whether it's a trip to the library or curling up with a cup of tea.
Tip # 9: Schedule your re-test. Schedule your re-test far enough out to give you a comfortable amount of time to prepare. ASTD CI and many CPLPs recommend at least an hour of study time a week for 10 to 12 weeks to prepare just for the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam.
Tip # 10: Get some sleep. Experts recommend that you cease your studying several hours prior to going to sleep so that your mind does not work overtime when you need to get your rest.
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CPLP Registry Offered Online by ASTD CI
The ASTD Certification Institute (ASTD CI) has started a CPLP registry - an online listing of CPLP candidates and the CPLP certified.
This registry is voluntary and offers candidates and CPLPs an opportunity to select which information (if any) they choose to have listed.
For example, you can choose to have any or all of the information displayed:
- Main (mailing) and alternative (e.g., business) addresses
- Primary and alternative phone numbers
- Primary and alternative fax numbers
- Primary and alternative email addresses
Follow these steps to opt-in and get listed:
- Go to http://www.cplp.astd.org and select CPLP Application.
- Click on the registration login link, and use your ASTD login to access your personal certification record.
- Your first time through, click the Verification button at the bottom of the screen (you'll have an opportunity to revise your information afterwards).
- Your Personal Information page reloads. Select My Summary.
- Select Update to make revisions to your information and/or opt-in to publicly displaying your information.
- Select which fields of information to publicize. Beside the fields, you can check "Visible in the Public Registry" if you'd like to include this information in your listing. You can choose all available fields - or just one or two - the choice is yours!
- Select Yes from the drop-down to be added to the Public Registry.
- Click Submit.
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Did You Know...?
CPLP program testing fees are $750 (ASTD members) and $950 (ASTD non-members) per person. These fees are set at an introductory price and are scheduled to increase after June 30, 2008.
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Attention Certified Professionals in Learning & Performance - Calling all CPLPs!
We'd like to hear from you!
1. Recertification - What questions do you have about recertification? We're almost a year away from when the very first CPLPs will have to file for recertification (2009). How are you
tracking your recertification points? What events and activities are you tracking?
2. Recognition - How have you celebrated your certification success? How have you been recognized by your organization and/or local chapter? How would you like to be recognized for your achievement?
Contact us! http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/department6.cfm
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Record Your Comments & Questions!
Share your thoughts about our products & services. You can record an audio comment in our audio comment system. You can also ask us a question! You never know - we might just play your comment or question on our site.
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/144.cfm
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Where in the World Are You?!?
We're tracking CPLP candidates, CPLP certified, and CPLP curious around the world! Get yourself on the map and see where others are located. Check it out!
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/144.cfm
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Recent articles posted at CPLPCOACH.COM:
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Online Practice Exams! Take a Test Drive Today!
Check out our new online practice exam format! It's a great resource for those studying for the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam!
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/146.cfm
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About the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) Certification Program & Process
Looking for a summary of the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) certification program & process before wading through 370+ pages in the Candidate Bulletin?
Read the full article at:
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/118.cfm?sd=2
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Book Recommendations
Looking for a few good books to assist you in your study efforts?
For Measurement & Evaluation (worth 12% on the exam!) check out:
For Facilitating Organizational Change (also worth 12% of the exam):
For these books - and more recommendations - visit our bookstore! Featuring CPLP-related books and Owl Study Packs that can be customized to suit your personal study plan!
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/department57.cfm
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That's it for this week!
~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Certification Experts
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