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CPLPCOACH.COM Tip of the Week - September 2008
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Study Resources & Methods to Help You Prepare for the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam

The Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) credentialing program follows a three (3) step process:

Step 1. Meet Eligibility Requirements

You must pass eligibility requirements in order to become an official CPLP candidates and schedule a date & time to sit the Knowledge-based Exam.

Step 2. Pass the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam

You must pass the Knowledge-based Exam in order to become eligible to submit Work Product.

Step 3. Pass the CPLP Work Product Submission

You must pass the CPLP Work Product Submission phase in order to achieve the CPLP credential!

Given as such, after meeting eligibility requirements and officially becoming a CPLP candidate, your progress in the program is contingent upon you taking & passing the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam.

That means being able to recall, comprehend, and apply theory and techniques from across nine (9) Areas of Expertise (AOE).

Yikes! Where to start? How do you even begin to prepare to study that amount of information?

Start with familiarizing yourself with all of the objectives listed in Appendix C: Knowledge Exam Content Outline in the CPLP Candidate Bulletin:

http://www.astd.org/content/ASTDcertification/CPLPBulletin.htm

Tip! Print out a copy of the outline and check-off the items that you feel the most comfortable with. Review the items left unchecked - they represent a topic outline for your personal study plan.

These are the topics you want to focus on; but keep in mind - all AOEs are not weighted equally. The AOEs are weighted differently on the exam, so make sure you expend your study efforts accordingly.

Once you have a topic outline of study ready, identify the resources (e.g. books, Infolines, online resources, ASTD Learning System, workshops, etc.) you have at your disposal. Which topics do you have resources for? Which topics do you need to find resources for?

Google can be great (all hail Google) but Google is not the only search engine out there.

Explore additional search engines to find online resources.

For example, try www.clusty.com to get different results than Google and www.kartoo.com for results with a visual twist.

Now you're ready for action - decide on which study method(s) you'll use to review the material.

Here are just a few:

- Concentration - focus on the task at hand and eliminate distraction by establishing a routine, studying in a designated "study space," knowing your objectives for that study session, identifying your incentives, vary your study activities and topics, take breaks, and reward yourself!

- Memorization - use memorization techniques to identify strategies that will help you have the information "stick": 

- Acronym - use a combination of letters, e.g. PEMDAS Parenthesis | Exponents | Multiplication | Division | Addition | Subtraction

- Acrostic - a made-up sentence or poem where the first letter of each word presents a clue
e.g. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (PEMDAS - same as above)

The main point here is that developing a personal study strategy -one that supports your best study practices - is critical to your success.

Make a commitment to yourself and to this process. Put a plan in place, and execute against that plan. Set aside time to concentrate on the task at hand - no distractions.

And don't forget to reward yourself for milestones reached!

~ trish

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UPCOMING CPLP WORKSHOPS
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- Saturday, September 13th, 2008 - Naperville, IL - hosted by the Chicagoland Chapter, ASTD  http://www.ccastd.org/events.html#0913

- Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 - Los Angeles, CA - hosted by the Los Angeles Chapter, ASTD http://www.astdla.org/events/event_details.asp?id=30750

- Saturday November 1st, 2008 - Alexandria, VA - ALC Session Title:  You Don't Have to be the Medicis: Financial & Academic Support for CPLP Candidates - 12:30pm - 2:00pm (ASTD Chapter Leaders only) http://www.astdla.org/events/event_details.asp?id=30750 

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Screencast: 10 Steps to Success on the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam
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15+ minutes of me yammering on about the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam. What's on the exam, how to prep for it, what the test center is like, strategies to increase your chances for
success, and more!

http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/158.cfm

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EXAM CRAM - Owl's Ledge CPLP(TM) Online Practice Exams
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Are you studying for the CPLP(TM) Knowledge-based Exam? Are you looking for a little practice?

Try our Owl's Ledge CPLP(TM) Online Practice Exams!

The Owl's Ledge CPLP(TM) Practice Exams are designed to:

• Immediately score your exam upon submission. Watch your skills improve with each new test you take.
• Offer you instant feedback about each question. Learn your mistakes and weak spots so you can avoid falling into the same traps next time around.
• Provide you with actual CPLP(TM) exam objectives that take the guesswork out of test-taking. You'll be knocking out correct answers on Exam Day with no problem!
• Provide you with specific resources you can reference to focus your study efforts, including ASTD CI recommended resources as well as online resources.

Try the exams out now!
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/146.cfm

Ready to buy? Subscribe to www.CPLPCOACH.com and gain instant access to the complete set of online practice exams (120+ questions) and more!

http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/10.cfm

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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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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

Visit our bookstore for ASTD recommended CPLP-related references!

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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Have something to say? Something to share?

Let us know! Send an email to: trish@cplpstudyprep.com or give us a call at (630) 510-1461

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That's it for this week!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Certification Experts