Tips for Taking Exams
How to Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
Oct 1, 2007
Students that have completed their doctoral degree and supervised post doc hours now face what may appear to be a mountainous hurdle, “Passing the EPPP”! [Amy Burleson from the Cleveland Clinic]
igradPSYCH Magazine (September 2007) stated, “The EPPP really isn’t the beast it’s so commonly referred to as”. However, Amy Cynkar of gradPSYCH magazine (September 2007) says, the key for passing the exam lies in the preps before taking the exam. The following tips are provided as a guide for surviving and passing the EPPP, or should we say . . .
“When facing a difficult task, act as though it is impossible to fail. If you’re going after Moby Dick . . . take along the tarter sauce.” Jackson Brown, Jr., Life’s Little Instruction Book
Tip 1: Get acquainted with everything related to the EPPP
- The exam is computerized and developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=Association+of+State+and+Provincial+Psychology+Boards&FORM=SSNO
- There are 225 multiple-choice questions
- Time period for the exam is four hours and 15 minutes
- A passing score is 70 percent.
- Fee for the exam is $450 with additional $65 for the testing center where the exam is taken
Tip 2: Find out what content areas you do know and what you do not know
- Biological bases of behavior
- Cognitive affective bases of behavior
- Social and multicultural bases of behavior
- Growth and lifespan development
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Treatment, intervention and prevention
- Research methods and statistics
- Ethical, legal and professional issues
- Review ASPPB’s Website: www.asppb.org
Tip 3: Take the Exam Right Away!
- Look up state’s requirements for how soon you can take the exam and how many times you can take it
- Look under the ASPPB’s website www.asppb.org under local jurisdictions
- Memory recall is greater
- Scores are higher
Tip 4: “Practice, Practice, Practice”
- Review Prep books
- Use flashcards
- Software and workshops
- Take practice exams
Tip 5: Exercise Like Crazy!
- Too much cramming = slow thinking!
- Get plenty of sleep
- Eat right
- Multitask
- Stay healthy
Tip 6: Locate the Testing Site
- Reduce anxiety? Find the testing site and understand the rules and requirements
- Some sites allow ear phones to block noise
- Other sites allow 8.5-by-11 inch personal white board to work on problems (Burleson, gradPSYCH)
- Find out what you can bring
- Do sites provide lockers?
- Can you bring snacks?
Tip 7: Test Day
- Eat protein for breakfast
- Get plenty of restful sleep
- Always dress in layers
- Use brainteasers to get the endorphins running
- Remember! Breathe – Breathe – Breathe
- Most important: Relax!
Final Tip: Burleson reminds the students “Congratulations! You’ve made it this far – You can do it!
