You're Studying Wrong | How to Fix It [CPLP Knowledge Exam]

Ever feel like you're reading the same paragraph over and over again in the ATD Learning System and none of it seems to "stick"?

Or you read a whole chapter, then quiz yourself with a CPLP practice test or flash cards, and you can't seem to recall one key concept?

You're not alone.

Many of us around the world learned how to study and take notes in a very passive way - we take notes by listening to what's being said (or what we're reading) and jot down notes on what we want to remember.

The latest research shows that taking that kind of passive, unstructured approach does not support retention or recall.

That's bad when you need both retention and recall for success on an exam...!

As friend, colleague, and scientific learning researcher extraordinaire Dr. Will Thallheimer notes:

"Realize that your learners [you!] will forget. Do everything in your power to help them [yourself!] forget as little as possible. Also, do everything in your power to help them [you!] remember in the contexts in which it is most important for them [you!] to remember [ie. you need to remember and APPLY while taking an exam]."

So - what do you do?

"Write your notes in a way where you can test your retention and understanding. Many people write notes that do a great job summarizing their materials but their notes are not designed to promote learning, retention or diagnosis of their weaknesses." - Hooman Katirai, MIT graduate (who earned a double Masters from MIT in 2006)

Active note taking helps you make meaning from what you're studying, by helping your brain organize and pay attention to the information that matters -- and jettisoning the rest.

Not sure how to take active notes?

Try the following active note-taking method from Cornell University...

Cornell Notetaking Method

Get Active! Go here to learn this method now! --- Cornell Notetaking Method

The more you can integrate what you're studying into your existing frameworks and infuse it with emotion and meaning, the better your retention.

Start with structure (like the one presented in this notetaking method) to help your brain organize concepts and identify what's important; then paraphrase what you're studying in your own words to help you establish your own meaning.

The trick is to use multiple active study methods to make the material stick! 

To your success!

~ trish


P.S. Leverage more study tips like this so -- 

YOU can MASTER the CPLP Knowledge Exam --

... by getting your  

FREE Kindle copy of my book

"Mastering the CPLP: How to Successfully Prepare for - and PASS! - the CPLP Knowledge Exam."

CLICK HERE to CLAIM YOUR KINDLE COPY NOW!

 









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~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
2005 CPLP Pilot Pioneer
Founder, Owl's Ledge
Creator, CPLP Mastery Series and CPLPCOACH.com 

SUCCESS! Mastering the CPLP: How to Successfully Prepare for - and PASS! - the #CPLP Knowledge Exam Ranked #1 (and #2!)

The Kindle version of my book... 

"Mastering the CPLP: How to Successfully Prepare for - and PASS! - the #CPLP Knowledge Exam" 

... hit #1 in the Amazon.com "Training" ...

... and #2 in the Amazon.com "Education" categories today!

Amazon.com Rankings | "Mastering the CPLP" hits #1 and #2!

A BIG SHOUT OUT and THANK YOU to the CPLP delegates around the world who made it happen!

YAY CAKE!

To your success!

~ trish

P.S. You've put in the study time, now put in the PRACTICE that builds your CPLP Knowledge Exam COMPETENCE and COMPETENCE!
 
CLICK HERE to take a practice exam right now!


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~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
2005 CPLP Pilot Pioneer
Founder, Owl's Ledge
Creator, CPLP Mastery Series and CPLPCOACH.com 

What To Do If You Fail the ATD CPLP Practice Exam (pCPLP)

Hi all -
 
Email from a panicked candidate who "failed" the ATD pCPLP prompted me to write the following response to him in email.
 
Usually candidates who don't perform as well as they'd like on the ATD pCPLP are experiencing one or both of the following issues:

1. Wrong study methods
2. Poor exam performance
3. Both
 
Here’s how you diagnose and fix them:

1. Wrong study methods – how do you know? You keep reading the same material over and over again and it doesn’t stick. It’s not sinking in. Two options: 1) try interacting with the material in a new way (e.g. instead of just reading, create a mind map, or your own flash cards, etc), and/or 2) consider your information processing and learning styles – is your best reading something? Or do you need to see it? do it? hear it? apply it? talk it out? before you really grasp something.

2. Poor exam performance – EXACTLY what it sounds like. How well do you test? Are you a speed racer, racing through reading the questions and missing keywords? Do you stop at the first “correct” answer, or do you consider all of the possible options to determine the BEST answer? Try slowing down; really read the question. Force yourself to consider ALL the responses; read from bottom to top (D to A) instead of “normal” top to bottom (A to D). It feels uncomfortable, so it slows you down.

Testing well is also often a matter of Practice, Practice, Practice in addition to studying.

Studying gives you confidence on the exam; practice improves your exam competence. 

Building confidence and competence for taking the CPLP Knowledge Exam are skills, like any other.

  
Now, consider the disconnects in the materials you’re studying with.
 
What do I mean?

First, if you have an older version of the ATD Learning System (especially the books!), you need to look at the ATD Learning System Errata page to make corrections to your materials.
Second, you also need to look at the ATD Learning System Updates page to make updates to your materials.
 
Does NOT matter how new your materials are; at minimum, your books do NOT contain the Social Learning PDF on the Updates page - and the subject matter in that PDF is tested HEAVILY on the current version of the exam.
 
Third, the end-of-chapter questions in the books do NOT reflect what the exam is like; the questions are not written in the same format as the CPLP Knowledge Exam (all multiple choice) or at the same level (book questions are largely recall; exam is mostly application).
 
What you experienced on the ATD pCPLP is more in keeping with what your CPLP Knowledge Exam experience will be like.
 
Options –
 
LOTS of candidates on LinkedIn have posted details about resources they've used and found to be effective.
 
Some have benefited from the self study materials on CPLPCOACH.com (our Basic or Premium membership) or the facilitated online courses and in-classroom, in-country.
 
Several candidates hundred have downloaded the Kindle edition of my "Mastering the CPLP: How to Successfully Prepare for - and PASS! - the CPLP Knowledge Exam" book from Amazon.com.
 
Others have done well accessing local ATD Chapter resources (which are vastly different study prep offerings than what ATD National offers).
 
There are also candidate created materials out there.
 
Like I said, first thing to do is to update your Learning System and diagnose root cause(s) to your performance gaps.
 
Last, sometimes folks get into the program and discover they are not qualified, despite meeting eligibility requirements. 

"Qualified" means the candidate has the appropriate education, experience, and exposure to the critical competencies in the ATD Competency Model.
 
Some folks simply haven't got enough "under their belts" yet to truly be ready for CPLP certification.
 
Bottom Line: Conduct your own personal performance gap analysis and be honest with yourself about the gaps - and root cause(s) - you discover. Be realistic about what you need to close them to be successful in the CPLP certification process.
 
After that, you'll be in a MUCH better position to select the appropriate solution(s) to help you be successful on the CPLP Knowledge Exam - now or in the future!
 
To your success!
 
~ trish

2014 Employee Learning Week | Day 1 - First CPLP in South Africa Wins Top Honours for Translating Learning+Performance and People Development into Business Results

CONGRATULATIONS, ALWYN! YAY CAKE!

Alwyn Klein is the first CPLP in South Africa, one of the first to achieve CPLP certification on the continent of Africa, and one of the first to hold both the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) and International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) - worldwide.

Alwyn is responsible for getting the first corporate team on the continent of Africa both CPT and CPLP certified, and it was his vision, drive, and leadership in working with the ATD Certification Institute - over several years - that resulted in the establishment of the first CPLP exam center in Africa.

Alwyn was recently awarded TOP honours - recognized as the Winner of the 2014 Chief Learning & Development Officer (CLDO) Award! - primarily for transforming transactional training into strategic learning & performance and for his leadership in developing his team to make the transformation happen!

(Runners up were the CLOs from KPMG SA and Coca Cola SA)

With a focus on PERFORMANCE, a plege to provide TRAINING that MATTERS, and a COMMITMENT to his team, Alwyn is definitely one of our most notable role models and learning leaders in the CPLP community.

From Left to Right: Shaun Rozyn (executive director, Corporate Education, GIBS), Alwyn Klein (senior manager, Learning and Performance, MTN, 2014 CLO winner) Dean Retief (CLO, Nedbank, 2013 CLO winner), Wilhelm Crous (managing director, Knowledge Resources)

PerformanceXpress article: http://bit.ly/KLEIN_CLDO

 
Join me in CONGRATULATING one of our own on his recent success!

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It's Employee Learning Week!

What's YOUR 2015 Strategic Plan for your own development and career advancement?

What kind of learning LEADER do you aspire to be?

What IMPACT do you want to have?

What CONTRIBUTIONS do you want to make?

What are YOU going to do with your CPLP?

'Tis the season to be dreaming... and planning... :-D

To YOUR SUCCESS!

~ trish 

P.S. Many in the CPLP community are not only elevating themselves, they're also LEADING and CONTRIBUTING to the learning profession.

Get the CPLP prep resources YOU need to get on the right path:

http://bit.ly/CPLP-KE

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
CEO and Founder, Owl's Ledge LLC
Creator, CPLP Mastery Series and CPLPCOACH. com
Author, "Mastering the CPLP: How to Successfully Prepare for - and PASS! - the CPLP Knowledge Exam"

CPLP Knowledge Exam - How to Deal with Confusing Questions which Don't Count Toward Your Score

Many CPLP candidates miss the fact that there are a number of items (questions) presented on the CPLP Knowledge Exam which do not contribute to their exam scores.

In this blog post, I cover what these unscored items are, where they are, why they are, and how to deal with them.

Unscored items…

• 25-30 questions on your exam will NOT count toward your score.
• These items are included in the exam to test the items, not the candidate.
• Standard exam practice. ATD CI uses the live exam as a means of validating new items for possible inclusion in future versions of the official CPLP Knowledge Exam.
• You won’t know which items are scored and which are not scored.

This means…

• You’ll encounter poorly written questions on the exam. They will be vague (like Q3) and could be unsettling.
• Expect them and prepare yourself for them.

Here's a good example of a vague question, sent to us by a CPLP candidate in China: 

Enter your response in the Comments below! What do you think is the correct answer?

  
How to deal with them?

• Come up with a plan for how you will emotionally and mentally deal with them when you see them.
• You don’t want to let them inhibit your exam performance by a) prompting an emotional reaction that gets you upset, and/or b) spending too much time on them.
• Prep your strategy ahead of time.
• For example, think the following through BEFORE your exam: When I encounter a vague question, I will… [take a deep breath, spend no more than 60 seconds on it, answer it and Mark for Review, etc].
• Think triage. I often coach candidates to emotionally dismiss confusing questions by smiling or laughing at them – and hurrying past them.

Bottom Line: Treat all confusing questions as if they are certainly unscored and move on. This will protect you emotionally and mentally and prevent you from diminishing your performance on the rest of the exam.

From my family to yours during this festive season - THANK YOU for reading!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To your success!

~ trish

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
2005 CPLP Pilot Pioneer
CEO and Founder Owl's Ledge
Creator, CPLP Mastery Series and CPLPCOACH.com

P.S. You've put in the study time, now put in the PRACTICE that builds your CPLP Knowledge Exam COMPETENCE and COMPETENCE!

Take an absolutely free practice exam right now:

http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/146.cfm

How to Fail #CPLP Work Product - Another Reason Why a Submission Cannot be Scored

I am often contacted by individual and groups of candidates within the weeks following the ATD Certification Institute's release of CPLP Work Product results notification.

Most of these folks are strangers, people whom I have not met before, who send me some sampling of their Work Product submission with a request to help them figure out what went wrong.

It is in these weeks immediately following the ATD CI notifications that I get to see A LOT of Work Product submissions.

A lot.

It is because I have visibility into these submissions and - by extension - am able to speak with the candidates to find out what their line of thinking and logic was - that I am able to understand what went wrong - and why.

Reviewing a sampling of CPLP Work Product submissions and in speaking with a variety of candidates from all over the world, I can see patterns and trends emerge.

This is how I came to discover another reason why a CPLP Work Product submission is returned as "cannot be scored."

In my last post, I created an Action Plan for those who received a "cannot be scored" result from the ATD Certification Institute and outlined a 5-step checklist for determining what went wrong, based on the messaging in the ATD "cannot be scored" communication.

As it turns out, there is another as-yet-not-mentioned scenario where a submission "cannot be scored," that is --

When a candidate submits under one Area of Expertise (AOE) but then provides work samples and essay responses to support another - a different - AOE.

Here's a specific example:

Let's start with the original ATD CI essay question...

Original ATD CI CPLP Work Product Essay Question

 Now take a look at a real Candidate's response...

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My role in this project was to take the needs analysis conducted by the business analyst and create a course that would help staff develop and practice communication skills while at work. I took the needs analysis and created a two-part course entitled "Confident Communications Parts 1 & 2. I researched the topic, retrieved archived files from a previous session on communication skills (pp. 88-97) and condensed the material down to a two part course. I created the post-course assessment (p. 100), designed and developed the course. Finally, I implemented the course.

Since our clients were internal, the course was created for all staff. The course targeted anyone who needed to brush up on their communication skills. Clients included staff from all locations.

The sponsor was our Senior Vice President. His role was to manage the efficiency and effectiveness of different business functions here, and lead the learning and development function, and technical support for our division. I report directly to the SVP and manage the learning and development department. The SVP sponsors any training initiative or project. He requested I create learning solutions that would meet the needs identified in the needs analysis conducted earlier in the year. His role was also to promote the courses to upper management and the leadership team of which he is a member.

The primary stakeholders were the CFO, the Assistant Vice President of Training & Technology and staff who would take the course. The CFO's role was to provide funding. The other stakeholders provided support and communicated the project to upper management.

The project team members included the L&D trainer, project support specialist and the marketing specialist. The L&D trainer provided me with feedback during the design and development of the course. She participated in a pilot session of the course, after which she provided feedback. The project support specialist helped me with operational details such as the logistics of implementing the course. She calendared the courses, created fliers and some job aids for the course pp. 27-41). The marketing specialist created marketing pieces for the courses, which were emailed or past out prior to the course launch p. 28).  

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Given the Candidate's narrative response, which Area of Expertise...

• Instructional Design
• Managing Learning Programs
• Training Delivery
• Performance Improvement 

...would you assume this submission was submitted under?

::scroll down for the answer::











This essay response was used in a Training Delivery submission.





Do you see the disconnect? Can you tell what went wrong?

Write your thoughts in the Comments below!

Put your "Rater cap" on --

How would you advise this candidate?

What can the candidate do to improve a new submission in the next cohort?

I look forward to reading YOUR comments and insights below!

~ trish 

p.s. If you're looking for help with your CPLP Work Product submission, consider joining my online program.

The program follows my 4-step framework for CPLP Work Product:

1.       Strategically Plan Your Work Samples & Submission

2.       Completing Your Project Work

3.       Assembling Work Samples & Writing Narrative Responses

4.       Packaging & Shipping

   
Enrolled participants receive Orientation materials (including a checklist and step-by-step, AOE specific recorded session) to help them get started with their submissions right away - within 24 hours of enrolling.

CLICK HERE for || PROGRAM DETAILS

#CPLP Work Product "Could Not Be Scored"? Here's What To Do

Here's what to do if you - or a colleague - were notified by ATD CI that your CPLP Work Product submission "could not be scored."

"Could not be scored" CPLP Work Product Communication

First, let's deconstruct the ATD CI message into actionable steps --

1. Missing Required Evidence - this first step is straightforward - review the Appendix** specific to the Area of Expertise (AOE) you submitted under. 

** Need a copy of the Handbook documentation? 

Contact Pat Byrd at ATD CI pbyrd@astd.org

What evidence was listed in the AOE appendix as required? 

Check the duplicate submission you retained for your own records. 

Is all required evidence there - Yes? or No? 

If No, stop. 

This is why your submission could not be scored.

RESOLUTION: Ensure you include ALL required evidence for your AOE in your next submission.

If Yes, all required evidence for your AOE is present, go to the next step (below).

2. Missing Essay Responses - also straightforward - review your completed essay forms for your AOE.

Did you respond to ALL essay questions?

If No, stop.

This is why your submission could not be scored.

RESOLUTION: Ensure you completely and comprehensively respond to ALL essay questions for your AOE in your next submission.

If Yes, your submission contained a response to all essay questions, go to the next step (below).

3. Read the Key Actions and Scoring Rubric Appendices for Work Samples - read each of them all the way through for your AOE.

Then, re-read the Key Actions and Scoring Rubric appendices while comparing what's in them to what you demonstrated in your work samples included in your submission. 

Check off listed items as you find them in your submission.

Your submission MUST demonstrate ALL Key Actions and a meet minimum requirements in your the Scoring Rubric specific to your AOE.

Does your submission provide evidence of all Key Actions and meet all minimum requirements in the Scoring Rubric for your AOE?

If No, stop.

This is why your submission could not be scored.

RESOLUTION: Ensure you provide work sample (evidence) of all Key Actions meeting all minimum requirements in the Scoring Rubric for your selected AOE in your next submission.

If Yes, your submission contains work sample (evidence) for all Key Actions and meets all minimum requirements in the Scoring Rubric for your AOE, then go to the next step (below).

4. Read the Key Actions and Scoring Rubric Appendices for Words (Essays) - it's not enough to just include your work samples (evidence) to demonstrate Key Actions at the quality and caliber specified in the Scoring Rubric requirements; your submission MUST also clearly articulate your work and reference your work samples in your essay responses.

Re-read the Key Actions and Scoring Rubric appendices again. This time, compare what you wrote in your essay responses to what you were required to articulate and providing supporting evidence of for your AOE.

Are your essay responses comprehensive and complete?

Do you reference ALL work samples necessary to meet the Key Actions and minimum Scoring Rubric requirements?

If No, stop.

This is why your submission could not be scored.

RESOLUTION: Ensure you write clear, comprehensive, complete, and well articulated essay responses - with references to your work samples - in your next submission.

If Yes, your essay responses are clear, comprehensive, complete, and have specific page references to all necessary work samples, then go to the next step.

5. Contact ATD CI - contact Jennifer Naughton, Senior Director, Competencies and Credentialing of the ATD Certification Institute (ATD CI).

Current ATD CI policy is "submissions that could not be scored" are not eligible for Appeal.

Connect with Jennifer to find out what recourse you have for seeking resolution.

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Need Help?

I've created an Audit Checklist for each AOE meant to help candidates better navigate the CPLP Certification Handbook and check their work.

Training Delivery CPLP Work Product - Audit Checklist

You can find my CPLP Work Product Audit Checklists here:

• Instructional Design - Audit Checklist 
• Training Delivery - Audit Checklist
• Managing Learning Programs - Audit Checklist
• Performance Improvement - Audit Checklist

If You Decide You Need Even More Help...

I also offer a comprehensive, systematic CPLP Work Product online program that helps candidates ensure they understand what work samples they need; at what caliber and quality; how to respond to the essay questions; and package all of it together into a focused, successful submission.

Details about my CPLP Work Product online program can be found here:

• Owl's Ledge CPLP Work Product online program

Outside the USA?

Contact me for details.

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Yes, I know - I've been a CPLP candidate myself.

It's a time consuming, intense process that sometimes have its moments of frustration.

If you're a qualified candidate doing quality work - take some time to heal and take heart.

I know from my own experiences - sometimes in life you have to back up a little to get a good running start to clear the next hurdle.

I'm confident you're capable of sailing over and through your next submission.

Deep breath...  

I look forward to celebrating YOUR success --

~ trish 

p.s. If you're looking for help with your CPLP Work Product submission, consider joining my online program.

The program follows my 4-step framework for CPLP Work Product:

1.       Strategically Plan Your Work Samples & Submission

2.       Completing Your Project Work

3.       Assembling Work Samples & Writing Narrative Responses

4.       Packaging & Shipping

   Enrolled participants receive Orientation materials (including a checklist and step-by-step, AOE specific recorded session) to help them get started with their submissions right away - within 24 hours of enrolling.

CLICK HERE for || PROGRAM DETAILS

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP

CEO and Founder, Owl's Ledge LLC

Creator, CPLP Mastery Series and CPLPCOACH.com

Author, "Mastering the CPLP: How to Successfully Prepare for - and PASS! - the CPLP Knowledge Exam" on Amazon.com