Comments from July 2006 CPLP Candidates

Greetings, all --

Last week was pretty busy with the re-opening of the CPLP exam window. Email and phones have been jumping here at Owl's Ledge with comments from candidates who sat the exam last week at a Drake Kryterion test facility.

Yes - this is a different test vendor than the one used for the pilot. For those of you re-testing, the rules have changed.

Here's the skinny on what I've heard:

• No tutorial. We received bad information, initially. The Drake Kryterion test centers do not offer a tutorial of their systems previous to sitting the exam.
• Re-testers -- you have less time to complete the exam now than you did during the pilot. You have 150 minutes to answer 150 questions.
• It's easy to prematurely hit the Submit button. The Submit button is at the bottom of the screen, along with the navigation buttons. There is no confirmation message if you accidentally hit the Submit button in the middle of your exam -- your exam is immediately submitted for grading. Be careful!
• Check the equipment. The equipment, in some facilities, is older than others. Check out your mouse -- make sure it's in working order -- before the protor leaves the room.
• Monitors can be uncomfortable to sit at for a couple of hours - bring your glasses! Candidates report the display refresh rate and font size on some monitors to cause eye strain. Be prepared. Bring your glasses, if you need them.
• No bathroom breaks. We've heard that -- once in the exam room -- leaving (for any reason -- including a bathroom break) forfeits your exam.
• Be prepared for sound and noise. Some of the Drake Kryterion exam faciliaties are located in retail stores like CompUSA. Some candidates have reported the ability to hear a lot of outside noise coming from the store while sitting in the exam room. Some people are extremely sensitive to their test environments. If ambient noise is something that might rattle you, be prepared.
• You can still mark questions to review later. There's a button that allows you to mark a question for review at the bottom of the screen.
• Questions are 50/50. Candidates report the exam having 50% situational questions and 50% memorization/definition questions. You still don't need to know the names of the thoughtleaders or theorists -- or when they introduced their models or theories -- but you do have to understand the theories themselves. For example, you don't need to know that Kurt Lewin came up with Force Field Analysis, but you do need to know what Force Field Analysis is.

Did you recently sit the exam? If so, what were your experiences? Post them using Comments (below) or send an email to trish@cplpstudyprep.com.

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Copyright (c) 2006 Trish Uhl, Owl's Ledge LLC

Testing Center Q&A

Many of these questions were submitted by Angela in Houston (thank you, Angela!):

1. I understand there are 150 multiple choice questions and I have 2.5 hours to complete the exam. My question is, will the questions save as they go?

Yes, the questions save as you go, but you can always go back and change them.



2. During the test can I go back to a certain question and change my answer?

Yes, you can go back and change your answers to previous questions.


3. How does the test deploy? One question per page or 10 questions per page?

The test deploys one (1) question per screen ("page").


4. If it displays in a question-by-question format, will I have the option to "flag" the question when I am not sure and then later jump back to that question?

Yes, you will be able to flag questions that you are unsure of so that you can easily return to them.


5. What do I need to bring to the testing center?


When you arrive at the DATC for your test session, you will need to present your proctor with the authorization code you received in your registration confirmation email.


6. What type of identification must I bring to the test center?


In order to be admitted for testing, you must have two forms of identification; one must be a photo ID.


7. What are acceptable forms of identification?
   
   Acceptable forms of photo ID include: driver's license, passport, military identification, an employee identification card or a student picture ID from an accredited college or university. The following forms of non-photo ID are acceptable: credit card, check cashing card or a bank debit card. A social security card is not an acceptable form of identification.



8. Can I keep my belongings with me during the test session?
   
   Bring as little as possible with you into the test center. Better yet, leave your belongings in your car. Your personal items may not be accessed during the test session. This includes: bags, wallets, purses, briefcases, watches, books, beepers, cell phones, palm pilots and calculators. You should keep your identification with you at all times.



9. May I bring food or drinks into the testing room?
   
   Tobacco products, food, drink, and chewing gum are not allowed in the testing area.



10. Does the testing center provide accommodations for candidates with special needs?
    
    All of the Drake Kryterion DATCs are required to abide by country and local laws that require reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability in job related test situations (i.e. The American Disabilities Act). If you have a special need, please call the Certification Operations Center office to register your exam. You may be required to submit a form that identifies your limitations and the supportive resource you are requesting. If the accommodation is approved, the Certification Operations Center will contact a DATC to set up the appropriate accommodations.



11. When will I receive my score reports?
    
    Feedback and results are often available immediately upon the submission of an exam, depending on the type of certification you are registered for. It is my understanding that you will receive your results immediately upon submitting your answers for the exam.

**** Do you have something to add? What are your questions and experiences? Post your Comments below!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Copyright (c) 2006 Trish Uhl, Owl's Ledge LLC