THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO YOUR EPPP STUDY PLAN

Gathering the Essentials The EPPP is a 4.5-hour, 225 multiple-choice question exam that covers the knowledge base required for various responsibilities for a professional practice psychologist. The EPPP has been described as grueling and most peers will tell you it takes a great deal of studying to pass it success-fully.

Needless to say, you’ll need a diverse amount of study ma-terials. The good news is that there are a variety of resourc-es and learning formats to choose from that are designed to fit your individual learning styles and preferences. Here are some essentials to get you started.

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HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EPPP

1. EPPP Study Volumes Designed to complement our mock exam program, our Study Volumes contain everything you need to know for the EPPP. Our Study Volumes explain the domains and content of the EPPP in a concise and easy-to-understand manner.

2. EPPP Strategies Package The Exam Strategies Book presents the U-PASS method, which integrates effective study and test-taking strategies with techniques designed to help you maintain constructive attitudes, emotions, and beliefs. Each section of the Strategies Book ad-dresses a different element of the U-PASS method. Also included are lectures with additional study tips and recommendations for maintaining motivation and controlling anxiety.

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3. Online EPPP Mock Exams There’s no better way to prepare for a multiple-choice exam than to practice with multiple-choice questions. Because they simulate the actual questions and online testing environ-ment, you’ll be more comfortable with the timing and more prepared for exam day. Start with an assessment exam, then practice with section and domain quizzes, full-length mock exams, and a final exam that let’s you know when you’re ready to sit for the EPPP.

4. EPPP Prep Workshops If you prefer learning in a classroom-style setting or want more one-on-one interaction, live EPPP work-shops are a great option. Workshops also help you learn alongside your peers. AATBS offers workshops that span everything from 4-day comprehensive over-views covering the entire exam to webinars that focus on statistics and test construction.

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5. EPPP Content Digital Library It’s important to have study materials with you at all times. Just in case you have a free moment. If you commute to work or have a moment between clients, you can study. Listen to the audio lectures through any MP3-compatible device. They’re por-table and always handy.

6. EPPP Flashcards Flashcards are one of the most effective and porta-ble study tools available. Like our digital audio, you can carry them with you wherever you go and study whenever you have free time. Another benefit is your friends, family, or study partners can help you study: Give them the cards and have them quiz you.

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7. Personal EPPP Consultation There’s nothing like having someone there ready to answer exam questions and calm out of control nerves during your studies. Our educational consul-tants are specially trained in effective preparation techniques and the demands of the EPPP. Con-sultation can help you to develop a study plan and identify the areas in which you may need additional help.

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Call 1-800-472-1931and speak with an educational coordinator.Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (PT)

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YOUR STUDY PLAN

Set Your GoalWhat is your motivation for studying for and taking the EPPP? How will passing the EPPP affect your life? Your job? Your self-esteem? Your salary? Making note—whether mentally or physically writing it down—of why you’re taking this exam can be a tremendous motivator for sticking with it and reaching your goal.

Set Weekly GoalsAfter you’ve taken your Diagnostic Assessment (the first step in your study plan to establish a baseline score and what you will need to study), sit down and make a list of what you will need to study. (See your Study Volumes and Exam Strategies for a guide on what content you will need to know for the exam.) From there, set a reason-able goal of what content you wish to cover each week. Creating a chart of the content you need to work on can be a powerful motivator to stick with your studies.

Create a Daily ScheduleSet more specific goals. With the recommended 4 months of study, that equates to about 20 to 25 hours per week, or around 3 hours a day. Set aside time to study each day. Be sure to take into con-sideration study breaks, personal time, and profes-sional events that may affect your study schedule. Set specific goals for materials too. Decide how many pages of the Study Volumes to read, how many questions you will answer each day, etc. If you find yourself missing deadlines and goals, you may need to reevaluate your study schedule.

Find a Study SpotWhat is your ideal study location? Do you need a bright, sunny room or a dark, quiet location? Do you prefer studying in the morning or in the eve-nings? Studying somewhere you can feel energized and avoid interruptions is important for focus.

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Discuss Your Schedule with Friends and Family. Studying for the EPPP is a commitment to a de-manding process. It may mean spending a little more time with your study materials instead of family or friends. Set expectations with them early on about your study needs. Make sure they know why this is so crucial for you and why it’s necessary to devote your time to this pursuit.

Maintain Flexibility. Once you’ve created your study schedule, be sure you remain flexible. Studying for the EPPP is de-manding, but it doesn’t mean your life outside of studying has to be put on hold. If a social or work event pops up, having a study plan will help you quickly get back on track. Remember: Being able to go with the flow is part of what makes you a great psychologist.

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Call 1-800-472-1931and speak with an educational coordinator.

Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (PT) Y O U R S T U D T P L A N

USING PRACTICE EXAMS

Consider a distance runner who trains on the trails and roads with the goal in mind of being fully prepared for race day. Like our distance runner, you should set out on a training plan with your “race day” goal being the day you take the EPPP. Practicing consistently with quizzes and full-length mock exams are your most important study tools because this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.

What to ExpectThe EPPP consists of 225 multiple-choice questions, 175 of which are scored (the rest are experimental and not counted toward your score). The content of the exam is focused on eight content domains.

Domain 1: Biological Bases of Behavior tests your knowledge of bi-ological and neural bases of behavior, psychopharmacol-ogy, and methodologies supporting this body of knowl-edge. Comprises 12% of exam questions.

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Domain 2: Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior tests your knowledge of cognition; theories and empirical bases of learning, memory, motivation, affect, emotion, and executive function; and factors that influence cognitive performance and/or emotional experience and their interaction. Comprises 13% of exam questions.

Domain 3: Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior tests your knowledge of interpersonal, intrapersonal, inter-group, and intragroup processes and dynamics; theories of personality; and diversity issues. Com-prises 12% of exam questions.

Domain 4: Growth and Lifespan Development tests your knowledge of development across the full life span, atypical patterns of development, and the protec-tive and risk factors that influence developmental trajectories of individuals. Comprises 12% of exam questions.

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Domain 5: Assessment and Diagnosis tests your knowledge of psychometrics, assessment models and instru-ments, assessment methods for initial status of and change by individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations/systems; and diagnostic classi-fication systems and their limitations. Comprises 14% of exam questions.

Domain 6: Treatment, Intervention, Prevention, and Super-vision tests your knowledge of individual, couple, family, group, organizational, or community inter-ventions for specific problems/disorders in diverse populations; intervention and prevention theories; best practices and practice guidelines; consultation and supervision models; and evidence supporting efficacy and effectiveness of interventions. Com-prises 14% of exam questions.

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Domain 7: Research Methods and Statistics tests your knowl-edge of research design, methodology, and program evaluation; instrument selection and validation; statistical models, assumptions, and procedures; and dissemination methods. Comprises 8% of exam questions.

Domain 8: Ethical/Legal/Professional Issues tests your knowledge of code of ethics, professional standards for practice, legal mandates and restrictions, guidelines for ethical decision making, and professional training and supervi-sion. Comprises 15% of exam questions.

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How to Choose the Right Mock Exam Program1. Make sure it fits your budget. Lower priced ex-

ams may seem like the easy choice, but ultimate-ly may not teach precisely what is on the exam.

2. Confirm that questions conform to the content and difficulty of the exam. Questions should mimic the EPPP in terms of the format and question content and in terms of the difficulty.

3. Look for questions that include in-depth ratio-nales and answer keys that review the material. Finding a program that lets you review the an-swers and rationales right away will help you iden-tify specific areas to work on. Make sure to have access to a mock exam program for the entire length of your study schedule.

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Call 1-800-472-1931and speak with an educational coordinator.Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (PT)

DAY OF THE EXAM

BEFORE THE EXAM

Get Some SleepYou may be tempted to cram as much as you can the night before, but don’t. If you’ve stuck to your study plan, you’re ready for the exam. Instead, spend the eve-ning relaxing and focus on getting a good night’s sleep.

Eat a Healthy BreakfastEat a quality breakfast before the exam, something that has a good mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohy-drates. Don’t try anything new—stick to a breakfast you know and love (and one that won’t upset your stomach). If you find your nerves are preventing you from eating, try some toast instead. You don’t want to sit for this 4-hour exam on an empty stomach.

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Dress Comfortably You’ll be testing at a computer for 4 hours, so make sure you’re comfortable. Bring a sweater with you in case the room is cold.

ReschedulingThings happen. If for some reason you need to reschedule or cancel less than 31 days before the appointment, there is a fee charged and you will need to call Pearson VUE to reschedule. If the cancellation/rescheduling is within 24 hours, you will forfeit the full exam fee and must reschedule for a new date.

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DAY OF THE EXAM

Checking InYou should plan to arrive no later than 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID and another piece of ID with your name and signature or a recent photo (e.g., credit card).

Taking the ExamBefore beginning the EPPP, get familiar with the workstation. Go through the tutorial. Learn how to flag questions for later review. Remember that there are no scheduled breaks during the exam. You can take a break, but know that the time allotted to you will continue running.

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Getting Your Score After finishing the EPPP, you’ll receive an immediate (but unofficial) score. This score is then reported to your licensing board within 10 days. The licensing board will then decide whether the score meets the established passing score according to your state/jurisdiction. If you’ve passed, congratulations! You’re officially licensed!

Y O U H AV E Q U E S T I O N S . W E H AV E A N S W E R S .

Call 1-800-472-1931and speak with an educational coordinator.Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (PT)

Y O U H AV E Q U E S T I O N S . W E H AV E A N S W E R S .

Call 1-800-472-1931and speak with an educational coordinator.

Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (PT)