– There is no universal criteria for passing the exam. The minimum required score is set by each university.
– There are two ways to take the CPCE Exam: on campus at your school or at an approved Pearson VUE facility.
– The cost to take the CPCE exam at your school is $75. The cost to take the exam at a Pearson VUE facility is $150.
Do you have a passion for helping people? To become a counselor you’ll need to take and pass the CPCE exam.
The CPCE exam is the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam. This exam was developed by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE).
This exam is used to test your skills in counseling-related concepts after you have completed graduate-level counseling courses. The CPCE will ensure that you have a thorough understanding of what it takes to be a counselor such as professional attitude, skills, and knowledge that are related to the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) eight core areas.
If you’re planning on becoming a counselor and preparing for the CPCE, you might feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the information that you’ll need to know.
But before you become overwhelmed, here are a few tips and tricks to help you prepare and feel more confident in taking the CPCE.
1.CPCE Study Guide
Using a study guide is an important component to use to help you prepare for any exam. Having a study guide on hand to prepare for the CPCE exam can help you to understand more about the details of the exam. You’ll be able to learn more about the format of the exam such as how many questions there are, what type of questions, and what type of content is covered. You’ll also get the chance to brush up on any key concepts that you may not remember.
2. Understand the CPCE Test Format
The CPCE exam is a knowledge-based exam that measures your understanding of foundational, counseling-related knowledge. You know that you’ll be preparing for the content of the CPCE exam, but what about the actual exam itself? Part of preparing for an exam is also understanding the format of the exam. You’ll need to know how many questions are on the exam, as well as what type of questions there will be.
Here’s what you need to know about the CPCE exam:
• The CPCE exam consists of 160 multiple-choice questions.
• Each core area contains 20 questions.
• There are eight core curriculum standards tested on the CPCE.
• You’re given four hours to complete the exam.
3. CPCE Study Guide
A great way to prepare for the CPCE exam is with a CPCE study guide. When you’re picking a study guide, it’s best to choose one that is geared specifically toward the CPCE exam. Using a study guide to prepare for the exam can help you learn more about the details of the exam. You’ll also be given the chance to brush up on any key concepts that you may be unfamiliar with.
4. Understand the Eight Common-Core Areas
The CPCE exam covers eight common-core areas relevant to counseling that is governed by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
- Human Growth and Development – studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels.
- Social and Cultural Foundations – studies that provide an understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society.
- Helping Relationships – studies that provide an understanding of counseling and consultation processes.
- Group Work – studies that provide an understanding of group development, dynamics, counseling theories, group counseling methods and skills, and other group work approaches.
- Career and Lifestyle Development – studies that provide an understanding of career development and related lifestyle factors.
- Appraisal – studies that provide an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation.
- Research and Program Evaluation – studies that provide an understanding of types of research methods, basic statistics, and ethical and legal considerations in research.
- Professional Orientation and Ethics – studies that provide an understanding of all aspects of professional functioning including history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing.
5. Create a Study Routine
Creating a study plan can help you prioritize what you need to study and when you should study. Before you decide to start studying for the CPCE exam, you should figure out a study plan. Figure out what days you can study and block out certain times of those days to dedicate to studying. Once you have that figured out, plan out which areas of the exam you will study during those blocks. When you’re studying, make sure to find a place that is quiet and free from distractions.
6. CPCE Flashcards
Using flashcards can help you get down to the details of the concepts that you’ll find on the CPCE exam. Using flashcards to study allow you to concentrate on one key concept at a time without the overwhelm of seeing multiple concepts at once. Being able to concentrate on one concept at a time will help you to retain that information for a longer period of time.
7. It’s Okay to Guess
You might come across a question or two that you’re not sure of the answer. If this happens to you while taking the CPCE exam, it’s okay to guess the answer. In fact, guessing on the CPCE exam is better than leaving an answer blank. Any question that is left blank is considered incorrect, so try your best to guess the answer. Before making a guess, try to eliminate as many wrong answers as possible before taking a guess at the remaining ones.
8. CPCE Practice Test
Part of being prepared for any exam is knowing where your strengths and weaknesses are. Taking a practice test for the CPCE exam can help you understand just that. Taking a practice test for the CPCE exam can show you which areas you are strong in and which areas you need to work in. You’ll also be able to learn more about the actual CPCE exam such as formatting, the format of the questions, and the time limit of the exam.
9. CPCE Online Course
Mometrix University offers a CPCE online prep course, which includes practice tests, study guide lessons, review videos, and digital flashcards.
