This is the second of three articles that Georgie Nelson and Yvonne Bogard (virtual study buddies) are co-authoring to detail their CPLP journeys. In this installment they share how they successfully navigated the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) Knowledge Exam. No small feat!

Yvonne 

I began preparing for the Knowledge Exam by performing a needs analysis using the online practice CPLP test. I thought I would focus my initial studies on the areas of expertise (AOEs) in which I scored lowest. I was surprised to discover that I needed to attain a breadth and depth of knowledge in areas I thought I already knew—in particular, instructional design. I learned that while there may be many ways to complete a particular task, only the ATD way counts for this certification. I had to forget everything I thought I knew and study as if it were all new. 

I began to read and study the materials, but I became overwhelmed. I decided there was no way I could remember all of the theories, hierarchies, diagrams, and everything else. I was stuck, so I started a virtual study group. 

Georgie 

Yvonne’s study group was a lifesaver for me. Now, in addition to a study schedule, I had people to whom I was accountable and assignments that were meaningful to me as an educator. We divided up the chapters and created study guides for each one. We created comprehensive notes and taught the content to one another. I no longer had to worry about whether I could get all of it crammed into my head—it was no longer about me. My job was to chunk the material, explain the concepts, and create substantive but succinct guides everyone could use. Easy—I do that every day! The material was no longer bewildering or frightening because I was teaching and sharing the content with others. 

Being part of a study group also inspired me to create study sheets with concise descriptions and (often humorous) mnemonics in preparation for the test. It became a game, and we had lively discussions on the material, as well as friendly competitions answering questions on the practice tests. We lived in different cities and communities, but we participated in weekly conference calls and supported one another throughout the process. It was a great time. 

Yvonne: 

Another example of the study group’s synergy was our practice sessions, in which we dissected the sample test questions for each AOE. We analyzed each question to determine what it was really asking. Once we identified the actual question, we applied our collective knowledge and eliminated the wrong answers one by one. This dissection, analysis, and elimination process helped me apply what I was learning from the ATD Learning System. 

There were also times when we would find resources outside the ATD Learning System that we thought would prove helpful to the group. We continued to take practice tests online to determine how well we were digesting the content. In the final weeks of studying, just prior to our scheduled Knowledge Exams, we created our own note cards for the areas in which we knew we needed to improve. This practice was very effective for me, both before and on the day of the exam. 

Each of us arrived early to our respective exam slots to check in and make sure we were where we needed to be. It is also very important to rest and eat well prior to the exam; this helps reduce the stress of exam day. Remember, you do not want to procrastinate and have to cram for this exam. You are putting yourself at risk of failure. 

Georgie: 

When you complete the exam, it is scored immediately, so you know the results before you leave the room. Everyone in our group who took the exam passed, and everyone had sections in which we achieved perfect scores. This is the power of a group—a group dedicated to helping one another using the best of their training knowledge. It was a true example of “one for all and all for one.” This experience remains one of the highlights, and cherished memories, of my CPLP journey. Our next important step was to pause and celebrate our success. We selected a central location and all met for a congratulatory dinner. It was wonderful to match the faces to the voices and get to know one another outside the study circle. 

Now it was time to take a look at the CPLP Work Product. I came away from the Knowledge Exam feeling as if I’d I run a marathon and won—I was happy, but still exhausted. Despite this, I dutifully started on my Work Product—and then missed the deadline. The essays were particularly challenging. I needed to rest a few months and then get back into it. 

Yvonne: 

Look for our final article in this three-part series, in which we continue our Work Product discussion. We really should have talked about it at the very beginning, so you know right away what you’re in for. It’s a behemoth. 

Learn more about the CPLP certification.