(This post is for clinicians preparing to start studying for this monster licensing exam)
Take a few deep breaths….
Stretch your arms…
Roll your head from left shoulder to right.
And
Breath…
You CAN do this!
If you graduated a while back, and you’re now working full time and finally considering the EPPP, this article is for you. After practicing as a school psychologist for 4 years, I moved provinces for work opportunities and was required to write the EPPP to become registered in the new province. Needless to say, it had been a while since I had studied anything in much depth. While working full-time I studied when I could and, let’s face it – when I felt like it. And guess what! I passed the exam on the first try (to my own surprise). It was close, though. In hindsight, I would have done things quite differently and although I suppose it would have resulted in the same outcome (passing – woot!), I’m sure it would have eased my nerves, decreased my stress, and made for a much more pleasant process overall.
STUDYING FOR THE EPPP CAN BE FUN. I am confident in this. It’s a learning opportunity and has more to offer than you expect.
So, I’m writing this to help others make a plan (I wish I could make guarantees here, but you know…). In the next paragraphs I will break down a 12-month plan, but don’t worry if you have already past the proposed timeline in terms of the anticipated start date. Adapt as needed, but also know that you can always postpone a little (I did — three extra weeks was a saving grace for me and completely worth the extra $90).
Here goes. And just remember – you are more than your EPPP.
THE PLAN
SCENE: So, you’re a full time working gal/guy. You’ve been out of school a while. Perhaps you’ve forgotten how to study or wonder if you’ve got it in you anymore. Maybe you like to party, or simply enjoy your chill-time and resist giving it up for even the most appealing activities. In this scenario I propose a 12-month plan with three phases. (I suppose I should preface, that all of my proposed plans are based on using some form of pre-approved study materials (e.g., AATBS) including the books, the cue cards, and the online section tests and content tests. I am not paid or supported in any way by these agencies, but I used these materials and it worked. So it’s all I know.)
- Learning Months. The first 9-months – the pregnancy phase, the birth of knowledge… (Too corny? Sorry, I guess that’s just who I am). Well, here’s how it starts anyway — treat this phase as if you are taking a class. (A) One or two evenings per week spend 2-4 hours reading, highlighting, and making notes from the study material. Spend 2-3 weeks per content area (e.g., “abnormal psych class” (aka abnormal study guide section); then statistics for 2-3 weeks; and so on). You can start with any section. In fact, consider starting with your favorite topic to jumpstart your motivation. (B) Once you’ve finished each Content area, complete the section test online within the 2-3 week timeframe as if you are writing the exam for that class. You can write these content tests multiple times if you have trouble and return to material you had trouble with. (C) before moving on to the next section/”course” – ask yourself if you feel confident in that material. Do you “pass that course?” If so, then onward we go! ————- word to the wise: don’t let yourself be convinced that you can take a break from studying “just this one week.” This is a course – treat it like one. If you used to skip classes, remind yourself that this is the kind of class you just can’t skip. Trust me. The time flies by and you don’t want to be “that guy” who keeps saying, ‘I’ll do it next month.’ That guy is just annoying (full disclosure… I was that guy). Having said this, if you need more time to study – take it; just don’t let time slide away on you.
- Test & Study Phase. Month 10 and 11. These months are where the fun (and by fun I mean fear) begins. No, no, I apologize. If you’ve followed this plan, your fear will be quite minimal – promise. So, during these two months, the intensity and frequency of studying will increase. (A) Take your very first practice test in STUDY MODE. Study-mode allows you to take the test and see the correct answer right away. This mode usually offers a Review opportunity, which allows you to see the ‘why’ of it. You will have the opportunity to review the correct answers and your responses after the test. Even though you are writing the test in study-mode, the trick here is to set a 4.5 hour timer and get the first measure of your pace on the EPPP. If you take a long time, don’t worry. Your speed will increase as you become more comfortable but this way you get the feel for it – YOU WILL BE DOING A 4.5 HOUR PRACTICE TEST EACH WEEK (preferably during the day on a day off work) THROUGHOUT THIS 2 MONTH PERIOD. (B) Next review all the items from the test you just wrote – taking time to read the reviews for each error and any others you feel you need more info on. (C) Plan to study for 1-2 hours per night during the week. During these 1-2 hour weeknight study sessions, review the study-guide sections and cue cards for which you got the lowest score on the most recent practice test. If you have any areas under 50% study those first, then under 60%, 70%, and so forth. Chances are, you will spend an inordinate amount of time studying those low score sections and will be writing the next practice test before moving on to the 60% range. But that’s ok – it’s only the beginning. (D) Continue this way each week and eventually your lowest score will rise ——————— word to the wise: remember that the official EPPP is in fact easier than the practice tests and that people have routinely performed in the 50-70% range on practice tests and then passed the official test with flying colors. True colors, if you will 😉
- I am sneaking in a phase (yes, I know I could scroll up and change this plan to 4 stages – but I like the number 3 and this is really more of an added pointer than a full phase.) (In truth, I don’t know how to make it a bullet instead of a numerical item :P) – So, in this non-phase you should take at least 1 test in timed-practice mode. Meaning you will not get to see the answers as you go and you will experience some of the panic… I mean, intrigue… of the real deal. This phase should be completed while doing many calming strategies and acting as though it’s real — think of it as exposure or acclimatizing to the test. The exposure and timing matter more than your score. Everyone will say this is important, and most people will scoff and tell themselves they have taken many tests in their day and do not need this. I’m here to tell you, you MUST do this. The EPPP is a beast of a test with very high stakes. You need to feel comfortable. On test day, you’ll be surprised how overwhelming it is if you don’t do this. If you’ve trusted me so far, trust me on this.
- The Final Month. Dun-dun-dun!!!! (Again, I tease. You will survive!) The final month before the exam – you should have completed all 8 practice tests. You may or may not be feeling fully prepared (that depends on attitude and self-confidence, not on my plan)… or you may simply be resolve to know that you will try your best (a very positive outlook! Congrats!). During this month, you may consider taking a day per week off work to allow for extra review and rest. I would recommend taking at least a day or two off before the actual exam date if possible – but not so you can cram, so you can review (as needed) and still manage to relax. Get a massage, exercise, and get good sleep! Some people recommended not looking at material the night before or the day of, but honestly, do what feels right. Just know that if you review the day of, you might find you’ve overwhelmed your brain with information, which can be stressful. On the day of the exam, remind yourself that you have put in a substantial effort and that when you were a graduate student your efforts paid off, and so they will today too! Trust your process, trust your skills and your abilities. You know this stuff.
And that’s it! YOU CAN DO THIS!! It sounds like a lot, and it is, but you have managed to get here and so too will you surpass this hurdle!
One simple reminder – you can always postpone, but try not to postpone more than a few weeks if you can help it – you’ve made it this far – test yourself.
And remember, YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR EPPP.
This does not define you. You know how I know? Because it doesn’t define me.
Best of luck! Sincerely.
Alright, I know you thought I was done, but I forgot a few very important things that didn’t really have a place in the body of the blog. So, no matter what, please remember to take good care of yourself. As stressful as it is, and as huge as it feels right now, remember to love yourself. Moments of cruelty may come up; you may even have a breakdown or two. This is normal. Try to remember to return to basics — eat well, sleep well, drink fluids, and exercise.
You’ve got this.
