My Quest to Conquer the EPPP & Secure a Jobby Job: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The anticipation builds...

I'm sitting on the edge of my chair, biting my front lip, clenching my hands in anticipation while trying to wait to take this sucker!

The good news...

I looked up my application status last night and my background check went through (miracle of miracles!) I also called them today to make sure everything is ready. I'M IN THE PILE TO REVIEW TO SEND OUT THE NOTIFICATION LETTER!!!!!!

So, I'm trying to quell my anxiety/nervousness right now. Think I'm going to bring a practice test to class...

Hopefully this will be more like me soon after I open my email/mail to find my notification letter!

Weeeeeeee!!!!!!

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Sunday, August 28, 2011

We're talking about practice, man.

And so it goes...

Pretty much the only studying activities that I have been doing in the past two weeks have been taking practice tests and listening to my audio files. I'm actually feeling pretty good about focusing on the practice tests. But, thanks to my computer debacles, I haven't had access to my electronic flashcards for awhile, or been able to access the Exchange, again--no working computer at home. Thankfully, this week my most fabulous parents decided to help me out and get me a replacement computer, and when my old one is resurrected my dad will get it (sorry, Dad, short end of the stick comes to mind).

Some thoughts about practice tests as I begin another week of filling them out.

1. Psych Prep tests--Earlier this week I almost made EB throw a stroke when I said I thought the Psych Prep tests were way easier than the other ones I had been taking (all she has been using). I figured out why. My friend, Adria, took the Psych Prep course and mentioned that the tests increase in difficulty as you go on thru the course. So, I took A, which is the easiest of them all (goes A-E for me), and then had to eat my words when my score went down in practice test B. EB, I can hear the sigh of relief cause I was wrong.

2. Another hilarious question-related anecdote. In the response for a social psych question related to foot-in-the-door vs. door-in-the-face, it stated "The foot-in-the-door is like the camel's toe in the tent." Apparently that is a saying somewhere, but I was loving the fact that it said camel's toe...juvenile, I know. :)

3. Another EB classic. She brought to my attention that there is yet another option for practice tests, this time from the ASPPB. They have the option to take a 100-item test at the Prometric center that is like a trial run. It's about $100, which isn't too bad if you are really sweating this thing. Also, they offer a 100-item downloadable electronic practice test that mimics the real thing and costs $50. These are both through ASPPB. I pasted the description of them below in case you are like me, and just want easy access.

I hope to have more ridiculous questions/responses from the practice tests next week to share. Good studying!!!

From the ASPPB:

Do You Want to Practice the EPPP?
The Association of State and Provincial
Psychology Boards (ASPPB) offers two
different computer-delivered practice
tests for the Examination for Professional
Practice in Psychology (EPPP), the
licensing examination required by psychology licensing boards in Canada and the United States: The PEPPP at Prometric testing centers, and the PEPPPO available online.
The PEPPP and the PEPPPO are different examinations. They have no items in common with each other, so one may take either or both, depending on preparation needs.
The items on both the PEPPP and the PEPPPO are drawn from the EPPP item bank and have been prepared using the same procedures as items selected for use on the actual EPPP.
ELIGIBILITY
To take either of the practice examinations, an individual must be preparing for psychology licensure, and must attest to meeting at least one of the following eligibility requirements by being:

A student in a doctoral psychology program; or
A student in a master's psychology program in a state or province that grants a license,
certification or registration for master's-trained individuals; or
An individual with a degree that qualifies him or her to take the EPPP; or
A candidate for licensure as a psychologist.
THE PEPPP
The 100-item computer administered Practice Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (PEPPP) offers individuals a chance to practice answering examination questions under real-world testing conditions at a Prometric Testing Center. Candidates will experience navigating the exam with the actual test administration program, and will receive immediate feedback on their performance. This is an excellent way to get a preview of the physical characteristics of the chosen Prometric Testing Center, including lighting, temperature, noise level, parking issues, etc.
PEPPP Fees
The fees for the PEPPP are a $50, non-refundable test fee, plus a test center fee of $51.50 that must be paid by credit card at the time a practice-test appointment is scheduled with Prometric. Thus the total fee for taking the PEPPP at a Prometric Testing Center is $101.50.
Applying for the PEPPP
You may register for the PEPPP online at www.asppb.net/student, through the same online application center where you register for the EPPP. When your application is accepted, you will receive an Authorization-to-Test letter by email. This letter will provide you with a registration number and the phone number of the Prometric call center,
Prices for publications and services listed in the booklet are subject to change.

Information for Candidates © July 2011

Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards

which you will then contact to schedule an appointment for testing. Examination appointments for the PEPPP are available Monday through Friday at more than 320 Prometric Testing Centers in the U.S. and Canada. Information on Prometric locations may be found on the web at http://www.Prometric.com. A single 100-item practice examination will be available.
PEPPP Scores
Candidates will receive immediate feedback on their performance on the PEPPP in the form of (1) an overall scaled score, and (2) part scores in percent format in a printed report. Candidates will not receive a copy of the practice exam content.
THE PEPPPO: INTERNET PRACTICE TEST
Another 100-item practice test is available as the Practice Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Online (PEPPPO). Candidates for this web-based examination can take a practice exam containing sample EPPP questions at the time and place of their choice with any computer that can connect to the Internet, using any browser, including Internet ExplorerTM and SafariTM.
PEPPPO Fees
The fee for the PEPPPO practice examination is $55.00 and is paid at the time of registration online at www.asppb.net/student. This is the same online application center where you register for the EPPP.
Taking the PEPPPO
Candidates can take the PEPPPO immediately after registering.
You can pause and exit Internet Explorer while taking the PEPPPO and return later to finish the practice exam, (enable cookies for the site) but you must complete the PEPPO within 48 hours of when you began taking it.
Word of Warning: You should only use the “Finish Exam and View Scores” option when you have completed the PEPPPO. There is no way to go back to the practice exam once you have clicked that option.
PEPPPO Scores
Candidates will receive immediate feedback on their performance on the PEPPPO in the form of (1) an overall scaled score, and (2) part scores in percent format. The score summary report is printable; however the practice exam content is not printable.
NOTE: Both practice examinations are offered for study purposes only. No representation is made that performance on the practice examinations is a valid indicator of performance on any future licensing examination or a guarantee of passage of such a licensing examination. An individual's score on the practice examination will not be accepted in lieu of the passage of an actual form of the EPPP. By taking these practice examinations, each individual acknowledges that he or she understands these limitations on the use of the examination.

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Monday, August 22, 2011

You gotta know when to hold em', know when to fold em.

Gambling...how appropriate for the EPPP. I feel some days that it's a totally crap shoot, thank you very much variable ratio schedule of reinforcement. But, I can't help but wonder lately, "When will I know when I'm ready?" Like sitting in front of the slot machine wondering, "Should I pull the lever again, or walk away?"

So, there are several "theories" floating around out there (see the EPPP Yahoo Group for many discussion threads on practice test thresholds and percentages), and most are related to scores on various practice tests. Makes sense, in a validity/predictor-criterion-type way. But, what level is enough? I've heard a lot of chatter about a high 60's threshold on the practice tests (particularly AATBS or AR) and passing with room on the real thing. This is congruent with what my friends and colleagues have reported as well. Some people say 80%, just to be safe, but I think they must be taking some pretty easy practice tests. If only there was a list of 10 things to recognize when you're ready?!?!

Ultimately, it is up to YOU (or me in this case). Well, and the state to which you apply if you are waiting for notification (in the throws of the third fingerprinting!). But, essentially you decide. Here's a protocol analysis of my decision making. ;)

1. My practice test scores are consistently good/much better.
2. I'm feeling saturated with information.
3. I'm running out of steam to learn/review written materials.
4. (Related to above) I can't stand to do anything but listen to the audio files and do practice test items.

There's probably more, but that's my process so far. When EB and MH get close, I'll be interested to hear how they "know".

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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Practice Test Musings (and shout outs)

Shout outs to start...

EB and MH are completely rocking it these past couple weeks with kick ass numbers for studying and MH with the first TSM practice test looking phenomenal. The tide is changing in a good way for us, ladies!

Now for the practice tests...

I had a pretty sweet morning, finishing the practice test and getting a 70.5-74% (I was missing some answers so I gave myself a range). I've moved to doing 25 questions at a time and then reviewing them, all while making a few notes along the way. It's working nicely as it doesn't seem too daunting and I get gratification along the way. SIDE-NOTE: Think I'm going to make some paper/pencil flashcards of my missed questions now that I'm rocking out the practice test questions. This is also due to my computer being shady and potentially not having access to my full electronic flashcard repertoire.

Since I've been hitting the practice tests pretty hard, I've noticed some things about the questions.

First are the convoluted, infuriating ones. EB and I talked earlier about the ridiculous Ethics questions (Re-regrouping & Self-efficacy works will fill you in), and I have found some of the most re-freaking-diculous responses that I must share.


None of these are right!?!?!


So if you're not sadistic, the real test-question writers sure are.

Contradictory, mixed bag, unsettled...all great for test questions.

It's somewhat entertaining, once you get past the rage. And, there are so many more prime examples of this that I had to stop taking pictures to save time.

Next, I found some funny ones, this was one of the best. I have seen another Star Wars reference in the practice tests too, and I can't help but think there is a 40-something year old mid-career guy out there having a little fun. :)

If I saw this come across on the real thing, I would have to exercise supreme self-control not to pick option D just to spite them. However, chances are I will not be able to spare the possibility for a "right" answer. More is the pity.

Okay, that's all for my practice test musings for tonight. Hope this brought a little smile and some relief to those permanently furrowed brows we're all developing.

Good studying!

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Thursday, August 11, 2011

Self-efficacy works. True story.

(Thank you, Bandura...and Rosie.)

Yes, we can!

For those of us (me!) who are in a bit of a slump and wishing we (I) never had to see another flashcard/outline/quiz again, this is for us (me).

After a much-needed pep-talk session with EB (see Re-regrouping), I decided to focus my studying on an area where I had some street cred before I took out the studying equivalent of shark repellent and dove into I/O. Great idea, Batman! I got out the Research/Stats materials and today I feel like I could save Gotham from the evil nemesis, EPPP. Translation--I got a shot of self-efficacy from reviewing materials that were already a fair strength and it made me feel good.

Newsflash: self-efficacy works.

I'm awesome.

Here's my recommendation for the day. When you are planning your study strategy (or re-planning, re-replanning, etc), put some self-efficacy building materials in there. Take a break from the toughest stuff and give yourself a task that is challenging, but only optimally, to get that self-efficacy boost. It has been especially helpful in the lowest of low morale/motivation times. I feel like I have a little more 'mo now, which I will take any which way I can get it. :)

Good luck out there, fellow superheroes!

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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Re-regrouping

Definitely had some bumps in the studying road in the past couple of weeks. Sickness, birthday amotivation, traveling/conferencing...these things are not helping my cause! But, I liaisoned (though this is not a word, I'm keeping it here) with my team (MH, EB) this week and I'm feeling better and ready to re-regroup.

Things I have surmised (with the help of others):
1. Time to cut my losses and focus on the most important areas. Translation: bye-bye I/O, hello Research/Stats and Test Construction. Agree with EB, this is where I can benefit the most from reviewing the written materials as I have learned it once (or a thousand times) already and it will be easier to relearn. Also, content is more intuitive than I/O so best capacity for improving in this area.

2. Time to get to those practice tests! I have been slacking on this, big-time. I've only been doing 50 questions here or there on different tests and need to chip away at one test at a time and complete it. Toying with the idea of doing 25 questions a day (at least) just to make sure I'm doing it this way.

3. There are areas where I will not learn anything else from reviewing content. EB and I had this discussion about Ethics. I feel like I know the content (i.e., ethics code), but am struggling more in the application. Best way to practice this seems to be the test questions, and just getting more and more exposure to the convoluted and complex ways in which I am supposed to be able to apply these ethical code tenets.

4. Fingerprints suck. I just got notified that my fingerprints have been rejected for the second time. There has to be a lesson in this. Oregon was dumbfounded when they learned that the police offices aren't doing these anymore and that they haven't done ink in CA for over 5 years. So, I'm putting myself in the hands of people who work at places like Postal Annex, to be able to discern if ink fingerprints are good. Plus, Oregon called me and chatted about it and we have a plan!

5. Mixed methods. Even though I am learning a lot through the review-written-materials-and-make-flashcards method, the amount of material I have to review by flashcards is growing. Some of it will need to be cut out due to sheer volume. I've decided to just write notes about Research/Stats and Test Construction as I go along because it is easier than some to remember without flashcard review, and I can rely on test questions, the Exchange flashcards, and the audio files for these content areas. Plus, less questions on the EPPP overall than Clinical, Dx, Development, and L&B, which are the flashcards I need to keep reviewing.

Re-regrouping, here I come!

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