Preparing for the AICP Exam |
AICP Exam Subject Matter Guide at http://www.planning.org/certification/subjectmatter.html
AICP Exam Preparation 2007 Presentation at http://www.planning.org/certification/pdf/07preppresentation.pdf
Other books at http://www.planning.org/certification/selectedread.html
Chapter Presidents Study Guide
AICP Exam Preparation Notes (Lee Slusser, AICP)
Study Groups
Practice multiple-choice questions in sample exams
Study question index cards
Work on speed
Context-based questions
Good night’s sleep
Dress in layers
Supplies: not allowed
Arrive early; case the room, take a breath
Read instructions carefully
Pace yourself
170 questions (150 will be scored) in 3.5 hours
Aim for 85 answers in first hour
Watch for negative questions
Watch for “weasel words” (most, least, unless, except, best, worst)
Short questions:
read question
answer in your head
look for answer that comes closest
if no clear choice, note the question and answer it, then flag the question to return to it later
Long questions:
read possible answers
look in statement for support
Scenario/Story
questions
Read
story fully one time through
Review
questions
Answer
immediately (do not want to come back and read story again)
No penalty for wrong answers—so as time comes to close, guess
“What is best”—least conflict, most appeasing
“What is the principle behind the question?”
Take a national perspective when answering the questions (rather than, “how we do it at my place”).
Last revised: 9/24/07 AJF