1 / 54

2006 SNEAPA AICP Exam Preparation

2006 Southern New England Planning Conference AICP Exam Preparation New Haven, CT September 28, 2006 Lynn Duncan, AICP John D. Pagini, AICP. 2006 SNEAPA AICP Exam Preparation. Agenda Why AICP? AICP Eligibility Requirements Exam Registration Process Test Scheduling Exam Overview

vesta
Download Presentation

2006 SNEAPA AICP Exam Preparation

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. 2006 Southern New England Planning ConferenceAICP Exam PreparationNew Haven, CTSeptember 28, 2006Lynn Duncan, AICPJohn D. Pagini, AICP

  2. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Agenda • Why AICP? • AICP Eligibility Requirements • Exam Registration Process • Test Scheduling • Exam Overview • Exam Elements • Exam Preparation Material • Test Taking Tips

  3. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Why AICP? • Nationally-recognized professional standard • Establishes credibility with peers and potential employers • Employment advantage • Level above partisan / political field • Code / standard of ethical behavior • Sometimes additional $

  4. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Eligibility Requirements • Current member of APA • Be engaged in professional planning, currently or in the past. • Have completed, at the time of application submission, a specific combination of education and experience. • Must provide confirmation of degree and job verification from each employer.

  5. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Eligibility Requirements Level of Education Experience • Accredited graduate degree in planning 2 years • Accredited bachelors degree in planning 3 years • Non-accredited graduate degree in planning 3 years • Any other degree 4 years • No college degree 8 years

  6. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Eligibility Requirements Professional Planning Experience • Influencing public decision making in the public interest • Employing an appropriately comprehensive point of view • Applying a planning process appropriate to the situation • Involving a professional level of responsibility and resourcefulness

  7. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Eligibility Requirements Types of work NOT generally considered professional experience: • Subdivision design • Site design work • Traffic engineering • Land surveying or mapping • Community organization or social work. • Work at a pre-professional level • Elected and appointed officials

  8. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Registration Process • One Step Process - one form, one fee • Register and submit fee at www.planning.org/certification • Deadline about 2 months in advance • Fee - $425 • Education and employer verification still required

  9. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Registration Process Reduced Fee Scholarship • 2006: MA – 2 • CT – 1 • RI – 1 • Fee for first time applicants - $120 • If previously approved – Fee $60 • Difference will be promptly refunded if approved for the scholarship after submitting the registration fee

  10. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Registration Process Reduced Fee Scholarship – Eligibility Criteria • Applicant shall submit a written explanation of financial hardship   • Criteria • Members of ethnic or racial minorities shall be given preference • The applicant(s) selected will be otherwise unlikely to take the exam without the reduced fee • The applicant’s employer will not subsidize the exam fee

  11. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Registration Process GI Bill • Military veterans (and their surviving dependents) who are also approved AICP applicants (meaning they have paid the registration fee to AICP and taken the exam), can now ask the Veterans Administration to reimburse them the fee.

  12. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Test Scheduling • Upon application approval, you are notified and sent info that includes exam prep resources • AICP forwards your name to test administrator (Thomson Prometric) • E-mail confirmation by AICP • Thomson Prometric issues Authorization to Test (ATT) 6 weeks before testing window

  13. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation About the Computer-based Exam • Thomson Prometric Test Centers: • MA: 6 • CT: 3 • RI: 1 • Two testing windows – May and November – 12 days each • Exam results – same day • Computer-based tutorial on web site.

  14. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation About the Computer-based Exam & Test Center 2006/7 Testing Windows: • November, 2006: • Registration Deadline: September 7, 2006 • Testing Window: November 6-20, 2006 • May, 2007: TBA

  15. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam PreparationAbout the Computer-based Exam & Test Center On-line tutorial: http://www.planning.org/ tutorial/index.htm

  16. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation About the Computer-based Exam • Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled appt. • 2 Forms of ID (Passport, driver’s license, SSA Card, etc [see Bulletin]) • Name on ID must match name on your ATT

  17. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation About the Computer-based Exam • Escort to Workstation • Calculator Provided • Scratch paper provided • Bring a watch • Do NOT bring books or reference materials

  18. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation About the Computer-based Exam • Testing appointment – 4 hours • 3 ½ hours for 170 questions • 20 questions are pre-test and do not count • 30 minutes for brief tutorial and brief questionnaire at end • Narrative, scenario and judgment questions

  19. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation About the Computer-based Exam • Positive experience • System easy to use • Computers were fast enough that it did not take long for questions to appear • Easier and quicker to go back to questions • Test environment comfortable; Parametrics people helpful • Easy to concentrate in cubicles • Personalized

  20. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Test Taking Tips • Plan to go through the exam twice • First, go through the exam and answer all the “easy” questions. • Take notes on scrap paper for questions you cannot immediately answer and go on at once to next question. • After first run through take a breath! • Go through second time and answer all questions. • Enter your best guess – no penalty

  21. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Test Taking Tips Multiple choice question example: Which of the principles of the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct are applicable to instances of sexual harassment?

  22. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation I. A planner must not commit a deliberately wrongful act, which reflects adversely on the planner’s professional fitness. II. A planner must respect the rights of others and must not discriminate. III. A planner must have special concern for the long-range consequences of present actions. A. I and II B. I, II, and III C. I and III D. II and III

  23. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Study Tips • Start early and continue to refresh • Flash card for rote knowledge • Memorize significant dates and events • Take practice tests

  24. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Study Tips • Know current trends • Read current material – i.e. Planning Magazine and JAPA • Study the AICP Code of Ethics, including procedures • Focus on citizen participation issues • U.S. Census – Go to www.census.gov

  25. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Exam Overview • Shift since 2000 - AICP slowly and deliberately shifting the focus to be more oriented to testing the application of planning knowledge and experience • Reduced emphasis on rote memorization of facts and figures • More decision making on the part of examinees

  26. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Exam Overview • Great breadth of subject matter, not depth • Test knowledge and skills • Knowledge – 40% - history, law, ethics, land use, etc. • Skills – 60% - demonstrate ability to work within a planning process, formulate goals, recognize appropriate quantitative research methods, etc. • Many questions require professional judgment, intermixed with technical knowledge

  27. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Exam Overview • Need familiarity with the public planning process: planners’ roles; responsibilities of planning commissions and zoning boards; zoning and decision making; public hearing process; citizen participation • “What would you do” planning process questions • Emphasis on agency management; policy and decision making; citizen participation; and ethics

  28. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Outline of Exam Subject Matter I. History, Theory and Law [15%] A. History of planning, including legal decisionsB. Theory of planning C. Patterns of human settlement

  29. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Outline of Exam Subject Matter II. Emerging Issues and Trends [10%] A. Social, economic, demographic, and technological trends B. Current topics (e.g., smart growth, neo- traditional, sustainable development)

  30. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Outline of Exam Subject Matter III. Plan Making (methods, strategies, and techniques) [20%] A. Strategic planning/visioningB. Goal settingC. Survey research methods and data collection D. Organizing, analyzing, and reporting information E. DemographicsF. Information systems (GIS,MIS)G. Fiscal impact analysis

  31. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Outline of Exam Subject Matter IV. Functional Topics [20%] A. Natural resources and environmental qualityB. Land useC. Infrastructure (e.g., water, sewer, power, telecommunications)D. EnergyE. Public services (e.g., public safety, education, human services)F. Transportation

  32. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Outline of Exam Subject Matter IV. Functional Topics [20%](Cont’d) G. RecreationH. Economic development and revitalization plansI. Historic preservationJ. Urban designK. HousingL. Neighborhood issuesM. Rural and small town planning

  33. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Outline of Exam Subject Matter V. Plan Implementation [20%] A. Land use regulationsB. Application of legal principles (e.g., takings, aesthetics, etc.) C. Environmental impact analysisD. Growth management techniquesE. Budgets and public finance (including capital improvementprograms)

  34. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Outline of Exam Subject Matter V. Plan Implementation [20%] (cont’d) F. Plan and development project review (including maps, site plans, and design review)G. Program evaluationH. Communications skills, including public presentationsI. Intergovernmental relationsJ. Project and program management

  35. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Outline of Exam Subject Matter VI. Code of Ethics, Public Participation, and Social Justice [15%] A. AICP Code of Ethics B. Multi-cultural and gender issuesC. Public participationD. Negotiation and coalition building

  36. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Exam-related Information: • Web site for exam-related information: http://www.planning.org/certification/ index.htm • Questions: AICPexam@planning.org

  37. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Preparing for the Exam Resources through APA • AICP Exam Tutorial www.planning.org/tutorial/index.htm • Selected readings – APA web site • Top Planning Stories www.planning.org/ 25anniversary/topstories.htm • Outstanding Planning Articles www.planning.org/25anniversary/ planningarticles.htm • Planning magazinewww.planning.org/planning/nonmember/

  38. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Preparing for the Exam Resources through APA • History timeline at www.planning.org/pathways/ • The Smart Growth Reader www.planning.org/sgreader • The Affordable Housing Reader www.planning.org/affordablereader

  39. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam PreparationPreparing for the Exam CPC Study Manual

  40. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam PreparationPreparing for the Exam AICP Exam Prep 1.0

  41. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Preparing for the Exam AICP Exam Prep 1.0 – Contents • AICP Exam “How to” • Additional Resources (cases, planning law, planning stories, etc.) • APA Policy Guides • Ethics • AICP Exam Prep Notes • Study Questions

  42. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Preparing for the Exam Selected Readings Recommended by AICP • American Institute of Certified Planners: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct • Everyday Ethics for Practicing Planners (October 2001) • Comparison of Current Planning Theories: Counterparts and Contradictions • Planning Theory for Practitioners (2002) • Statistics: Cliff’s Quick Review (2001)

  43. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Preparing for the Exam Selected Readings Recommended by AICP (cont’d) • The Practice of Local Government Planning (3rd Edition, 2000) • Land Use in a Nutshell (4th edition, 2000) • Planning the Built Environment (2000) • Rural by Design (1994) • Redesigning Cities (2003)

  44. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Preparing for the Exam Selected Readings Available to CT Planners for Reference Only • American Institute of Certified Planners: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct • Everyday Ethics for Practicing Planners (October 2001) • Planning Theory for Practitioners (2002) • The Practice of Local Government Planning (3rd Edition, 2000) • Land Use in a Nutshell (4th edition, 2000) • Redesigning Cities (2003)

  45. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation Preparing for the Exam Non-APA Resources • Planning Prep: www.planning prep.com • Institute of Continuing Planning Education: www.icpeweb.com - Self Study Guide • Planetizen - on line http://www.planetizen.com/courses/aicp • Michael Waiczis study materials • Ohio State University: Planning Education @ a Distance - http://knowlton.osu.edu/ped/aicp.htm-

  46. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam PreparationPreparing for the Exam Non-APA Tutorials: Planning Education at a Distance: The Ohio State University http://knowlton.osu.edu/ped/

  47. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation MA Chapter Resources: • Annual 4-session exam prep course co-sponsored with Tufts University • Study group • CPC manual • SNEAPA Exam Prep - Fall • AICP exam reduced fee scholarship • Ethics Workshop at SNEAPA

  48. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation MA Chapter Professional Development Officer • Lynn Duncan, AICP lduncan@salem.com 978-745-9595 ext. 311 • http://www.massapa.org for AICP exam information

  49. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation CT Chapter Resources: • Annual Classroom – April • SNEAPA Exam Prep - Fall • Chapter President’s Council CD – N/C • 6 of “Select Readings” Recommending by AICP available in Meriden Public Library • AICP Exam Reduced Fee Scholarships • Annual Ethics Workshop at SNEAPA

  50. 2006 SNEAPAAICP Exam Preparation CT Chapter Professional Development Officer • John D. Pagini, AICP 846 Silver Street Coventry, CT 06238 860-742-7056 pagini@charter.net • www.ccapa.org for AICP exam and study material

More Related