The journey of taking the CAP's test began for me last year when I began looking for a CAP's class to help me prepare for the test since I have not taken a test of this nature in a very long time.  I work for the Tennessee Department of Correction as an Executive Secretary to the Warden and felt getting my certification would help me grow in my profession, so I  enrolled in a class last December to sit for the March test, and the class was very expensive and not very helpful.  I sat for the March 2016 test and missed passing the test by six points..  I called the IAAP and got lots of good information to start the next leg of taking the test again.  I have enrolled in a new class, and I wish I had found this one for my first go around. 

Oh Lisa, I am so sorry you didn't pass in March, but I'm so glad that you are going for it again and that I get to share the journey! It's time to kick this exam's butt!!!

Marie

Sorry to hear you did not pass the test. However, I'm glad to learn you are trying again. Failure makes us stronger. Go for it; you can do it!

Lisa, sorry to hear you didn't pass. Don't feel like you are alone in that regard. It has happened to others before you. The good news is you are not giving up. Kudos to you. If you are looking for a quick way to review and prepare, check out the flashcards available at horizonpresentations.com. The set includes over 600 sheets of digital cards and lots of other tools. I would be glad to share the interactive trivia review game with you if you are interested. You can contact me through the Website of by e-mail at bshawCAP@comcast.net

Brenda K. Shaw, M.S. Ed., CAP-OM
President, Horizon Presentations.

It appears that this exam is quite difficult. You have to spend a great deal of time preparing and it is expensive. There are not a lot of companies that are willing to pay the cost to sit for the exam, so I have to pace myself because not only do I have to purchase the study materials, I have to pay the fee for taking the exam.

I think the exam should be difficult in order to make the certification worthwhile. I have seen many companies willing to pay for it, though unfortunately I have seen many that won't pay for any development of their administrative staff as well.

But yes, if someone is going to pay for it themselves, they definitely should try to pace themselves and save up for it.

I agree that the exam should not be so easy that everyone passes it the first time. I know from experience that some of us are better test takers than others; I fall into the text anxiety group and always have. Yes, I have worked on that.

Many of you have seen my comments in the past where I have shared I'm from the six-part, two-day exam that involved note taking and transcription. Back in those days the exam was offered once a year (May) and the average number of sittings to pass was three. I was average. I passed three parts the first year, two parts the second year, and finally the last part in the third year. I learned a lot in those years. I also paid fo all the testing out of my own pocket because I was investing in me.

I'm still investing in me because I continue to recertify and keep my certification active. We all make our decisions based on our circumstances but I do hope everyone interested in certification finds a way to do it.

@Lisa Johnson,
I know it must've been heartbreaking to learn that you did not pass the CAP in March and it's also disheartening to know that you paid a lot of money for a study group that you feel was not that good and didn't help you in your study efforts.

However, when you sit again for the exam in a few weeks, I'm sure you'll remember a lot from just taking the test 6 months ago! I'm sure you'l feel much better with your knowledge and that you CAN CONQUER AND PASS THIS TEST!

I sat for the CAP in March and will be sitting for the OM in a few weeks. In my study group with Marie Herman, I'm finding that a lot of information is repeated/reenforced from the CAP study material. I'm not feeling quite so overwhelmed with the OM as I was with the CAP and I think it's because the material is familiar and still "fresh" in my brain.

Let's go get these tests! WE GOT THIS! :-)

Kathy Whelan

Hello,

 

I want to purchase the CAP flash cards, but my concern is they have not been updated for the 2017 test.  Where can I purchase CAP flash cards for 2017 test prep.  I can't seem to find any.

 

Thank You

Yolaunda

 

 

Lisa, I am sorry you didn't pass the March exam, but I really hope you were successful in September! It is a very difficult test, but like Marie said, the certification is worthwhile if it is difficult. I studied with Marie for my OM a couple of years ago, and I truly hope she was as helpful to you as she was to me.