AICP Exam Preparation Overview Kristin Kassner, AICP APA-MA Professional Development Officer Town of Burlington, MA Nancy E. Letendre, Esq. AICP RIAPA Professional Development Officer Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd. John D. Pagini, AICP CCAPA Professional Development Officer Land Use Planner Worcester, MA October 17, 2013
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APA-MA Professional Development OfficerTown of Burlington, MA
Nancy E. Letendre, Esq. AICP RIAPA Professional Development Officer
Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd.
John D. Pagini, AICP CCAPA Professional Development Officer
Land Use Planner
Worcester, MAOctober 17, 2013
Overview Agenda Why AICP? AICP Eligibility Requirements Exam Registration Process Test Scheduling Exam Overview Exam Elements Exam Preparation Material Test Taking Tips CM Program Overview
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Why AICP?
Nationally-recognized professional standard
Establishes credibility with peers and potential employers
Employment advantage Level above partisan / political field Code / standards of ethical behavior Sometimes additional $
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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.
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Eligibility Requirements
Level of EducationExperience
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
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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
One Step Process - one form, one fee Register and submit fee at
www.planning.org/certification Deadline about 2 months in advance Fee - $495 (application & exam fee) Education and employer verification still
required
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Registration Process
Reduced Fee Scholarship 2012:
◦ MA – 2◦ CT – 1◦ RI – 1
Fee for first time applicants - $135 If previously approved – Fee $65 Difference will be promptly refunded if
approved for the scholarship after submitting the registration fee
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Registration Process
GI Bill Fee
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. fee.
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Who Conducts the Exam?What is Exam Format?
Thomson Prometric, on behalf of AICP Computer-based Format
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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
Attempt to schedule exam appointment at www.prometric.com at least 48 hours before test window
If attempt fails, call Candidate Service Call Center (CCSC) at 800-796-9853
Confirm that you are taking Comprehensive Planning Examination (CPE)
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Scheduling Your Appointment / Cancellation Requirements
Have your ATT on hand when making Appt.
You will be assigned a confirmation # See cancellation requirements, “no show”
fees, & transfer procedures to next testing window in the Bulletin
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
About the Computer-based Exam
Escort to Workstation Calculator Provided Scratch paper provided Bring a watch Do NOT bring books or reference materials
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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 The exam will contain new questions developed
during the 2013 “refresh” The exam will contain questions based on the
2010 census
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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; Prometrics people
helpful Easy to concentrate in cubicles Personalized
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Test Taking Tips
Plan to go through the exam 2-3 times First, go through the exam and answer all the
“easy” questions. Mark 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 – or a third time for the really tough ones.
Enter your best guess – there is no penalty
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
The industry classification system that replaced the U.S. Standard IndustrialClassification (SIC) system is:
(A) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).(B) The North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) The New Standard(C) Industrial Classification system (NSIC)(D) None of the above.
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
The industry classification system that replaced the U.S. Standard IndustrialClassification (SIC) system is:
(A) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).(B) The North American Industry Classification (B) The North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) The New StandardSystem (NAICS) The New Standard(C) Industrial Classification system (NSIC)(D) None of the above.
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
Which of the following court cases are concerned with takings?
I. Nollan v. California Coastal CommissionII. Associated Homebuilders v. City of LivermoreIII. First English Evangelical Lutheran Church v.
County of Los AngelesIV. Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council
(A) I only(B) I and II(C) I and III(D) I, III, and IV
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
Which of the following court cases are concerned with takings?
I. Nollan v. California Coastal CommissionII. Associated Homebuilders v. City of LivermoreIII. First English Evangelical Lutheran Church v.
County of Los AngelesIV. Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council
(A) I only(B) I and II(C) I and III(D) I, III, and IV(D) I, III, and IV
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
Which of the principles of the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct are applicable to instances of sexual harassment?
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 IIB. I, II, and IIIC. I and IIID. II and III
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
Which of the principles of the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct are applicable to instances of sexual harassment?
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 IIB. I, II, and IIIB. I, II, and IIIC. I and IIID. II and III
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
Between July, 2005 and July, 2006, the population of which state grew by almost 580,000, more than any other state?
A. TexasB. NevadaC. ArizonaD. California
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
Between July, 2005 and July, 2006, the population of which state grew by almost 580,000, more than any other state?
A. Texas*A. Texas*B. NevadaC. ArizonaD. California
* Texas's population surged because of an influx of displaced people from Louisiana following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
This Supreme Court decision removed the "substantially advances" test for takings cases:
A. Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926) B. Agins v. City of Tiburon (1980) C. Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council (1992)D. Lingle v. Chevron USA (2005)
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Sample Question:
This Supreme Court decision removed the "substantially advances" test for takings cases:
A. Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926) B. Agins v. City of Tiburon (1980) C. Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council (1992) D.D. Lingle v. Chevron USA (2005) *Lingle v. Chevron USA (2005) *
* Agins v. Tiburon had created the "substantially advances" test, but Lingle v. Chevron removed it
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Study Tips
Start early and continue to refresh Flash cards for rote knowledge Memorize significant dates and events Take practice tests
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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
(November Exam is based on 2000 census. Beginning 11/13, exam will include 2010 census)
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
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
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject Matter
I. History, Theory and Law [15%]
A. History of PlanningB. Planning LawC. Theory of PlanningD. Patterns of human settlement
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject Matter
II. Plan Making and Implementation [30%]
A. Visioning & Goal-setting B. Quantitative and qualitative research
methodsC. Collecting, organizing, analyzing, and
reporting data and informationD. Demographics and economicsE. Natural & Built EnvironmentF. Land Use & development regulations
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject Matter
II. Plan Making and Implementation [30%] (cont’d)
G. Application of legal principlesH. Environmental analysisI. Growth management techniquesJ. Budgets & financing optionsK. GIS / spatial analysis and information
systemsL. Policy analysis and decision-making
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject Matter
II. Plan Making & Implementation [30%] (cont’d)
M. Development plan & project reviewN. Program evaluationO. Communications techniquesP. Intergovernmental relationshipsQ. Stakeholder RelationshipsR. Project & program management
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject Matter
III. Functional Areas of Practice [25%]
A. Community developmentB. Comprehensive or long range planningC. Development regulation or administrationD. Economic development & revitalizationE. Economic analysis & forecastingF. Educational, institutional, or military facilities
planning
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject Matter
III. Functional Areas of Practice [25%] (cont’d)
G. Energy policyH. Food system planningI. Growth managementJ. Hazard mitigation & disaster planningK. Historic preservationL. Housing
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject MatterOutline of Exam Subject Matter
III. Functional Areas of Practice [25%] (cont’d)
M. InfrastructureN. Labor force or employmentO. Land useP. Natural resources & the environmentQ. Parks, open space, and recreationR. Planning law
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject MatterOutline of Exam Subject Matter
III. Functional Areas of Practice [25%] (cont’d)
S. Policy planningT. Public servicesU. Social & health servicesV. TransportationW. Urban design
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject MatterOutline of Exam Subject Matter
IV. Spatial Areas of Practice [15%]
A. Planning at national levelB. Planning for multi-state or bi-state regionsC. Planning for stateD. Planning for sub-state regionE. Planning at county levelF. Planning for urban areasG. Planning for suburban areas
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject MatteOutline of Exam Subject Matter
IV. Spatial Areas of Practice [15%] (cont’d)
H. Planning for small townI. CorridorsJ. NeighborhoodsK. WaterfrontsL. Historic districts or areasM. Downtowns
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject MatterOutline of Exam Subject Matter
V. Public Participation & Social Justice [10%]
A. Public involvement planningB. Public participation techniquesC. Identifying, engaging, and serving underserved groupsD. Social justice issues, literature, & practice.E. Working with diverse communitiesF. Coalition Building
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Outline of Exam Subject MatterOutline of Exam Subject Matter
VI. AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct [5%]
planning stories, etc.) APA Policy Guides Ethics AICP Exam Prep Notes Study Questions
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Preparing for the ExamPreparing for the Exam
On the Horizon for 2014:
Significant Changes in Study Media
Elimination of AICP Exam Prep 2.0 Replacement with comprehensive
webcasts which will cover all the functional areas of practice in depth
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Preparing for the ExamPreparing for the Exam
Selected Readings Recommended by AICP
APA General Reference Books◦ Dalton, Linda, Charles Hoch, and Frank So (eds.). 2000.
The Practice of Local Government Planning. Washington, D.C.: ICMA.
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Preparing for the ExamPreparing for the Exam
Selected Readings Recommended by AICP
APA General Reference Books◦ American Planning Association (ed.). 2006. Planning and
Urban Design Standards. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons.
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Preparing for the ExamPreparing for the Exam
Selected Readings Recommended by AICP APA General References
◦ Planning magazine (in print, or http://www.planning.org/planning/)
◦ Journal of the American Planning Association (in print or http://www.planning.org/japa/ )
◦ PAS reports (in print or http://www.planning.org/pas/reports/ )◦ Planning & Environmental Law (in print or
http://www.planning.org/pel/ )◦ Policy Guides (
http://www.planning.org/policy/guides/index.htm )
AICP Exam Preparation Overview
Preparing for the ExamPreparing for the Exam
Selected Readings Recommended by AICP
APA General Reference Books – 7
I. History, Theory and Law - 9II. Plan Making & Implementation - 11III. Functional Areas of Practice - 12IV. Spatial Areas of Practice - 8V. Public Participation & Social Justice - 9VI. AICP Code of Ethics & Professional
Ethics and Law credits CANNOT be carried over to the next reporting cycle.
Activities that do not qualify for CM Credit:◦ APA leadership business meetings◦ Mentoring activity◦ Volunteer activity◦ Teaching for salary, fee, or honorarium
Create a personal development plan: Attend national or regional APA conferences Attend state programs and brownbag lunches Present a CM-approved session (1 CM additional
credit) Ask your favorite providers to register their courses Participate in APA distance learning activities Check out APA chapter lending libraries Seek out university courses Distance learning: through CD-ROMs, podcasts,