Keep that payoff coming and they are happy. Go figure. Sounds like that "E" word that rhymes with contortion.....Originally posted by NHPlanner
Keep that payoff coming and they are happy. Go figure. Sounds like that "E" word that rhymes with contortion.....
Yah, that's what I meant. Sorry!
I also happened upon the following quote on the AICP website:
If you let your AICP membership lapse and do not pay your full dues for more than four years (AICP, APA, and chapter dues) you will lose your AICP credential and will need to retake the exam in order to be reinstated. In addition, should your dues lapse for more than four years we will require that you sign over your first born; make pilgrimage to Mecca to build a shrine to AICP; and submit yourself to a public flogging by your AICP Regional Commissioner.
A word to the wise ain't necessary. It's the stupid ones that need the advice.
--Bill Cosby
Okay - I just took the exam and I would have to agree AND disagree with you. I disagree that all it did was test planning trivia. There was very little of that. There was very little of theory as well. Most of it were questions where there was no clear answer and the answer could have been dependant upon information that was not presented. I really don't see how you could prepare for this test, or how someone who passes (whether I do or not) could take the AICP credential as seriously distinguishing themselves within the planning profession. If I do pass I have half a mind to send my credential back to them.
During the test my emotions went fromto
and
and finally
My boss was on the AICP Exam Committee back in the early 1990's and tells me that when he was working on the Exam they had 5 different exams. So it would not suprise me if you got a different exam than did Cardnial or myself. Each test is different and each test taker knows different stuff. Maybe you got lucky and got a test of material you were familiar with.
For me. there waqs a lot of triviaI hate trivia
I took the AICP exam this past Monday. For the second time. Last time was in 2002 - the year results were delayed for almost a month extra while they "looked into some issue". I just barely missed passing then.
This time I studied my butt off. But what I failed to do was study and memorize census data. Six questions about specific info from the 1990 Census and 2000. As in "what was the percentage increase of whatever from 1990 to 2000"? Six of those! How does memorizing national census trends help me as a planner? Where I live and plan is COMPLETELY different from this kind of stuff! Do I know how to find census data? Yes, do I know what to do with census data, yes. Do I know how to manipulate data, yes. I can even download it into tables and make pretty presentations. And also download into ArcGIS and map it. Do I get points for all that? NO! I get 6 questions wrong because I didn't MEMORIZE the census!
And I hated the questions like these - which were on the 2002 exam also: what was this city known for? And it's something I didn't know in 2002 and I don't know in 2004. And there were 3 of those. ANd I didn't come across that stuff in any of the books I read. And I bought ALL the recommended AICP books. And the cd-rom. WHICH IS USELESS by the way - the cd-rom that is. I got it in 2002 and got it this year. It's the SAME questions. And last time not one question was on the exam, nor this time!
Do I sound bitter? Maybe. Do I think the exam tested me on being a good planner? When I have to know which part of the federal government wrote guidelines on historic preservation, which has nothing to do with what part of governement oversees the program - NO. You know, I think an essay exam might be better in a way. Honestly. At least that way I can demonstrate that I know detailed, comprehensive information. Not random, trivial drither.
But hopefully I passed. Walking out of there, I really had no idea honestly. I feel better than last time. And I didn't study last time. This time I studied a butt load. But I think maybe I needed to study more than a butt load - and they actually ask you that on the exam - how much is a butt load - it's 0.0078 acres incidentally.
Why did I want this stupid thing after my name? Poor self-esteem?
thanks for letting me vent. I'm really not this bitter. I'm actually a funny person when not faced with crappy, horribly written exams.
AAAMMEENN Brother (or sister, sorry I don't know your gender) I feel your pain and felt the same way when I left the testing center last week monday.
Now the wait. Anyone have any idea how soon we till get the results??
If I remember correctly, the last little splash screen at the end of the exam said 6-8 weeks. However, if AICP handles that like they did the application process this year it may actually be 68 weeks.Now the wait. Anyone have any idea how soon we till get the results??
A word to the wise ain't necessary. It's the stupid ones that need the advice.
--Bill Cosby
[shaking head] Ain't this organization great. Why is that employers and clients want to see these letters behing our names? It amazes me. [still shaking head and dropping head]
Took it, passed it, haven't thought about it since.
Had to ad my two cents - I took and passed the exam in 1997 and found it the worst standardized test I've ever taken - and I've taken quite a few. I came out with absolutely no idea if I had passed. I also found it excruciatingly boring. Of course, at that time it was not computerized - perhaps if I had had a flickering computer monitor to amuse me I would have found the whole experience more pleasant.
Not sure why I took it, or why I keep paying the dues. I guess I like having those 4 letters after my name.
By the way, I paid the test fees up front, and my employer (then a consulting firm) reimburst me after I passed. Talk about incentive to study!
You damn snivieling kids, back in my day the AICP was hard. They made you crawl under live barbed wire while they shot machinegun fire over our heads. We climbed a cliff with 60 lbs of Amatol on our backs, and then we had to speak perfect German so the Krauts wouldn't catch us and have us shot for spies. You punk kids and your damn soft lives piss me off.
Don't forget the altitude, snow and the cold.
Since you brought it up
Bob Dole was a Lt. in the 10th Mountain Division.
Some training was done at Camp Hale in Colorado.
Oddball
Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves?
Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?
Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
From Kelly's Heroes (1970)
Are you sure you're not hurt ?
No. Just some parts wake up faster than others.
Broke parts take a little longer, though.
From Electric Horseman (1979)
I also took the test this year, only waited over 20 years to get around to it. Prepared for nearly a year given the emphasis on textbook versus real life on the exam. I think I did okay. Getting tired of the wait however for results to come in so I called today. I was told that the results will be available in Mid July.
Ten weeks to grade a computerized multiple choice test. Sounds about right for APA.I also took the test this year, only waited over 20 years to get around to it. Prepared for nearly a year given the emphasis on textbook versus real life on the exam. I think I did okay. Getting tired of the wait however for results to come in so I called today. I was told that the results will be available in Mid July.
Anyone want to adopt a dog?
I e-mailed them in Mid June and they too told me Mid-July, well it is almost Mid July and not results for me yet. Do you really think they will be out on time or will we have to wait until August?I was told that the results will be available in Mid July.
Well it depends on how much they want people's money. The application deadline for retaking the exam in November is July 21st.......
Actually I asked them about that when they told me that the results would be out in mid july. What I was told is that is for people who have not applied to take the exam, if you applies and were "accecpted" to take the exam in the spring you do not have to reapply to take the exam in the fall. The July 21st date is for applications, not registration, your application is good for 1 year..... I think.
I e-mailed them today, and heard back that they will be sending out results on the 19th.
Anyone want to adopt a dog?
Got my score today, passed. For those trying to make some sense of the scaled score, the following may help.
http://www.njapa.org/certification/aicp_scoring.html
Planning is much like acting, as my old theater professor used to say, "If you sin, sin boldly, only you know if you are ad libbing." I follow this adage almost daily.
HMM, and in English that means what?
Congrats on passing, I hope that when I go home for lunch my scores will be waiting for me.
Mine came in today and I also passed. Congratulations to everyone...just don't forget to get your check in the mail on time.
A word to the wise ain't necessary. It's the stupid ones that need the advice.
--Bill Cosby
Congratulations would be in order for you my former master…but you are now one of the dark side. :-P
“Ahh! Beer. So many choices. And it makes so little difference."
- Bender
Well the 55 equates to roughly about 108-110 questions correct out of the 150 on the exam. This is based upon the prep material saying we needed about 108 correct to pass. Basically you can scale your score from there to come up with a rough idea where you stood.
CONGRATS TO ALL WHO MADE IT PAST THIS HURDLE! :-}
Planning is much like acting, as my old theater professor used to say, "If you sin, sin boldly, only you know if you are ad libbing." I follow this adage almost daily.
With my move, I have no idea how long it will be until I see my mail. I notified APA of my change of address, but did they correct it for this? I tend to doubt it - after all, this is APA. Have they posted a list online?
Anyone want to adopt a dog?
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