The Big Test of Planning Trivia

[NHPlanner]

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?

Perhaps checking the APA online membership directory.....I know that's how I found out initially that I passed in 2001, before I got the mailing my info in the online directory had been updated.

[lec9496]

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?

I also passed and congratulations to everyone else who did.

As far as I know, there is no on-line list. I also moved after writing the exam. I updated my address with APA and emailed them about this because last time I moved, it took them about 7 months to start using my new address.

It turns out that my address had been updated right away this time. I changed it in early July so if you notified APA before then, your results should be sent to your new address.

Did anyone else notice that the score report is dated June but it took APA another 3 weeks to add their cover letter?

lec9496

[larlong]

Another planner in my office and I took the test. I passed but he didn't. Of course we got our notices in the mail on June 21, the deadline to register for the November exam! Now this guy has to wait another year to take the test. Is AICP being cruel or just ignorant by mailing out the test results a day too late to register for the November test?

[Chief Inspecteur]

After taking the test for the 3rd time it has been, once again, another dissapointing walk back from the mail box this past weekend. In 2001, with no study, I was short 4 points, Last year (studied vigorously) I was 3 points short. 2004 has been a complete disaster finishing 11 points short (studied like hell, I thought). I don't mind sharing this information because I'm an accomplished Land Planner who has practiced in the private sector in Ohio and Florida for over 15 years. I am a senior staff member in our firm and according to the salary poll the APA has conducted recently I fall into the near top 75th percentile for annual salary.
The testing center this year was much more comfortable and accessable than ever and I trust there were no glitches in the scoring. But like others have said the test reads like an almanac or trivia book and many, if not most questions seemed to have multiple correct answers. Most of the materials the APA and my local chapter supplied me with (and my employer was good enough to compensate me for) were useless (OVER $300).
What has been most disheartening is that the certification or the exam has, in my opinion, little to offer the planner working outside of the public sector, specifically with private land development firms. Design skills, research, sales/marketing and necessary knowledge of basic civil engineering and landscape architecture (isn't this where it all began with Burnham, Wright, et al?) is all necessary, I believe, in the overall scope of planning.
The achronym following the name would be nice and provide a little more prestige, but won't necessarily be the end-all for this planner. My only regret is that I didn't take the test pre-'97 when it seem like everyone was getting through. I know the AICP is presently going through some growing pains and down the road, after the the test is possibly reassessed (again) and becomes a little more standardized (P.E. and P.S.'s would be having a FIT if this was going on in their "world"), I'll probably give it one more shot. In the end, my allegence should probably be to ULI, since they are more design and market based. But until the States license planners or any other certification is offered the AICP is the only 'game in town' .


I, also after studying approximately 340 s.f. of material, walked out of the Sarasota Sylvan Learning center numb and having absolutely no idea how i did. I never remember having that feeling in college, ever. Even after a 3 hour essay exam. As subjective as this test is becoming maybe having the second half essay is in the works. God help us!
And as for the census, as you know where we live those numbers are virtually useless. Housing starts is my only gauge.
Good luck and hope you passed. I didn't. (see my response in this thread)

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.

[imaplanner]

.


I, also after studying approximately 340 s.f. of material, walked out of the Sarasota Sylvan Learning center numb and having absolutely no idea how i did.

I felt the same way. And to make matters worse - I still have no idea how I did because AICP/APA apparantly lost my results or something. I still have not recieved my results. I called them and they said that they sent the results out, and if I didn't recieve them too bad. They said they would send the results again and I still have yet to recieve anything. And of course they told me that the only way they can give me my results is through the mail.

[Cardinal]

I felt the same way. And to make matters worse - I still have no idea how I did because AICP/APA apparantly lost my results or something. I still have not recieved my results. I called them and they said that they sent the results out, and if I didn't recieve them too bad. They said they would send the results again and I still have yet to recieve anything. And of course they told me that the only way they can give me my results is through the mail.

I received mine yesterday, the 29th, after they were "mailed on the 16th."

Oh, I passed.

[sisterceleste]

I was told that these are two of the questions on the exam...

question 425

If a planner is sitting at a computer taking the AICP exam and the monitor starts to flicker on and off. What would be the ethical thing to do:

a) Pick up the monitor and through it at the front of the room
b) Beat the monitor with a chair
c) Call your supervisor to ask him/ her what should be done
d) Consult your local ordinance to see if it is in violation

question 426

A home owner in a single family residential district is running a petting zoo / brothel. Your inspection uncovers that he does not have a home occupancy permit, agricultural permit, parking permit, or a permit to house exotic animals and body oils in the same structure. If you close down the petting zoo / brothel, the home owner will not be able to afford to make payments on the house or pay their taxes and the animals will be sold off at auction. What would be the ethical thing to do?

a) Close down the illegal business, and let all the animals run free
b) Quit your job and run for office
c) Call your supervisor to ask him/ her what should be done
d) Consult your local ordinance to see if it is in violation

Doesn't work that simple...Questions say:
a & c
b,c&d
etc.

My advice to the taker:
skip the long, stupid mind boggling questions and come back to them at the end, and give them a try, if you run out of time, mark something...leave no answer unmarked!!! Good luck! My favorite question when I took it was: What state has and uses the most geo-thermal energy???? Alaska, Hawaii, etc, etc, Darn if I know!!!!!

That's great, Cardinal.. Now you are the A$$hole in Charge of Planning (AICP) like the rest of us.

[JNA]

....
you are the A$$hole in Charge of Planning (AICP)....

Thanks -
:-P Always wanted to know what AICP really stood for other then $$$ paid in dues.

[Richmond Jake]

(snip).... A$$hole in Charge of Planning (AICP) ....(snip)

That's good....haven't seen that one.


BTW, congrats to those who got the right score. Now, don't the the check bounce.

[ludes98]

I checked my application status today and I am taking the November exam. Whoo hoo. More money more money more money....Oh that's right I don't pay for it and most job postings here state "AICP preferred." :rolleyes: