AICP exam prep November 2009

[GreenBeetle]

I am planning to take the Nov 2009 AICP exam, along with other study materials I have AICP exam prep 1.0 version. I see the recommended version is 2.0, Does anyone know if the newer version is significantly different?

[HokiePlanner]

I didn't buy the official prep book so I'm not sure (I'm taking the test on Thursday and I'll let you know)

One thing that definitely has changed is the Green Bible. The older version of the Practice of Local Government Planning is much better for the exam than the new version (entitled "Local Planning"). Both are the best, of course, but they're pricey books.

[dvdneal]

I'm also planning on taking the test. If someone wants to get together in cyburworld and study or bounce questions around, it could help a lot.

[dandy_warhol]

Originally posted by HokiePlanner

I didn't buy the official prep book so I'm not sure (I'm taking the test on Thursday and I'll let you know)

One thing that definitely has changed is the Green Bible. The older version of the Practice of Local Government Planning is much better for the exam than the new version (entitled "Local Planning"). Both are the best, of course, but they're pricey books.

How is the older book better?

[tai_06]

Originally posted by HokiePlanner

I didn't buy the official prep book so I'm not sure (I'm taking the test on Thursday and I'll let you know)

One thing that definitely has changed is the Green Bible. The older version of the Practice of Local Government Planning is much better for the exam than the new version (entitled "Local Planning"). Both are the best, of course, but they're pricey books.

How was your test? Any tips?

[notabigcitygirl]

Originally posted by GreenBeetle

I am planning to take the Nov 2009 AICP exam, along with other study materials I have AICP exam prep 1.0 version. I see the recommended version is 2.0, Does anyone know if the newer version is significantly different?

I just passed the AICP exam last week and I used the AICP Exam Prep 1.0 plus Addendum, the older Green Book (The Practice of Local Government Planning), APA's Policy Guides, and many other random sources. I found the 1.0 version to be adequate.

I have the newer version of the Green Book, Local Planning: Contemporary Prinicples of Local Planning book, and it is organized in such a way that it is more difficult to study. I preferred the Green Book for ease of use.

Good luck!

[HokiePlanner]

I agree with notabigcitygirl, the new Local Planning book is not organized in a way conducive to studying for the test. It does give a good overview of a variety of planning topics, but I didn't buy it for that: I bought it to prep for the test. It's like they completely changed the purpose of the book: it used to be a primer for local government planners: now it's an overview of the entire urban planning field.

It's a good book for someone taking a 100 level Intro to Urban and Regional Planning course but not for an educated professional studying for a big exam. Without getting too specific lest the AICP spies hunt me down, I'd say that there was maybe 1 question on the entire exam where I found the answer in the Local Planning Book. That's $80 or however much it costs per question.

The study guides from the various state planning websites and the chapter presidents manual are much more valuable. Also, don't neglect refreshing yourself on best practices in your own field. I went into the test expecting a ton of questions on all the stuff I studied for only to find quite a few questions directed at my specific job experience (which was amusing as it illustrated how suburban planning is so NOT a best practice).

I only had access to excerpts of older versions of the Green Bible, but I recommend them over the new Local Planning book.

Also, I scored rather high without using any of the AICP exam prep guides, but I probably would have been a lot more comfortable in the leadup had I bit the bullet and purchased them. Finally, take any review course that contains practice exams. They were crucial.

[dvdneal]

When it comes to the test, I've been told by a few people that it is sometimes overloaded on one section, or one section may only have 1 or 2 questions. They just tell me to know everything when I take it because you never know what version of the test you may get.

I'll just keep going with my older green book and the 1.0 version of the notes.

[beach_bum]

My co-worker just took it and was telling me the test has gotten harder, but less ethics overall...she had taken the past 3 exams and just passed. I am a little worried about the November exam because the review book from APA was supposed to come out in April and never did...prior to this past exam window. Do you think they are planning another overhaul?

[eltipo]

I passed. I relied on the Pennyslvania Chapter of the APA's study guides. They are free and very comprehensive. They also have a sample test that is more aimed at testing history and planning law cases. They do not really provide scenario questions.

Link: http://www.planningpa.org/career_aicp.shtml

I did not go to any sessions, pay for any prep guides or buy any new books. If you have the "City Reader" you can get the bios of important contributors to the field in pretty short intro paragraphs to each article.

Good luck to you. I am glad it is over.

[dandy_warhol]

The application window for the Nov. 2009 test is now open.

Online application available: June 1, 2009
Early-Bird application deadline: June 14, 2009
Early-Bird verification deadline: June 28, 2009
Final Application deadline: July 9, 2009
Final verification deadline: July 23, 2009
Early-Bird notification deadline: August 10, 2009
Exam window: November 9-23, 2009

The window may be open but I can't find the link to the application! Mine is still linked to the Nov. 2008 exam!

[dvdneal]

Originally posted by eltipo

I passed. I relied on the Pennyslvania Chapter of the APA's study guides. They are free and very comprehensive. They also have a sample test that is more aimed at testing history and planning law cases. They do not really provide scenario questions.

Link: http://www.planningpa.org/career_aicp.shtml

I did not go to any sessions, pay for any prep guides or buy any new books. If you have the "City Reader" you can get the bios of important contributors to the field in pretty short intro paragraphs to each article.

Good luck to you. I am glad it is over.

thanks for the tip on PA, it looks like good stuff to study.

[beach_bum]

Originally posted by dandy_warhol

The window may be open but I can't find the link to the application! Mine is still linked to the Nov. 2008 exam!

Ah, it's available now, it wasn't earlier today...good ole APA, I guess the application opening date doesn't actually mean first thing in the morning

Anyways, I can't do this early bird thing due to our fiscal year starting July 1. Gotta get working on all my letters and education verification! We have 5 weeks!

[dandy_warhol]

WTH?? Is anyone else trying to make the Early Bird deadline? I am but am confusing myself in the process. They must've changed the application recently. My friend gave me a copy of her application (she tested and passed in Nov. 06). Her criteria is listed as:

• Criterion A: Influencing public decision making in the public interest
  
• Criterion B: Employing an appropriately comprehensive point of view
  
• Criterion C: Applying a planning process appropriate to the situation
  
• Criterion D: Involving a professional level of responsibility and resourcefulness

The Official Online Application has:

• *A - Apply a Planning Process Appropriate to the Situation
  
  Please examine the following sections (1, 2, 3) of professional planning content and address:
  
  * the extent your employment experience incorporates the knowledge and tasks outlined for that section
  * how you incorporate a professional urban and regional planning process in the areas you have selected.
  
  1. Plan Making & Implementation
  2. Functional Areas of Practice
  3. Research, Analysis & Teaching
  
• *B - Employ an Appropriately Comprehensive Point of View
  
• *C - Involve a Professional Level of Responsibility and Resourcefulness
  
• *D - Influence Public Decision Making in the Public Interest

Not a big deal but they switched up the order of the criteria.

[FueledByRamen]

I'm trying to make the Early Bird deadline as well. I've already noticed the application webpage being very slow or being down all together.

Thanks to eltipo for that link! Very helpful.

To those that want the Green Bible (third edition), I found one "used" (practically brand new) at Powell's (out of Portland) for $38 plus shipping. It took just two days to arrive.

[Rygor]

I took and passed the May AICP exam (first time taking it). All I used was the AICP Exam Prep 1.0 Study Guide and I read the past year or two's Planning Magazines. Much of it was practical experience and common sense ethics questions as well as a lot of relevant landmark law cases. I think the study materials I used were more than adequate going along with what I remembered from college courses and about 7 years experience.

[FueledByRamen]

I appologize for the double-post but I couldn't edit my last post the way I wanted it.

With the economy the way it is, I'm not entirely sure that my company will pay for my exam fee (the $485) let alone study materials. So, in order to save money, I'm thinking about the following as my main source of study information (I either already have these books or they are free resources). Can anyone comment on whether this seems adequate for preparing for the exam?

• The Practice of Local Government Planning (Third Edition)
• Planning and Urban Design Standards (Student Edition)
• The Pennsylvania APA study materials linked in an earlier post
• Planning Theory for Practitioners (Brooks)
• Readings in Planning Theory (Campbell)
• Cites of Tomorrow (Hall)
• Community Analysis and Planning Techniques (Klosterman)
• Rural by Design (Arendt)
• The Public Participation Handbook (Creighton)
• www.planning.org/ethics

The only other thing I think I would otherwise buy would be the Exam Prep 2.0 package, but at $200...I'm not so sure. However, I am thinking about taking the Planetizen course (http://www.planetizen.com/courses/plan310). While I know that more material means more information, I think it might be better for me to have a few, good pieces of material to use.

(Also, it might be relevant information that I have an MSCRP, have been out of grad school for just over 2 years, and the majority of my professional experience is in bicycle/pedestrian master planning and parks and open space master planning).

[Rygor]

See my post above. I'd say reading all that might be overkill for the exam unless you just really want to read all those books. You'd be better off spending the money on the Exam Prep 2.0 and memorizing it inside and out (doable with about 15-20 hours of studying). Or perhaps you know another planner who has taken the exam and can borrow their exam prep materials. That's what I did so it cost me nothing. Honestly I did not find the exam that hard and only started studying a week before I took it, spending probably a total of 15-20 hours studying, mostly memorizing as much as I could from the Exam Prep study guide and taking the practice quizzes from the CD a couple times.

[transguy]

Originally posted by Rygor

See my post above. I'd say reading all that might be overkill for the exam unless you just really want to read all those books. You'd be better off spending the money on the Exam Prep 2.0 and memorizing it inside and out (doable with about 15-20 hours of studying). Or perhaps you know another planner who has taken the exam and can borrow their exam prep materials. That's what I did so it cost me nothing. Honestly I did not find the exam that hard and only started studying a week before I took it, spending probably a total of 15-20 hours studying, mostly memorizing as much as I could from the Exam Prep study guide and taking the practice quizzes from the CD a couple times.

I'd agree. The majority of the questions on the test were pretty easy and most often can be answered using your experiences. I'd have to say that overall I was really disappointed with the test; I thought it was pretty dang easy. It's pretty easy to look at all of the study materials and get overwhelmed. The PA APA site was probably the best source of information. If you're trying to get your costs down, I would suggest going to several state APA webpages, they have a ton of materials posted for free. Also check with your local chapter and you can get the CPC Study Guide for around $20. Most of this information is put together to summarize the main points that are covered in all of the reading. Not to say you shouldn't read the books if interested, but I think it's overkill for study purposes. The biggest benefit from the APA Exam Prep and Planetizen course are the sample tests.

[FueledByRamen]

Thanks for the input.

A question for those of you completing the application:
In Section A "Apply a Planning Process Appropriate to the Situation," it cites the three sections of Professional Planning (Plan Making & Implementation, Functional Areas of Practice, and Research, Analysis & Teaching). When describing your experience, did you use the exact words listed under each of those three sections to describe your work/process?

A. Plan Making and Implementation
o Visioning and goal setting
o Demographics and economics
o Land use and development regulations
o etc...

B. Functional Areas of Practice
o Community development
o Comprehensive or long-range planning
o Economic development and revitalization
o Educational, institutional, or military facilities planning
o etc...

I ask because analyzing demographics is a big part of my projects, but analyzing economics isn't. Also, I don't consider the work I do to be land use planning, but I am involved with transportation planning. I'm over thinking this aren't I?

[dandy_warhol]

Originally posted by FueledByRamen

Thanks for the input.

A question for those of you completing the application:
In Section A "Apply a Planning Process Appropriate to the Situation," it cites the three sections of Professional Planning (Plan Making & Implementation, Functional Areas of Practice, and Research, Analysis & Teaching). When describing your experience, did you use the exact words listed under each of those three sections to describe your work/process?

A. Plan Making and Implementation
o Visioning and goal setting
o Demographics and economics
o Land use and development regulations
o etc...

B. Functional Areas of Practice
o Community development
o Comprehensive or long-range planning
o Economic development and revitalization
o Educational, institutional, or military facilities planning
o etc...

I ask because analyzing demographics is a big part of my projects, but analyzing economics isn't. Also, I don't consider the work I do to be land use planning, but I am involved with transportation planning. I'm over thinking this aren't I?

I submitted my application yesterday for the early bird deadline. I only used the topics that applied to the jobs/projects I was including the answer. e.g. I don't do any facilities planning so I didn't include it in my answer. 500 words gets used up rather quickly, even when you aren't BSing.

[hilldweller]

Did APA just jack up the membership/AICP rates?

$700.00 for me to take the test (employer won't pay for APA/AICP)??? No thanks

[FueledByRamen]

Originally posted by dandy_warhol

I submitted my application yesterday for the early bird deadline. I only used the topics that applied to the jobs/projects I was including the answer. e.g. I don't do any facilities planning so I didn't include it in my answer. 500 words gets used up rather quickly, even when you aren't BSing.

I did the same...what I was specifically asking though was whether I should bother with using the exact terminology that they used. For example, whether I need to use the phrase "Stakeholder Relationships" or if I can substitute that with "Public Involvement" and "Decision-Maker Relationships."

It doesn't matter now though, I went ahead and used the phrases listed in the "three sections of professional planning" criteria.

Hilldweller: it was $485 for me....

[dandy_warhol]

Originally posted by FueledByRamen

I did the same...what I was specifically asking though was whether I should bother with using the exact terminology that they used. For example, whether I need to use the phrase "Stakeholder Relationships" or if I can substitute that with "Public Involvement" and "Decision-Maker Relationships."

It doesn't matter now though, I went ahead and used the phrases listed in the "three sections of professional planning" criteria.

Hilldweller: it was $485 for me....

i see. i did both. in some instances used their verbiage and then used our terminology for others.

[hilldweller]

Originally posted by FueledByRamen

Hilldweller: it was $485 for me....

Yeah, I need to rejoin APA too so that is another 200 bucks or so..