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The EPPP is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.  How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying! will teach you every...

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Review Of PsychPrep EPPP Study Materials (Part 1)

Previous Article: Review Of The Academic Review Program

In our last article at How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying! we continued our discussion of the types of EPPP study materials available, and in particular, the use of commercially available EPPP test preparation materials. I discussed another popular commercially available EPPP study program, the Academic Review program (AR). Today, I continue our discussion of commercially available EPPP study materials by reviewing the PsychPrep program.

PsychPrep EPPP Study Materials

The PsychPrep EPPP program is somewhat newer than either The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences program (AATBS), or the Academic Review program. PsychPrep has been around since the 1980's. The PsychPrep program, like the AATBS program, hails from California.

Similar to the other programs reviewed, the PsychPrep program is a very popular EPPP preparation program. The PsychPrep program offers four different packages of study materials, as well as the option to purchase individual preparation materials. The PsychPrep packages include some, or all, of the following: one comprehensive study volume of written psychology material covering all the domains on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, a 15 day live in person seminar on psychology content, 38 audio CDs or audio MP3's of live recordings of the lectures from the comprehensive seminar, PsychPrep's EPPP chapter quiz questions online (4 to 9 months access), two day weekend workshop on the test's content and test taking strategies, and lastly, a home version of the weekend workshop. Be aware that, like the AATBS program and the AR program, access to the PsychPrep online tests and online materials are time and frequency limited. That is, you may only use the practice exams, workshop questions, and quizzes a limited number of times within a specified time period. To get an idea of what the EPPP questions on the practice tests are like, you definitely want to visit the PsychPrep website where they offer access to free EPPP sample questions online.

The PsychPrep EPPP preparation program is unique in that all of the written materials for the test content are contained in one volume of text, not in multiple volumes as in other programs. The PsychPrep program has the reputation of being the most concise EPPP preparation program. It attempts to cover only the material that you need to learn to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, rather than an exhaustive review of the entire field of psychology. Many students have reported that using the PsychPrep study materials is easier, takes less time to complete, and is less anxiety provoking than the perhaps overly comprehensive study materials in the competing commercial test preparation programs.

PsychPrep In Person Seminar

PsychPrep offers a comprehensive 15-Week Seminar in Los Angeles. The seminar meets for three hours weekly. Each class includes a lecture, hands-on experience applying and mastering concepts with quiz questions, individually-tailored expert feedback, and question and answer time. Of course, you need to go to LA to attend. 

PsychPrep Study Packages

Three different premium study packages are available. The packages include various combinations of study materials. 
  • 15 class sessions
  • PsychPrep's EPPP Study Materials (hard copy and digital eBook)
  • PsychPrep's EPPP Online Testing Program (up to 9 months access)
  • PsychPrep's EPPP Weekend Workshop live
  • PsychPrep's Comprehensive Audio CD Set (38 CDs or downloadable)
  • Study Strategies Package
  • Individualized Expert Feedback
  • A recommended study plan 
The premium program packages range in price from $1,500 to $1,675. Any of PSYCHPREP’s individual products can be purchased either alone or in combination.

How Long Does Studying For The EPPP Exam Take?

Psychprep claims that you can prepare for the EPPP examination well enough to pass using their premium programs in 3 to 4 months.

Coming Up Next

In our next article at How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying! we continue our review of the PsychPrep program and tell you of more free offers!

Have you used The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences materials, PsychPrep, Academic Review, or Taylor Study Method? What was your experience with the program? Are you thinking of switching to a different program? Share your experiences by posting your comments below.

(revision in process 6/18/2020)

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Review of Academic Review EPPP Study Materials

Previous Article: Review of Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences Materials

Review of Academic Review EPPP Exam Program
In our last article at How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying! we began discussing the types of EPPP study materials available, and in particular, the use of commercially available test preparation materials. I discussed one of the most popular commercially available EPPP study programs, which is available from The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences (AATBS). Today, I will continue our discussion of commercially available materials by reviewing the Academic Review program.

The Academic Review program, are known as the AR program for short, or The East Coast Program, because the company is in New York. It is a very popular test preparation program.

The Academic Review program offers three packages of EPPP study materials which include some, or all, of the following: Six volumes of written psychology material, EPPP diagnostic test, seven online EPPP practice exams (time limited use), 17 audio CD lectures of psychology content, test strategies, flashcards, live seminars on EPPP content, online workshops, and consultations on the exam and preparation materials.

The Academic Review EPPP study materials have the reputation of being shorter, more to the point, and less overwhelming than the materials from The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences. Yet, they are no less adequate in helping you prepare for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Like the AATBS, this review program provides very thorough preparation.

Visit the Academic Review website for the specifics of their EPPP study materials. Academic Review often has sales on its EPPP exam study materials. As of this writing they were offering $100 off of two of their programs, and $80 off of an online workshop. Go to the Academic Review website for package pricing and the current promotions. Especially recommended; check out the Academic Review website for a free sample exam!

We have no association with Academic Review. We are simply briefly describing their program, presenting our opinion, and the opinions that we have heard from psychology students and colleagues. The descriptions of the EPPP review programs discussed are not comprehensive and are subject to change at any time. Please check with the Academic Review website for the official details and specifics of their EPPP exam study program.

Next, at How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying!, we will critique the PsychPrep program for passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.

Have you used the The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences materials, PsychPrep, Academic Review, or Taylor Study Method? What was your experience with the program? Are you thinking of switching to a different program? Share your experiences by posting your comments below.


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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Review of The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences EPPP Study Materials

Previous Article: Why You Need Commercial EPPP Study Materials To Pass The Exam

In our last article at How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying! we discussed the importance of time in studying for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, the types of EPPP study materials available, and the use of commercially available EPPP test preparation materials. Today we will discuss the most popular commercially available preparation programs.

Three main companies comprise the most widely used test preparation materials for studying for the EPPP. These companies are:
  1. The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences  (AATBS)
  2. Academic Review (AR)
  3. PsychPrep
The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences

In today's article we will review the Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences program. The AATBS, as it is known for short, is a very popular source of EPPP study materials. It is also called The West Coast Program, as the company is located in California. The AATBS has the reputation of providing the most comprehensive EPPP study materials. Depending on the package you choose, the preparation materials include: Written psychology volumes, nine online practice exams (use is time limited), 17 audio CD summary lectures on the materials, exam strategies book, study tips audio lecture on CD, flashcards, online workshops (time limited), in-person workshops, telephone consultation regarding the exam, studying, and the preparation materials.

As you can see, comprehensive is the word of the day with the AATBS EPPP study materials. Some students find the amount of material to be overwhelming and anxiety producing. Other students question whether The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences materials are a bit of overkill. But, without doubt, this company offers very solid programs for those examinees who prefer a very comprehensive approach to EPPP exam preparation.

Check the AATBS website for the specifics on the EPPP study materials they offer, and for current pricing. They frequently have sales on some of their materials. For example, as of this writing they are offering $100-$300 off of three of their programs. Check their website for the current specials, as they change frequently. If you do nothing else, at least be sure to go to the AATBS website to register for the free online EPPP study strategies workshop that they offer.

I have no association with The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences. I am simply describing their EPPP preparation program, presenting my opinion, and the opinions that I have heard from psychology students and colleagues. Please check with the AATBS website for the official details and specifics of the EPPP exam preparation program reviewed. The descriptions of the EPPP review programs discussed are not comprehensive and the programs themselves frequently change or are updated.

In our next article we will discuss the Academic Review preparation program for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Remember to bookmark or favorite How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying! and check back frequently for more tips and articles.

Have you used the The Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences study materials, or other study materials such as PsychPrep, Academic Review, or Taylor Study Method? Are you thinking of switching to a different program? Are you satisfied with your current program? Share your experiences by posting your comments below.


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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Why You Need Commercial EPPP Study Materials To Pass The Exam

Previous Article: Using Old Notes To Study For The EPPP Exam

To recap briefly, in the last article we explored using some of the materials you may already have available to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Today we will explore other options to prepare for this important examination.

The Matter Of Time In EPPP Study

One of the major considerations in preparing for the EPPP exam is the significant amount of time that it will take you to review and memorize the large amount of material covered by the eight domains of the examination. Examinees literally will spend months to years preparing for the exam. When one is spending this much time on preparation the quality and organization of the materials that one is using becomes an important factor.

While old notes, notebooks, textbooks, and the easy availability of information on the Internet appear to be a reasonable choice for preparation, this is not the case. The reason, simply put, is time. Time is money. Every day, every hour, every week, or month, or in some cases every year, that you spend preparing to pass the EPPP exam is time taken away from earning money in your chosen career as a psychologist. Gathering up old notes and textbooks, and searching the Internet is a very time consuming and inefficient manner of studying for the test.

When you use old college notes and the Internet exclusively to prepare for the EPPP exam you do not know if you are studying the material that is likely to be on the test. You do not know if you are focusing on the correct percentage of material from each of the different content domains represented on the exam.

In the case of using your notes and the Internet, you are not certain that the material is accurate, or that it represents the most commonly accepted interpretation of the topic. Perhaps your professor had an idiosyncratic interpretation of some of the topics. Perhaps the Internet article you accessed presented an unconventional viewpoint. Neither old notes, nor the Internet represent the best use of your EPPP study time.

Commercial EPPP Study Materials

Your time is valuable. Free preparation materials are not really free once you count in the cost of the additional time spent finding and weeding through them, time wasted reviewing the wrong materials, and time wasted reviewing inaccurate materials.

On the surface, commercially available preparation materials are expensive. There is no question about it. With prices ranging from $600 to $2200 many examinees believe that these materials are overpriced. Yet, if you take into account the amount of time you save by using commercially available preparation programs, study guides, and flashcards commercial materials are well worth the price.

Types of EPPP Study Materials

Study aids available may include some or all of: printed volumes covering the topics of the EPPP topic areas, study guides, flashcards, CDs of lectures and workshops, paper and pencil practice exams, online practice exams, in person lectures and workshops, and email, telephone, and in person consultations. The materials usually include tips on study techniques. The specific materials that you obtain depend on the particular “package” of materials that you purchase from the test preparation vendor. Another study aid, not available from the major test prep retailers, is the speed learning software SuperMemo. This program is based on extensive research in memory and learning. It ensures that you remember 95% or more of the material you learn!

In our next article, in How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying! we will discuss the main retailers of commercial preparation materials, and review one of the popular test preparation programs. Until next time, keep studying!

- The EPPP Study Guy

Next Article: Review Of The Association For Advanced Training In The Behavioral Sciences Program