How COVID Affects the EPPP Examination at Pearson VUE Test Centers

What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Before Your Pearson VUE EPPP Test Date

You need to know the answers to these questions before you sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) during the coronavirus pandemic. 

COVID and the EPPP Test at Pearson VUE 

• Are the Pearson VUE test centers open during the coronavirus pandemic?
• Is Pearson VUE allowing in-person testing?
• Could my EPPP examination be canceled?
• Will I be charged if I cancel or reschedule my EPPP exam? 

Pearson VUE Test Center Closings, Virtual Testing, Cancellations, Charges

There are limited openings for exam appointments because some Pearson VUE Test Centers have closed. Open centers have less capacity due to social distancing precautions. Centers are struggling with issues of government-regulated precautions, staff availability, and adequate cleaning and disinfecting supplies. Some states have mandated nonessential business close. You may be able to travel to another state or country to sit for the EPPP if you meet the requirements for that state or country's travel restrictions. 

Some Pearson Centers have extended their hours as much as 24 hours to serve examinees. You can find open Pearson Test Centers in your Pearson online account. 

Your appointment may be randomly canceled if additional space is needed for social distancing at a Test Center. You will be notified via email if this happens. Your exam fee will be refunded. You can reschedule using your Certemy account. ASPPB has waived the 90-day rescheduling window. All cancellation and rescheduling fees have been waived by ASPPB. Importantly, if you cancel you must do so within 24 hours of your scheduled start time or you will lose your exam fees. 

Coronavirus Safety Precautions Required of Examinees

• What types of protective gear are allowed at the test center?
• Am I required to wear a mask at Pearson VUE test centers?
• Can I appeal Pearson VUE's coronavirus rules to the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)?
• What kinds of masks are acceptable? 
• Can I request an exception to wearing a mask?

You must wear a face mask to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus at the Pearson VUE Test Center. The mask can be a surgical, cloth, or homemade mask. Your nose and mouth must be covered. You may not use a mask with a valve nor a face shield. You must bring your own mask. A temperature check may be required when you arrive at the examination center. If you do not abide by these COVID precautions you will be denied testing services. You may wear protective gloves if you like. 

ASPPB has officially stated: 

⚠ Please note: face masks are now required at Pearson VUE testing centers

ASPPB will NOT override this requirement

 

Exposure To COVID-19

• What if I have coronavirus?
• What if I only have symptoms of COVID-19?
• What if I have had contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed COVID-19?

What EPPP candidates need to know

According to Pearson VUE, test candidates will not be admitted to the test center and should reschedule their exam if:

1. They have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Unless, they have been symptom-free and fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine and at least 14 days have passed since their diagnosis or they have received two negative COVID-19 test results in a row, 24 hours apart.

2. They are currently experiencing or have experienced one or more associated symptoms within the last fourteen (14) days:

• shortness of breath
• cough
• fever
• chills
• sore throat
• loss of smell

Unless they have been symptom-free and fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

3. They live with or have had close contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19.*

Unless at least 14 days have passed since their last exposure.

4. Have been or are under home quarantine or centralized observation by government or healthcare authorities

Unless at least 14 days have passed since the start of their quarantine or centralized observation has been lifted by the government or healthcare authorities.

*Medical and healthcare professionals where both the medical/healthcare professional and the patient were wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) are an exception.

References

Pearson | VUE: Testing for Essential Services: FAQs, https://home.pearsonvue.com/essential-services-faqs, recovered 5/15/2021.

Pearson | VUE: Important test delivery information pertaining to COVID-19 (coronavirus), https://home.pearsonvue.com/coronavirus-update.aspx#face-masks, recovered 5/15/2021.

ASPPB: COVID-19, EPPP Update, https://www.asppb.net/page/pearsonCOVID19updates, recovered 5/15/2021.

EPPP Myths versus Reality- A Response

A Critique of the ASPPB Article “EPPP Myth versus Reality”

Myth #1 of 8

“Sunlight is ... the best of disinfectants.”
Louis Dembitz Brandeis
Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court

The article "EPPP Myth versus Reality" on The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards website addresses what the author calls “myths ...about the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.” 

Louis Dembitz Brandeis famously wrote “sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” Brandeis was an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court who strove during his career to increase transparency in the public sector. In the spirit of Brandeis, we’d like to critically explore some commonly made observations regarding the EPPP examination that the ASPPB dismisses as “myths.”

ASPPB Article Excerpt:

Myth #1: There are easy and hard versions ("the beast”) of the exam. It is unfair if you get the hard version. 

Reality: Forms of the EPPP do vary in difficulty. The passing score of each version is equated so that the level of knowledge being tested is consistent. Practically speaking, this means that the "harder” forms require fewer correct answers to pass and "easy” forms require more. It is not unfair if you get a harder version because you don’t need to get as many answers right.

Critique

The ASPPB claims that “It is not unfair if you get a harder version because you don’t need to get as many answers right.” Does this make sense? Would you rather answer ten easy questions that you are able to answer because you know the answers, or one very difficult question that is beyond your ability to answer, and that is weighted the same as ten easy questions? We think that most EPPP exam takers would chose the ten easy questions. We don’t believe that it’s logical to equate a lesser number of difficult questions with a larger number of easy questions.

What of the mental cost of trying to answer difficult questions versus easy questions? Difficult questions are more intellectually and psychologically taxing to answer. Difficult questions are likely to leave the examinee more drained of energy. Furthermore, difficult questions may have a negative effect on the test taker's levels of anxiety, confidence, and performance. These effects of difficult questions may then negatively impact the examinee's ability to answer easier questions within the test. It's not difficult to imagine how the unfortunate recipient of "The Beast" version of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology gets shaken by difficult questions, tires, loses confidence, panics and then a downward spiral ensues in which even "easy questions" and questions of average difficulty are answered incorrectly. Contrast this unfortunate's plight with the examinee who receives a version of the test which consists of questions of easy or average difficulty. Their confidence, energy, and performance is likely to soar, or at least remain stable, as they progress through the questions.

Do you agree? We want to know! Post your comments below.

Next Post: Myth #2 of 8: A majority of people fail the exam. The passing rate is kept artificially low in order to control access to the profession.

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*http://www.asppb.net/?page=MythsvsReality, recovered 10-21-2014

When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 4

Top Ten Tips For Beginning EPPP Exam Preparation Now

1. The best approach to taking and passing the crucial EPPP examination is to start studying early. This is so important that I'm going to say it again. Start studying early! Be an early preparer. Leave the gate early, and get out in front of the pack.
2. Educate yourself about the EPPP examination. Visit the ASPPB's site to read about the test. Take particular notice of the psychology content areas covered on the EPPP exam that you are expected to know and understand.
3. Get your hands on some of the major study programs available for the EPPP examination. Borrow them from a friend that no longer needs them. Buy used materials online. Send for free study materials that test preparation sites offer. If you can afford it, buy your own copy of a test preparation program.
4. Buy some of the less expensive EPPP exam study guides, test preparation software, flashcards, flashcard software that are available. Read through the materials. Test yourself. See how you do. Identify the content areas in which you need to improve. 
5. Visit the discussion groups available online to get a first person idea of what preparing for the EPPP exam is really like. Start forming supportive relationships with those who are already studying. One helpful group is the Preparing To Take The EPPP Discussion List.
6. Take advantage of the wealth of free information and advice available online at EPPP preparation sites such as How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying!
7. Use a software program to optimize your learning and to maintain your memory of what you have learned. One of the best is the SuperMemo program. This program will keep the material that you learn fresh in your mind indefinitely. Such programs help with memorizing flashcards, as well as complete topics.
8. Learn everything you can about test-taking strategies. Particularly learn test-taking strategies for multiple choice exams. There are quite a few strategies that can help you become a better performing test taker. This knowledge will also help you in your graduate school classes.
9. Learn and practice good study strategies and habits. Sure, you may be able to cram for tests and pass them for some of your classes, but that will never work in passing the EPPP exam. The EPPP examination is a marathon, not a sprint. There is way too much material to cover in a short time. You need to learn how to study consistently, and how to retain the material. This knowledge, also will benefit your graduate studies. There are general study strategy sites, and sites specific to the EPPP exam. Both offer helpful advice on study strategies. There are many books available on this topic that are well worth buying.
10. Learn to control your mental state as regards studying. This includes: learning how to control your stress levels, how to talk positively to yourself about your preparation, maintaining concentration and attention, and how to stick with studying for the long term without becoming discouraged. It means learning to keep your anxiety levels reasonable while studying, and during the actual EPPP examination. It means doing what you can physically to maximize your performance: eating properly, getting sufficient sleep, taking rest breaks, breathing deeply, stretching, and exercising. Look to online resources on general study strategy sites and sites specifically on preparing for the EPPP exam.

I hope that you have found this article helpful and informative. Most of all, I hope that if you are planning to sit for the EPPP examination that you will start preparing now!

Related Articles

• When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 1
• When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 2
• When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 3
• When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 4

References

1. The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) in the era of evidence-based practice. Sharpless, Brian A.; Barber, Jacques P.

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Vol 40(4), Aug 2009, 333-340.

When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 3

Previous Article: When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 2

You Are One Of The Lucky Ones

Very, very few people will tell you about the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) early in your graduate school career. Even fewer will stress the importance of this last crucial hurdle on your journey to become a licensed psychologist. Perhaps other psychologists feel that you are too busy right now to worry about an examination that will not take place until after you graduate. Perhaps, like a trauma victim who has been through a painful stressor, they have blissfully blocked it out of their memory. Most psychology graduate students are only vaguely aware of this distant looming hurdle. Or they dismiss it, as being too far away to worry about right now. Nothing could be a bigger mistake.

But you may now count yourself among the lucky ones. You now know about the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. You know of its importance. You know that it is waiting for you, up ahead, lurking just around the corner. A corner that you one day, sooner than you think, will be turning.

You are, I realize, busy. You are busy with classwork, comprehensive exams, internships, a dissertation or research project. Maybe you are busy with an assistanceship; working on your professor's research project.

Your professors will not tell you about the examination either. If they do, they are not likely to stress its importance. Why? Well, for one thing, it does not affect them. It does not affect your classwork, your assistanceship, their research, or whether or not you graduate. It only affects you, my unlicensed friend. Long after you are no longer their responsibility.

Be An EPPP Exam Early Preparer

Become an early preparer. Study now for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. You will avoid many of the costly aspects of the exam. You will have a better idea what to expect on the exam. You will be able to focus your study efforts now, while you are still in graduate school, on the topics that the test requires you to know, while the topics are fresh in your mind. You will have a road map to follow in determining which elective classes to enroll in. You will have a better understanding of which psychology topics are really important to know. You will be prepared for the psychology content areas required by the exam. You will be able to learn and practice the advanced test-taking strategies required to pass the exam. Many of these test-taking strategies will benefit you in your graduate school education as well. By being already prepared, you will be less stressed by the examination process. By starting early you will be able to collect study materials gradually, thus spreading out their costs. By being an early preparer you will be ready to take the exam at the earliest opportunity allowed by your local psychology board. This will greatly limit your downtime after graduation. As an early preparer you will be able to get licensed as a psychologist sooner, and truly get started in your career. This will allow you to earn a decent income sooner. Be wise, be an early preparer for the Examination For Professional Practice In Psychology (EPPP).

Next Article: When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 4

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When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 2

Previous Article: When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 1

Cost Of EPPP Preparation Materials

35% of examinees fail the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (1). Knowing this, few examinees attempt the test without first preparing with one of the commercially available study programs. It's just not worth the wasted fees, time, and effort to attempt this test without thorough preparation.

Study materials for the test from the major commercially available study programs include books, flashcards, practice exams, lectures on audio CDs, workshops, and online materials. The total cost of these study materials ranges from around a hundred dollars to as much as $3000. The cost varies based on which materials you choose to include in the study package.

Several smaller publishers offer flashcards, books, practice exams, memorization software, flashcard software, and practice examination software. These study materials usually cost one hundred dollars or less. These less expensive materials offer a good option for those just starting out on their EPPP study journey, those who are supremely confident, and those who want to supplement more comprehensive study programs.

Cost Of EPPP Exam DownTime

There are many delays throughout the EPPP process. These delays include: Waiting for permission from your state or provincial psychology board to take the exam. Waiting for the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to process your application to sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Waiting for a date to sit for the exam. Waiting for the ASPPB to report your score to your local psychology board. And finally, waiting for your local psychology board to confirm that you have passed (or failed), and to issue your psychology license if you have passed and met all their other requirements.

Cost Of Lost Wages From EPPP Process

When you are busy preparing for the test, there is one thing you are definitely not doing. You are not working. Many examinees take off from work completely to devote themselves to fulltime preparation. Some work parttime. Some work fulltime while trying to squeeze in examination preparation. Which, of course, even further delays their journey to psychology licensure. But the number one thing you are not doing, is working and furthering your career as a licensed psychologist. Lost wages and career opportunities are the most significant financial cost of preparing for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.

Cost Of Personal Angst From EPPP Exam

EPPP preparation time takes a toll on your psyche. Expensive study materials, exam fees, seemingly endless studying, waiting, lack of, or low income; while bills mount and graduate school loans clamor to be paid--all contribute to the stress.

During the preparation process most examinees question why the EPPP test exists. Some begin to doubt their decision to become a psychologist in the first place. A significant number of psychologists give up partway through the process and resign themselves to working in one of the few areas in psychology that do not require licensure; thus restricting their careers. Others sit for the exam, once, twice, thrice, and occasionally four times, before quitting the process. Defeated, they give up on clearing the final hurdle in the psychology licensure process.

However, most psychologists persist, and eventually pass the EPPP exam. But, no doubt about it, the process takes a substantial personal toll on your psyche.

True Cost Of EPPP Examination Summary

All of these preparation activities; time spent studying, exam fees, paying for study materials, downtime, lost wages, lost career opportunities, and personal angst add up to the true cost of the EPPP examination.

So, what can you do about it? Read on for the answer.

Next Article: When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 3

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When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 1

When should I begin studying for the EPPP exam? If you are asking this question, chances are that you should begin studying for the EPPP exam, also known as the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, right now. "Why now?" you ask. This series of articles answers that question.

Importance of EPPP Exam

The EPPP exam is the most important examination a psychologist ever sits for. Why is this? Because, even if you get admitted to a psychology doctoral program, pass all your classes, complete an internship, defend and publish a dissertation, and graduate from an accredited psychology doctoral program, you will be unable to practice as a licensed psychologist in any state in the United States and most provinces in Canada unless you pass this crucial examination. I know. It's hard to believe.

It's hard to believe that this test is even necessary, or the detrimental impact it will have on your career if you do not take and pass it. However, you will fast become a believer when, after graduating from a long and expensive graduate school education in psychology, you find that your friendly state or provincial psychology board insists you pass the EPPP exam or not be licensed. Or when you find that you are not allowed to practice independently. Or when you find that few employers will consider hiring you. The career impact of being unlicensed is substantial. Limited opportunities. Limited financial options. Limited career choices. Hence, for most psychologists, passing the EPPP exam is a necessity.

The True Cost Of The EPPP Exam

The real cost of the EPPP exam is not the cost of sitting for the exam; now nearly $600. Nor the additional costs you will incur if you fail the exam and need to retake it. Not an uncommon occurrence. In which case you will need to reapply and repay the full examination costs and fees. It's not unheard of for psychologists to have to take the EPPP examination three times or more before finally passing it.

No. The real cost of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology is the study time, cost of preparation materials, waiting time, lost wages, and personal angst.

Cost Of Study Time For The EPPP Exam

You may be surprised to find that the EPPP exam is unlike any other exam you have taken during your graduate training. True, it is a multiple choice examination; but it possesses three characteristics that set it apart from ordinary multiple choice exams.

Firstly, is it's unusual length. It contains 225 questions. You must answer them within the allotted time of four hours and fifteen minutes.

Secondly, is the nature of the questions. The questions are designed to measure your ability to select between answers with extremely fine discriminations between them. In other words, there are hairline distinctions between the correct answer and the incorrect answers for each test item.

Twenty-five of the questions do not even count towards your score. These are experimental questions that the test maker, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, has inserted for study for possible inclusion in the next version of the test. They've volunteered you to test them out.

Thirdly, unlike exams that you studied for in your graduate school education which covered content one topic, or from one class, the questions on the EPPP exam cover eight different psychology content areas. They draw on knowledge from virtually all the major areas of your graduate school education. If your graduate school program did not emphasize a particular content area that is covered on the exam, be prepared to learn a new subject. Many examinees find that their graduate program did not emphasize sufficiently one or more of the content areas. Frequently mentioned content areas which require new or substantially enhanced learning include: psychodynamic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and statistics.

What this means is that you have a vast array of psychology material to master in fine detail, sophisticated test taking strategies to learn, and the need to hone your skills by doing a lot of practice exams. Your graduate school training, no matter how thorough, does not adequately prepare you to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.

All of which is another way of saying that a lot of preparation time is required to pass the EPPP examination. It's not unusual for examinees to spend months, and sometimes more than a year, preparing for the Examination For Professional Practice in Psychology.

Next Article: When To Begin Studying For The EPPP Exam: Part 2

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Why You Need To Pass The EPPP Exam

by The EPPP Study Guy

Previous Article: Welcome To How To Pass The EPPP Exam Without Even Trying!

Why do you need to pass the EPPP exam? Why do you need a web site that teaches you how to pass the EPPP? Why can't you just walk in, take the EPPP exam, and pass the EPPP without preparing?

The Importance of the EPPP Exam

As a psychologist, the EPPP is one of the most important exams you will ever take.

You may have gotten all A's in your graduate psychology classes. You may have passed your comprehensive exams with flying colors. The professors may still speak in hushed whispers about the brilliant answers you gave during your dissertation defense. Your dissertation may have been published in the Journal of the American Psychological Association. And your internship director may have thought you hung the moon. But guess what?

Effect of Not Passing the EPPP

If you do not pass the Examination for the Practice of Professional Psychology (EPPP) you will not be allowed to practice as a licensed psychologist in the United States or Canada.* Not now. Not ever. Never.

No private patients. No insurance company reimbursement. No  “Licensed Psychologist” title on your business cards. Your employment prospects will be severely limited. You will not be able to partake of the full benefits of being a psychologist. In short, you will have wasted thousands of dollars on graduate school education and years of study and sacrifice.

What is the EPPP?

The EPPP is the examination that you must pass as part of the requirements to practice in the USA and almost all Provinces in Canada.

Creator of the EPPP

The EPPP was created by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards in the United States and Canada. The ASPPB is physically located in Montgomery, Alabama.

EPPP Content Areas

The EPPP exam consists of 225 multiple choice questions from eight content areas which are as follows:

1. Biological bases of behavior
2. Cognitive-affective bases of behavior
3. Social and multicultural bases of behavior
4. Growth and lifespan development
5. Assessment and diagnosis
6. Treatment, intervention, and prevention
7. Research methods and statistics
8. Ethical, legal, and professional issues

EPPP Exam Locations

The EPPP test is administered at local Pearson VUE testing centers on a computer. You only have four hours and fifteen minutes to complete 225 questions.

You may think that surely since you have passed through a graduate school program in psychology and been awarded a doctoral degree that you will be able to easily answer the questions on the EPPP. After all, you are familiar with the content areas. You did well in your classes and maybe even went to a highly competitive psychology program that was fully accredited by the American Psychological Association. You successfully wrote a dissertation or research project and even have experience in the field.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

EPPP Tricky Questions

These are some of the trickiest questions you will ever be tested on. Differences between the four answers to each question on the EPPP are extremely subtle. You must select the “best answer” not necessarily the correct answer on the EPPP. Questions and answers are frequently negatively worded on the EPPP.

You must know the particular content the eight domains usually focus on. You must both understand, and be able to apply, knowledge from each content area on the EPPP.

Why You Should Not Plan On Retaking The EPPP Examination

You may be thinking, “I'll take the EPPP exam without much preparation and if I don't pass I'll retake it until I do.” Think again.

EPPP Exam Registration Costs

Taking the EPPP exam is expensive. The current administrative fee from Pearson VUE testing centers to sit for the EPPP is $87.50. The cost from ASPPB to sit for the EPPP exam has increased to $600.

Before you can register to sit for the EPPP you must receive a Permission to Test letter from your state psychology board. State psychology boards charge you licensing and administration fees ranging from several hundred to over a thousand dollars as part of the process of obtaining permission to sit for the EPPP exam.

Limits On EPPP Testing Attempts

The ASPPB limits the number of times you may retake the EPPP exam. You may only take the EPPP exam up to four times per year. Most state psychology boards limit your ability to retake the EPPP exam even further. In some states after several failures on the EPPP exam you are required to explain to the state psychology board why you should be permitted to retake the EPPP exam. You may be asked to complete remedial work. The board of psychology may impose a waiting period on you before you can retest. At the least, you must wait the time that the EPPP reapplication and approval process consumes. It may be months before you are authorized to retake the EPPP exam again.

EPPP Retesting Fees

Each time you retake the EPPP exam, of course, you need to pay fees to the state psychology board, the Pearson VUE testing centers, and the ASPPB.

No—Passing the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology is no casual matter. And that is why this web site exists to help guide you through the process. With the proper knowledge, strategies, skills, and preparation you can and will pass the EPPP Exam.

Footnotes

*All U.S. states and Canadian provinces whose boards are members of ASPPB require applicants to pass the EPPP (except for Prince Edward Island and Quebec). Quebec requires out-of-province candidates to pass the EPPP.

(revised 6/1/2020)

Next Article: The Three Pillars Of How To Pass The EPPP Exam