Preparation Guide: The Official Resource For CPLP Test Preparation
Preparation Guide: The Official Resource For CPLP Test Preparation
Preparation Guide: The Official Resource For CPLP Test Preparation
CPLP
Preparation Guide
The Official Resource for
CPLP Test Preparation
®
LEARNING SYSTEM
Skills Application Exam SAE Preparation Guide
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
SAE Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 2
How to Use This Preparation Guide .......................................................................................................... 2
About the SAE ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Question Types ......................................................................................................................................... 3
The Testing Experience ................................................................................................................................. 6
Tips and Strategies ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Test-Taking Strategies ............................................................................................................................. 10
Prepare Tips for the Day of the Test ....................................................................................................... 11
What to Expect—The Exam .................................................................................................................... 11
Resources Beyond This Preparation Guide ............................................................................................. 12
Reflection Activity 1: Getting Started ......................................................................................................... 13
Action Planning Guide............................................................................................................................. 14
Reflection Activity 2: Key Actions Table .................................................................................................... 15
Checklist: Final Preparation for Exam Day ................................................................................................ 47
Introduction
SAE Overview
The Skills Application Exam (SAE) is the final step that you, the CPLP candidate, must take once you have
passed the CPLP Knowledge Exam to achieve the CPLP credential. When you registered for the CPLP exam
you chose one of three areas of expertise (AOE) to be assessed on during the SAE:
1. instructional design
2. training delivery
3. managing learning programs.
As you navigate through this guide, use the icons below to identify the different types of information that
appear in each section:
During the SAE, you will be tested on the global mindset foundational competency and on AOE that you
chose when registering for the CPLP exam.
You cannot change the AOE you selected for the SAE when you registered for the CPLP exam.
The scenarios, supporting documentation, and questions presented in the SAE will be related to the
chosen AOE and its associated key actions. Each exam will include the following components:
Question Types
There are three types of questions that might appear on your exam:
1. Multiple Choice. This item includes a question (referred to as the item stem) and four response
options. Only one of these options is the correct answer.
A. ○ SWOT analysis
B. ○ Cost analysis
C. ○ Climate survey
D. ○ Audience analysis
2. Short Answer. This type of question prompts candidates to provide a short, alphanumeric text
response. This is not an essay—your answer need only be a couple of words or a phrase in length.
3. Multiselect. This item type includes a question and some number of response options, more than
one of which is correct. The question will include instructions on how many responses to select.
Since each exam offers a different distribution of item types, you should be comfortable
answering a question that appears in any of these three formats.
For every question type (including multiselect), each question is worth only one point. All questions are
scored as either entirely correct or entirely incorrect. No partial credit is given.
Each of the sample questions above were pulled from the practice CPLP (pCPLP) exam available on
ATD’s Certification Institute website.
NOTE: All scenarios, related documentation, and associated questions were developed and written by learning and development professionals
identified as subject matter experts (SMEs) for the certification program. Prior to questions being developed, the scenarios and related
evidence are reviewed for authenticity and alignment to the AOEs. In addition, the related evidence is reviewed by an international panel for
language clarity and appropriateness to the global audience.
Each question was written by at least one SME and then reviewed and validated by a minimum of two more SMEs to ensure that each question
has an identified correct answer. In addition, the questions are reviewed to ensure that they are objective, clear, fair, and appropriately
mapped to the AOE and a key action.
You will be presented with one question at a time. You will be able to flag a question to review later. Most
screens will contain four options at the bottom right corner for navigating to another portion of the exam.
Click this button to view a list of all the questions on the exam (identified
by number), along with the answers to those questions you’ve answered so
far. Questions that you have flagged for review will appear with an asterisk
(*) next to them. You can mark a question for review by ticking the box
below the answer options.
Click this button only when you are ready to submit your entire exam. If
you choose this option at any time before the end of your exam, a warning
will pop up that if you choose “Submit” again, your exam will be complete
and you cannot return to it.
The following screenshot demonstrates what the first question on the exam might look like. This question
is multiple choice, indicated by the round radio buttons next to the answer. Notice that the option to
move back to the previous question is absent for the first exam question. This option will be available for
all future questions.
The next screenshot shows what a multiselect question will look like. The square boxes next to the answer
indicates that this is a multiselect question and that you must choose more than one answer for this
question. Be sure to read each question carefully and note how many answers you must choose.
If you do not know the answer to a multiple-choice question, you can skip past it by pressing
the “Next” button without answering it. However, for multiselect questions you must choose
the number of required responses before you will be able to move on.
Once you have reached the end of the exam—or if you click the “Review All” button at any point during
the exam—a screen displaying a summary of your answers will appear. This screen allows you to go back
to any question and review or change your answer. Items that have been marked for review are shown
with an asterisk (*) next to them.
Be sure to manage your time well so that you have time to review any items you have flagged.
Please note that the answer choices selected for 1 and 15 in this screenshot were chosen at
random and do not reflect the exam whatsoever.
After you’ve reviewed your answers and clicked “Submit,” the following message will appear at the
bottom of the review screen:
You will be given the opportunity to provide feedback after you’ve submitted your exam.
Scores are provided eight to 10 weeks after the SAE testing window ends. The score
notifications are emailed to candidates and will include the pass or fail result and a scaled
score.
Test-Taking Strategies
While the SAE is intended to measure your ability to apply the knowledge and skills you have attained
over the course of your career, the exam’s case studies and related questions are based on the way that
things would happen in a perfect environment. Therefore, you should choose the answer that would make
the most sense in an ideal situation. If you find yourself thinking, “Well, that depends . . . ” while you’re
reviewing the answer choices for a question, consider what the CPLP Learning System would specify as
the correct answer. Unless otherwise stated in the case study, assume that you have enough time,
resources, and personnel to take any action or meet any needs required by the situation.
“Read the question for what it is—consider it through the lens of the ATD CPLP Learning
System. Remember, your own experience may or may not directly apply.”—Denise Hicken,
MEd, CPLP
• Study your AOE selection (plus global mindset) thoroughly, regardless of how well you did on the
Knowledge Exam.
• Do not focus on names or dates, but rather on the key ideas, concepts, and principles in each AOE.
• Use the “Can I Apply It?” quizzes and case studies in the CPLP Learning System to practice.
“Take the practice exam several times so you get a feel for how the SAE asks a question and
what the correct answer is.”—Peggy McNulty, CPLP
• After reading through the material, rewrite the ideas in your own words; use text, diagrams, or
concept maps to make these ideas memorable.
• Take the practice exam for your AOE.
• Consider finding a study partner or group with whom you can study. See page two for suggestions
on how to connect with other CPLP candidates.
“If you did really well on the Knowledge Exam and felt confident about it, don’t delay by
transferring to a later SAE window. Don’t lose your momentum for studying.”—Carol Jackson,
CPLP
• Take a copy of your appointment scheduling confirmation, which includes the test authorization
code on it. This code is unique to you and the test center proctor cannot start the exam without
this code.
• Be sure to take proper IDs. Two forms of identification are required at the testing site. Check to
be sure that the name on your IDs match the name on your appointment scheduling confirmation.
Candidate identity is important to exam integrity. If there is a discrepancy, the proctor will not
allow you to test. If the name on your CPLP record and confirmation email are different from the
legal name on your identifications, contact ATD CI staff before your exam day.
• Take multiple layers of clothing to the test center, such as a light sweater or jacket, in case you
get cold. Wear comfortable clothing.
• Eat a healthy meal a few hours before you take the exam to give you energy, stamina, and a boost
in brain power. You will not be allowed to bring any food into the testing site.
• Know where the testing center is located and how long it takes you to get there. You might want
to travel to the testing center before your exam day so that you are confident that you can get
there on time when you go to take the exam.
• For best performance on the test, stay calm and keep any anxiety you feel in check. Reassure
yourself that you have prepared properly and that you will do the best that you can. Practice a
favored calming technique to help keep your stress level low.
Read Kryterion’s on-site exam instructions for information on what you will be allowed to
bring to your testing site and how the exam will be administered. Additional details, including
information about accommodations provided for those with special needs, can be found in
the Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom of that page.
• The case studies will incorporate supporting documents that may include, but are not limited to,
a training checklist, project plans, budgets, needs assessments, training evaluations, and more.
Be sure that you are familiar with what each of those documents looks like, what information they
should contain, and how to recognize errors in an incorrect document.
• The case studies vary in length and you will need to refer to additional supporting documents as
you take the test. This means that you may need to tab back and forth between the case study
and the supporting documents.
• Many candidates take the full three hours allowed to complete the exam. Pace yourself. You will
want to plan time to read the case study two or three times over and to answer a set of 25
questions per case study.
Focus on keeping your momentum to try to answer all the questions in the allotted time and do not
allow yourself to get stuck on a specific item. Although the questions are graded as entirely correct or
wrong, it is better to guess an answer than leave it blank.
Some of the exam items are experimental and do not count toward your score.
Additional study tips and materials that may be used in conjunction with this Preparation Guide are:
• the SAE overview within the CPLP Interactive Guide
• CPLP Learning System
• ATD CI practice exams by AOE.
1. How familiar am I with the ATD CPLP Learning System for my chosen AOE?
2. How familiar am I with the global mindset foundational competency as it relates to my chosen AOE?
3. What access do I have to other people who may be studying for the SAE or who have taken it already
and can share their experiences?
4. After reviewing the additional resources listed in the introduction, which resources do I think will
be most helpful?
KA 1: Conduct a needs assessment. Identify organizational objectives and the learning opportunity;
identify target population characteristics and characteristics of the environment; gather and evaluate
resources and information; analyze findings; identify anticipated constraints or problems affecting
design success or failure, such as equipment deficiencies or lack of support; define basic outcomes of
the learning solution to solve the problem or meet the opportunity.
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Category Checklist
I have completed my action plan and reviewed the key actions for my AOE.
I have reviewed screenshots of the exam and feel confident that I know what
to expect in terms of the testing software.
Knowledge
I have taken the practice exam for my AOE at least two times.
I have reviewed the ATD CPLP Learning System for my AOE and global mindset
competency and taken the associated quizzes.
I know where the test center is located, how to access the testing site, and
what type of transportation I am using to get to the testing center. If driving, I
know where to park and how I will pay for parking if necessary.
Test Center I have a copy of my appointment scheduling confirmation with the test
Verification authorization code on it.
I have two acceptable forms of identification to show at the testing site. My
name on these IDs matches the name listed on my appointment scheduling
confirmation.
I have a strategy for managing my time during the exam so that I don’t feel
rushed.
Time
I have a plan for how to flag items to review later in the exam.
Management
I have a strategy for reviewing the test item and eliminating answers to choose
the best response.