This blog post is a part of the series, “CARED Perspectives,” developed by the APAGS Committee for the Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Diversity. This series will discuss current events and how these events relate to graduate students in psychology. If you are interested in contributing to the CARED Perspectives series, please contact Aleesha Young.
Student leaders in APAGS are interested in understanding and quashing the apparent score discrepancies on the national licensing exam for psychologists. In October 2019, APAGS hosted the webinar EPPP Outcomes and Test Taking Strategies for Graduates of Color. As a follow up to the webinar, we asked the co-hosts and panelists to voluntarily answer questions we received during and after the air date. One panelist, a co-host, and two APA staff members responded to our requests. What follows are are Q&As, edited only for clarity, and divided into sections about the test, studying for it, and pass rate data.
Questions About the Test
Where do we find the ASPPB’s test/practice materials?
Eddy Ameen (EA), APAGS staff liaison: We suggest starting out at www.asppb.org to read all about the test. Some test/practice materials are available from ASPPB, whereas there are also independent test preparation companies that advertise online. Please note that APA does not list, endorse, or evaluate any test prep company. Neither does ASPPB. ASPPB states you must be approved by your jurisdiction’s licensing board to take the test before getting access to its study materials.
What are the costs of taking the EPPP?
Brian A. Sharpless (BAS), licensed psychologist, research, panelist: This will partially depend on which jurisdiction you take it in, but it will be at least $600 for the EPPP Part 1, plus $87.50 in test center fees.
EA: For the EPPP Part 2, a skills-based exam, which will be administered in some jurisdictions starting November 1, 2020, the fees are as follows: $100.00 for initial beta testers, $300 through Dec. 31, 2020, and beginning January 2022, it will be $450.00 per administration.
Are there scholarships or grants to provide financial support towards obtaining study material?
EA: Each test-prep company might have their own. I personally am not aware of any. It’s a great question and something for us all to consider in the promotion of equity. In the meantime, you might consider asking students or alums ahead of you in school about how they studied and afforded materials.
Fiona Thomas (FT), APAGS co-host: If you are currently on internship, there may be resources available from your training program.
In terms of the EPPP and EPPP2, will it be possible to pass one component and not the other? That is, if you fail one part, do you have to retake both exams?
BAS: To the best of my knowledge you would only have to retake the exam that is failed.
EA: That is also my understanding.
What types of postdoc activities count towards the required hours for taking the EPPP?
BAS: This is specific to individual state boards of psychology. Their requirements are listed on their websites.
EA: While the number of required postdoctoral hours per jurisdiction differ, there are currently 18 US states and counting that do not require postdoctoral hours if applicants have enough hours before licensure.
What educational requirements are necessary to take the EPPP?
BAS: This is specific to state boards as well.
Questions About Studying
How do I create a study plan? Where do I start?
BAS: There’s no right answer, as this depends on what generally works best for you. Statistically speaking, studying over 200 hours gives diminishing returns and studying under 50 hours makes you less likely to pass. One thing that might be important to consider is your prior experience with standardized tests. GRE scores are highly correlated with EPPP scores even though the content is quite different. So, if you struggle with standardized tests, you might want to err on the side of more studying rather than less.
English is my Second Language. How can I prepare?
Fatima Seasay (FS), APA intern: To answer this question, we asked non-native English speakers on one of our listservs to describe their experiences. Ten people sent in suggestions. Concerns that made the exam challenging or anxiety-provoking tended to fall in these areas: (1) a fear they would run out of time to complete the exam; (2) a fear they weren’t well prepared to take the exam; (3) difficulty memorizing material; and (4) difficulty understanding the phrasing of the options presented to them. To some, this meant second-guessing themselves because they would search for the answer that made the most sense in both languages. One person stated, “I trained myself into being able to answer the whole test in English and limiting myself to attempt to translate in my head or think in Spanish.”
While individuals faced challenges in the processes of preparing for and taking the exam, they also offered strategies that helped them tackle the EPPP and successfully pass it. According to our informal group: (1) It’s essential to give yourself ample time to prepare for the exam. (2) When considering online practice tests, take advantage of resources that provide personalized feedback and study suggestions. (3) Consider a test prep company where you can listen to lectures and study content. (4) While taking practice tests, pace yourself, and read through the reading materials to familiarize yourself with new words. (5) Time yourself often when taking the practice tests. (6) Lastly, practice relaxation exercises and mindfulness skills such as deep breaths and positive self-affirmations.
Questions About the Data
Are there any age differences in exam success/failure?
BAS: Not that I’ve seen.
How does socioeconomic status affect test scores (e.g., intersectionality affecting minorities; more financial pressures to start working ASAP, thus leaving less time to prepare)?
EA: I have read all the research but have not seen any published data, whether self report or otherwise, that looks at SES.
BAS: I concur with Dr. Ameen.
What are the first time pass rate for ESL test takers?
BAS: I have unfortunately not seen any data on this question.
Could the panelists share their hypotheses about why the ethnic disparities presented earlier in the webinar might occur?
BAS: From my perspective, it’s premature to speculate on reasons for these differences until we can establish the precise meaning of EPPP scores in general. Once the validity of the EPPP is firmly established, we will be in a better position to understand any systematic group differences that remain.
EA: I agree. Dr. Sharpless has published on ethnic disparity data and I have a paper currently in review with co-author Zeljka Macura. We have more questions than answers, but we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the literature. Since the webinar, Dr. Callahan and colleagues published a new article in the American Psychologist also worth a read, as it speaks directly to the EPPP Part 2, and in the popular media Ms.Fosco looked at matters of race in the exam for OZY.com. In addition, I suggest you read the last two pages of the Part 2 FAQ from ASPPB.