As your exam date nears, you might start to wonder if you’re really ready to take the EPPP. You definitely don’t want to take it again if you don’t have to, but you also don’t want to move it because you’re getting tired of studying and it will just prolong things, which begs the question:
Should you just push forward as planned and take it, or should you consider pushing it back?
The answer really depends on what your individual needs are. Below are some things to consider as you think about rescheduling your exam.
Are you experiencing a major life event?
I’ve heard test takers tell me, “My house flooded”, “I was in the middle of moving,” there was a “death in the family,” “I was sick,” or some other life event but they chose to take it anyway because it was scheduled and they felt obligated. Major life events are a solid reason to reschedule an exam. We are all mental health professionals, and we know that when we experience a major life event or other series of stressors, we aren’t in a good mental place to effectively take a 225-question exam. Save yourself the time, money, and mental/emotional energy and strongly consider rescheduling your exam.
Are your practice test scores in a consistently passing range?
If you’re using a test prep program, there are likely guidelines for what is considered exam ready. You should refer to these to determine where your scores fall and use this to make a decision. Generally, you want to aim for consistent passing scores, consistent being 2-3 tests, because you want to make sure it’s not a fluke! The higher the scores, the more wiggle room you have going into the exam, which means you have room to breathe.
What is your mindset going into this exam?
If you’re going in with borderline passing scores and a mindset that you’re going to fail, there’s a good chance you might –self-fulfilling prophecy! Maybe you’re really burned out and struggling with processing information or so anxious you find it difficult to break down questions. If this is the case, you might benefit from additional time to work through test taking strategies & anxiety management and ultimately improve your chances of passing.
What content areas are giving you the most trouble and how much emphasis is there on the EPPP?
If you’re continuing to struggle with Assessment and Diagnosis, which accounts for roughly 16% of exam questions, then you might want to take more time to master the material as you’re likely to encounter several questions in this domain.
How much quality study time have you logged?
If you’re putting in the recommended hours/week and sticking to your plan pretty consistently, there’s a good chance you’ve built a good foundation of knowledge. In this case, more studying isn’t likely to result in increased success, in fact, it might have the opposite effect, by drawing out the process and increasing burnout.
But other people on EPPP study forums said they never got a passing score and went on to pass the EPPP. Couldn’t I still pass?
Anything is possible, but they’re typically the exception and not the rule. Everyone has individual differences and needs with respect to exam prep, and it’s important to factor that in. Those posting in the forums might not be in a similar situation as you, so it’s important to focus on your needs, your history with high stakes exams, and your individualized study plan.
Do you have a hard deadline for taking the exam/becoming licensed?
Unless you have a deadline or certain requirements for licensure (e.g., work, state board test time frames), you should consider rescheduling and testing when you are ready.
Still not sure if you should reschedule?
Reach out to an EPPP Coach to help you take a closer look at your specific situation, weigh the pros/cons, and assist you with making an informed choice based on your performance to date.
Stay Informed!
The EPPP Candidate Handbook is a great resource for understanding the EPPP as it is developed and updated by the ASPPB (the EPPP developers!). For more information about scheduling and rescheduling the exam, check out the most recent EPPP Candidate Handbook (May 2024) linked here.