The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) values diversity. There are no barriers to certification on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, or national origin.
NBCC is a registered trade and service mark of the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc.
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3 Terrace Way Greensboro, NC 27403-3660
Tel: 336-547-0607 * Fax: [email protected] * www.nbcc.org
Candidate Handbookfor State Credentialing
for the
National Counselor Examination(NCE)
INTRODUCTION......................................................................2 AbouttheNBCC IndependentTestingAgency NondiscriminationPolicy EligibilityRequirements ExaminationAdministration HolidaysREGISTERINGFORANEXAMINATION...............................2-3 RegistrationFormExpiration ExaminationReapplication FeesandRefundPolicySCHEDULINGANEXAMINATION.......................................3-4 AssessmentCenterLocations SpecialArrangementsforCandidateswith Disabilities TelecommunicationDevicesfortheDeaf............4 ExaminationAppointmentChanges MissedAppointmentsandCancellations InclementWeather,PowerFailure,or EmergencyEXAMINATIONCONTENT...................................................4-7 NationalCounselorExamination(NCE) NCESampleExaminationQuestions SampleQuestions-AnswerKey PreparingfortheExamination
TAKINGTHEEXAMINATION................................................8-9 Identification Security ExaminationRestrictions Misconduct CopyrightedExaminationQuestions PracticeExamination TimedExamination CandidateCommentsFOLLOWINGTHEEXAMINATION.....................................9-10 Pass/FailScoreDetermination ScoresCancelledbyNBCCorAMP IfYouPasstheExamination IfYouDoNotPasstheExamination Confidentiality ScoreVerification
REQUESTFORSPECIALEXAMINATIONACCOMMODATIONS..........................................................11
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Allquestionsandrequestsforinformationaboutstate licensure requirementsshouldbedirectedtothestatecredentialingboardtowhichyouareapplying.(Refertoinsertforstatespecificinformation.)
AllquestionsandrequestsforinformationabouttheNBCC examination programshouldbedirectedto:
NationalBoardforCertifiedCounselors,Inc.3TerraceWay
Greensboro,NC27403Voice:336-547-0607
Fax:336-547-0017Website:www.nbcc.org
Allquestionsandrequestsforinformationaboutexamination schedulingshouldbedirectedto:
AppliedMeasurementProfessionals,Inc.18000W.105thStreet
Olathe,KS66061-7543Voice:913-895-4600
Fax:913-895-4650Website:www.goAMP.com
Copyright(C)2005.NationalBoardforCertifiedCounselors,Inc.(NBCC).Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopyorrecording,oranyinformationandretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromNBCC.
INTRODUCTIONThishandbookprovidesinformationabouttheexaminationandregistrationprocessfortheNationalCounselorExaminationforLicensureandCertification(NCE®).Itoutlinesthedesignandcontentoftheexaminationandguidescandidatesthroughtheexaminationprocessfromregistrationthroughtesttaking.Foryourconvenience,thishandbookmaybedownloadedfromtheNBCCWebsite,locatedatwww.nbcc.org.
ABOUT NBCCTheNationalBoardforCertifiedCounselors(NBCC®)isinternationallyrecognizedasaleadingproviderofcounselorcredentialingexaminations.Forty-eightstatesandtheDistrictofColumbiaadministerNBCCexaminationsaspartoftheircounselorcredentialingrequirements.Basedonitsreputationforexcellenceinthefieldofexaminations,NBCChasprovidedconsultationservicesforexaminationandcredentialdevelopmenttomanyotherorganizationsintheUnitedStatesandabroad.
INDEPENDENT TESTING AGENCYNBCChascontractedwithAppliedMeasurementProfessionals,Inc.(AMP)toassistintheadministrationandscoringoftheNCEexamination.AMP,locatedinthegreaterKansasCityarea,isaleadingprovideroflicensingandcertificationexaminationsforprofessionalorganizations.
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICYNBCCandAMPdonotdiscriminateamongcandidatesonthebasisofrace,color,creed,gender,religion,nationalorigin,disability,ormaritalstatus.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Pleasecheckwithyourstateboardforspecificinformationaboutapplicationproceduresandanyadditionalrequirements.IfyouhavepreviouslyachievedapassingscoreonanNBCCexamination,contactyourstateboardtodetermineifyouareexam-exempt.YoumayberequiredtoapplytoyourstateboardpriortosittingfortheNCE.(Pleaserefertoinsertforstatespecificinformation.)CandidatesmaynotscheduleanexaminationuntiltheyhaveregisteredwithNBCC.
EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATIONTheexaminationisdeliveredbycomputeratmorethan150AMPAssessmentCenterslocatedthroughouttheUnitedStates.Generally,therearenoapplicationdeadlinesandacandidatemaysubmitaregistrationformandfeeatanytime.Testingisnormallythefirstfullweekofeachmonth.Pleaserefertoinsertforstatespecificinformationonbothapplicationdeadlinesandexaminationscheduling.Theexaminationisadministeredbyappointmentonly,MondaythroughFridayat9:00a.m.and1:30p.m.ondatesauthorizedbyNBCC.CertainsitesofferSaturdaytesting;candidatesshouldcontactAMPforparticularlocationsanddetails.Candidatesareallowedfourhourstotaketheexam.Availabledateswillbeindicatedwhenschedulingyourexamination.Candidatesarescheduledonafirst-come,first-servedbasis.Therefore,candidatesareadvisedtosubmitregistrationmaterialatleast30dayspriortodesiredexamperiod.
HOLIDAYSExaminationsarenotofferedonthefollowingholidays:
NewYear’sDayMartinLutherKingDayPresidents’DayGoodFridayMemorialDayIndependenceDay(July4)LaborDayColumbusDayVeterans’DayThanksgivingDay(andthefollowingFriday)ChristmasEveDayChristmasDayNewYear’sEveDay
REGISTERING FOR AN EXAMINATIONCandidatesshouldensurethattheNBCCExaminationRegistrationFormhasbeenproperlycompletedandthattheinformationprovidedisaccurate.Carefulattentionwillenablepromptandefficientprocessing.CandidatescannotscheduleanexaminationappointmentwithAMPuntiltheNBCCRegistrationFormhasbeenprocessed.NBCCwillthensendwrittenande-mailnotification(ife-mailaddressisprovidedonregistrationform)toregisteredcandidateswithexaminationschedulingprocedures.
REGISTRATION FORM EXPIRATIONAcandidatewhofailstotestsixmonthsafterregisteringwithNBCCforfeitstheregistrationformandallfeespaidtotaketheexamination.
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EXAMINATION REAPPLICATIONIfyouwereunsuccessfulinyourexaminationattempt,youmayretestagain3monthsfromyourtestdatebycompletinganotherNBCCExaminationRegistrationForm.Theactualretestdatewilldependonthemonthlytestingscheduleandsiteavailability.Yourstatecredentialingboardmaylimitthenumberoftimesthatyoumayretest.Pleaserefertoinsertforstatespecificinformation.Anotherexaminationfeeisrequired.
FEES AND REFUND POLICYCandidatesmustsubmittheappropriatefeewiththeNBCCRegistrationForm.Paymentmaybemadebycreditcard(VISA®,MasterCard®,orAmericanExpress®),cashier’scheck,moneyorder,orpersonalcheckmadepayabletoNBCC.Examinationfeesarenotrefundableortransferableandexpireinsix(6)months.PleaserefertoyourRegistrationFormorstatespecificinsertfortheexaminationcost.
Checksfornonsufficientfunds(NSF)willnotberedeposited.Ifyourcheckdoesnotclearthebankforanyreason,youwillincurafeeof$20.Creditcardtransactionsthataredeclinedarealsosubjecttoa$20handlingfee.Youmustsendacertifiedcheckormoneyorderfortheamountdue,includingtheNSFfee,toNBCCtocoverreturnedchecksordeclinedcreditcardtransactions.Postdatedchecksarenotanacceptableformofpayment.
SCHEDULING AN EXAMINATIONAfterthecandidatehasreceivedwrittenore-mailconfirmationfromNBCC,therearetwowaystoscheduleanappointmentfortheexamination.
1.OnlineScheduling:ThecandidatemayscheduleanexaminationappointmentonlinebyusingAMP’sonlineschedulingservice.Tousethisservice,followtheseeasysteps:
•Gotowww.goAMP.comandselect“Candidates.”•Followthesimple,step-by-stepinstructionstoselectyourexaminationprogramandregisterforanexamination.
2.TelephoneScheduling:CallAMPat888-519-9901toscheduleanexaminationappointment.Thistoll-freenumberisansweredfrom7:00a.m.to7:00p.m.(CentralTime)MondaythroughThursday,7:00a.m.to5:00p.m.onFridayand8:30a.m.to5:00p.m.onSaturday.
MondayTuesday
WednesdayThursday
Friday
ThursdayFriday
MondayTuesday
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IfyoucallAMPby3:00p.m.CentralTimeon...
Dependingonavailability,yourexaminationmaybescheduledasearlyas...
ASSESSMENT CENTER LOCATIONSAMPAssessmentCentershavebeenselectedtoprovideaccessibilitytothemostcandidatesinallstatesandmajormetropolitanareas.AMPAssessmentCentersaretypicallylocatedinH&RBlockoffices.AcurrentlistingofAMPAssessmentCenters,includingaddressesanddrivingdirections,maybeviewedatAMP’swebsite(www.goAMP.com).Specificaddressinformationwillbeprovidedwhenacandidateschedulesanexaminationappointment.
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIESNBCCandAMPcomplywiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesActandstrivetoensurethatnoindividualwithadisabilityisdeprivedoftheopportunitytotaketheexaminationsolelybyreasonofthatdisability.NBCCandAMPwillprovidereasonableaccommodationsforcandidateswithdisabilities.
WheelchairaccessisavailableatallAssessmentCenters.Candidateswithvisual,sensory,orphysicaldisabilitiesthatwouldpreventthemfromtakingtheexaminationunderstandardconditionsmayrequestspecialaccommodationsandarrangements.Pleaserefertoinsertforstatespecificinformationonspecialaccommodations.CandidatestestingwithapprovedspecialaccommodationsshouldscheduletheirexaminationviaAMP’stoll-freenumbertoensuretheiraccommodationsareconfirmed.BesuretoinformAMPofyourneedforspecialaccommodationswhencallingtoscheduleyourexamination.
CandidatesapprovedforextratimeduetoEnglishasasecondlanguagemustpayanadditionalfeeof$60toreceivethisaccommodation.
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Whenschedulinganexamination,bepreparedtoconfirmalocation,apreferreddateandtimefortesting,andtoprovideyourSocialSecuritynumberasauniqueidentificationnumber.AMPwilluseyourSocialSecuritynumberonlyasanidentificationnumberinmaintainingyourrecord.WhenyoucontactAMPtoscheduleanexaminationappointment,youwillbenotifiedofthetimetoreporttotheAssessmentCenter.PleasemakeanoteofitbecauseyouwillNOTreceiveanadmissionletter.
TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES FOR THE DEAF
AMPisequippedwithTelecommunicationDevicesfortheDeaf(TDD)toassistdeafandhearing-impairedcandidates.TDDcallingisavailable8:30a.m.to5:00p.m.(CentralTime)Monday-Fridayat913-495-4437.ThisTDDphoneoptionisforindividualsequippedwithcompatibleTDDmachinery.
EXAMINATION APPOINTMENT CHANGESAcandidatemayrescheduleanexaminationappointmentatnochargeonetimebycallingAMPat888-519-9901atleasttwobusinessdayspriortothescheduledtestingsession(Seetablebelow.)
MondayTuesday
WednesdayThursday
Friday
ThursdayFriday
MondayTuesday
Wednesday
IftheExaminationisscheduledon...
AMPmustbecontactedby3:00p.m.CentralTimetorescheduletheExaminationbytheprevious...
MISSED APPOINTMENTS AND CANCELLATIONSAcandidateforfeitstheexaminationregistrationandallfeespaidtotaketheexaminationwhenhe/she:
•Wishestorescheduleanexaminationbutfails tocontactAMPatleasttwobusinessdays priortothescheduledexaminationsession,•Reschedulesforasecondtime,•Appearsmorethan15minuteslateforan examination,• Failstoreportforanexaminationduetoillness, or•Failstoreportforanexaminationappointment.
AcompleteNBCCExaminationRegistrationFormandexaminationfeearerequiredtore-registerfortheexamination.
INCLEMENT WEATHER, POWER FAILURE, OR EMERGENCYIntheeventofinclementweatherorunforeseenemergenciesonthedayofanexamination,AMPwilldeterminewhethercircumstanceswarrantthecancellation,andsubsequentreschedulingofanexamination.TheexaminationwillusuallynotbereschedulediftheAssessmentCenterpersonnelareabletoopentheAssessmentCenter.IfpowertoanAssessmentCenteristemporarilyinterruptedduringanadministration,yourexaminationwillrestartwhereyouleftoffandyoumaycontinuetheexamination.
CandidatesmaycontactAMP’sWeatherHotlineat800-380-5416(24hours/day)todetermineifAMPhasbeenadvisedthatanyAssessmentCentersareclosed.Everyattemptismadetoadministertheexaminationasscheduled;however,shouldanexaminationbecancelledatanAssessmentCenter,allscheduledcandidateswillreceivenotificationfollowingtheexaminationregardingreschedulingorreapplicationprocedures.
NATIONAL COUNSELOR EXAMINATION (NCE)
EXAMINATION CONTENT
TheNationalCounselorExaminationforLicensureandCertificationisa200-question,multiple-choice,non-sectionedexaminationrepresentingeachoftheoriginaleightCACREP®(CouncilforAccreditationofCounselingandRelatedEducationalPrograms)contentareas,withquestioncontentalsoemergingfromthefivejobanalysisfactors.Thus,theNCEisnotonlyanchoredinthecontentvalidityoftheeightoriginalCACREPareas,butisalsorepresentativeoftheempiricallydeterminedfiveclustersofprofessionalcounselorworkbehaviors.
Adifferentform(version)oftheNCEiscompiledforeachadministrationoftheexamination.Eachform’squestions,whicharedrawnfromtheitempoolfortheNCE,haveundergoneextensivereviewandfield-testing.
AlthougheachformoftheNCEcontainsdifferentquestions,thecontentareaandtherespectivenumbersofquestionsrepresentingthoseareasareconsistent.Withinthesetof200questionsoneachformoftheNCE,160ofthequestionsarecountedforthepurposeofdeterminingwhetheryousurpasstheminimumcriterion(i.e.,“passing”)scoreforthatform.Thus,themaximumpossiblescorearespondentcanachieveis160.Theremaining40questionsineachformoftheNCEarebeingfieldtestedtodeterminetheirappropriatenessforfutureuse.
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ThefollowingisanoutlineshowingtheeightCACREPdomainsonwhichtheexaminationquestionsarebased:
Human Growth and Development-studiesthatprovideanunderstandingofthenatureandneedsofindividualsatalldevelopmentallevels.
Social and Cultural Foundations-studiesthatprovideanunderstandingofissuesandtrendsinamulticulturalanddiversesociety.
Helping Relationships-studiesthatprovideanunderstandingofcounselingandconsultationprocesses.
Group Work-studiesthatprovideanunderstandingofgroupdevelopment,dynamics,counselingtheories,groupcounselingmethodsandskills,andothergroupworkapproaches.
Career and Lifestyle Development -studiesthatprovideanunderstandingofcareerdevelopmentandrelatedlifefactors.
Appraisal-studiesthatprovideanunderstandingofindividualandgroupapproachestoassessmentandevaluation.
Research and Program Evaluation -studiesthatprovideanunderstandingoftypesofresearchmethods,basicstatistics,andethicalandlegalconsiderationsinresearch.
Professional Orientation and Ethics-studiesthatprovideanunderstandingofallaspectsofprofessionalfunctioningincludinghistory,roles,organizationalstructures,ethics,standards,andcredentialing.
Thefollowingisanoutlineofthefiveworkbehaviordomains:
Fundamentals of CounselingFor example:Assessclient’sprogresstowardcounselinggoalsAssessclient’spsychologicalfunctioningConductdiagnosticinterviewAssessneedforclientreferralDiagnosebasedonDSM-IV-TRcriteria
Assessment and Career CounselingFor example:UsetestresultsforclientdecisionmakingSelectandadministerassessmentinstrumentsforcounselingProvidecareercounselingforpersonswithdisabilitiesAdministerandinterpretachievementtestsAssessclient’seducationalpreparation
Group CounselingFor example:FacilitategroupprocessAssistgroupmembersinprovidingfeedbacktoeachotherConductpost-groupfollow-upproceduresIdentifybehaviorsthatdisruptgroupprocessAssessprogresstowardgroupgoals
Programmatic and Clinical InterventionsFor example:Participateasmemberofmulti-disciplinaryteamProvidecrisiscounselingtovictimsofdisasterAssessprogrammaticneedsConductcommunityoutreachAdministerandmanagecounselingprogram
Professional Practice IssuesFor example:EvaluatetheperformanceofothercounselorsProvidediversitytrainingProvideclinicalsupervisionforprofessionalsEngageindataanalysisConductcommunityneedsassessment
The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) has developed a preparation guide for the NCE that includes general information about the exam, a practice test, tips and strategies for test taking, and additional references. This guide can be purchased for $24.95. An order form can be printed from the Web site: www.nbcc.org/orderform.
Phone: 336-547-0607 Fax: 336-547-0017Address: NBCC, 3 Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403-3660Web site: www.nbcc.org
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NCE SAMPLE EXAMINATION QUESTIONSFollowingaresamplequestionsinthesamestyleandsimilarcontentaswillbeonyourexamination.Usethesamplequestionstoverifyyourunderstandingofthetopicsintheexamination.Answersareprovidedforthesamplequestions.
1. Inattemptingtounderstandthelifeperspectives andcharacteristicsoftheirclients,somecounsel- orsuseKohlberg’stheoryofmoraldevelopment asatheoreticalframework.Thesecounselors knowthatKohlberg’stheoryincludesthree progressivelevelsculminatingin
A.self-actualization,whereintheindividualis fullyhumanistic. B. principledthought,whereintheindividual adoptsaself-acceptedsetofstandardsof behavior. C.androgyny,whereintheindividualexhibits bothmaleandfemalestereotypic behaviors. D. personhood,whereintheindividualisfree frommoraldilemmas.
2. Aprofessionalcounselordeterminesfeesfor monthlyconsultationservicesonajob-by-job basis.Thisisanexampleofwhichofthefollow- ingtypesofreinforcementschedules?
A. variableinterval B. fixedinterval C. variableratio D. fixedratio
3. Researchonthedevelopmentofapersonina so-called“humanisticlifeoutlook”hasshown thatitisfacilitatedby
A. formaleducationalexperiences. B. observationallearningexperiences. C. diverseinterpersonalinteractions. D. alloftheabove.
4. Whenpersonswhoarecharacteristicallyshy andwithdrawnparticipatein“assertiveness training,”initiallytheyexperienceuncertainty andself-doubt.Counselorsrefertothissocial psychologicalconceptas A. cognitivedissonance. B. dissociation. C. individuation. D. acculturation.
5. “Men(usedheretomeanallpeople)aredis- turbednotbythings,butbytheviewwhichthey takeofthem.”Thisquote,attributable toEpictetus,mostcloselydescribesthecounsel- ingtheorydevelopedby
A.Rogers. B. Carkhuff. C.Freud. D. Ellis.
6. Thecounselingtechniqueinwhichthecounselor intensifiestheclient’semotionalstateinorder tohelptheclientunderstandtheirrationalityof theemotionalreactionisknownas
A. confrontation. B. paradoxicalintention. C. systematicdesensitization. D. reconfiguration.
7. Counselorsknowthatgroupsareformedfor differentpurposes.Forexample,insomegroups theprimarygoalistoyieldsomespecifiedout come,or“product,”whileinotherstheprimary goalistofocusonthe“process”ofinteraction withinthegroup.Whichofthefollowingtypesof groupsismoreproductthanprocessoriented?
A.Behavioral B. Transactional-analysis C. Adlerian D. Client-centered
8. Inthecontextofgroupcounseling,members thatarehighinconformityalsotendtobehigh in A. independence. B. authoritarianism. C. intelligence. D. superiority.
9. Acounselorwhostructuresacareercounseling grouptohelpgroupmembersunderstanda “fieldsandlevels”approachtocareersis followingthetheoryof
A. Super. B. Roe. C. Holland. D. Tiedeman.
10. Theconceptof“careermaturity”hasbeen describedandresearchedmostextensivelyby
A. Crites. B. Hoyt. C. Tiedeman. D. Ginzberg. 6
11. PersonAandPersonBbothtookthesametest. PersonAgotascoreof100whilePersonBgot ascoreof75.Inorderforacounselortodeter- minewhetherthedifferencebetweentheir scoreswasbecauseof“chance,”thecounselor wouldneedtoknowwhichofthefollowing characteristicsofthetest?
A. mean B. standarddeviation C.standarderrorofmeasurement D. standarderrorofthemean
12. Acounselorconductedastudyintendedto evaluatetheeffectivenessofon-goinggroup careercounselingonthevocationalmaturity ofhighschoolsophomores.Thestudywas beguninSeptemberandcontinueduntilJune. Thisstudyispartcularlysusceptibletowhichof thefollowingthreatstothevalidityofanexperi- ment?
A. regression B. maturation C. reactiveeffectsofexperimentation D. multipletreatmentinterference
13. Acounselordesignsastudywheretwo experimentalgroupsandonecontrolgroup completepre-andpost-experimentmeasuresof self-concept.Thesubjectswerenotrandomly assignedtothegroupsbecauseofscheduling problems.Whichofthefollowingtechniquesis MOSTappropriateforanalyzingtheresultant data?
A. analysisofcovariance B. correlatedt-tests C. analysisofvariance D. Wilcoxonmatched-pairssigned-rankstest
14. Youhavebeenprovidingcareercounselingto aclientwhoisseekingemployment.Concur- rentwiththecounseling,andwithyour knowledge,theclienthasmadeapplicationfor employmentwithseveralemployers.Apoten- tialemployercallsyouandasksforyouropinion astoyourclient’ssuitabilityfortheemployer’s jobopening.Underwhichofthefollowingcon- ditionsareyoufree(i.e.,notinviolationof professionalethics),toprovidetheinformation requested? A. Whenitisclearthattheclientwillnotget thejobunlesstheinformationisgiven B. Whenyouarecertainthattheinformation youwouldprovidewouldassurethatthe clientwouldgetthejob.
C. Wheninyourbestjudgmentyoubelieve theinformationwouldenhancetheclient’s chancesforgettingthejob. D. Noneoftheabove.
15. Asappliedtoprofessionallicensureof counselors,theterm“reciprocity”meansthat A. onelicensingagencyagreestoaccept thelicensingstandardsofanotheras sufficientforitsown. B. alicensedcounselormaylegallyperform thefunctionsofalicensedpsychologist. C. certificationissynonymouswithlicensure. D. graduationfromafullyaccredited counseloreducationprogramautomati- callyconstituteseligibilityforlicensure.
Sample Answer Key1.B2.C3.D4.A5.D
6.B7.A8.B9.B10.A
11.C12.B13.A14.D15.A
PREPARING FOR THE EXAMINATIONYourprimaryobjectiveinpreparingfortheexaminationistopass.Learningnewmaterialandreviewingoldmaterialarecriticaltowardthisobjective.Beginyourstudybydevelopingyourstrategyforsuccess.
Agoodstudystrategyincludespreparation.Toprepare,determinefirstwhatyouneedtolearn,chooseyourstudymaterials,andselectaquiet,comfortableplacethatallowsyoutofocus.Beforeyoubegin,checktomakesureyouhaveeverythingyouneed.Trytoavoidinterruptions.
Developingastudyplanwillallowyoutolearnthemostasyoustudy.Includesettinggoalsinyourstudyplan.Reviewwhatyouhavestudiedasoftenaspossible.Themoreyoureview,themoreyouwillretain.
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IDENTIFICATIONTogainadmissiontotheAssessmentCenter,youmustpresenttwoformsofidentification,onewithacurrentphotograph.Bothformsofidentificationmustbecurrentandincludeyourcurrentnameandsignature.Youwillberequiredtosignarosterforverificationofidentity.
Acceptableformsofphotoidentificationincludeacurrentdriver’slicensewithphotograph,acurrentstateidentificationcardwithphotograph,acurrentpassport,oracurrentmilitaryidentificationcardwithphotograph.EmploymentIDcards,studentIDcardsandanytypeoftemporaryidentificationareNOTacceptableastheprimaryformofidentification.
YoumusthaveproperidentificationtogainadmissiontotheAssessmentCenter.Failuretoprovideappropriateidentificationatthetimeoftheexaminationisconsideredamissedappointment.Therewillbenorefundofyourexaminationfee.
TAKING THE EXAMINATIONYourexaminationwillbegivenbycomputeratanAMPAssessmentCenter.Youdonotneedcomputerexperienceortypingskillstotaketheexamination.Onthedayofyourexaminationappointment,reporttotheAssessmentCenteratyourscheduledtest-takingtime.LookforthesignsindicatingAMPAssessmentCenterCheck-in.ACANDIDATEWHOARRIVESMORETHAN15MINUTESAFTERTHESCHEDULEDTESTINGTIMEWILLNOTBEADMITTED.
SECURITYNBCCandAMPmaintainexaminationadministrationandsecuritystandardssothatallcandidateshavethesameopportunitytodemonstratetheirabilities.TheAssessmentCenteriscontinuouslymonitoredbyaudioandvideosurveillanceequipmentforsecuritypurposes.
Thefollowingsecurityproceduresapplyduringtheexamination:
•Nocameras,notes,taperecorders,Personal DigitalAssistants(PDAs),pagers,orcellularphones areallowedinthetestingroom.• Nocalculatorsarepermitted.• Noguests,visitors,orfamilymembersareallowed inthetestingroomorreceptionareas.• Nopersonalitems,valuables,orweaponsshould bebroughttotheAssessmentCenter.Only keysandwalletsmaybetakenintothetesting room.AMPisnotresponsibleforitemsleftinthe receptionareas.
EXAMINATION RESTRICTIONS•Nopersonalbelongingsareallowedinthe AssessmentCenter.Pencilswillbeprovidedduring check-in.•Youwillbeprovidedwithscratchpapertouse duringtheexamination.Youmustreturnthe scratchpapertotheproctoratthecompletion oftesting,oryouwillnotreceiveascorereport.No documentsornotesofanykindmayberemoved fromtheexaminationroom.•Noquestionsconcerningthecontentofthe examinationmaybeaskedduringtheexamination.•Eating,drinking,orsmokingisnotpermittedin theAssessmentCenter.•Youmaytakeabreakwheneveryouwish,butyou willnotbegivenadditionaltimetotest.
MISCONDUCTIndividualswhoengageinanyofthefollowingconductmaybedismissedfromtheexaminationandwillforfeittheirscoresandfees.Examplesofmisconductare:
•creatingadisturbance,beingabusive,orotherwise uncooperative;•displayingand/orusingelectroniccommunications equipmentsuchaspagers,cellularphones,PDAs;•givingorreceivinghelporbeingsuspectedof doingso;•attemptingtotaketheexaminationforsomeone else;or•beingobservedwithnotes,books,orotheraids.
COPYRIGHTED EXAMINATION QUESTIONSAllexaminationquestionsarethecopyrightedpropertyofNBCC.Itisforbiddenunderfederalcopyrightlawtocopy,reproduce,record,distribute,ordisplaytheseexaminationquestionsbyanymeans,inwholeorinpart.Thosewhodosomaybesubjecttoseverecivilandcriminalpenalties.
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PRACTICE EXAMINATIONAfteryouridentificationhasbeenconfirmed,youwillbedirectedtoatestingcarrel.Youwillbeinstructedon-screentoenteryourSocialSecuritynumber.Youwilltakeyourphotographwhichwillremainon-screenthroughoutyourexaminationsession.Thisphotographwillalsoprintonyourscorereport.
Beforebeginningthetimedexamination,youwillbegiventheopportunitytopracticetakinganexamonthecomputer.ThetimeyouuseforthispracticesessionisNOTcountedaspartofyourexaminationtimeorscore.Whenyouarecomfortablewiththecomputertestingprocess,youmayquitthepracticesessionandbeginthetimedexamination.
TIMED EXAMINATIONMultiple-choice software
Candidate’sPictureHere
Inthecontextofgroupcounseling,membersthatarehighinconformityalsotendtobehighin
independence.authoritarianism.intelligence.superiority.
ABCD
Cover Help B ! Time < 1 > F
Followingthepracticeexamination,youwillbeginthetimedexamination.Beforebeginning,instructionsfortakingtheexaminationareprovidedon-screen.
Thecomputermonitorsthetimeyouspendontheexamination.Theexaminationwillterminateifyouexceedthetimeallowed.Youmayclickonthe“Time”boxinthelowerright-handcornerofthescreenorselecttheTimekeytomonitoryourtime.Adigitalclockindicatesthetimeremainingforyoutocompletetheexamination.TheTimefeaturemaybeturnedoffduringtheexamination.
Onlyoneexaminationquestionispresentedatatime.Thequestionnumberappearsinthelowerrightportionofthescreen.ChoicesofanswerstotheexaminationquestionareidentifiedasA,B,C,orD.Youmustindicateyourchoicebyeithertypingintheletterintheresponseboxinthelowerleftportionofthecomputerscreenorclickingintheoptionusingthemouse.Tochangeyouranswer,enteradifferentoptionbypressingtheA,B,C,orDkeyorbyclickingontheoptionusingthemouse.Youmaychange
ananswerasmanytimesasyouwishduringtheexaminationtimelimit.
Tomovetothenextquestion,clickontheforwardarrow(>)inthelowerrightportionofthescreenorselecttheNEXTkey.Thisactionwillmoveyouforwardthroughtheexaminationquestionbyquestion.Ifyouwishtoreviewanyquestionorquestions,clickthebackwardarrow(<)orusetheleftarrowkeytomovebackwardthroughtheexamination.
Anexaminationquestionmaybeleftunansweredforreturnlaterintheexaminationsession.QuestionsmayalsobebookmarkedforlaterreviewbyclickingintheblanksquaretotherightoftheTimebutton.ClickonthehandiconorselecttheNEXTkeytoadvancetothenextunansweredorbookmarkedquestions.Toidentifyallunansweredandbookmarkedquestions,repeatedlyclickonthehandiconorpresstheNEXTkey.Whentheexaminationiscompleted,thenumberofexaminationquestionsansweredisreported.Ifnotallquestionshavebeenansweredandthereistimeremaining,returntotheexaminationandanswerthosequestions.Besuretoprovideananswerforeachexaminationquestionbeforeendingtheexamination.Thereisnopenaltyforguessing.
CANDIDATE COMMENTSDuringtheexamination,onlinecommentsmaybeprovidedforanyquestionbyclickingonthebuttondisplayinganexclamationpoint(!)totheleftoftheTimebutton.Thisopensadialogueboxwherecommentsmaybeentered.Commentswillbereviewed,butindividualresponseswillnotbeprovided.
FOLLOWING THE EXAMINATIONAftercompletingtheexaminaton,candidatesareaskedtocompleteashortevaluationoftheirexaminationexperience.Then,candidatesareinstructedtoreporttotheexaminationproctortoreceivetheirscorereport.Scoresarereportedinwrittenformonlyandarenotreportedoverthetelephone,byelectronicmail,orbyfacsimile.
Yourscorereportwillindicatea“pass”or“fail.”Yourpass/failstatusisdeterminedbyyourrawscore.Additionaldetailisprovidedintheformofrawscoresbymajorcontentcategory.Arawscoreisthenumberofquestionsyouansweredcorrectly.
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PASS/FAIL SCORE DETERMINATION
ThemethodologyusedtosettheminimumpassingscoreistheAngoffmethod,appliedduringtheperformanceofaPassingPointStudybyapanelofexpertsinthefield.Theexpertsevaluatedeachquestionontheexaminationtodeterminehowmanycorrectanswersarenecessarytodemonstratetheknowledgeandskillsrequiredtopassthisexaminationportion.Yourabilitytopasstheexaminationdependsontheknowledgeandskillyoudisplay,notontheperformanceofothercandidates.
Passingscoresmayvaryslightlyforeachversionoftheexamination.Toensurefairnesstoallcandidates,aprocessofstatisticalequatingisused.Thisinvolvesselectinganappropriatemixofindividualquestionsforeachversionoftheexaminationthatmeetsthecontentdistributionrequirementsoftheexaminationcontentblueprint.Becauseeachquestionhasbeenpretested,adifficultylevelcanbeassigned.Theprocessthenconsidersthedifficultylevelofeachquestionselectedforeachversionoftheexamination,attemptingtomatchthedifficultylevelofeachversionascloselyaspossible.Toassurefairness,slightvariationsindifficultylevelareaddressedbyadjustingthepassingscoreupordown,dependingontheoveralldifficultylevelstatisticsforthegroupofscoredquestionsthatappearonaparticularversionoftheexamination.
SCORES CANCELLED BY NBCC OR AMPNBCCandAMPareresponsibleforthevalidityandintegrityofthescorestheyreport.Onoccasion,occurrencessuchascomputermalfunctionormisconductbyacandidate,maycauseascoretobesuspect.NBCCandAMPreservetherighttovoidorwithholdexaminationresultsif,uponinvestigation,violationoftheirregulationsisdiscovered.
IF YOU PASS THE EXAMINATION
Candidateswhopasstheexaminationshouldfollowtheirstateboardrequirementsforlicensure.Pleaserefertoinsertforstatespecificinformation.
IF YOU DO NOT PASS THE EXAMINATIONCandidatesmaytaketheexaminationonceevery3months.Thecandidatemustre-registerbysubmittinganewNBCCExaminationRegistrationFormwiththeappropriatefee.Pleaserefertoinsertforstatespecificinformation.
FAILING TO REPORT FOR AN EXAMINATIONAcandidatewhofailstoreportforanexaminationforfeitstheregistrationandallfeespaidtotaketheexamination.AcompletedNBCCRegistrationFormandexaminationfeearerequiredtoreapplyforexamination.
CONFIDENTIALITYInformationaboutcandidatesfortestingandtheirexaminationresultsareconsideredconfidential.Studiesandreportsconcerningcandidateswillcontainnopersonallyidentifiableinformationunlessauthorizedbythecandidate.
SCORE VERIFICATIONCandidatesmayrequestascoreverificationforthemselvesorathirdpartyatacostof$20perverification.RequestsmustbesubmittedtoNBCCinwritingbymailorfax.Therequestmustincludethecandidate’sname(iftestedunderadifferentname,includetestname),SocialSecuritynumber,mailingaddress,telephonenumber,dateofexamination,nameofexamination,stateinwhichtheexaminationwastaken,andwheretosendtheverification.TheyshouldsubmitthisinformationwiththerequiredfeepayabletoNBCCintheformofamoneyorderorcashier’scheck.Pleaseincludecreditcardinformation(cardnumber,expirationdate,nameaswrittenoncard,3-digitverificationnumberfromtheback,andsignature)ifyouarefaxingtherequest.Scoreverificationswillbemailedwithinfourtosixweeksafterreceiptoftherequestandfee.
Thetrademarks,logosandservicemarks(collectivelythe“Trademarks”)usedwithinthispublicationareregisteredandunregisteredtrademarksoftheNationalBoardforCertifiedCounselors,Inc.,itsaffiliatesandothers.NothingwithinthisdocumentmaybeusedinanywaywithoutwrittenpermissionofNBCCorsuchthirdpartythatmayowntheTrademarkusedwithinthedocument.MisuseoftheTrademarksusedinthisdocument,exceptasprovidedherein,isstrictlyprohibited.
TrademarkLegends:ThetermNationalBoardforCertifiedCounselors,Inc.,andtheabbreviationNBCCdesignatedby®andTMareU.S.trademarksoftheNationalBoardforCertifiedCounselors,Inc.
ThetermslistedbelowareU.S.trademarksoftheregistrantslistedwiththem:CACREP®(CouncilforAccreditationofCounselingandRelatedPrograms)oftheAmericanCounselingAssociation(ACA);VISA®ofVisaInternationalServiceAssociation;MasterCard®ofMasterCardInternationalInc.,AmericanExpress®ofAmericanExpressCompany.
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Request for Special Examination AccommodationsIfyouhaveadisabilitycoveredbytheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActandrequireexaminationaccommodations,pleasecompletethisform.Youwillalsoneedtoprovidesupportingdocumentationfromaqualifiedprofessionalstatingyourconditionandneedforspecialexaminationarrangements.Theinformationyouprovideandanydocumentationregardingyourdisabilityandyourneedforexaminationaccommodationwillbetreatedwithstrictconfidentiality.
Candidate InformationSocialSecurity#__________-______-__________
Name(Last,First,MiddleInitial,FormerName)
MailingAddress
City State ZipCode
DaytimeTelephoneNumber
All states do not use this special accommodations request form. Please check your individual state specific insert for further instructions. (www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap)
Special AccommodationsIrequestspecialaccommodationsforthe_______________________________________________examination.
Pleaseprovide(checkallthatapply): ____Specialseatingorotherphysicalaccommodation ____Reader
____Extendedexaminationtime(timeandahalf)
____Distraction-freeroom
____Otherspecialaccommodation(s)(Pleasespecify.)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Comments:______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature:___________________________________________________________________Date:_____________________________
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