I recently did not pass the CPSE (missed by 2 points). Since August 1, 2014 just passed, the other version of the CPSE comes out. I looked at the bulletin, but can't find anything about what the current cut off score for the CPSE is. Does anyone happen to know? I hope to take it in January when my 6 month waiting period is up.
Current CPSE Cut Off Score?
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Important News for CPSE Applicants
From AATBS web site 8-13-14: The California Board of Psychology has increased the passing score from 73 to 83. This is the highest the bar has ever been set!
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Holy crap, California actually toughened regulations on licensing! This is unprecedented. Good for them.
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I don't have anything that I can link to or cite to back this up, but I've heard that pass rates for the latest version of the exam are dramatically lower than those of the past few years. I'm firmly in favor of maintaining high standards for our field, but in this case there may be concerns about the exam itself.
Here is a link to the official exam statistics that just came out. http://www.psychology.ca.gov/applicants/exams/statistics.shtml Over the last 6 months, only 60% of people passed the CPSE, whereas 65% passed the EPPP. Last year, 80% of people passed the CPSE while 60% passed EPPP. Something seems fishy....
benvolio94114: I saw that on the AATBS website too, but I am hesitant to trust that as it does not specify when that was posted and they are also a website that is trying to get you to pay for study materials - Or did you notice that the advertisement was recently added?
I saw the rates are dramatically lower this year (over 80% in 2012 and 2013; around 66% for 2014) compared to the previous years which is a bit frightening as I am about to take the exam and the consequences of not passing are very significant.
Can anyone verify what the current (As of August 1st, 2014) pass rates are?
I saw the rates are dramatically lower this year (over 80% in 2012 and 2013; around 66% for 2014) compared to the previous years which is a bit frightening as I am about to take the exam and the consequences of not passing are very significant.
Can anyone verify what the current (As of August 1st, 2014) pass rates are?
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Well, why are the August rates so important when we can clearly see the difference from 2013 to 2014? I'm prepping for the CSPE also. I could deal with the lower pass rate except that you have to wait 6 months each time you don't pass. All I ever have heard from everyone who's licensed is "don't worry about the CPSE, it's SO easy." I guess not anymore.
If anyone finds the rational for the dramatic decrease in pass rate from every year prior to 2014, please post it.
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http://www.psychology.ca.gov/applicants/exams/statistics.shtml
I'll be anxiously awaiting the August 2014 results. It has to be a new form of the exam due to the DSM 5.
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Not being from CA, I would agree that something possibly questionable seems to have occurred between 2013 and 2014 (or perhaps between January and February of 2014). Could very well be due to the previously-mentioned increase in passing score criteria.
I would like to know the pass rates and cut-off scores for August 2014 because it is a new test from the February through July exam (they change the exam every 6 months), which means it would have a new cut-off score and therefore a possible different pass rate.
Or has anyone taken the CPSE since August 1, 2014 with the new version?
Or has anyone taken the CPSE since August 1, 2014 with the new version?
BOP had their board meeting yesterday, and discussed the low pass rates for this last version of the CPSE. They are currently looking into being a possibly invalid test, and the next board meeting is in November when they'll discuss it more. Some of my peers who also did not pass that version received emails from BOP stating that they can retake the test at any time (without waiting the 6 months), but it'll (obviously) be the current version with the DSM 5. Some people are choosing to wait until late September/early October to retake the test because they want to see the stats for August 2014 to make sure the current version isn't flawed as well. During the meeting they also noted that as of January 1, 2015 they are doing away with the CPSE and will require people to take the CPLEE. Also, after January 1, 2015 you only have to wait 3 months to retake as there are 4 versions of the test.
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Not that I doubt you, but do you have a source where I can read this first hand info?
No I don't. I watched the meeting via their live web feed, and a few of my old classmates attended the meeting. I decided to watch after I contacted psychprep to buy updated CPSE materials, and the lady suggested I wait a month before I spent the money on CPSE materials because BOP was discussing not using the CPSE anymore.
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VPsyD, your situation sounds incredibly frustrating. I aim to take the CPSE in September but have increasingly more apprehension in the face of the last version's glaring pass rate numbers. Did you also receive an email from BOP offering a retake before Jan.? If not, did your peers get an explanation from BOP about why they were offered a retake?
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Yikes, I wish it were 2010 when 95% of people passed. I really wonder what is going on. 83 cutoff seems BS now :/ oh well guess it's time to study
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Yeah, I'm pretty eager to see the August scores. What if nobody took because everyone was freaked out at the scores?!
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I took the CPSE in late July. As far as I know, it was at the highest it would be for that 6 month period before resetting. So I believe it should be somewhere around the low 70 area now and climb back to about 80 percent by January. But it might reset to 70 if you take it in February.
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Eighty-three percent does seem daunting. Fwiw, it was 80 when I took it on the last possible day before resetting.
Why would the cut-off score be in the low 70% now? Did you hear that it starts at a low cut-off score each cycle?
Call the Board of Psychology directly. I did this morning and was informed the cut off is 78.
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Yes I did hear that and it's been reported as well. I'll try to look for it later. I've read that the cutoff score stats in the low 70s and escalates to about 80 at the end of the cycle.
During the meeting did they discuss what the ramifications are/will be if indeed they find it to be an invalid test? I took it and missed by one point during that test and feel validated after reading the awful stats for each month from Feb-July. Also, when did your peers receive an email indicating they can retake the test at any time? I took it back in May and have never received such an email, nor was that information confirmed when I called the BOP today. In fact, the man who responded to my inquiries stated that we are still required to wait 6 months.
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That's a good idea. I also received paperwork in the mail telling me what my cutoff score world be. I want to say I received it about two weeks before my exam.
Where did you hear this? From my research I have learned that the reason for different cut off scores is because of the test itself. Just as with the EPPP, they must weigh items in standardization so it is not deemed an "unfair" test.
I can't thank you enough for finding/posting that! As one of those affected by the (just barely) failing of the previous version of the CPSE, the fact that they BOP is looking into remedying the issue is so validating. I looked for facts to back up an earlier claim in this feed, even emailing the Board, to no avail. Thank you so much!
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Yeah, thanks for posting! I'm hoping this batch of tests puts everything back on track for 90% pass rate like the old days. I wonder when we'll get August data? From looking at CPSE scores from past years, I have very little confidence in this test. The 2007 scores were ridiculous up and down pass rates month to month. Sucks.
I may take it before the stats come out as I'm signed up for it mid September. Blarg.
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I received a letter from BOP last week stating that I can retake the exam at any point prior to my 6 months. However, IT needed to work on the computer system to allow people to retake it earlier, and that they would contact me when those changes were made.
Also ran across this Re: CPSE/CPLEE: http://www.psychology.ca.gov/laws_regs/exam_isr.pdf
Also ran across this Re: CPSE/CPLEE: http://www.psychology.ca.gov/laws_regs/exam_isr.pdf
Thank you for posting both pieces of information. I called the BOP last week and was not able to reach anyone with any information about those of us who did not pass the previous version of the CPSE. I also did not receive an email reply that I sent also inquiring, and still have not received a letter. I will try to follow up by calling again tomorrow. In any event, learning of all this has been very validating (to many of us I am sure) who were so surprised about failing! I used Pych Prep and all of my practice scores were well above the suggested minimums; needless to say, I was in total shock when I did not pass the CPSE.
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Thanks for the link. What a mess.
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I took the test yesterday 9/6/14 and missed by 3 points. The cutoff is 78%. I am very confused about the test itself. I did very well on the practice tests (used PsychPrep) and most of the questions on the actual test were nothing like what I studied. The questions were worded poorly and seemed overly complicated. Did anyone else experience this?
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When you watch the video link above it says that on July 1, 2015 the Board will change from the CPSE to the CPLEE and offer a new test every three months rather than every six. Someone in the video accidentally said January 1, 2015 but it was later corrected to July 1, 2015. But knowing the Board this could change....
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Sorry to hear that. Any study suggestions? I'm taking it soon. I'm hoping August CPSE results will be shown this week.
Received this email today. I wonder how long it will take them to "implement these new procedures" to allow us to retake the test ASAP instead of waiting the 6 months:
The Board has changed their procedures to allow applicants who did not pass the CPSE or the CPLEE to retake the exam as soon as a new version is available instead of the current wait time of six months. Changes will need to be made to the Board’s computer system and staff is working with the exam service and system personnel to implement these new procedures as soon as possible.
With a new version of the CPSE and CPLEE implemented on August 1, 2014, applicants who took the exam between February 1, 2014 and July 31, 2014 and did not pass will be eligible to retake the new version as soon as the new procedures are implemented. These applicants will need to submit the exam fee of $129. The following is a link to the form to submit with the payment: http://www.psychology.ca.gov/forms_pubs/exam_request.pdf.
In answer to the question about the validity of the CPSE that was administered from February 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014, it has not been determined that the exam is invalid or that there was an anomaly. Should you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
The Board has changed their procedures to allow applicants who did not pass the CPSE or the CPLEE to retake the exam as soon as a new version is available instead of the current wait time of six months. Changes will need to be made to the Board’s computer system and staff is working with the exam service and system personnel to implement these new procedures as soon as possible.
With a new version of the CPSE and CPLEE implemented on August 1, 2014, applicants who took the exam between February 1, 2014 and July 31, 2014 and did not pass will be eligible to retake the new version as soon as the new procedures are implemented. These applicants will need to submit the exam fee of $129. The following is a link to the form to submit with the payment: http://www.psychology.ca.gov/forms_pubs/exam_request.pdf.
In answer to the question about the validity of the CPSE that was administered from February 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014, it has not been determined that the exam is invalid or that there was an anomaly. Should you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Lol, look at the pass rate for that time period and the ten years prior. Yeah, looks like an anomaly! Still waiting on the August numbers...
I checked BOP website today, the August numbers are up. 70% pass rate, and (I think it was) 74% pass rate for first time test takers.
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I just checked and don't see the numbers. Have a link? That's still much lower than years prior and lower than the EPPP pass rate.
I'm looking here: http://www.psychology.ca.gov/applicants/exams/2014_monthly_cpse.pdf
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Weird, now it shows August.
Oh ok, I thought maybe I was seeing things. I even took a ruler to my screen to make sure the scores I was seeing were lining up with August.
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haha 🙂
Do you recommend the online study questions from a company like AATBS? Not sure if I should go that route. I did them for the EPPP and they were definitely helpful.
I don't know if I'm the best person to ask, seeing as I didn't pass.
I used old (2009) AATBS CPSE books, psych prep CDs, and a handful of practice tests. As always, I feel practice tests really help. The day after I failed, I bought the newest AATBS books and online testmaster. I did use testmaster for EPPP, and I think it helped tremedously. And since this is the new DSM 5, I think that having access to DSM 5 related questions will be useful to get an idea of what they're like. Now I'm dreading learning the DSM 5. I spent 7 years learning the IV-TR.
Some of my old classmates are discouraged enough that they're considering getting licensed elsewhere, their lives aren't really too rooted in CA so they can go to another state. I plan on looking at September's pass rates, and hope they improve. And as soon as they get their "software changes implemented" I'll take another stab at the dang thing. Just started studying again yesterday.
I responded to the email asking for an ETA on the software changes. Got this response this morning:
We are hoping after 09/19/2014. That’s assuming that the system works according to plan. We have identified those who qualify and have paid their fee. Staff will have to manually process these transactions.
We are hoping after 09/19/2014. That’s assuming that the system works according to plan. We have identified those who qualify and have paid their fee. Staff will have to manually process these transactions.
This is all so ridiculous. I have not received any letter or email from them. I spoke with Tammy Bailey at the BOP and although she said was less than friendly (to say the least), she did say that we would be notified in the upcoming weeks. It seems that some people have already been informed they can take it? Is that correct? I have received no letter or email. I may just submit the fee and see if that somehow sparks staff to "Manually process (my) transaction".
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I haven't purchased the online questions, but probably will. I can't risk having to wait 6 eff-ing months. Moving to another state is pretty drastic. The 6 months waiting period is pretty ridiculous. Not even the EPPP has that requirement. And they just now are realizing (admitting) that the CPSE is redundant after the EPPP. Geniuses.
