OK - so here is my sob story...
I was ready to take the Calif exam and registered to do so in June of 2007. I was almost 4 months pregnant at the time, but I figured I would take the exam in a couple of months and all would be fine.
Well... it took the BOP over FIVE months to process my application (by then I was OVER due to deliver)! I had planned on the process only taking a few months, so I had already purchased the aatbs materials and taken the online exams (which you can only access for a limited time). It was TWO months PAST the time I thought I would sit for the exam that I finally could register. However, by then, I was on bed rest due to blood pressure, hardly sleeping, and barely getting through a difficult pregnancy.
Yet, I had passed the online exams in the 80% to 90% range, so I figured all would be fine. During the exam I was having false contractions and I had to get up to pee three times. But that wasn't the biggest problem. The BIG problem was that the online tests had made me over confident. There were MANY questions on the real test that did not provide the "right answers" as choices, but "best" answers, none of which were right, or multiple "right" answers that you had to choose between. (for example: If you forgot to inform a client about confidentiality limits and she tells you about a punishment she uses with her children that is abusive do you: a) report the abuse, b) advise her of confidentiality limits, c) train her on how to parent better, or d) maintain confidentiality. To me, the "right answer" would be a combo of a, b, and c, so I didn't know what to choose!)
So, anyway, I ended up missing the cut off score by ONE POINT!
Now, after waiting SIX MONTHS, I have registered to take the exam again. Except, at this point, I no longer have access to the online aatbs tests and I can't afford to purchase more materials or a workshop (all my money goes to daycare and student loans right now). I wrote down three pages of questions I was confused by right after taking the test, but my review of my study materials does not provide answers to these questions. It seems to me that many of the questions on the CPSE lack clear answers and don't represent real life choices.
I am in need of help here. I do not have enough money to take a workshop or purchase a prep course again. Yet, I know I need help in answering the vignette questions and the "best choice" questions.
I was already familiar with the study materials provided, what more do I need? How can I get this info. when I have no money? It seems to me that I need advice on how to recongnize the "hard" or "trick" questions, the stuff you can't memorize. Can anybody help me here?
Any info. would be MUCH appreciated.
Thank you....
I was ready to take the Calif exam and registered to do so in June of 2007. I was almost 4 months pregnant at the time, but I figured I would take the exam in a couple of months and all would be fine.
Well... it took the BOP over FIVE months to process my application (by then I was OVER due to deliver)! I had planned on the process only taking a few months, so I had already purchased the aatbs materials and taken the online exams (which you can only access for a limited time). It was TWO months PAST the time I thought I would sit for the exam that I finally could register. However, by then, I was on bed rest due to blood pressure, hardly sleeping, and barely getting through a difficult pregnancy.
Yet, I had passed the online exams in the 80% to 90% range, so I figured all would be fine. During the exam I was having false contractions and I had to get up to pee three times. But that wasn't the biggest problem. The BIG problem was that the online tests had made me over confident. There were MANY questions on the real test that did not provide the "right answers" as choices, but "best" answers, none of which were right, or multiple "right" answers that you had to choose between. (for example: If you forgot to inform a client about confidentiality limits and she tells you about a punishment she uses with her children that is abusive do you: a) report the abuse, b) advise her of confidentiality limits, c) train her on how to parent better, or d) maintain confidentiality. To me, the "right answer" would be a combo of a, b, and c, so I didn't know what to choose!)
So, anyway, I ended up missing the cut off score by ONE POINT!
Now, after waiting SIX MONTHS, I have registered to take the exam again. Except, at this point, I no longer have access to the online aatbs tests and I can't afford to purchase more materials or a workshop (all my money goes to daycare and student loans right now). I wrote down three pages of questions I was confused by right after taking the test, but my review of my study materials does not provide answers to these questions. It seems to me that many of the questions on the CPSE lack clear answers and don't represent real life choices.
I am in need of help here. I do not have enough money to take a workshop or purchase a prep course again. Yet, I know I need help in answering the vignette questions and the "best choice" questions.
I was already familiar with the study materials provided, what more do I need? How can I get this info. when I have no money? It seems to me that I need advice on how to recongnize the "hard" or "trick" questions, the stuff you can't memorize. Can anybody help me here?
Any info. would be MUCH appreciated.
Thank you....
