Abstract

Exam failure has far reaching consequences. Specifically, licensure or certification exam failure impacts learners’ self-perceptions, their ability to secure meaningful employment and re-pay student loans, and their sense of membership in a professional group (e.g., Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) or licensed psychologists). Whether graduate students are preparing for the Examination for BCBAs or the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), they should benefit from the science from their own field of study. The purpose of this article is to outline the knowledge assessment strategies and evidence-based instructional strategies required in order to increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome on high-stakes licensure and certification exams.

Keywords: Pedagogy; Knowledge assessment; Certification

Abbreviations: BCBA: Board Certified Behavior Analysts; EPPP: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology