What You Need to Know About the New CPCE Format Including Practice Questions

As you embark on the transformative path to becoming a licensed counselor, the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) holds a significant role in assessing your readiness for the counseling profession. The Center for Credentialing Education recently announced a big change to the CPCE exam format. Beginning January 2024, 50% of the exam questions will be presented in a 3-response–option multiple-choice format, while the remaining 50% will retain the familiar 4-response–option format. 

Today, let's dive into the why behind the upcoming format change in the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) and practice with two mock CPCE exam questions.

The decision to introduce a mix of 3-response and 4-response multiple-choice questions is rooted in extensive research supporting the psychometric properties of the 3-response format. This change is not arbitrary; it's a strategic move to ensure that the CPCE remains a reliable and valid assessment of your counseling knowledge and skills.

By incorporating both question formats, the CPCE aims to strike a balance between traditional testing methods and emerging best practices. This ensures that the exam continues to accurately reflect the diverse skills and competencies required in the counseling profession.

It’s important that examination processes are regularly evaluated and adapted to stay up to date. The performance of each item will be carefully reviewed at the end of January to determine which questions will be scored and unscored. This iterative approach allows for ongoing refinement, ensuring the CPCE stays ahead of the curve.

As a candidate, understanding the rationale behind the format change empowers you to approach your preparation strategically. This exam change emphasizes the significance of each question, regardless of the response options, contributing to a thoughtful and thorough approach to the examination process.

The January 2024 exam serves as a testing ground for this new format, and the CCE will continue to gather feedback and data to inform future decisions. Any further changes will be communicated before August 2024.

To help you navigate the evolving landscape of the CPCE, we have included two practice questions with both 4-answer options and 3-answer options designed to mirror the new format. By engaging with these questions, you'll gain a firsthand understanding of how the shift in answer options may influence your approach to answering.

In group therapy, the term open group means:

Select one:

A.

a group in which many topics are open for discussion

B.

a group which is open to membership regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or mental disorder

C.

a group to which members can be added

D.

a group which has no set beginning

Now, let's remove an answer option.

In group therapy, the term open group means:

Select one:

A.

a group which is open to membership regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or mental disorder

B.

a group to which members can be added

C.

a group which has no set beginning

The Correct Answer is: B

An open group is one in which members join and leave the group at different times.

The correct answer is: a group to which members can be added

Eliminating one answer option to the new 3-response format helps your test strategy. You have an easier time reducing answer options so that even if you’re stuck in choosing a response, you have a higher percentage in guessing the correct response. An open group is ongoing, members can join and leave the group at different times without disrupting the group process. 

You reward a child whenever he does not argue or fight with others for a prespecified period of time. Which of the following behavioral techniques are you using:

Select one:

A.

differential reinforcement

B.

Premack Principle

C.

negative reinforcement

D.

time-out

Now, let's remove an answer option.

You reward a child whenever he does not argue or fight with others for a prespecified period of time. Which of the following behavioral techniques are you using:

Select one:

A.

differential reinforcement

B.

negative reinforcement

C.

time-out

The Correct Answer is: A

Removing an answer choice helps increase your decision making skills and narrow down answer options.  This question gives an example of differential reinforcement for other behaviors, whereby the person is reinforced every time they engage in a behavior that is not the one targeted for elimination.

(b) In negative reinforcement, performance of a behavior increases as the result of the removal of a stimulus following the behavior.

(c) Time-out involves removing all sources of positive reinforcement, after the expression of a particular behavior, for a brief, prespecified period of time in order to decrease the behavior.

The correct answer is: differential reinforcement

In the dynamic field of counseling, staying adaptable is key. Embrace the upcoming changes, and remember, your success in the CPCE is a reflection of your dedication and expertise. Best of luck on your journey!

Learn more here: https://www.cce-global.org/about/news/updated-format-of-cpce