Taking the tests again

[shelli...@gmail.com]

I am thinking about signing up for the spring session. I took all the tests a few years back and failed, which was awful. However, I have the mindset to start studying again. Which test do you think would be the best to start with?

[Kimberly Klavoon]

Ok bear with me - I didn't mean to be so long winded but here goes: 

I think you definitely have to put your mind to it and commit but definitely go for it!  I graduated from my master's program in 2014 but am just now going through the exam process because well.. life, and these things are expensive! Now that I have an employer who can help with financial support, I am fully diving in.  The exams are tricky on purpose and I think it is important you understand as best as possible the different topics that could be on each section (use the LARE Orientation Guide to see the breakdowns. CLARB's website has some other resources compiled as well: https://www.clarb.org/resource/exam-blueprint/)

That being said, I took IAPM this past August and PD just last week and passed both. I relied heavily on the study guides and practice tests from LAREprep, the practice exams from CLARB (those are really nice because they are in the same format as the actual exams), and the videos from SGLA. All have been updated with the most recent 2023 exam changes. I took each practice test multiple times (LAREprep is unlimited, CLARB is 3x) and made flash cards from my results and the study guides and took notes while watching the SGLA videos. Full transparency - I did not read too much of the recommended reading list. Some of the texts I found too broad to gain any quality information and many times there were contradictions. Not to mention many are out of print and either expensive or just unavailable. But that's just me. I have also been working in a full LA firm since well before I even went back to school so I do think that helped some. Yes, sometimes you have to forget your 'real-world knowledge' and understand that the LARE is focusing on Health, Safety, and Welfare first and foremost, but I do still think my work experience has been valuable.

I will say if you wanted to double up on anything, I did feel like IAPM and PD were very similar content-wise and felt that they easily could have been studied for together. But again, given the time and expense necessary, you want to make sure you are allowing yourself the time to be ready for each section. I studied for a good 2 months prior to IAPM and 1.5 months for PD, starting slowly and adding more hours a little each week with a final cram session going through my flash cards the night before.

Whatever you decide I wish you luck! It can be overwhelming but there is great support in this group so lean on it when/where you can!