Overview

IAAP, through its department, the Institute for Certification, will offer two separate certification programs. To attain the CPS rating, a secretary/admin must meet certain educational and work experience requirements and pass a three-part one-day examination. The CPS Examination is administered the first Saturday of May and November. More than 64.000 administrative professionals have achieved the CPS rating since 1951.

To attain the CAP rating, an administrative professional must meet certain educational and work experience requirements and pass a four-part, one and one-half day examination. The four-part exam will be administered twice annually—the first Friday and Saturday of May and November—beginning May 2001.

The CPS and CAP Examination covers OFFICE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY (Computer Hardware, Systems and Configuration; Document Layout, Design and Reproduction; Software; Managing Physical Resources); OFFICE ADMINISTRATION (Record Management and Communication); and MANAGEMENT (Human Resources; Accounting Procedures and Analysis; Time Management and Communication). The CAP exam covers ADVANCED ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT (Organizational Planning; Advanced Administration; Team Skills and Advanced Communication).

The examinations include a mix of three levels of questions designed to test (1) basic knowledge such as facts and terminology; (2) understanding of concepts, procedures, and principles; and (3) application of concepts. Examination questions in the first three parts appear in the multiple-choice format (one best response). The fourth part of the advanced exam is a scenario based multiple-choice exam with one best answer, one less preferable answer, and two incorrect answers.

The first three parts of the advanced exam are identical to the CPS exam in that they primarily focus on testing the candidates' knowledge of a single concept in a single question. In contrast, part four of the CAP exam is designed to measure the candidate's ability to properly analyze a situation, determine the critical factors of the situation and properly apply a wide range of knowledge in a variety of situations. While candidates will not be successful on part four unless they have a solid theoretical foundation, this part is designed to test critical thinking skills and the ability to properly apply sound managerial concepts.