This blog written exclusively for Social Tables by Vanessa LaClair, CMP, Event and Social Media Marketing Specialist for the Independent Power Producers of New York, Inc.
Study and exam preparation tips from those who have been where you are!
Just about a year and a half ago, I posted a blog on the personal and professional journey of gaining the CMP designation. For those of you who don’t already know, that’s Certified Meeting Professional. In April 2014, I renewed my certification for another five (5) years. It is still one of the best decisions I have made in my career as an event professional. Those with the CMP designation stand out in the crowd and are recognized as individuals who understand the needs and responsibilities of the meetings & events industry. Of course, it doesn’t happen overnight. Getting here takes time, and yes…you have to take a test!
In 2008, when I took the exam, it consisted a drive to New York City, a #2 pencil, a bubble sheet, and waiting for several excruciatingly long weeks to get a letter in mail stating whether you passed or failed. Now, there’s the convenience of a testing center! No more pencil and bubble sheet and preliminary results are provided immediately.
Those with the CMP designation stand out in the crowd as understanding the needs &…
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Everyone prepares differently, everyone studies differently. Most of us have graduated college and been in the working world for several years. So what are some of the best study practices for the CMP exam? I reached out to a few members of the Meeting Professionals International Northeastern New York (MPI NENY) chapter to find out how they prepared for the CMP exam – including those who took the exam at the new testing center.
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Study Tips and Tricks
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If your local MPI Chapter offers it, participate in Chapter led CMP Study Groups. This is usually a free benefit of MPI membership.
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Take a CMP Boot Camp. The MPI World Education Congress offers a CMP Boot Camp prior to the official start of the conference in July/August; highly recommended!
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Use Flash Cards and Highlighters. Take down notes on color coded flashcards and quiz yourself later. Use colored highlighters to pinpoint important information as you read.
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Take all the quizzes and practice exams you can find. The Convention Industry Council (CIC) does offer a practice exam and many MPI chapters will supply this during study groups. Take the quizzes at the end of each chapter in the study guides.
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Read the books and know the vocabulary! You can purchase study guides and materials on the CIC website.
While the group mentioned all the tips listed above, they each had a few of extra thoughts from their own experience to consider as you prepare to take the exam…
Preparation Advice
- Don’t conform to study habits that never worked for you in the past. What works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for you! – Christine King, CMP – Meeting Consultant, Site Solutions Worldwide
- Don’t stress over formulas and square footage! There are not enough questions on the test related to these two things to fail. – Kristi Harbers, CMP – Registration Manager, Site Solutions Worldwide
- While it is great to memorize facts, the test is subjective, so you need to know how to apply what you’ve learned! Go with your instinct! – Trina Avalos, CMP – Meeting Planner, Association of Governmental Risk Pools
- When taking the exam, keep an eye out for absolute terms such as: always, never, none, all, every, etc. – Christine King, CMP – Meeting Consultant, Site Solutions Worldwide
- Surround yourself with a support system. Get friends and family to quiz you. Don’t isolate yourself or study alone. – Allison Manny, CMP – Director of Meetings, ACOG District II
- Use your own industry experience and knowledge. Don’t psyche yourself out, trust your own knowledge of the industry – Christine King, CMP – Meeting Consultant, Site Solutions Worldwide
My tip to you! Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam. Don’t stay up all night quizzing yourself, reading the books, looking at flash cards, or stressing out. You know this! You are ready!
Whether your journey to CMP designation is a personal or professional one (or both), I wish the next class of CMP’s all the best and hope these study tips help you to prepare.
The post How to Study for the Certified Meeting Professional Exam appeared first on The Social Tables Blog.
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