I used Gerry Grossman and liked it a lot – had purchased the AATBS for another state and then went with GG for CA. I took the test yesterday and passed. I thought the classes were very helpful (though expensive) because it limited the info you need to know and gives you [...]]]> Congratulations Cara!

I used Gerry Grossman and liked it a lot – had purchased the AATBS for another state and then went with GG for CA. I took the test yesterday and passed. I thought the classes were very helpful (though expensive) because it limited the info you need to know and gives you great little visual ideas on how to remember a lot of the info with timeframes, ages, etc. I was scoring between 68% and 79% on a full 200 questions practice test and in the high 80′s in individual areas after studying them. I thought the actual test was more abstract, theoretical and integrated knowlege of theory, stage of tx, and DX in one question – the practice test quetsions were a bit more straight forward. I felt I had studied a lot of info I never had to recall and really had to focus hard to make sure I read the questions correctly and then read the answer sets carefully too. It wasnt as hard a I expected in terms of content – I felt ready having used my GG materials but the test requires a lot of critical and intense thinking. I recommend the GG materials and the CD’s were good while driving around – never used the flash card,wound up making my own since I am a doer/visual learner. The exam focussed on CBT, Systems, Bowen, Structural, and a lot of psychodymanic – also know the ‘schiz’ DX’s and their diferentials. Good luck!

So for those using AATBS TESTmaster and accompanying materials, I certainly struggled to make sense of what my testmaster scores meant in terms of the actual Clinical licensing test. Here’s what I have to pass on: I studied for probably about 4 full days, took 5 of [...]]]> Congratulations Kel, who posted this in comments:

So for those using AATBS TESTmaster and accompanying materials, I certainly struggled to make sense of what my testmaster scores meant in terms of the actual Clinical licensing test. Here’s what I have to pass on: I studied for probably about 4 full days, took 5 of the TESTmaster tests, with scores that ranged from 57%-68% (first attempt only). So needless to say, despite what others had said, I was extremely nervous about taking the actual exam. However, I am pleased to report that I did FAR better on the actual exam in terms of percentage – I passed easily with a significant margin, with a score in the 80′s on the actual exam. So for those struggling with TESTmaster, it’s great preparation, but the questions rely FAR less on actual information and facts (and randomness), and are generally easier. That said, given the trickiness of this exam, I wasn’t very confident while taking it, and was shocked with my result.

Best luck to all – and don’t be like me and stress out too much!

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I just took the exam today and passed. I used the AATBS Testmaster via computer — went through all 5 tests in study mode (did not retake any in exam mode). My highest overall percentage was 69% and lowest was 57%. I agree with comments made by Eva on [...]]]> Up from comments:

I just took the exam today and passed. I used the AATBS Testmaster via computer — went through all 5 tests in study mode (did not retake any in exam mode). My highest overall percentage was 69% and lowest was 57%. I agree with comments made by Eva on 10/15/09. I’d recommend using the online exam and using AATBS flashcards or making your own to review the areas you’re not familiar with. A friend loaned me the AATBS Volumes for reviewing Exam Prep Material, but I think that can be overwhelming and not as valuable as focusing on the exams. If I had it to do over again, I’d only do the exams and flashcards (and spend less than 10% of time on flashcards) and I wouldn’t look at the volumes at all.

Congratulations, Lisa!

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