CPC Question

[Madison71]

Good Morning -

This is a question for those who have or are working towards the CPC.  I am curious how long it took you to attain this designation (or a module if still working towards it) once you received the QPA and began studying for CPC? I'm trying to plan ahead to see how long it will take.  I plan on reviewing the modules and taking the exams at an average pace whatever that means. For example, on the QKA/QPA, I averaged about one chapter per week and with review about 3 months between each exam.  From a quick review of CPC requirements, it looks like you have 4 required modules and 2 electives with online exams for each.  You then have a proctored exam at the end. 

Thank you!

[Bri]

I got the QPA (QKA didn't exist yet), and then got my CPC at my next job within a couple of years.  Testing setup was definitely different, though, back when there was just one C-3 and C-4 exam to take instead of any modules, plus getting letters of recommendation (from my prior job!)

 

[RatherBeGolfing]

56 minutes ago, Madison71 said:

Good Morning -

This is a question for those who have or are working towards the CPC.  I am curious how long it took you to attain this designation (or a module if still working towards it) once you received the QPA and began studying for CPC? I'm trying to plan ahead to see how long it will take.  I plan on reviewing the modules and taking the exams at an average pace whatever that means. For example, on the QKA/QPA, I averaged about one chapter per week and with review about 3 months between each exam.  From a quick review of CPC requirements, it looks like you have 4 required modules and 2 electives with online exams for each.  You then have a proctored exam at the end. 

Thank you!

Honestly, this is going to be different for everyone depending on a ton of different factors.  How much practical experience you have ,do you  easily retain retain information, etc.  I put the CPC on the back burner because I really don't need it, but I did a couple of the modules back to back with no problem.  Its open book so the answers are all there if you are comfortable with on the fly research.  If not, the (non helpful) answer is prepare in advance as much as you need to feel comfortable sitting down for the module.  

The proctored exam is a different animal.  You not only need to know what you are doing, you also need to be able to go through the full process in order to get full credit.  I like the one chapter a week approach, but I would probably double it to two weeks to allow enough detail per chapter.  Everyone's study habits and learning process is different, but one technique I used in law school was "cumulative review".  

Week 1-2 Study and outline Ch 1

Week 3-4 Study and outline Ch 2, plus thorough review of Ch 1 outline

Week 5-6 Study and Outline Ch 3, plus thorough review of Ch 1 & Ch 2 outlines

and so on

Pay close attention to the syllabus.  Know the learning objectives and tailor your studies to exam weighting.

Also, practice exams are your best friend.  It doesn't matter how well you know the material if you don't know how to answer the questions.

[Madison71]

Great tips!  Thank you very much.

[ETA Consulting LLC]

22 hours ago, Madison71 said:

Great tips!  Thank you very much.

At the end of the day, you will do well if you know the rules and how they are applied:

Question:  A company is owned as follows:

Tom owns 94.0%
Dave owns 4%
Dave's son owns 1%
Dave's daughter owns 1%
Tom draws a salary of $200,000 per year.
Dave draws a salary of $80,000 per year.
Dave's son and daughter each draws a salary of $120,000.00 per year.

Who are the HCE's in the 4 person company?  Why?      

[Note: Ceteris Paribus]

[Mr Bagwell]

I'll throw my hat into the ring.

Tom is HCE:  greater than 5% owner

Dave is HCE: greater than 5% owner due to attribution of son and daughter's ownership.

Son and Daughter: NHCE. While 5% owners, they are not above 5%.  They are not HCE on behalf of salary because it's not greater than 120,000.