CPS Exam

[mlm668]

Winkie,



Don't they do that already??





I am planning on taking the CPS after I complete a few of my credits for my ASB.  I doubt my boss has ever heard of it, but I want to do it for me to prove that all these years of being an admin has only made me smarter.  I'm just now starting on my college education and I finished high school 15 years ago.  Again it for me, not anyone else.  



Those of you who are already CPS's - didn't passing the test make you feel better about yourself?  Didn't it give you more pride in your abilities??

[winkiebear]

OK, I just checked out the information on IAAP's site.  Am I right, that IAAP has a $15 booklet to help you study, and that you are supposed to purchase college textbooks to assist in the rest of your studying?

[msgladiator]

You're right, winkiebear.  The CPS gives administrative personnel a broader knowledge of business which will enable them to grow and be more valuable in their position.  I'm sure you know, as most any person in an administrative role, that an "admin" wears many hats and many need to know the different areas of a company to get what they need to get things done (at least that's been the case with me).  As for the issue of contracts, I am a manager and yes, I am required to have our legal department go over contracts and give their blessing before the contract is signed by either myself or a higher level manager depending on the amount of the contract if it involves money and what the contract is for.  In my opinion, there is so much involved in law, that it's best left to attorneys to decipher.  When I was an executive assistant, I did have the authority to sign most contracts for meetings/events I set up outside the company.  The meetings and events were not large.  Now that I work for a very large corporation and the events and meetings I organize as part of my job are quite a big larger they do require higher level approval.  Back on the subject of CPS, it's a good exam for admins to take because of the fact that we're not a specialized profession -- we're usually jacks & jills of all trades.    

[winkiebear]

mlm, congratulations on your decision to pursue the CPS.  I will definitely agree with you that working as an admin only makes you smarter .... where else can you learn resourcefulness, intensity, prioritization ....



As for pride in abilities, do you need a title to tell you that?  I know that admins are known as the 'go-to' people in the company ... if you don't know you go to George or Betty ... but is the CAP/CPS something more than a self-esteem boost?



I know that when I attain my college degree, I will be immensely proud of myself, because of the obstacles I've overcome and the road I've traveled.  I don't believe it will make me 'feel better' about myself, but it will make me feel proud of what I've achieved, and it will take me closer to my ultimate goal.



But I'm wondering why the topics are so varied, because it doesn't seem to me that the topics are 'real-world' based.

[msgladiator]

Regarding my attainment of the CPS, to this day I am very proud of achieving it.  The company I worked for when I took the test didn't realize the extent of it until I informed them of everything involved.  I did get a nice (unexpected) raise for achieving it.  There are books for each section of the test plus study guides for each book.  I don't think that has changed.  They list college texts for further information.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

[winkiebear]

Ms. G - please don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing the CPS, and I'm not slamming anyone's achievement.  I'm questioning the validity of this test, and wondering more about the basis ... your achievements speak for themselves.

[winkiebear]

Also, does passing the CAP/CPS require any membership in IAAP?  Is there any other connection there, or is IAAP only the venue for the test?

[whitesatin]

And when you really start to think about it Winkiebear, business law permeates our profession.  Think about all the laws that come into play in the administration of our personnel benefits.  There are all of those federal laws and regulations involving payroll, Worker's Compensation, accident reports, required employment certifications to perform jobs, proposal documents, Confidentiality Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, FMLA, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Ethics and Compliance agreements to name a few items.  The list truly goes on and on.



The powers that be don't expect us to be lawyers, but it can only be beneficial for us to learn basic law and how it operates.  The CPS, and the CAP are not representing that we are experts in these fields, only that we have taken the extra steps to learn the basics to expand our knowledge base.



I hope this clarifies this to you a little more.



Got questions, keep asking.  



WhiteSatin    

[msgladiator]

I know you're not "dissing" the CPS, winkiebear.  I realize you're just trying to get an understanding of it's value.  I would say until you've taken a look at the text books and seen what is involved, it will be hard for you to determine the answer to that question.  You're going to get a variety of opinions, positive and negative.  All I know is that it is an exam that's been given for the past 50 years and I have come across a number of people along my career (which I, just like you, have fought to achieve) that have told me that the CPS was part of what helped them get to the high level positions they currently held.  I continually hear the comment, "Doesn't the CPS just give you a boost to your self esteem?"  I would have to come back and say, "Isn't that what achieving any goal does?"  

[msgladiator]

No, you don't have to be a member of IAAP to take the test. There may be a slightly higher fee for non-members though.  IAAP is the only association that gives the test.

[mlm668]

Winkie,



I realize it may be hard to understand why certain topics are covered on the exam, but you hit on it in your reply to my previous post.  As admins, we are the go to people.   As admins, we never really know what we are going to be asked to do next.  The more we know, the better we are able to assist those we work for. And the more we know, the more responsiblities we can earn.



You may not see the relevance now, but once you start studying those topics, you will be surprised how much of them relate to your everyday life.



As far as membership in IAAP - its not required in order to take the exam, but as Msgladiator says, you can get a reduced fee by being a member.  Also, by joining a local chapter, you may be able to meet others who have or are going to take the test.  These kinds of contacts can be invaluable in helping you get prepared.



Good Luck in your studies.

[ohiosec]

Further to what CountriGal and Execsec were saying...I am the only CPS in my company (a "very" large corporation) and HR doesn't have a clue what CPS stands for, although I've tried to tell them.  I wouldn't dare put "CPS" after my name like so many of you probably do, although I would like to and have earned the right.  My company honors experience, not education.  It's discouraging.  

[energizer]

Winkie,



I'd like to offer my input as well.  I passed the CPS exam in 1980 when it was still 6 parts and took two days to complete!  The personal satisfaction when I finally passed (it took me 3 tries to pass all 6 parts) was tremendous.  My boss at the time was also very supportive of my efforts and wrote a "blurb" about me in the corporate newsletter (35,000+ circulation!!).



Years later, the CPS designation helped me to get my current position.  The HR manager was also a CPS and went on to get her degree in Human Resource Management, so she knew exactly what amount of hard work and study goes into attaining the designation.  She made it a point to mention this credential to each manager who interviewed me, and I was told later that it was the "deciding factor" between hiring me and another highly qualified person.



I recently decided to get a degree in Office Administration, and the community college I applied to has granted me 27 credits toward the degree before I even attend my first class!  Once I get the degree, I'd like to go on for a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management.  Some of the electives I'll take for the Office Administration degree will be a start in that direction, so the CPS designation can also be a stepping stone for someone who wants to move up.



In summary, yes -- the CPS designation has been well worth the effort it takes.



Energizer

[execsec]

Ohiosec, I think I'd put those initials behind my name anyway.  You earned it and you deserve it!  Besides if you don't "toot" your own horn no one else will do it for you.  



Sitting for the CPS even if you already have your college degree is just icing on the cake.  My cake is a little flat (no degree) but I've got the icing!  The CPS/CAP certification just shows that you have gone beyond normal "book" learning in college and that you care to be the very best you can be.  Think about other disciplines, i.e., Human Resources, don't they have certifications with initials, and certified meeting planners, and even real estate people, can't they take extra exams to show that they have knowledge in certain areas of their business?  Who would you rather go to (or hire) -- someone that has initials behind their name (which usually means they have some "extra" knowledge) or someone who doesn't?



Please check into the CPS/CAP exam, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.  If you've been in the workforce for a while it should be easy to pass with some review work.

[countrigal]

In reading all the posts it sounds like the CPS/CAP exams can be used either as a replacement for a degree or as a starting step towards a degree and that it helps in some companies to get promoted.  Sounds like a worthwhile exam for some, while it still will not help others at all.  But like any self-education pursuit, it is how each individual feels about it that marks it's importance.



To be honest, I haven't heard - or seen - that many admins working for the government getting this certificate/credentialing.  And as everyone knows, the government is not run like any other company really, so most of the classes (including my business management classes) don't really help in the daily job.  Every contract entered into by the government has to go through so many committees and approval steps that the admin is furthest from the actual person signing.

 

And it sounds like those that the CAP or CPS has helped received theirs a while ago and it helped them at that time.  Is there anyone who has received it recently or received a promotion/raise in the last year or so because of having their CPS or CAP?  Are companies still looking for CPS or CAP's for their admins or are they looking for different certifications (maybe MOUS or other computer types?) or degrees?