Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) is a standardized exit exam designed to review the material of the counseling core concepts. All School and Clinical Mental Health students must pass the CPCE in order to graduate. The exam is intended to review the main core counseling concepts (CPCE). The exam is a computer-based exam that can be taken at the TAMUC Testing Center (CPCE-APB) or a Pearson approved site (CPCE-CBT).
You are eligible to take the exam after you complete COUN 551 and COUN 595.
For assistance instruction of how to register through Pearson VUE and with Testing Center, contact Dr. Ajitha Kumaran (Ajitha.Kumaran@tamuc.edu) (if your legal name is different than the name you are known by the department, please include, also).
Spring 2024 Exam Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024
Summer 2024 Exam Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024
One academic year (the Fall, Spring, Summer semesters) is all that can be posted at any time since we must coordinate the administration dates with the Testing Center. Once those dates are determined, they will be posted.
TAMUC Testing Center Fees:
The cost is in two portions and both must be paid before you may take the exam:
*One payment is for the CPCE exam—$75
*One payment is for the use of the Testing Center services—$60
We will provide you with both links for payments that must be made for you to be considered registered for the exam. Do not call the Testing Center first since we must be aware of each student who intends to take the exam. If you do not contact us first, important information may be missing for you to be successfully registered.
You can take the CPCE-CBT at any time in the semester. There is no set date. You need to make sure you take the semester 2 months before graduation so we can receive the results in time.
Person-Approved Site Testing Fees:
*One payment is for the CPCE exam—$150
NOTE: Please contact the Department of Counseling if you plan to contact the office of Student Disability Resources and Services (SDRS) for test-taking, contact SDRS at 903-886-5835 to discuss services available. Keep in mind that the office of Student Disability Resources and Services is open 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
https://www.tamuc.edu/student-disability-services/
The following FAQ further clarifies the procedures:
QUESTION: How many questions are on the Masters Comprehensive Examination?
ANSWER: There are 160 multiple-choice questions on the core section (CPCE).
QUESTION: Is the test on the computer or is it paper and pencil?
ANSWER: The CPCE is a computer-based exam.
QUESTION: How do I sign up to take the Masters Comprehensive Examination?
ANSWER: After reviewing the links, if you would like to register for the exam, please email Dr. Ajitha Kumaran (Ajitha.Kumaran@tamuc.edu) with the following information ASAP
QUESTION: When do I know my results?
ANSWER: Outcomes are sent to the department mid-month of the following month after the exam is taken. This is information is given by CCE.
QUESTION: What do I do with the raw score?
ANSWER: Email your raw score with the test date and CWID# to Ajitha.Kumaran@tamuc.edu.
QUESTION: What constitutes a passing score?
ANSWER: The passing score of the core section (CPCE) is calculated after each administration. A student will need to obtain a score that is equal to or greater than a z score of -1.25(1.25 standard deviation units below the national mean score).
QUESTION: If I should not pass the first time, how many times may I retake the exam?
ANSWER: If a student fails in their first attempt, they may re-test during the next scheduled administration of the CPCE or the student may be approved to take the exam at another Pearson's site. Should a student fail in their second attempt, their program may be terminated. Under extenuating circumstances, a third attempt may be granted but only upon the recommendation of the Departmental Examination Appeals Committee (DEAC) or head of the department and approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. For the third attempt, an oral exam is offered as a choice.
QUESTION: Is there a preparation guide or book available?
ANSWER: The Department does not have a preparation guide and does not endorse any particular guide. Students are encouraged to match their course syllabi objectives to the CACREP objectives and then to their course notes and textbooks. The TAMUC library has some available resources you can use (see below).
QUESTION: What are the eight core CACREP areas and what counseling classes relate to those areas?
ANSWER: The eight core CACREP areas include:
CACREP Core |
Related Program Classes |
Human Growth & Development |
COUN 545 |
Social & Cultural Diversity |
COUN-501, 522 |
Counseling and Helping Relationship |
COUN-501, 510, 516, 551, 552 |
Group Counseling and Group Work |
COUN-501, 528 |
Career Development |
COUN-501, 512 |
Assessment & Testing |
COUN-501, 517 |
Research & Program Evaluation |
COUN-501, 595 |
Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice |
COUN-501, 510, 516, 517, 528, 551, 552 |
For further information:
http://www.cce-global.org/AssessmentsAndExaminations/CPCE
To request a change to this page or to request access to make changes yourself, email helpdesk@tamuc.edu.