AACE’s Certification Board again hosted the “Ask Me Anything” series of webinars for each of the seven professional-level (with the two associated technician-level) and expertise-level certifications between April 18 and May 25, 2023. These popular live webinars provide opportunities for potential candidates, examination candidates, and certified individuals to openly discuss with AACE Certification Staff and the members of the Certification Committees of the Certification Board aspects of AACE’s Certification Program.

We appreciate the interest and participation of those attending and asking questions, and we are grateful to the members of the AACE Certification Staff and Certification Board Committees for the advanced preparation and thoughtful responses to the real-time questions posed by participants.

Each of the Ask Me Anything webinars was recorded, and the recordings have been posted to AACE’s website. There is a separate recording for each to include the CCP/CCT, CEP, PSP/CST, EVP, PRMP, DRMP, and CFCC. Please search AACE’s website through the following link to access the recordings – https://web.aacei.org/conferences-events/events/webinars/2023-ask-me-anything-certification-webinars.

The field of questions ranging from the application and registration process to the availability of testing centers and “online proctoring”, to the grading cycles to examination content, and to the availability of study materials for use in preparing to take a certification examination.

The most frequently asked question across all the AMA webinars was “Where can I find previous examinations or old exam questions for use in preparing to sit for one of AACE’s certification examinations?” The response, applicable to all AACE certification examinations, is that the content of our exams is directed to testing the competencies of the candidate(s) that have been acquired through a combination of education, ongoing training, and real-life experience on projects and programs. The candidates are tested on their ability to comprehend the information posed through the question and apply their competencies to arrive at the correct and appropriate response. AACE’s certification examinations are not designed to test the recall or the ability of the candidate to memorize questions/responses from previous exams or material from a test or other technical publication. In other words – AACE does not teach to the exam, which is contrary to what candidates may see in other certification programs. Moreover, AACE’s certifications are independently accredited through the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), which requires that the question banks supporting AACE’s examination program remain secured and are not disclosed at any level.

Another frequently asked question was –“ where do I look for study materials?” Each of AACE’s certification examinations is supported by a “Study Guide” available through our website at the Certification Hub. The Study Guides and additional training materials such as Online Learning Modules and Seminars in a Box are produced by AACE’s Education Associate Board and are accessible through our website – https://web.aacei.org/conferences-events/education. The Study Guides provide general information for preparation to take an exam and references to applicable AACE Recommended Practices, TCM Framework, and other materials relevant to preparation for taking an exam that are published through AACE’s Technical Associate Board, or as may be found in the public domain. Candidates should also be aware that AACE qualifies Approved Educational Providers (AEPs) which are independent entities that offer sessions aimed at the preparation of candidates for many of AACE’s certification examinations. However, candidates are reminded that participation in any of the preparation sessions offered by AEPs does not guarantee a candidate will be successful in passing the examination.

Another often-received question was – “How will an AACE Certification enhance my career?” AACE is studying responses from certified individuals who responded to a survey aimed at enhancing our Certification Program. Of the responses received thus far over 69% of respondents cited “personal recognition and satisfaction” as a benefit; more than 29% benefited from a “salary increase”; 22% identified “better job opportunities”, and 19% were recipients of a “promotion”.

A certification-specific question was directed at the re-introduction of AACE’s Decision and Risk Management Professional (DRMP) certification, which has been in suspension for approximately 18 months. The DRMP examination is targeted to be re-opened for registration and examinations in the fourth quarter of 2023. The DRMP was suspended during the final development and roll-out of AACE’s Project Risk Management Professional (PRMP). With the PRMP successfully launched, the DRMP Committee undertook the task of restructuring the DRMP examination to more appropriately represent the expertise and skill levels required for the risk assessment and decision-making process expected of those senior-level practitioners possessing the competencies required to exercise decision-making responsibilities. When reintroduced in the fall of 2023, the restricted DRMP examination will be accompanied by a fully restructured DRMP Study Guide.

There are many more questions relevant to each of AACE’s Certification Examinations, as discussed in each of the Ask Me Anything webinars, and we invite you to find the recorded webinar sessions through AACE’s website. After reviewing the AMA webinar recording(s), you are welcome to ask additional questions regarding any of our exams through AACE’s Certification Staff and the Certification Board of AACE’s Certification Institute by emailing your question(s) to certification@aacei.org. We look forward to receiving your application and, with the successful completion of the certification examination, recognizing your accomplishment with the award of an AACE Certification.