CPCE Practice Test 2026: 25 Free Questions + Answers
Published 2026-10-19 · Facts and text checked 2026-10-16 · Questions from our CPCE study guide · Reviewed by Hana N., Quality Reviewer
The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), from the Center for Credentialing & Education, has 160 multiple-choice questions, 20 for each of the eight CACREP areas, and 225 minutes of testing. Your university program sets the passing score. Below are 25 free questions from our CPCE study guide, each with the answer explained.
The questions are mixed across the CACREP areas and levels (easy, medium, hard), like the real exam. Try each one before you open the answer, then use the topic pages to drill the areas where you missed the most.
| Fact | Value and source |
|---|---|
| Exam body | Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE)CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook (revised March 25, 2025) · checked 2026-10-10 |
| Number of questions | 160 questions (136 scored, 24 unscored)CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook (revised March 25, 2025) · checked 2026-10-10 |
| Exam time | 225 minutes of testing (255-minute session with agreement, tutorial and one 15-minute break)CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook (revised March 25, 2025) · checked 2026-10-10 |
| Passing score (how it works) | Set by your university program, not by CCE: each program decides its own cut (passing) score.CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook (revised March 25, 2025) · checked 2026-10-10 |
Want a verdict instead of a practice set? Take the free "Am I ready?" quiz: 25 different questions, your score and the topics to study next.
25 free CPCE practice questions
Question 1Easy
A White therapist values diversity, works against racism without seeking praise, and has a nonracist White identity. Which Helms status does this describe?
- A.Pseudo-Independence
- B.Reintegration
- C.Autonomy
- D.Immersion-Emersion
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Autonomy
Autonomy is the final status with a positive nonracist White identity and active commitment to diversity. Immersion-Emersion is still searching; Pseudo-Independence is intellectual only; Reintegration is regressive.
From practice test 2 of our CPCE study guide (question 83). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 2Easy
In solution-focused brief therapy, when a therapist asks "Are there times when the problem is less severe?", they are using:
- A.Exception finding
- B.Coping questions
- C.Miracle question
- D.Scaling questions
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Exception finding
Exception finding specifically searches for times when the problem is absent or reduced. Scaling questions quantify progress, and the miracle question asks about a problem-free future.
From practice test 4 of our CPCE study guide (question 25). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 3Easy
During the first session of a new group, the leader should prioritize:
- A.Pairing members for one-on-one exercises
- B.Conducting a lengthy icebreaker activity
- C.Allowing members to freely explore deep issues
- D.Establishing group norms and clarifying goals
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Establishing group norms and clarifying goals
The initial session focuses on structure, norms, and goals to create safety and direction. Deep exploration is premature, and icebreakers should be brief.
From practice test 4 of our CPCE study guide (question 114). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 4Easy
A counselor begins work with a trauma survivor. Which action best demonstrates trustworthiness?
- A.Keeping the session notes in a locked drawer.
- B.Asking the client to sign a consent form without reading it.
- C.Explaining the limits of confidentiality in writing and verbally.
- D.Assuring the client that everything said is confidential.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Explaining the limits of confidentiality in writing and verbally.
Trustworthiness requires transparency about confidentiality limits. Absolute assurance of confidentiality is not accurate; locked notes are good practice but not the key.
From practice test 9 of our CPCE study guide (question 128). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 5Easy
At what age does a typically developing infant begin to sit without support?
- A.4 months
- B.6 months
- C.2 months
- D.9 months
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. 6 months
Sitting without support typically occurs around 6 months. Head control appears at 2 months, and crawling usually begins between 7-10 months.
From practice test 9 of our CPCE study guide (question 64). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 6Medium
A counselor employed by a community mental health agency provides services to clients. After leaving the agency, she wishes to take copies of her client notes. Who owns the records?
- A.The client, under HIPAA.
- B.The state licensing board.
- C.The agency, as the employer.
- D.The counselor, because she provided the services.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. The agency, as the employer.
In employment settings, client records are generally the property of the agency, not the individual counselor. The counselor may need agency permission to take copies. The ACA Code (B.6.b.) notes that records are kept by the employer unless otherwise agreed.
From practice test 7 of our CPCE study guide (question 70). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 7Medium
A researcher wants to determine whether there is a relationship between clients' primary attachment style (secure, anxious, avoidant) and their completion status in a 12-week group therapy program (completed, dropped out). The researcher collects data from 150 clients and constructs a contingency table. Which statistical test is most appropriate for analyzing these data?
- A.Pearson correlation coefficient
- B.Independent samples t-test
- C.Chi-square test of independence
- D.Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Chi-square test of independence
The Chi-square test of independence is used to examine the association between two categorical variables. Both attachment style and completion status are categorical, so a chi-square test on the contingency table is appropriate.
From practice test 5 of our CPCE study guide (question 88). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 8Medium
A counselor provides therapy to an 80-year-old client living in a nursing home. The client confides that a staff member has been physically rough during transfers, causing pain. The client is fearful of retaliation and begs the counselor not to report it. What should the counselor do?
- A.Confront the staff member directly about the behavior
- B.Advise the client to speak with the nursing home administrator
- C.Report the suspected elder abuse to the state adult protective services
- D.Keep the information confidential to protect the therapeutic alliance
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Report the suspected elder abuse to the state adult protective services
Elder abuse is a mandatory reporting exception in most states. The counselor has a legal duty to report, and confidentiality cannot be maintained when abuse is suspected.
From practice test 3 of our CPCE study guide (question 159). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 9Medium
A therapist asks, "What evidence supports your thought that you will lose your job?" This is an example of:
- A.Guided discovery
- B.Behavioral experiment
- C.Cognitive restructuring
- D.Socratic questioning
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Socratic questioning
Socratic questioning uses open-ended queries to help the client examine evidence for their thoughts. Guided discovery is a broader term, but the specific technique described is Socratic questioning.
From practice test 4 of our CPCE study guide (question 109). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 10Medium
A group leader invites a long-term member who has made significant progress to describe how her perspective changed over time. What therapeutic factor is the leader primarily fostering?
- A.Universality
- B.Altruism
- C.Instillation of hope
- D.Catharsis
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Instillation of hope
Instillation of hope occurs when members see that others have improved, fostering belief in their own potential for change. Universality (A) is about shared experience, not progress; altruism (B) involves helping others; catharsis (D) is emotional release.
From practice test 2 of our CPCE study guide (question 11). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 11Medium
A crisis client can describe the precipitating event but becomes emotionally overwhelmed and loses focus during the conversation. Which TAS domain score range best reflects this presentation?
- A.1-3
- B.7-10
- C.4-6
- D.0-1
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. 4-6
A score of 4-6 indicates moderate impairment, where the client can engage but has noticeable difficulty maintaining focus or composure. Mild impairment (1-3) would show minimal disruption, while severe impairment (7-10) would involve inability to function.
From practice test 2 of our CPCE study guide (question 96). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 12Medium
At a well-child visit, the pediatrician hides a toy under a blanket, and the 10-month-old infant immediately removes the blanket to retrieve it. This behavior indicates the infant has developed:
- A.Deferred imitation
- B.Symbolic thinking
- C.Object permanence
- D.Stranger anxiety
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Object permanence
Searching for a hidden object demonstrates object permanence, which typically emerges between 8 and 12 months. Stranger anxiety appears earlier, and deferred imitation and symbolic thinking develop later.
From practice test 8 of our CPCE study guide (question 67). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 13Medium
How does graduating from a CACREP-accredited program affect the process of obtaining state licensure?
- A.It eliminates the need to take a national exam
- B.It may streamline licensure because some states have reciprocity for CACREP graduates
- C.It has no impact on licensure requirements
- D.It guarantees immediate full licensure in any state
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. It may streamline licensure because some states have reciprocity for CACREP graduates
CACREP accreditation establishes educational standards, and many states offer expedited licensure or reciprocity for graduates, though it does not guarantee immediate licensure or waive exams.
From practice test 8 of our CPCE study guide (question 22). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 14Medium
A study finds that ice cream sales are positively correlated with drowning rates. Which is the most likely confounding variable?
- A.Drowning causes people to buy ice cream
- B.The correlation is stronger in summer months
- C.Temperature (hot weather increases both ice cream sales and swimming)
- D.Ice cream consumption causes people to go swimming
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Temperature (hot weather increases both ice cream sales and swimming)
A confounding variable (temperature) influences both variables, creating a spurious correlation. Ice cream does not cause drowning.
From practice test 3 of our CPCE study guide (question 103). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 15Medium
A counselor treating Maya, a 24-year-old client with generalized anxiety, administers the GAD-7 at intake (score 14) and plans to reassess after 10 sessions. What is the primary purpose of this reassessment?
- A.To establish a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder
- B.To screen for the presence of additional anxiety disorders
- C.To confirm that the treatment approach is evidence-based
- D.To measure therapeutic progress and inform treatment adjustments
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. To measure therapeutic progress and inform treatment adjustments
Reassessment using the GAD-7 after a defined number of sessions provides an objective measure of symptom change, allowing the counselor to evaluate whether the current interventions are effective and to modify the treatment plan as needed. This aligns with the integrative treatment planning described in the case of Maya.
From practice test 2 of our CPCE study guide (question 132). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 16Medium
A counselor is working with a first-generation Chinese American client who reports persistent headaches and fatigue. The client denies emotional distress but scores indicate moderate depression on a somatic-focused scale. The counselor acknowledges the physical complaints and explores how stress might be expressed physically in the client's cultural background. This approach best demonstrates which multicultural counseling competency?
- A.Knowledge of cultural variations in symptom expression
- B.Skill in adapting interventions to client worldview
- C.Commitment to social justice advocacy
- D.Awareness of the counselor's own cultural biases
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Knowledge of cultural variations in symptom expression
The counselor's recognition that somatic complaints can be a culturally typical expression of emotional distress reflects knowledge about how different cultures manifest psychological symptoms. Awareness involves self-reflection, not understanding client patterns.
From practice test 7 of our CPCE study guide (question 50). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 17Medium
A 14-year-old client reveals a detailed suicide plan and refuses to let the counselor tell her parents. Which ethical principle should take precedence in this situation?
- A.Fidelity, keep promises and maintain trust
- B.Nonmaleficence, avoid harm to the client
- C.Autonomy, respect the client's self-determination
- D.Beneficence, promote the client's welfare
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Nonmaleficence, avoid harm to the client
Nonmaleficence (do no harm) overrides autonomy when imminent self-harm is present, as the counselor must act to prevent suicide. This is consistent with both the ethical code and legal duty.
From practice test 8 of our CPCE study guide (question 115). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 18Medium
A 14-year-old client who has been engaging in non-suicidal self-injury for several months asks you not to tell her parents. She denies suicidal ideation but says she would be severely punished if her parents found out. Which response best integrates ethical, legal, and clinical considerations?
- A.Respect her autonomy by keeping the information confidential to preserve the therapeutic relationship.
- B.Inform her parents immediately because she is a minor and cannot consent to confidentiality.
- C.Conduct a thorough risk assessment, and if no imminent danger is found, negotiate a plan to involve a trusted adult gradually.
- D.Report the self-injury to child protective services because it may indicate abuse or neglect at home.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Conduct a thorough risk assessment, and if no imminent danger is found, negotiate a plan to involve a trusted adult gradually.
Non-suicidal self-injury alone does not typically mandate parental notification, but the counselor must assess risk of escalation and the client's safety. Involving a trusted adult through a collaborative plan balances autonomy, beneficence, and legal obligations, whereas immediately informing parents (B) may rupture trust without legal necessity, and complete confidentiality (A) may neglect duty to protect if risk is underestimated.
From practice test 3 of our CPCE study guide (question 56). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 19Medium
A counselor holds multiple privileged identities while the client belongs to a marginalized group. During sessions, the counselor avoids discussing differences in power. What is the most appropriate action for the counselor?
- A.Counselor must acknowledge and address power differences explicitly.
- B.Counselor should ignore power differences to appear neutral.
- C.Power differences only matter if client brings them up.
- D.Power differentials are irrelevant if counselor is culturally competent.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Counselor must acknowledge and address power differences explicitly.
Acknowledging power differences is essential to avoid replicating systemic oppression in the therapeutic relationship. Ignoring them (option B) is a common mistake that undermines trust.
From practice test 8 of our CPCE study guide (question 109). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 20Medium
A therapist asks a client, 'Suppose that tonight, while you are asleep, a miracle happens and this problem is solved. When you wake up, what will be the first small sign that the miracle has occurred?' The purpose of this question is to:
- A.Challenge irrational beliefs.
- B.Identify the client's strengths.
- C.Elicit concrete behavioral goals.
- D.Uncover underlying unconscious conflicts.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Elicit concrete behavioral goals.
The miracle question helps the client describe specific indicators of progress, which become goals. It does not focus on strengths directly, nor does it explore unconscious conflicts or challenge beliefs.
From practice test 2 of our CPCE study guide (question 31). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 21Hard
According to Freud, the successful resolution of the Oedipus complex in a boy results in which outcome?
- A.Development of a strong ego
- B.Sublimation of aggressive drives
- C.Regression to the anal stage
- D.Identification with the same-sex parent
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Identification with the same-sex parent
Freud held that the boy resolves the Oedipus complex by identifying with his father, which leads to the formation of the superego. The other options do not describe the direct outcome of Oedipus resolution.
From practice test 6 of our CPCE study guide (question 47). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 22Hard
According to the Theory of Work Adjustment (TWA), which of the following scenarios best describes a situation where an employee's dissatisfaction is due to a mismatch in correspondence?
- A.An employee consistently meets performance standards but feels unfulfilled because the work does not align with her value of autonomy
- B.An employee is frequently absent because the physical demands of the job exceed his stamina
- C.An employee has strong technical skills but fails to produce error-free reports required by the employer
- D.An employee is passed over for promotion despite having the necessary qualifications
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. An employee consistently meets performance standards but feels unfulfilled because the work does not align with her value of autonomy
TWA distinguishes two correspondences: abilities-to-requirements (affecting satisfactoriness) and reinforcers-to-values (affecting satisfaction). Only option A describes a values mismatch leading to dissatisfaction despite adequate performance.
From practice test 4 of our CPCE study guide (question 64). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 23Hard
A test manual for a new depression inventory includes evidence that scores correlate strongly with clinician ratings of depression and weakly with measures of anxiety. According to the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, which type of validity evidence is being presented?
- A.Response process evidence
- B.Relations to other variables evidence
- C.Test content evidence
- D.Internal structure evidence
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Relations to other variables evidence
This describes convergent and discriminant validity, which fall under relations to other variables evidence. Test content evidence involves expert review of item relevance, internal structure evidence includes factor analysis, and response process evidence examines cognitive strategies used by respondents.
From practice test 6 of our CPCE study guide (question 79). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 24Hard
A Black client has developed a strong, positive Black identity and now volunteers weekly with an organization that fights systemic racism. Which stage adds the element of sustained action against oppression?
- A.Immersion-Emersion
- B.Internalization-Commitment
- C.Internalization
- D.Autonomy
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Internalization-Commitment
Internalization-Commitment builds on secure identity by adding active, sustained effort to combat oppression, as shown by the volunteer work.
From practice test 2 of our CPCE study guide (question 129). Original question, not an official exam item.
Question 25Hard
A 10-year-old child says, 'I want to be a teacher because teachers are smart, but I can't be a doctor because that's for boys.' According to Gottfredson's theory, which stage of circumscription is this child in?
- A.Orientation to social valuation.
- B.Orientation to the unique self.
- C.Orientation to size and power.
- D.Orientation to sex roles.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Orientation to social valuation.
At ages 9-13, children enter the orientation to social valuation stage, where they consider social status and intelligence. The child's reasoning that teachers are smart reflects this stage, while the sex role comment is a residual from the earlier stage.
From practice test 6 of our CPCE study guide (question 86). Original question, not an official exam item.
Want the full CPCE preparation?
These questions come from our CPCE study guide: full-length practice tests with every answer explained, flashcards, an AI study tutor and the audiobook.
Quick answers
How many questions are on the CPCE?
160 multiple-choice questions: 20 for each of the eight CACREP areas. In each area 17 questions are scored and 3 are unscored pretest questions, so 136 count toward your score (CCE CPCE Candidate Handbook).
How long is the CPCE?
225 minutes of testing, inside a 255-minute session that also includes the agreement, a tutorial and one 15-minute break (CCE CPCE Candidate Handbook).
What is the passing score for the CPCE?
There is no national passing score. CCE reports your scores to your program, and each university program sets its own minimum cut score for its students.
How much does the CPCE cost?
The CCE handbook does not list a dollar amount. After you register and receive the Authorization to Test email, you pay Pearson VUE directly, or use a voucher if your program provides one.
How do I know if I passed the CPCE?
Your Pearson VUE dashboard shows a raw score report, usually within 24-48 hours, but it does not say pass or fail. Your counseling program compares your score with its cut score and tells you.
Can I retake the CPCE?
Yes, once more within the 6-month administration window and at least 30 days after the first attempt, with a new registration and fee. After a second failure your program must approve a new authorization.