CPCE Study Plan: 14 Days to Exam Day
Published 2026-11-01 · Facts and text checked 2026-11-02 · Questions from our CPCE study guide · Reviewed by Hana N., Quality Reviewer
This 14-day CPCE study plan works through the CACREP areas one at a time with free practice questions, adds a mixed practice day and a readiness check, and ends with light review. Use it after your coursework, when you need structure more than new material, and adapt the order to your weakest areas.
Each day takes about 60-90 minutes. If you have more time, repeat Days 2-8 for the two areas with your lowest scores before Day 12.
Day 1: Baseline
- Take the free "Am I ready?" CPCE quiz and write down your two weakest topics.
- Read the exam facts table: number of questions, time and how passing works.
Day 2: Professional Orientation and Ethics
- Read the Professional Orientation and Ethics chapter of your guide or course notes.
- Answer the 15 free Professional Orientation and Ethics questions and read every explanation, also for the ones you got right.
- Write three facts you missed on a card and review them tomorrow.
Day 3: Social and Cultural Diversity
- Read the Social and Cultural Diversity chapter of your guide or course notes.
- Answer the 15 free Social and Cultural Diversity questions and read every explanation, also for the ones you got right.
- Write three facts you missed on a card and review them tomorrow.
Day 4: Human Development Theories
- Read the Human Development Theories chapter of your guide or course notes.
- Answer the 15 free Human Development Theories questions and read every explanation, also for the ones you got right.
- Write three facts you missed on a card and review them tomorrow.
Day 5: Lifespan Development
- Read the Lifespan Development chapter of your guide or course notes.
- Answer the 15 free Lifespan Development questions and read every explanation, also for the ones you got right.
- Write three facts you missed on a card and review them tomorrow.
Day 6: Career Development
- Read the Career Development chapter of your guide or course notes.
- Answer the 15 free Career Development questions and read every explanation, also for the ones you got right.
- Write three facts you missed on a card and review them tomorrow.
Day 7: Counseling and Helping Relationships
- Read the Counseling and Helping Relationships chapter of your guide or course notes.
- Answer the 15 free Counseling and Helping Relationships questions and read every explanation, also for the ones you got right.
- Write three facts you missed on a card and review them tomorrow.
Day 8: Assessment and Testing
- Read the Assessment and Testing chapter of your guide or course notes.
- Answer the 15 free Assessment and Testing questions and read every explanation, also for the ones you got right.
- Write three facts you missed on a card and review them tomorrow.
Day 9: Weakest topic, second pass
- Go back to the topic with your lowest score and redo its questions without looking at the answers.
- Review the cards you wrote so far.
Day 10: Weakest topic, second pass
- Go back to the topic with your lowest score and redo its questions without looking at the answers.
- Review the cards you wrote so far.
Day 11: Weakest topic, second pass
- Go back to the topic with your lowest score and redo its questions without looking at the answers.
- Review the cards you wrote so far.
Day 12: Mixed practice
- Answer the 25 mixed questions on the CPCE practice test hub in one sitting.
- Mark every question you guessed: guesses are weak spots too.
Day 13: Check your readiness
- Retake the "Am I ready?" quiz and compare with Day 1.
- If you are below 80%, spend the evening on the topics the result lists.
Day 14: Light review and logistics
- Check your Pearson VUE appointment, ID and the test center address.
- Ask your program coordinator for its cut score if you do not know it yet.
- Review your cards once, then stop studying early and sleep.
Questions for each day: the hub and the question of the day. On day 13, take the "Am I ready?" quiz.
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.