The Certified Technical Trainer (CTT) designation is a
vendor- neutral certification available to all instructors who provide technical
instruction and education. While this certification was initially developed for
the computer training industry, its scope has since broadened to encompass
non-computer related technical training as well. Many heavy hitters in the IT
industry, such as Adobe, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle, and Siebel, currently
recognize the CTT certification.
There are two steps to achieving Certified Technical
Trainer status: passing both a computer-based examination and a performance
assessment via videotape in which you are expected to demonstrate skills found
in the IBSTPI Standards (more on the standards in a bit). Successful candidates
are recognized as having achieved a standard of excellence in the technical
training industry.
Who can take this exam?
While anyone can challenge the exam, it is obviously
geared towards those with at least a year of industry experience as a technical
trainer and those persons who already have a background in education.
Should you fail a CTT examination, you must wait at
least 30 days before your first retest and at least 180 days for all subsequent
retests. Failure to abide by these regulations will result in your test scores
being thrown out.
What do I need to prepare for the exam?
The computer-based exam is based upon the 14 core
competencies established by the International Board of Standards for Training,
Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI). Unfortunately, if you go to their site (www.ibstpi.org)
you will find practically nothing informative, aside from a list of the
competencies themselves. In fact, we've not been able to locate much in the way
of study material for this exam. We recommend starting with our free Cramsession
Study Guide available at:
The Chauncey Group, developer of the CTT program, sells
a book called "Instructor Competencies: The Standards, Volume I", ISBN
881326-03-9. While there are three volumes in this series, this first tome is
essential reading for the CTT exam and can be purchased for the modest price of
$17.95 USD from Chauncey's Web site at:
Friesen, Kay, and Associates have an excellent exam
simulator available. While it does not have an overly large pool of questions
(only 85), the simulator is very indicative of the types of questions that can
be found on the actual exam. You can find it at:
The CTT exam is offered through Sylvan Prometic Testing
Centers and can be booked through their Web site,
www.2test.com,
or by calling their toll-free line at 1-800-727-8490. The cost for the exam is
$150.00 USD.
Be aware that on the day you take the exam you will need
to present two pieces of identification and must also bring along a photo of
yourself that the testing center staff can emboss with their seal. You will need
this photo to take the exam (testing-center staff will not let you in without
it) and to submit your videotape later on.
What's the exam like?
The exam consists of 105 multiple-choice questions, and
examinees are allotted two hours to complete them. It follows a standard format
allowing you to mark tough questions and go back to them later.
There is some good news and bad news. The good news is
that the questions are all fairly short and fit on one page, so there is no need
to scroll up and down. The bad news is that some of the questions are quite
ambiguous, even for experienced trainers. You may need the full two hours to
complete the exam.
All questions are based upon the 14 IBSTPI competencies
that you will have to apply to the different scenarios presented. In some
instances, a scenario will be presented that spans two or more questions, but
you will be informed whenever this is the case.
Upon completion of the exam you will be given a chance
to go over any items that were marked for review. When you click END, you will
immediately be informed of whether or not you passed or failed. The passing
score is 760. Those who pass will not receive a score, but those who fail will
receive a score indicating their performance on the exam.
In a nutshell...
The CTT exam is tough but fair, and tests examinees
thoroughly on their knowledge of the 14 competencies. The two hours allotted is
enough for most people to complete the exam. Those who have studied the...
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