If you’ve started studying for the AICP certification exam, you’ve probably realized it’s not just a test of what you know. It’s also a test of how well you can apply planning principles, evaluate competing solutions, and think like a planner in real-word situations. The test covers nine key topic areas, including:
- Research and Assessment Methods
- Fundamental Planning Knowledge
- Communication and Interaction
- Plan and Policy Development
- Plan Implementation, Administration, and Management
- Leadership
- Areas of Practice
- The AICP Code of Ethics
- Professional Conduct
Success on the exam depends not only on mastering the content but also on studying strategically, developing broad knowledge across planning disciplines, and applying professional judgment from a national planning perspective. Learn from Dudek Principal Planner and APA California’s AICP Exam Coordinator, Elizabeth Dickson, AICP, and other Dudek AICP-certified planners with tips on preparing for the exam, approaching questions from a national perspective, and applying your experience to select the best response.
Work Smarter Not Harder
1. Study
The most important tip is to study thoroughly. But don’t try to cram in the weeks before the test or just peruse an assortment of sources. Rather, study smart by creating a study plan, including at least 100 hours of study time spread out over the months ahead of the test.
Planning Project Manager Brandon Whalen-Castellanos, AICP, said, “It is all about your mindset. Have fun with your studies! AICP is a big endeavor, from the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to baseline planning knowledge, history, and case law.”
One hundred hours of solo study time may seem daunting, but you don’t have to go it alone.
2. Buddy Up
Studying with others can help motivate you and help you better manage your time. Your local APA section is a great resource for pairing up with a study partner or joining a group. Think of your study buddy as an accountability partner who can help you establish and stick to a study schedule.
If possible, partner with someone whose planning background differs from yours. Comparing perspectives can broaden your understanding of planning topics outside your day-to-day work and help you recognize when your own professional experience may be narrowing your focus. Brandon said, “I found it incredibly helpful to have a study buddy to go over key concepts and debate why an answer on a practice test was the ‘best’ answer.” Virtual meeting tools can also make it easier to connect with study partners beyond your geographic area.
3. Broaden Your Focus
There is a lot of information to cover for the AICP exam, but you don’t need to know everything about everything. Principal Planner Elizabeth Dickson, AICP said, “Imagine the exam content as an ocean. You need to be familiar with the entire surface, but you do not need to dive to the bottom in every area.” Focus first on developing a working knowledge of all the major topics.
Once you have a broad understanding, you can spend additional time strengthening the areas where you are less confident. Planning Project Manager Rose Newberry said, “Creating color-coded flash cards helped me break down the components of the exam so I could narrow down my deck and focus on weak spots.”
While the AICP certification exam includes questions about the history of planning, make sure to balance your review of foundational history with current planning topics and trends. You should pay particular attention to themes and topics discussed at recent national APA conferences. You may glean valuable insights from state conferences, but the exam tests your knowledge of nationwide planning, so prioritize memorizing details applicable at the national level.
Think Like a Planner
4. Think Nationally
The AICP exam is a national exam, and many questions ask you to select the best answer from several reasonable options. Your professional experience can help you evaluate those choices, but avoid relying solely on how planning is practiced in your specific city or state. Dickson said, “Put yourself in the shoes of a planner in ‘Anywhere, USA’ and apply your experience through the broader lens of sound planning practice.”
When several answers seem plausible, ask yourself which response best reflects the principles and practices APA would recommend. Reviewing APA resources, including Planning magazine, national conference materials, policy guides, and other publications, can help you understand that perspective and strengthen your professional judgment.
5. Apply What You Know
Knowing a planning concept is only the first step. You also need to recognize when it applies and how it should inform a planner’s response. As you study, consider how each concept might appear in a realistic planning scenario. Identify the planner’s role, the people and communities affected, the potential consequences of each response, and any relevant ethical or professional responsibilities. This will help you move beyond recognizing information toward applying it with sound professional judgment.
GET OUR FREE PRINTABLE AICP CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY REFERENCE
Go through the Motions ahead of the AICP Certification Exam
6. Practice, Practice, Practice
Taking practice exams early throughout your preparation helps guide your studying. You can see what topics you’ve mastered and where you need additional review, helping you use your study time more effectively. Environmental Planner Hayley Rundle, AICP, said, “Take as many practice exams as possible to understand the way questions are worded and to prepare for the time limit.”
The AICP exam often requires you to select the best answer from several reasonable choices. When reviewing your answers, consider why one response was better than the other options, particularly when several appeared reasonable.
Practice exams can also help you prepare for the physical rigors of the day. When you take practice exams, simulate the exam environment by blocking out uninterrupted time during the time of day that exams typically occur, setting up your workspace with only the allowed essentials, and going through the motions.
After your practice test, you may find you got thirsty halfway through, that your jeans were uncomfortable for such a long period of sitting, and that your eyes dried out from staring at a screen with contact lenses for so long. These are all valuable insights to learn from and tweak ahead of taking the actual exam, so you can stay focused on test day.
7. Prepare for Test Day
Finally, alleviate any last-minute jitters by eliminating what-ifs? Go to the test location in advance if you can, so you know the route, how long it takes to get there, and, if traveling by car, where to park. If possible, go into the testing center so you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there from your car or public transportation.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well prepared to pass the AICP exam!
Download our free printable AICP study reference to organize key concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and create a more focused study plan.
Elizabeth Dickson, AICP is a principal planner with 10 years of expertise in long-range and community planning, housing policy, and zoning code development. She has led general plan and housing element updates, crafted housing incentive programs, and developed implementation-focused policies that promote accessibility and affordability. Elizabeth is skilled in navigating legislation and collaborating with community stakeholders to create practical, forward-thinking planning solutions.