CIPP/US Exam Preparation

**Exam Overview:** The Certified Information Privacy Professional - United States ("CIPP/US") exam caters to privacy professionals in the private-sector US and is run by the International Association of Privacy Professionals ("IAPP"). **Exam covers 5 topic areas (not equally weighted):** 1. Introduction to the Privacy Environment (42%) 2. Limits on Private-Sector Collection & Use of Data (30%) 3. Government and Court Access to Private Sector Information (9%) 4. Workplace Privacy (12%) 5. State Privacy Laws (7%) **Exam Preparation:** - Multiple choice / computer-based exam at a Pearson Vue testing center - 90 questions - 2.5 hours - Questions cover all five domains listed above - All are standard multiple questions - nothing crazy in format - IAPP is known for asking ambiguous questions - "grey area" of privacy - To pass, you need to achieve at least a 300/500 points (can't be computed based on correct answers) - IAPP says you need to answer 65-85% correct to pass - Fee is $550 for first time taking the exam - You can reschedule up to 48 hours in advance of the exam - You may move back and forth throughout the exam - Proctors have no specialized knowledge - You may take breaks but the 2.5-hour clock will not step. You can leave the room but not the building and you cannot access your belongings - When you leave you will know your results - Make sure you bring two forms of ID - One must be a government issued photo ID - Second must have your name and either your signature or photograph - Neither can be expired; must be current - Must be from the country you are taking the exam in - Questions are presented in a random order - All are in multiple choice; you'll be asked a one or two sentence question and then be presented with the answers - Some subjective questions where exercising judgement will be needed - keywords that include "most" "best" and/or "least" - Scenario based questions - you'll be presented a short scenario and be assigned a few questions that follows **Test Taking Tips:** - No penalty for guessing - If you get stuck, mark it for later and come back. It’s a marathon not a sprint - Make at least 3 passes through the exam during the 2.5 hours 1. - Quick first pass - take out easy questions 2. - Second Pass - answer every question 3. - Third Pass - clean up any errors - IAPP provides a very detailed curriculum based on the 5 topic areas - Look through the official exam objectives