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Teresa,
Here you go. This is a post I put up a few years ago.
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Okay, good question. This will help many others using Family Solutions Home Study Program. Let me propose a course of action:
- Determine when you are going to take the test and ideally, you should begin studying somewhere around 2-3 months prior to the exam. You are shooting for approximately 125 hard study hours, study completely uninterupted, like the old days in the college library stacks.
- Treat your study time as sacred, as you would an hour with a client. Book the study time with yourself. Shut off the phone, don't tell family/friends where you are: JUST STUDY!!
- Take the Pre-test located in the front of the Study Guide. This will give you a rough sense of what you do or do not know. When you identify an area of weakness, note it in the Table of Contents in the Study Guide and make sure you address the weakness in your studying!
- If you are using the Virtual Workshop, watch it all the way through and then read a chapter. Take detailed notes. Listen to the relevant Audio review section, watch the relevant Virtual Workshop Module again. Refine your notes.
- Begin by reading the Study Guide and take copious notes. Organize your notes well as you study each of the Study Guide Chapters. This is what you will ultimately be studying from.
- As you study each of the MFT Models in the Study Guide, first read the Chapter, then listen to the Audio Review the corresponds to that model; then re-read the chapter. Use the Model Worksheets, Comparison Chart and Glossary to further organize each of the models. Develop continuums that allow you to note similarities and distinctions between the models i.e. model of change (continuious/discontinuous), therapist stance, etc.
- Repeat this for all the MFT Models.
- After reading the Study Guide, organize your notes well. And then do it again, reducing the numbers of pages you have each time. Ultimately, you are trying to reduce everything down to a single sheet of paper. Sounds impossible, I know. But this sheet is crucial, as it becomes the map that enables you to conceptually, get anywhere you need to go to answer a question.
- After you feel you have finished your first round of the study guide, it is now time time to take your first practice exam on the software CD. Give yourself a timed 2 hours to take it.
- Now look at your profile on the software. Identify areas of weakness/strength and re-calibrate your next round of studying accordingly. Remediate your areas of weakness.
- Have friends/family quiz you on concepts using the flash cards.
- If you feel like you need another practice exam, call FSI and upgrade to another exam.
- Utilize our forums as well as our eStudy Group. Ask questions.
- Enroll in our eStudy Program if you want further support from our Family Solutions Online which is very interactive. Our eStudy program includes our 2005 AAMFT PowerPoint Presentation (14 hours of training) in Kansas City at the AAMFT National Convention as well as an additional 100 question practice exam.
- Pay attention to when you studying is going to peak and tailor your final days of studying accordingly. Don't want to peak too soon or too late.
- If you still feel you need extra help, call FSI and register for one of our Intensive 2-day Workshops or purchase the Virtual Workshop DVDs. They really do make a difference!
- Take the tutorial offered at the Prometric or Sylvan Learning Center Prior to taking the exam.
So, hope that helps give you plan a course of study. Take this exam seriously, it is not an easy exam.
Good luck on both your studying and the actual exam!
Rob Guise
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