IAAP - CPS Test

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) offers Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) assessments for certification purposes. Becoming certified is a way to demonstrate commitment and professionalism. An administrative professional is a person that is accountable for doing administrative jobs, manages data in order to support the staff and workplace, and wants to become more proficient (both personally and professionally) in the field. IAAP's core values include integrity, encouragement, leadership, loyalty, professionalism, relevance, pride, connection and individual importance.

In order to be eligible for the CPS exam, candidates need:

• A bachelor's degree and two years of professional administrative work experience, OR
• Associate's degree and three years of professional administrative work experience, OR
• No college degree and four years of professional administrative work experience.

Candidates must provide documentation of an academic degree and/or work experience, which must have been in the past 15 years. A resume is not adequate proof.

The three-section test is criterion-referenced with multiple-choice questions, and the outcome will be either pass or fail. The first time a candidate attempts the test, he or she has to take all three sections. If a candidate is unsuccessful on one or more of the sections, he or she may try the test again up to six times in three years. The sections of the test are as follows:

1. Office Systems and Technology - approximately 175 questions to complete in 2 ¼ hours, as follows:
   • Computer Hardware, Systems, and Configuration - 12%
   • Document Layout, Design, and Reproduction - 16%
   • Software - 60%
   • Managing Physical Resources - 12%
2. Office Administration- approximately 175 questions to complete in 2 ¼ hours, as follows:
   • Records Management - 28%
   • Communication - 72%
3. Management
   • Human Resources - 48%
   • Accounting Procedures and Analysis - 16%
   • Time Management - 12%
   • Communication - 24%

The items on the assessment have been created to gauge the following:

1. Fundamental familiarity with information and vocabulary
2. Understanding of ideas, measures and philosophy
3. Use of ideas

Receptionist Jobs