Ace Your ATP Certification: A Comprehensive Study Guide

The Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification demonstrates competence in evaluating the needs of individuals with disabilities, assisting in the selection of appropriate assistive devices or technology, and providing training on their effective use. This article serves as a comprehensive study guide to help you prepare for the ATP certification exam.

Understanding the ATP Certification

The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA®) administers the Assistive Technology Certification (ATP®) exam. The ATP certification demonstrates the holder's competence in:

Evaluating the needs of consumers with disabilities.
Assisting in choosing assistive devices or technology for the consumer.
Training the consumer in the ways the technology or device works.

Examination Details

The ATP certification exam is a four-hour, computer-based test administered at Prometric test centers worldwide.

Duration: 4 hours
Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice questions
Location: Prometric test centers
Number of Questions: 180
Fee: $625

Special Accommodations

Accommodations are available for candidates with special needs that comply with the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates with special needs may request accommodations after approval to sit for the ATP Exam.

Test Day Procedures at Prometric Testing Centers

The regulations and procedures for test day at Prometric Testing Centers are very strict. If you do not follow the regulations and procedures you can be asked to leave, and you won’t be able to take your ATP exam.

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Here is what you can expect:

You will be asked to sign in before the test and sign out after the test.
You will be asked for two forms of valid identification that contain your photograph, signature, and your full name.
You will be assigned a locker for you to store your personal belongings during the test.
You cannot leave the test center building for the duration of the test.
You will be assigned your seat, and you cannot leave your seat during the test.
You will be provided paper and pen, even for computerized tests.

Scoring System

Scores are determined by converting the number of questions answered correctly to a scaled score that ranges from 200 to 800. A scaled score has been mathematically transformed from a raw score (i.e., the number of correct answers) to a standardized scale. For every possible raw score on a test form, there is a corresponding scaled score. This transformation is similar to converting from pounds to kilograms. When multiple forms of a test are used, or when results are compared over time, scaled scores allow accurate comparison between possible differences in test form length or difficulty.

Scaled Score Range: 200 to 800
Passing Score: 600 (minimum)
Scoring Basis: Total number of correct answers

It is to your advantage to answer all of the questions. Your score is based only on the total number of correct answers. If you receive a score under 600, you do not pass the exam. Not passing the exam means you did not demonstrate mastery of the knowledge required to receive the ATP certification.

The passing score is the number of items candidates must answer correctly to pass the examination. The passing score is based on the results of a criterion-referenced process where a committee of subject matter experts discuss the minimum level of competency required to pass the examination during an established psychometric standard setting method, such as the Angoff method.

Score Reporting

For candidates who fail the exam, the score report will show the overall percentage score earned and will include diagnostic information about the candidate's performance in each of the five major knowledge domains from the Exam Content Outline. Your numerical score is reported along with a diagnostic message for each of the domains included in the exam. The diagnostic messages are intended to help you identify areas of strength and weakness.

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Retake Policy

There is a 90-day waiting period after taking the test before a test taker can retake the test at a reduced rate.

Application and Scheduling

It will take up to three weeks for your application to be reviewed. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you will receive information about how to schedule your exam appointment with Prometric. It is highly recommended to schedule your exam as soon as you receive confirmation of your application approval because the appointments fill up rapidly. You might need to arrange your exam at a different location if your preferred testing center is unavailable on the day of the exam.

Before taking the exam, you will need to pay the $625 examination fee.

Key Content Areas

The ATP Exam is extremely challenging, and thorough test preparation is essential for success. Mometrix's ATP test study guide reviews the most important components of the ATP exam.

ATP Exam Secrets Study Guide includes:

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A thorough review for the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional Exam
A breakdown of the assessment of need
An examination of intervention strategies
An analysis of the implementation of intervention
A guide to the evaluation of intervention
An in-depth look at professional conduct
Comprehensive practice questions with detailed answer explanations

It's filled with the critical information you'll need in order to do well on the test: the concepts, procedures, principles, and vocabulary that the Rehabilitation Engineering Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) expects you to have mastered before sitting for the exam.

1. Assessment of Need

The Presenting Findings section covers:

Interviewing Family and Reviewing Records
Assess Environmental Factors
Assess Consumer's Functional Abilities
Assess Consumer's Needs
Use of Specific Assistive Technology
Assess Effectiveness of Prior and Existing Technology
Presenting Findings
Assessment Terms

2. Intervention Strategies

The Intervention Strategies section covers:

Types of interventions
Action Plan
Designing effective assistive technology systems
Cognitive aids and computer access
Driving
General-purpose aids
Visual and auditory impairments
Educational setting

3. Implementation of Intervention

The Implementation of Intervention section covers:

Individual Written Rehabilitation Plans
Mobility systems

4. Evaluation of Intervention

The Evaluation of Intervention section covers:

Training program goals
Repair vs. maintenance activities
Assistive technology abandonment
Basic maintenance requirements
AAC system delivery follow-up

5. Professional Conduct

The Professional Conduct section covers:

Ethics
RESNA standards of practice
Legislation

These sections are full of specific and detailed information that will be key to passing the ATP Exam. Concepts and principles aren't simply named or described in passing, but are explained in detail. The guide is laid out in a logical and organized fashion so that one section naturally flows from the one preceding it.

Effective Study Strategies

Each candidate’s level of professional knowledge, AT experience, education, learning and test-taking styles varies. Therefore you are in the best position to structure preparation activities to meet your needs. Suggested resources noted here should serve as a starting point to plan your preparation activities. Other resources not listed may be of more help to you. RESNA’s provision of suggested resources does not assure success on the examination nor does it imply an endorsement of the resources listed.

*The Professional Standards Board (PSB) does not develop, administer, sponsor, endorse, or financially benefit from any exam preparatory courses, educational materials, or published resources related to the content of the certification examinations.

Practice Tests

It’s good to check along the way to see whether your studying is paying off. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking ATP practice tests to evaluate your progress. Practice tests are useful because they show exactly where you need to improve.

Every time you take a free ATP exam practice test, pay special attention to these three groups of questions:

The questions you got wrong
The ones you had to guess on, even if you guessed right
The ones you found difficult or slow to work through

This will show you exactly what your weak areas are and where you need to devote more study time. Ask yourself why each of these questions gave you trouble. Was it because you didn’t understand the material? Was it because you didn’t remember the vocabulary? Do you need more repetitions on this type of question to build speed and confidence? Dig into those questions and figure out how you can strengthen your weak areas as you go back to review the material.

Answer Explanations:

Additionally, many ATP practice tests have a section explaining the answer choices. It can be tempting to read the explanation and think that you now have a good understanding of the concept. However, an explanation likely only covers part of the question’s broader context. Even if the explanation makes sense, go back and investigate every concept related to the question until you’re positive you have a thorough understanding.

Comprehend Each Topic:

As you go along, keep in mind that the ATP practice test is just that: practice. Memorizing these questions and answers will not be very helpful on the actual test because it is unlikely to have any of the same exact questions. If you only know the right answers to the sample questions, you won’t be prepared for the real thing. Study the concepts until you understand them fully, and then you’ll be able to answer any question that shows up on the test.

Strategy for ATP Practice:

When you’re ready to start taking practice tests, follow this strategy:

Remove Limitations: Take the first test with no time constraints and with your notes and ATP study guide handy. Take your time and focus on applying the strategies you’ve learned.
Time Yourself: Take the second practice test “open book” as well, but set a timer and practice pacing yourself to finish in time.
Simulate Test Day: Take any other practice tests as if it were test day. Set a timer and put away your study materials. Sit at a table or desk in a quiet room, imagine yourself at the testing center, and answer questions as quickly and accurately as possible.
Keep Practicing: Keep taking practice tests on a regular basis until you run out of practice tests or it’s time for the actual test. Your mind will be ready for the schedule and stress of test day, and you’ll be able to focus on recalling the material you’ve learned.

Additional Resources

RESNA provides a practice exam that is developed using retired and inactive items from the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) item bank. The PSB reviews the retired items for accuracy before the Practice Exam is assembled. Several types of activities are used throughout the course to reinforce topics and increase knowledge retention. These activities include open ended questions from the instructor to the students, matching and poll questions, group activities, open/closed questions, and group discussions. New! RESNA has a newly revised 50-question online practice exam for ATP candidates. For a $99.00 fee payable by credit card, you will have 90 minutes to complete the practice exam.

The following reference books are available for purchase from RESNA Press. Note that these books are general reference texts for the assistive technology field which many certificants have found helpful for general review of AT topics, but they are not endorsed by RESNA as an exam study guide, as the questions on the exams are not drawn directly from these books. This is the resource manual designed specifically to be used in conjunction with the Fundamentals in Assistive Technology course offered by RESNA at various times and locations. Assistive Technologies: Principles & Practice - 5th Edition,by A. Cook & J.

Sheppard Air (SA) Resources

Why did everyone who took the FAA ATP exam since 2015 study with Sheppard Air (SA)? SA students have instructors available in-person, by telephone, every day from 0800 to 2000 central time; so if our students don't understand an explanation or regulation while studying with our courses, they can contact one of our instructors for help. SA courses are recommended by pilots, friends, inspectors, examiners, flight schools, companies, and universities. One-of-a-Kind Interview Written Test Prep… No-one else offers it! The learning platform downloads and installs on your device. Receive Automatic courseware updates (when you do have an Internet connection) 24-hours a day to keep up with the fluid pace of FAA changes. Note 1: Enroll in any one of the 5 Instrument courses above for $50, then any additonal course you need from that group is just $10 each. For example, if you enroll in the IRA course for $50, and then subsequently need to study for the FII test, when you enroll in our FII course, it will only be $10. Note 2: Enroll in any one of the 3 Aircraft Instructor courses above for $50, then any additonal course you need from that group is just $10 each. For example, if you enroll in the FIA course for $50, and then subsequently need to study for the AGI test, when you enroll in our AGI course, it will only be $10. When you call to enroll in your third full-price instructor course from those above, you'll receive a $10 discount. Don't worry… unlike other study programs, you won't be disappointed by finding 25 questions on your FAA test you've never seen before… we won't let you down… Our learning platform has been specially designed with features to help you be ready for your test fast, including a Study Strategy that helps you avoid typical studying pitfalls and learning errors. Try our learning platform with the Free Trial below if you'd like to see how it works. Tell Me More… Why should I enroll with you? … Can I use the Free Trial? … What do your students say? … Note: When you enroll in a course, your enrollment is limited to only one person and only one study device (the learning science in our system is predicated on studying from one device). There is no way to print the study course content, so you must study at a computer/iPad (with the rapid pace of FAA changes, paper gets old too quickly). Your study enrollment is valid until the day you take the FAA exam, but you can not exceed one year.

Mometrix Online Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online ATP prep course designed to give you everything you need to succeed!

Here’s what you’ll find in the ATP course:

Everyone learns differently, so we’ve tailored the ATP online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the ATP exam.

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