CPCE Practice Test: Get Ready for Your Exam! (2024 Updated)

The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) aims to assess students’ level of mastery of the knowledge and skills required for the preparation of professional counselors, identified by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and other Educational Professions.

Getting through this sample test will help you prepare for the real one, the questions here were taken from previous tests.

Good luck!

CPCE Exam

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Question 1

Please mark the appropriate description of "using motivation from 'within' ":

A	Inside motivation
B	Intrinsic motivation
C	Interior motivation
D	Idealistic motivation

Question 1 Explanation:

Intrinsic motivation is the motivation that comes from one's own thinking and desire.

Question 2

Pia had three actions, besides intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, to create a therapeutic relationship. Please choose one of the following:

A	To focus on the client instead of on other people.
B	To focus on the present instead of the past or the future.
C	To focus on the humane traits instead of the inhumane.
D	None of the above.

Question 2 Explanation:

To focus on the present instead of the past or the future.

Question 3

Please mark the definition of extrinsic motivation:

A	Motivation that comes from other people.
B	Motivation that comes from outside sources.
C	Motivation to do anything other than for basic survival.
D	None of the above.

Question 3 Explanation:

Motivation that comes from outside sources.

Question 4

Please mark the socioeconomic factor that can affect the result of therapeutic counseling:

A	Lack of transportation.
B	Lack of intrinsic motivation.
C	Lack of cultural norms for entering therapy.
D	Both A and C

Question 4 Explanation:

Both A and C

Question 5

Please choose 2 psychotherapeutic alliances:

A	I-You relationships, Nonworking alliance
B	Transpersonal relationships, I-You relationships
C	Working alliances, You relationships
D	Reparative relationships, Inter-transpersonal relationships

Question 5 Explanation:

Transpersonal relationships, I-You relationships

Question 6

Please mark the meaning of Transferential/Counter Transferential relationships:

A	A client transferring their relationship with another onto the therapist.
B	The therapist transferring their relationship with another onto the client.
C	Transferring the blame or outcome of behavior onto someone else.
D	Both A and B

Question 6 Explanation:

Both A and B

Question 7

Please mark what might encourage a therapist to break the strong code of client confidentiality:

A	Feeling the need to talk
B	Duty to warn
C	When a therapist is going on vacation
D	None of the above

Question 7 Explanation:

Duty to warn might cause the therapist to break confidentiality.

Question 8

Please mark the 3 components that constitute all attitudes:

A	Cognitive, Affective, Behavioral
B	Emotional, Habitual, Disposition
C	Health, Physical, Mental
D	Nurture, Environment, Luck

Question 8 Explanation:

Emotional, Habitual, Disposition are the three constituents of human attitude.

Question 9

Please mark the term which defines the case when one judges others while emphasizing internal personality factors over external situational causes. However, when one analyzes their own behavior, they emphasize internal personal attributions for their successes while giving external environmental attributions for their failures:

A	Compensating
B	Truth
C	Self-Serving Bias
D	Being different

Question 9 Explanation:

This is a case of Self-Serving Bias.

Question 10

Which term is applied when one's behavior is described as "he was strong-willed" or "he was encouraging"?

A	Statement
B	Attribution
C	Generalization
D	Accusation

Question 10 Explanation:

Attribution describes statements which explain the reason for people's behavior.

Question 11

What does the age integration theory refer to?

A	Keeping older people grouped together.
B	Periods in one's life course.
C	Giving people of all ages the opportunity to pursue education, work, and leisure activities.
D	Both B and C

Question 11 Explanation:

Both B and C

Question 12

What can trigger depression after the age of 65?

A	Changes in social status
B	Decreasing income
C	The act of aging
D	Both A and B

Question 12 Explanation:

Both A and B

Question 13

Please mark the influence of the socioeconomic status (SES) on aging and health:

A	A person can afford better medical care and food with higher income
B	More money makes aging better
C	If you have a higher income, you can afford to travel or do leisure activities
D	Both A and C

Question 13 Explanation:

Both A and C

Question 14

A comprehensive assessment of seven areas, using questions and scales is used to:

A	Identify both concerns and mental health.
B	Identify both strength and problem areas.
C	Identify both philosophies and beliefs.
D	None of the above.

Question 14 Explanation:

It is used to identify both strength and problem areas.

Question 15

In multimodal therapy, people respond best to:

A	Interventions that target their preferred modalities.
B	Interventions that target their personality style.
C	Interventions that target their strengths.
D	Interventions that target their areas of concern.

Question 15 Explanation:

They respond best to interventions that target their preferred modalities.

Question 16

Please mark the useful techniques associated with multimodal therapy:

A	Interrogation and listening
B	Imagery and insight
C	Bridging and tracking
D	None of the above

Question 16 Explanation:

Bridging and tracking are useful techniques associated with multimodal therapy.

Question 17

Please mark the meaning of the first "I" regarding the BASIC ID acronym in multimodal therapy:

A	Identify
B	Images
C	Ideas
D	I don’t know

Question 17 Explanation:

Images is the first "I" in the acronym BASIC ID.

Question 18

Please mark the recommendable target group for Gestalt therapy:

A	People with several mental health disorders
B	People with eating disorders
C	People with schizophrenia
D	People with mental retardation

Question 18 Explanation:

Gestalt therapy is recommendable for people with eating disorders.

Question 19

What type of questions play an important part in Gestalt therapy?

A	Reactive
B	Useful
C	What and How
D	None of the above

Question 19 Explanation:

What and How are important in Gestalt therapy.

Question 20

What is crucial in person-centered counseling?

A	Intervention strategies
B	Goals and therapeutic alliance
C	Behavior and thought patterns
D	All of the above

Question 20 Explanation:

Goals and therapeutic alliance are crucial in person-centered counseling.

Question 21

What is the role of a clinician in person-centered therapy?

A	Their role is to interpret dreams and fantasies.
B	Their role is to help clients.
C	Their role is to create an environment that allows people to trust themselves.
D	Their role is to create behavioral interventions for the client to work on at home.

Question 21 Explanation:

Their role is to create an environment that allows people to trust themselves.

Question 22

Please mark the appropriate time for a clinician self-disclosure:

A	It is never appropriate.
B	When it enhances the collaborative nature of the client-clinician relationship.
C	When it provides a different perspective.
D	Both B and C

Question 22 Explanation:

Both B and C

Question 23

What is the fundamental goal of existential therapy?

A	Helping people to find value, meaning, and purpose.
B	Helping people to find value, meaning, and fulfillment.
C	Helping people to find hope, happiness, and structure.
D	Helping people to find contentment, fulfillment, and happiness.

Question 23 Explanation:

The fundamental goal is helping people find value, meaning, and purpose.

Question 24

Please mark the steps toward a less distorted way of thinking in cognitive therapy:

A	Disputing and replacing
B	Understanding and focusing on
C	Recognizing and mapping
D	None of the above

Question 24 Explanation:

Disputing and replacing are steps toward a less distorted way of thinking in cognitive therapy.

Question 25

Please mark the type of distorted thinking according to this statement: "My professor didn’t call to tell me the exam results. He probably has bad news and doesn’t want to tell me."

A	Jumping to conclusions
B	Mental filter
C	Overgeneralization
D	None of the above

Question 25 Explanation:

This type of distorted thinking is jumping to conclusions.

Question 26

Cognitive therapy sessions are planned and structured to:

A	Maximize their impact and efficiency.
B	Maximize their goals and direction.
C	Maximize their coffee breaks and leisure.
D	A and C

Question 26 Explanation:

To maximize their impact and efficiency.

Question 27

Please mark one of the following procedures which does NOT belong to the recommended 10 procedures for an initial session:

A	Establish goals
B	Establish a meaningful agenda
C	Lead the client in a series of free associations
D	Identify and review presenting problems

Question 27 Explanation:

Lead the client in a series of free associations is not in the 10 procedures.

Question 28

What do cognitive therapists develop before they move forward with interventions?

A	Case formulation
B	Hypothesis
C	Outline of interventions
D	Time line of treatment

Question 28 Explanation:

Case formulation is developed before therapists move forward with interventions.

Question 29

What is the first step in changing behavior in behavior therapy?

A	Describing the behavior in terms that are understandable and obtainable.
B	Describing the behavior in terms that are specific and measurable.
C	Describing the behavior in terms that are open and reliable.
D	Both B and C.

Question 29 Explanation:

The first step in changing behavior in behavior therapy is describing the behavior in terms that are specific and measurable.

Question 30

Please mark what the client and the therapist need to decide prior behavioral therapy, once the problems have been clearly described, reflecting the severity and the frequency of the behaviors before treatment:

A	How to measure the behavior
B	Ways to record the measurement
C	How the client feels about the behavior
D	All of the above

Question 30 Explanation:

All of the above

Question 31

Please mark the definition of crisis, regarding crisis counseling:

A	A psychosocial development stage
B	Single or recurrent problems that are overwhelming or traumatic.
C	An episode of weakness
D	All of the above

Question 31 Explanation:

Crisis are single or recurrent problems that are overwhelming or traumatic.

Question 32

How long does the crisis counseling usually last?

A	Until stabilization occurs and the client can resume normal functioning.
B	Until all of the client’s symptoms are solved.
C	Usually one to three months.
D	Both B and C.

Question 32 Explanation:

Both B and C.

Question 33

What agencies are in the professional focus, in a crisis situation, as a counselor?

A	Law enforcement agencies
B	FEMA
C	State Health and Human Services
D	All of the above

Question 33 Explanation:

All of the above

Question 34

In which population(s) should special care be taken after a disaster?

A	Women and elderly
B	Children
C	Children and the elderly
D	Teachers and construction workers

Question 34 Explanation:

Children and the elderly need to receive special care after a natural disaster.

Question 35

Please mark the reasons to provide community research:

A	To reach an underserved population
B	To stimulate public awareness
C	To connect resources with other agencies which have a similar purpose
D	All of the above

Question 35 Explanation:

All of the above

Question 36

Please mark what can a mental health clinic provide in the way of community outreach:

A	Psychoeducational classes
B	Mental health information sent by traditional mail services
C	Staff senior centers with counselors for brief, solution-focused therapy
D	All of the above

Question 36 Explanation:

All of the above

Question 37

Please mark the funding resources available for the mental health outreach programs:

A	Grants from private or governmental foundations
B	Revenue generated from other mental health services
C	Fundraising events
D	All of the above

Question 37 Explanation:

All of the above

Question 38

What must a person have to manage a counseling program effectively?

A	Supervisory and administrative skills
B	Patience
C	A financial counselor
D	None of the above

Question 38 Explanation:

A person must have supervisory and administrative skills for this position.

Question 39

Please mark what is involved in one aspect of program management:

A	Applying theories and techniques with personnel
B	Facilitating and planning events
C	Integrating teaching and counseling skills
D	None of the above

Question 39 Explanation:

Integrating teaching and counseling skills is involved in one aspect of program management.

Question 40

Please mark the 2 ways that a program manager can build rapport and collaborate with other agencies to assist the community:

A	Sponsor a community event and invite other agencies to collaborate in planning and execution
B	Attend community events and join committees focused on community goals
C	Both A and B
D	None of the above

Question 40 Explanation:

Both A and B

Question 41

It is expected that a member of a multi-disciplinary team would:

A	Organize events
B	Chair a committee
C	Attend weekly meetings
D	All of the above

Question 41 Explanation:

All of the above

Question 42

According to the field of counseling, a multi-disciplinary team is:

A	Groups of professionals in a variety of fields contacting for a certain purpose
B	A team that takes disciplinary action for some behavioral issues
C	Parents and teachers assessing student actions
D	All of the above

Question 42 Explanation:

Groups of professionals in a variety of fields contacting for a certain purpose.

Question 43

Please mark one of the following that would not be a focus of a multidisciplinary team in the field of mental health services:

A	Substance use in the community
B	Traffic violations
C	Domestic violence
D	Teen pregnancy

Question 43 Explanation:

Traffic violations are not the focus of a multi-disciplinary team in the field of mental health services.

Question 44

Please mark the type of community outreach needed in a community with state prison:

A	Children of incarcerated parents outreach
B	Support groups for partners of incarcerated adults
C	Both A and B
D	No community outreach is needed

Question 44 Explanation:

Both A and B

Question 45

Please mark the type of therapy that is the foundation of a smoking cessation program:

A	Existential therapy
B	Adlerian therapy
C	Cognitive Behavior therapy
D	Person-centered therapy

Question 45 Explanation:

Cognitive Behavior therapy is the therapy that is the basis for a smoking cessation program.

Question 46

Please mark the areas of concern which have effective support groups:

A	Divorce
B	Parenting a child with disabilities
C	Grief
D	All of the above

Question 46 Explanation:

All of the above

Question 47

Please mark the type of disorder in which group work is not effective:

A	Eating disorders
B	Depression
C	Anxiety
D	Autism Spectrum Disorders

Question 47 Explanation:

Group work may not be effective in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Question 48

Please mark the type of concerns on which Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) has a great effect:

A	Mild to moderately severe mental health disorders
B	Psychotic disorders
C	Traumatic childhood concerns
D	None of the above

Question 48 Explanation:

Mild to moderately severe mental health disorders are effectively treated with Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT).

Question 49

Choose the condition(s) that apply to solution-based brief therapy:

A	Adjustment problems
B	Anxiety and depression
C	Dissociative identity disorder
D	Both A and B

Question 49 Explanation:

Both A and B

Question 50

Please mark the considerations that should be observed when considering treatment goals for brief solution-based therapy:

A	Goals should be written down
B	Goals need to be meaningful and important to clients
C	Goals need to be small and easily accessible
D	All of the above

Question 50 Explanation:

All of the above

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