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Key Facts: CPI Exam

$119

Exam Fee

NCCT

6 mo

Required Teaching Experience

NCCT

5

Content Domains

NCCT

The NCCT CPI (Certified Postsecondary Instructor) credential validates teaching competency for career school faculty. Fee $119. Eligibility: 6 months full-time postsecondary teaching + HS/GED/college degree + character reference.

Sample CPI Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CPI exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An instructor is writing a learning objective for a phlebotomy unit. Which objective is MOST aligned with SMART criteria?
A.Students will understand venipuncture procedures.
B.Students will know how to draw blood safely.
C.By the end of the lab, students will perform a successful antecubital venipuncture on a manikin within 10 minutes following CLSI order of draw, with 100% accuracy on safety steps.
D.Students will be exposed to phlebotomy equipment and learn about it.
Explanation: SMART objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The correct option specifies the task (antecubital venipuncture on a manikin), measurable accuracy (100% on safety steps), a time frame (10 minutes), and aligns with industry standards (CLSI order of draw). Verbs like 'understand,' 'know,' and 'be exposed to' are vague and not measurable.
2Which level of Bloom's Taxonomy (revised) is BEST represented by the verb 'evaluate' when used in a learning objective?
A.Remember
B.Apply
C.Analyze
D.Evaluate
Explanation: In the revised Bloom's Taxonomy, 'Evaluate' is the fifth level (out of six) and refers to making judgments based on criteria and standards. Verbs at this level include critique, judge, justify, defend, and appraise. Higher-level cognitive demands like Evaluate and Create are appropriate for capstone or competency demonstrations.
3An instructor is designing a new medical assisting course using the ADDIE model. During which phase would the instructor conduct a job task analysis to determine what graduates need to perform in entry-level positions?
A.Analysis
B.Design
C.Development
D.Evaluation
Explanation: ADDIE stands for Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The Analysis phase identifies learner needs, performance gaps, and job tasks. A job task analysis determines competencies required by employers, which then drives objectives in the Design phase. Skipping analysis is a common cause of misaligned curricula.
4Wiggins and McTighe's 'Backward Design' model recommends that instructors begin lesson planning by:
A.Selecting engaging activities first, then identifying assessments.
B.Identifying desired results, then determining acceptable evidence, and finally planning learning experiences.
C.Reviewing the textbook chapter and dividing it into class periods.
D.Listing all the content the instructor wants to cover during the term.
Explanation: Backward Design (Understanding by Design) follows three stages: (1) identify desired results/learning outcomes, (2) determine acceptable evidence (assessments), and (3) plan learning experiences and instruction. Starting with outcomes ensures alignment between objectives, assessments, and activities, preventing the 'activity-focused' or 'coverage-focused' planning errors.
5A surgical technology instructor wants to ensure that the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains are all addressed in a sterile field unit. Which set of activities BEST covers all three domains?
A.Lecture, quiz, and homework reading.
B.Lecture on principles of asepsis, return demonstration of sterile gowning, and reflective journal on patient safety values.
C.Watching a video, taking notes, and answering review questions.
D.Group discussion, case study, and PowerPoint review.
Explanation: Bloom's three domains are cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skill), and affective (attitudes/values). Lecture addresses cognitive learning, return demonstration develops psychomotor skill, and a reflective journal on patient safety addresses the affective domain. Allied health programs must intentionally develop all three domains.
6Which is the BEST description of a course-level (terminal) objective compared to a lesson-level (enabling) objective?
A.Terminal objectives are taught in one class period; enabling objectives span the entire course.
B.Terminal objectives describe what students will be able to do at the end of the course; enabling objectives are the smaller skills/knowledge that build toward the terminal objective.
C.Terminal objectives are written in the affective domain only; enabling objectives are cognitive only.
D.Terminal and enabling objectives are interchangeable terms for the same concept.
Explanation: Terminal (course-level) objectives describe broad competencies students achieve by course end. Enabling (lesson-level) objectives are the discrete knowledge and skills that, when combined, lead to terminal mastery. Curriculum mapping aligns enabling objectives with terminal objectives, which in turn align with program competencies.
7A dental assisting instructor uses Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction. Which event is BEST described as 'gaining attention' and is typically performed at the START of a lesson?
A.Providing learner guidance
B.Eliciting performance
C.Presenting a startling statistic, image, or scenario related to the topic
D.Assessing performance
Explanation: Gagne's first event is 'Gain attention,' achieved through hooks such as a startling statistic, provocative question, image, or relevant clinical scenario. The remaining events (inform of objectives, recall prior learning, present content, provide guidance, elicit performance, provide feedback, assess, enhance retention/transfer) follow a logical learning sequence.
8An instructor is mapping the curriculum for a Medical Administrative Assistant (MAA) program. The PRIMARY purpose of curriculum mapping is to:
A.Ensure each course covers the same number of hours.
B.Verify alignment between program competencies, course objectives, content, and assessments while identifying gaps and redundancies.
C.Document the textbook used in each course.
D.List instructor names assigned to each course.
Explanation: Curriculum mapping is the systematic process of documenting and comparing the planned curriculum (objectives), the taught curriculum (content/activities), and the assessed curriculum (evaluations) to identify gaps, redundancies, and misalignments with program competencies and accreditation standards.
9Which lesson plan component describes HOW the instructor will introduce the topic and capture student interest before content delivery?
A.Anticipatory set
B.Closure
C.Independent practice
D.Guided practice
Explanation: The anticipatory set (also called 'hook' or 'set induction') is the opening activity that engages learners, activates prior knowledge, and creates relevance. Madeline Hunter's lesson design model places it at the start of the lesson before objectives are stated.
10An EKG instructor wants to design a lesson on rhythm interpretation. The cognitive load theory recommends that the instructor:
A.Present all 12 cardiac rhythms simultaneously to maximize exposure.
B.Chunk content into manageable segments, scaffold from simple to complex rhythms, and use worked examples before asking students to interpret independently.
C.Avoid using any visual aids since they distract working memory.
D.Use long uninterrupted lectures so students can absorb deep content.
Explanation: Cognitive Load Theory (Sweller) holds that working memory is limited. Instructional strategies to manage load include chunking, scaffolding from simple to complex, worked examples, and dual-coding (visual plus verbal). Overloading working memory with too many novel elements at once impedes schema formation and long-term retention.

About the CPI Exam

NCCT credential for instructors at postsecondary career schools (typically allied health programs — medical assisting, phlebotomy, EKG, surgical tech). Validates competency in instructional design, teaching methods, assessment, classroom management, and professional/regulatory practice in career school environments.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Per NCCT scheduling

Passing Score

Pass/Fail

Exam Fee

$119 (NCCT)

CPI Exam Content Outline

25%

Instructional Design and Lesson Planning

SMART learning objectives, Bloom's taxonomy, ADDIE, backward design, lesson plan components

25%

Teaching Methods and Delivery

Active learning, PBL, case-based, demonstration-return demonstration, simulation in allied health

20%

Assessment and Evaluation

Item writing, item analysis (difficulty/discrimination), formative vs summative, rubrics, OSCE

15%

Classroom Management and Student Support

Adult learning principles (Knowles), cultural responsiveness, ADA accommodations, generational differences

15%

Professional Practice and Regulation

ACCSC/COE/ABHES accreditation, FERPA, Title IV federal financial aid, mandatory reporting, ethics

How to Pass the CPI Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/Fail
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Per NCCT scheduling
  • Exam fee: $119

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CPI Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Bloom's taxonomy revised by Krathwohl: remember → understand → apply → analyze → evaluate → create. Match item cognitive level to objective verb
2Know item analysis benchmarks: difficulty index 0.30-0.70 (most items); discrimination index >0.30 (good)
3Understand Knowles adult learning: self-directed, brings life experience, problem-centered, internally motivated, needs to know WHY
4Memorize FERPA basics: education records confidentiality, directory information opt-out, parental rights transfer at 18 or postsecondary enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the CPI?

Eligibility requires 6 months of full-time postsecondary teaching experience plus a high school diploma, GED, or college degree, and a character reference. The fee is $119. Common candidates teach in allied health programs at career schools.

What does the CPI exam cover?

Five domains: instructional design and lesson planning (25%), teaching methods and delivery (25%), assessment and evaluation (20%), classroom management and student support (15%), and professional practice and regulation (15%).

How should I study for the CPI?

Plan 20-40 hours over 3-6 weeks. Focus on instructional design and teaching methods (50% combined). Master Bloom's taxonomy, SMART objectives, item-writing best practices, and FERPA/ADA basics.