Tips To Certification Success

How to Get Started and Take Off

First, decide to take the exam. Make a commitment.

Make an affirmation, telling yourself you can do whatever you set out to do.
Visualize yourself passing the exam.

Be optimistic--develop a survivor personality. Survivors remember that they are precious people first, and mothers, employees, or otherwise upstanding citizens second. Don't let outside duties keep you from meeting your goal.

Tell someone about your decision to take the exam. Hang out with positive people you know will encourage you to complete the test.

Don't let any unexpected event or fear stop you.

How to Take a Test

General rule: Break each question into the stem and the alternatives, understanding the stem first. Underline key terms and clue words in the stem.

Read the directions carefully. Some questions may be partly correct in themselves, but not when joined to the stem question.

If faced with vague terminology, define in your own words. Think of the correct answer and then look for it among the alternatives.

Don't guess too soon. You must select not only a technically correct answer, but the most completely correct answer.

Be wary of unqualified absolutes such as "never," "always," "is," "are," "guarantees," "insures." These words make the questions highly restrictive and very difficult to defend.

Be wary of the extra-long or "jargon-y option." These are often decoys.
Use knowledge of common prefixes, suffixes, and word roots to make intelligent guesses about terminology you don't know, e.g., hypertension has root word "hyper," referring to high, not low, blood pressure.

Use information and insights acquired in doing the exam to go back and answer earlier items that you weren't sure of. With the PACE exam, you can “mark” questions to pass and go back to and answer. Often, you will get clues throughout the exam that give you the right answer for those questions you have marked.
If you are not certain of an answer, guess . . . but do so methodically. Eliminate some choices you know are incorrect and relate each alternative back to the stem of the question to see if it fits. Narrow the choices, compare them, and make an informed guess.

If you have absolutely no idea what the answer is, and there is no scoring penalty for guessing, choose option B or C. Studies indicate that these are correct slightly more often than predicted by chance alone. Don’t leave the answer blank as that will be an automatic wrong answer.

Think the answer is wrong? Maybe you should change it? Studies indicate when examinees change their answers, they usually change them to the wrong answer. If you were fairly certain you were correct the first time, leave the answer as it is.
Finally, the best way to ensure selection of the correct option is to know the right answer. A word to the test-wise is sufficient.

Watch your time. Do easy questions or sections first. This will help calm your nerves, establish your concentration and build your confidence.

Mark where you should be after one hour or two hours to ensure you are not falling behind. Work at a fairly quick pace. Reviewing carefully may eat up your time. If you're behind after the first hour, you may have to choose between speeding up (and possibly making errors) or not finishing. Keep up your pace by working through the easy questions quickly, then coming back to the more difficult ones. Answer initially only if you are 100% certain of the answer; otherwise “mark” the questions that need more thought.

Process the question. Careless mistakes are often made when rushing through the "stem" or first part of the question, missing important information. Read the question carefully, noting key terms. Watch for negative or positive phrasing, or qualifying words that can drastically change the meaning of a statement.

Before looking at possible answers, try to recall the answer on your own. Then look at the alternatives to see which one best matches your answer. As you review the answers, mark off the ones you know are wrong to reduce your reading time if you come back to the question later. If none of the selections seems close, reread the question to see what you missed. If you still can't get it, go on. Something in another question may trigger your memory so you can recall the answer later.

Two similar answers? Often you must choose the best answer, which may be similar to the second best answer. If this is a problem, you may need to look at how you're studying. You may have concentrated on recognition of terms rather than understanding their significance. Or, it could indicate you need to study the material in more depth. If this is the case, you may have to carefully analyze your errors, possibly using a mock exam. Consider this option before you take the actual exam.

Internet Help

Here’s a great Internet site about taking tests with numerous links for certification purposes…check it out - www.4tests.com/resources/helpfultips.asp.
We've all heard the success stories from those we know who have been certified…a new-found respect at work, a realization that this is a great career, respect for the profession and caring more for the importance of the work we do and its positive effect for the attorneys' clients…the impact on our clients. Certification and what follows can and does create life changes.

Remember, just do it, or just say yes. Pass or fail, testing yourself is always an enriching, learning experience.

Additional websites that will help you improve your spelling and grammar include:

http://www.sentex.net/~mmcadams/spell_tips.html
("How to Improve Your Spelling")

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
(Guide to Grammar & Writing)

http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/index.cfm
(Online English Grammar)

Most of all, make this a positive experience and congratulate yourself for working on your own personal and professional development. The Indiana Paralegal Association is proud of your commitment to yourself and to the paralegal profession!!

By Debi Neale, RP
IPA PACE Ambassador
(with input from Mike Wallace, RP CCPA PACE Ambassador, Central Connecticut Paralegal Association)

2007 NFPA Convention: An Observer’s Viewpoint.

2007 NFPA Convention: An Observer’s Viewpoint. Article by IPA's PACE Ambassador, Debi Neale, Tabbert Hahn Earnst & Weddle, LLP.

The 'Winners' of the Wired News Saddest-Cubicle Contest

If you think you have an embarrassing work space, check this out.

The Power of PowerPoint 2007

The Power of PowerPoint 2007. Article by IPA's Technology Director, Courtney David Mills, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman, P.C.  

ABA Techshow 2008 information is available

American Bar Association has opened registration for its annual Legal Technology Conference "ABA Techshow" in Chicago, Illinois, March 13-15, 2008. (click here).

REPORT ON PROPOSED RULE 2.2 FROM THE ISBA 2007 ANNUAL MEETING

We are very pleased to report that the Board of Governors of the Indiana State Bar Association fully supported comments to proposed Rule 2.2 as gathered by John Conlon, the ISBA appointed Chair of the subcommittee on proposed Rule 2.2 Paralegals.

A report of the comments gathered by John Conlon was made to the ISBA House of Delegates and additional comments were received from various Delegates. Pursuant to his earlier request, all comments will be forwarded by ISBA to Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard for action by the Supreme Court.

We are pleased that proposed Rule 2.2 continues to move forward.

INTRODUCING TWO OF IPA’S NEWEST PACE REGISTERED PARALEGALS!

The Indiana Paralegal Association is proud to honor two of its newest PACE Registered Paralegals, Joshua H. Woolley, R.P. and Tracy S. Oprea, R.P.

Joshua H. Woolley, R.P., is a PACE Registered Paralegal at the Indianapolis office of Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, & Hanson, P.C., where he currently focuses on workers’ compensation and insurance defense.

Joshua is a lifelong native of Indiana, having been born and raised in Plainfield, Indiana. Joshua was the recipient of the Outstanding Citizen Award for Hendricks County in 1992, for his countless hours of volunteer work with the Hendricks County K-9 Search & Rescue Team.

JOSHUA H. WOOLLEY, RP

Joshua eventually helped spearhead the formation of the first Boy Scouts of America Explorer Post in the United States in the field of K-9 Search & Rescue Team, where he served as the President for several years.

During high school, Joshua worked with several supported living programs for developmentally disabled adults in Indiana. After high school, Joshua put his passion for dogs to use by opening up an in-home dog training company, Top Dog Training Services. After a few years of training dogs, Joshua was subsequently introduced to a fellow dog-lover and an Indiana attorney, and began his work in the legal profession.

Starting in August, 1996, Joshua began working for several sole practitioners, all of whom focused on family law, bankruptcy and criminal defense. It was not until June, 1998, when Joshua began working with Clifford W. Shepard, an attorney who focused his practice on the representation of consumers, that Joshua decided to stay in the area of law as his chosen career path. Joshua stayed with Mr. Shepard for eight (8) years, helping Mr. Shepard litigate individual and class action lawsuits. During his time with Mr. Shepard, Joshua developed a deep passion of both federal and state appellate work.

In May, 2006, Joshua left Mr. Shepard to join the Indianapolis office of Scopelitis, Garvin, Light & Hanson, P.C., where he works under the direction of partner, Carla R. Hounshel, who leads the firm's Indiana workers’ compensation defense practice.

Joshua began thinking about taking the PACE sometime in 2005. However, it was not until he joined Scopelitis, Garvin, Light & Hanson, P.C. that he decided to proceed with taking the PACE. Both Mrs. Hounshel and managing partner, Timothy W. Wiseman, personally encouraged Joshua to sit for the PACE in order to advance his career. Joshua sent in his Application to become a PACE candidate on November 2, 2006, and was subsequently approved as a candidate by the NFPA in December, 2006. After receiving notice of his candidacy to sit for the PACE, Joshua immediately scheduled his exam and took and passed the PACE on January 5, 2007. Joshua believes that passing the PACE has provided the validation he needed to prove to himself, and others, that he was a paralegal of the highest caliber.

Tracy S. Oprea, R.P., a PACE Registered Paralegal at Beckman, Kelly & Smith in Hammond, Indiana, graduated from South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois in 1994 with an A.A.S., majoring in the curriculum of Paralegal Studies.

Tracy has over a decade of Paralegal experience. She specializes in civil litigation. Tracy's love for the law dates back to the late 1980's when she began working part-time at a law firm through a co-op program at her high school. Tracy is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, Indiana Paralegal Association and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.

TRACY S. OPREA, R.P.

Tracy recently presented at a seminar sponsored by the National Business Institute entitled "Medical Record Evaluation for Paralegals." Tracy’s presentation addressed “Getting the Medical Records You Need", where she covered in depth the process of obtaining medical records. After her presentation, Tracy used this forum to briefly share her experience with the PACE Exam and strongly encouraged the Paralegals attending the seminar to seriously consider making application to take the examination.

In speaking with Tracy about what motivated her to take PACE, her story is quite interesting, as she stated:

“When I first heard about the PACE Exam, I was curious and thought briefly about maybe taking the exam. Quite some time passed and then I kept hearing and reading about the exam through the Indiana Paralegal Association and it finally hit me last fall that I needed to take the PACE Exam. Taking the PACE Exam was very important to me, both personally and professionally. I felt that taking the exam supported my dedication to the Paralegal profession, as well as my dedication to the legal field in general. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to take the PACE Exam and for the support and encouragement I received from the partners at Beckman, Kelly & Smith.

“I highly recommend that everyone take the On-Line Review Course that is offered. It is truly a beneficial course that helps you successfully prepare for the PACE Exam. I realize the course is time consuming; however, if someone is committed to becoming an R.P., they should be able to commit to the seven (7) week course.”

Tracy is a life long resident of Lake County Indiana and currently lives in Highland with her 10-year-old son. When Tracy is not at the office, she can be found on the football field watching her son play Pop Warner Football.

Joshua and Tracy now join 48 other PACE Registered Paralegals as well as 3 NALA Certified Paralegals, as credentialed paralegals in Indiana, most of whom are members of IPA. This places Indiana in second place nationwide, led only by Texas with 50 RP’s. Having passed PACE, Joshua and Tracy are now permitted to use the “R.P.” credentials following their names. They have also received beautiful certificates from the NFPA which they will be able to display in their offices.

Both Joshua and Tracy are members of the Indiana Paralegal Association and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. In fact, Joshua is one of IPA’s newest members, having joined shortly after he became a PACE Registered Paralegal. Welcome!

Please join IPA in sending a personal message to Joshua and Tracy to congratulate them for their support of the paralegal profession in Indiana by taking the extra effort to become a credentialed paralegal.

Congratulations, Joshua and Tracy!
IPA honors both of you for your extraordinary accomplishment!

Debi Neale, R.P.
IPA PACE Ambassador