Understanding the EPPP: Key Insights in Statistics & Test Construction

Studying The Concepts

The EPPP is evolving. No longer just a knowledge test, it’s expanding into a two-part competency assessment. As of recent ASPPB guidance, the exam now consists of EPPP Part 1 (Knowledge) + EPPP Part 2 (Skills).

Here are several empirically grounded insights that every candidate should know, especially if you’re preparing for the exam or teaching others to:

Reliability & Item Banking

The EPPP uses a large item bank, with pre-testing of questions before they become scored items. This helps ensure that items perform well (in terms of discrimination, difficulty, etc.) before they count toward your score.

Internal consistency (how well items on the same form correlate) is maintained via multiple levels of review. For example, subject matter experts (SMEs) write items; then committees review them for clarity, bias, relevance, etc.

Validity (Construct, Content, Criterion)

Content validity: The content outline is derived from large-scale practice/job task analyses. This ensures that what the exam covers aligns with what psychologists in independent practice actually do.

Construct validity: Some recent research (e.g. Saldaña, Callahan, Cox, etc.) has looked at how EPPP scores relate to other measures like GRE scores, GPA, program prestige, etc. There is evidence of positive correlations (i.e. those with higher GRE/GPA tend to do better on the EPPP), which supports—but also complicates—the interpretation of what the EPPP measures.

Criterion validity / predictive validity: There’s somewhat less published work showing how well EPPP scores predict later professional competence (e.g. supervisor ratings, outcomes in practice). This is an area current researchers are calling for more work on.

Passing Rates & Scaling

The scaled scoring range for the EPPP Part 1 Knowledge exam is 200-800, with a passing point typically set at 500.

For first-time test takers out of APA/CPA accredited programs, pass rates are often above 80%. There was a small drop (≈3%) in recent years, likely influenced by training disruptions (e.g. from COVID).

Differences across doctoral program type (PhD vs PsyD), program prestige, GPA, GRE, etc., persist as predictors of EPPP performance. These are not inherently unfair, but they do suggest that background and preparation (educational & experiential) significantly shape outcomes.

Bias, Fairness, & Differential Item Functioning (DIF)

The EPPP test construction includes review of items for Differential Item Functioning (DIF), to see whether items favor certain demographic groups. Committees with expertise in equity and marginalization are involved.

Despite these steps, some research (e.g. Saldaña et al.) has found evidence of group differences (racial/ethnic disparities in scores), which raises questions about the degree to which group background, educational resources, linguistic differences, or other factors not directly tied to competence are influencing scores.

Implications of the New “Part 2 (Skills)” Addition

The Skills portion is meant to measure applied, practice-oriented skills rather than just foundational knowledge. This includes scenario-based items to simulate decision-making situations.

Standard setting for Part 2 involves more subject matter expert judgments, pilot testing, and ongoing statistical calibration. It’s subject to the same psychometric standards (reliability, validity, fairness) required of test-based high-stakes certification/licensure exams.

Because jurisdictions are gradually adopting Part 2, candidates need to check whether both parts are required in their state/province. As of January 2026, many places will require both.

The intent from ASPPB is for full adoption by January 1, 2026. But that is subject to each jurisdiction’s board rulemaking and acceptance.

Texas has formally challenged that mandate, and as of the latest published meeting materials, it is not clear that Texas has fully adopted a rule saying both parts must be required for licensure by that date.

Practical Advice for Candidates Based on These Insights

From all of this, here are some strategic takeaways if you are preparing (or coaching others) for the EPPP:

• Prioritize deep understanding over rote memorization; know not just facts, but how they apply (since Skills will test scenario-based applications).

• Build up test stamina and precision—don’t leave items blank; guessing isn’t penalized, so always choose something.

• Use practice materials that mimic both parts; especially simulate Part 2 scenarios when available.

• Review earlier performance statistics if you can: knowing which Doctoral programs tend to produce higher pass rates can help you set preparation benchmarks.

• Address potential bias by diversifying preparation: reading across authors, practicing with varied scenarios, and getting feedback from diverse sources.

If you want to deepen your preparation, we have produced a digital workshop “Statistics Essentials for the EPPP Exam” where we walk through statistical principles to actual items. Go to www.midvalleybhps.com/video-support or https://thecleverlavender.thrivecart.com/eppp-statistics-overview/and hit the button to access the information I provide for my clinical psychology interns. It's never too early to start studying.