How to Pass the Good Clinical Practices (GCP) Certification Exam

If you are currently unemployed in the clinical research industry, especially cancer research, you are quickly discovering the importance of certifications. All clinical research associates (CRA), clinical investigators (CI), clinical project managers (CPM)and clinical study managers (CSM) have the opportunity to become certified. Two well-known organizations, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) offers world-wide recognized professional certifications. Each will send you a certification study guide and it is extensive! But the one thing you need is a way to practice before the actual certification exam. Well, let me tell you how you can do that!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Internet Access
• Advanced Good Clinical Practices knowledge

1. Prepare for the certification test.
   
   Regardless of whether you use ACRP, SoCRA or some other organization, study the material they provide. Good Clinical Practices ICH guidelines have the same overall theme in regions where it is practiced. It is a document that is widely used in regions serious about conducting clinical studies.
2. Go beyond the certification study guide.
   
   Once you complete the certification study guide from the group giving the certification test, study clinical trial information outside your daily routine. You should not need to spend a lot of time studying the regulations for work you perform every day. Your time should be better spent studying the areas you do not work in or have had little exposure. For example, if you are a clinical research coordinator, spend most of your time studying the responsibilities and requirements for the clinical auditor, the clinical project manager, clinical business manager (i.e. budgeting) and so forth. Since you don't do those jobs, you probably don't know the requirements and regulations as well as you know your own job. For a wide selection of clinical research training material, check out www.wqats.com website. Several articles and training modules are available and the owner provides one-on-one interaction upon request.
3. Practice taking the certification test.
   
   The best way to prepare for a test is to simulate it. A great GCP practice test can be found at http://www.wqats.com/Training.html. The cost is $35.00. However, it is better to pay the $35.00 and assess your knowledge before taking the actual exam that costs a couple of hundred dollars. At least you will know how well you retained what you studied and you will learn which areas require more studying.

Tips & Warnings

• When preparing for a test, study a little each day.
• Create questions that you think might be on the test and try to answer them or just take the test on the web at wqats.com.
• Arrive early for the exam and give yourself time to mentally prepare.
• Take only the items permitted. Most times, PDAs, calculators and cellphones will not be allowed.