CCP Formula Sheet and Glossary: How to Study With Them
What AACEI provides on exam day, and how to use a glossary and a formula sheet in your preparation.
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The CCP exam is closed book, so you cannot bring notes. However, AACE International (AACEI) provides onscreen formula sheets. This guide explains what that means for your preparation. Then it shows how to study terms and formulas, and how to plan your daily review.
Quick answer
AACE International (AACEI) says that the Certified Cost Professional (CCP) exam is closed book, with onscreen formula sheets and any battery-operated calculator. Therefore, learn what each formula measures and practise with a sheet beside you. For terms, build short cards, pair similar terms and test yourself. The planner below divides your terms across your days.
Formula sheet and glossary at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Awarding body | AACE International (AACEI) |
| Credential | Certified Cost Professional (CCP) |
| Exam rule | Closed book, with onscreen formula sheets |
| Calculator | Any battery-operated calculator |
| Questions | 119 multiple-choice and compound scenario questions, plus a memo |
| 3FOLD Training program | Includes a formula sheet and glossary |
What does AACEI provide on exam day?
AACEI says that the CCP exam is closed book, with onscreen formula sheets. Also, it allows any battery-operated calculator. Check the exam delivery page for the current rules before your exam.
What this means for your study
You will not bring notes, but you will have a formula sheet on screen. Therefore, knowing what each formula measures matters more than recall. However, you still need to know the terms, because the sheet does not explain them. Our formula sheet guide walks through the earned value formulas.
How do you study with a formula sheet?
Treat the formula sheet as a tool that you practise with. Then it will feel familiar on exam day. These steps are our suggestions, not AACEI rules.
Learn what each formula measures
For each formula, say in one sentence what it tells you. For example, explain what a cost index shows about spending. Then note when you would use it.
Practise with the sheet beside you
Solve questions with the formula sheet open, as you will on exam day. Also, use the calculator that you plan to use. As a result, the keystrokes and the layout become routine.
Check the units and the answer
Many mistakes come from a wrong input or a misread unit. Therefore, read the question twice and check that your answer makes sense. Our guide to CCP mock exams shows how to log slips like these.
Want a formula sheet and glossary ready to use? The program includes both.
How do you study with a glossary?
A glossary is easiest to learn in small daily blocks. The table below lists five methods and when to use each one. However, the table is our suggestion and not an AACEI statement.
| Method | What to do | Works best for |
|---|---|---|
| Term card | Write the term, a plain definition and one example | New terms |
| Pair card | Put two similar terms side by side with one line on the difference | Confusing pairs, such as CPI and SPI |
| Formula walk-through | Explain what a formula measures and when you would use it | Formulas |
| Open-sheet practice | Solve questions with the formula sheet beside you | Calculation questions |
| Self-test | Cover the definition and explain the term from memory | Final revision |
Pair the terms that look alike
Some terms are easy to confuse, such as CPI and SPI. Put them side by side and write one line on the difference. Also, group your terms by domain, so you can see where each one belongs.
Say each term out loud
Explain the term to an imaginary colleague without looking at the card. If you stall, go back to the definition. Then try again the next day.
Know what each term means and when to use it.
Can you plan your term review now?
Enter your number of terms, your days and your passes. Then the planner shows how many new terms to learn each day.
Term review planner
For planning only. Enter the number of terms you want to learn, the days you have and how many times you want to see each term. The planner then shows your daily load.
About this example: the numbers only show how the planner works. They do not describe the size of any glossary.
Want mock exams to test yourself? The program includes 3 full-length mock exams.
How do you combine them with the course?
Use the formula sheet and glossary beside the other course parts. For example, read a study guide chapter and list its new terms. Then watch the matching video lesson and add examples to your cards.
What the program includes
Our CCP exam preparation program includes 40 on-demand video lessons, a complete CCP study guide, 3 full-length mock exams, a memo writing guide and a formula sheet and glossary. Our CCP study guide overview explains how the parts fit together.
Check yourself with mock exams
Finally, use the mock exams to test both your terms and your calculations. Then add the missed terms back to your cards. Our CCP study plan guide shows how to schedule the work.
FAQ: formula sheet and glossary
About the exam rules
Is the AACE International (AACEI) Certified Cost Professional (CCP) exam open book?
No. AACE International (AACEI) says that the exam is closed book, with onscreen formula sheets. Also, check the exam delivery page for the current rules.
Does the AACE International (AACEI) Certified Cost Professional (CCP) exam provide a formula sheet?
Yes. AACE International (AACEI) says that onscreen formula sheets are part of the exam. Our formula sheet guide walks through the earned value formulas.
Should you memorise formulas for the AACE International (AACEI) Certified Cost Professional (CCP) exam?
Because AACE International (AACEI) provides onscreen formula sheets, knowing when to use each formula matters more than recall. However, practise with a formula sheet so that the layout feels familiar. This is our suggestion.
How do you study a glossary for the CCP exam?
Learn a few terms a day. For each term, note a plain definition, one example and one term that is easy to confuse with it. Then test yourself without looking.
About your study method
How many glossary terms should you learn each day?
It depends on the size of your glossary and the days that you have left. The planner in this guide divides your terms across your days and adds review passes.
Can you use a calculator in the AACE International (AACEI) Certified Cost Professional (CCP) exam?
AACE International (AACEI) says that any battery-operated calculator is allowed. Therefore, practise with the calculator that you plan to use, and confirm the rule on the exam delivery page.
How do you avoid mixing up similar terms such as CPI and SPI?
Put similar terms side by side, and write one line on the difference. In general project practice, CPI relates to cost and SPI relates to schedule. This is a plain definition and not an AACE International (AACEI) quotation.
What does the 3FOLD formula sheet and glossary add?
Our CCP exam preparation program includes a formula sheet and glossary. Use them beside the video lessons and the study guide, and then check yourself with the mock exams.
Where does 3FOLD Training fit?
3FOLD Training is an AACEI Approved Education Provider, licensed by KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) in Dubai. Our CCP exam preparation program is self-paced on the 3FOLD Learn LMS (learning management system). It includes 40 on-demand video lessons, a complete CCP study guide, 3 full-length mock exams, a memo writing guide, a formula sheet and glossary, and support with your AACEI application. 3FOLD Training was established in 2008. 3FOLD Training has prepared 30,000+ learners.
Next step
Ready to prepare for the CCP exam? The program is self-paced, so you can study around your work.
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