2016

NCP Exam

Guide

Program

Handbook

NCP Guide Handbook

Welcome to the Guide Program Sample Guide Path Sample Guide Sessions

Call #1: Introductory Call Call #2: Setting Expectations Call #3: NCP Program Details Call #4: Beginning Study Program Call #5: Establishing a Study Plan Call #6: Open Session on Topic of Candidate’s Choosing Call #7: Tips for Success

Suggestions if Your Candidate is a Re-Tester APPENDIX A: Sample Study Program APPENDIX B: Tips for NCP Exam APPENDIX C: PSI Test Center Guidelines

Table of Contents

NCP Guide Handbook

Welcome to the NCP Guide Program!

Thanks for agreeing to be a Guide. Since you have achieved your NCP, you

are the best person to facilitate another’s journey to becoming an NCP. You

can share the lessons you learned that enabled you to be successful—all while

gaining valuable NCP CE credits for yourself.

Your primary mission is to guide the NCP candidate through the process of

establishing and completing a study plan. A strong study plan is the key to

success. You will also be able to answer questions about testing logistics and

generally what to expect. Just remember all the questions you had when you

began your journey. Remember, you may discuss NCP Blueprint/NCP

Roadmap topics, but you are not allowed to teach or discuss any specifics

about the exam questions.

The Guide serves as a valuable resource for the NCP Candidate. The best way

to succeed is to establish expectations, create a plan and stick to the plan. The

process can be challenging due to time zones, busy work schedules, and

differences in how people learn. The following Guide tools are available to help

you support your NCP Candidate:

1. The Guide Path – to show you the potential steps of being a Guide

2. A Sample Guide Call Program - to assist you in potential topics of discussion

for your phone calls or emails

3. A Sample Study Plan – to share with your NCP Candidate to help him/her

figure out their own individual study plan

4. Tips for NCP Exam – to share with your NCP Candidate

5. PSI Test Center Guidelines– to share with your NCP Candidate

You should emphasize the importance of the study tools made available by

ECCHO (links provided in this document) as well as the other NCP training

partners (link provided in this document).

As a Guide, you may earn up to 5 NCP CE credits in a year (maximum of 15

CEs per 5 year renewal cycle). Following are suggestions for how to spend

those 4 hours and 20 minutes (50 minutes per CE) with your NCP candidate to

achieve the maximum results. Feel free to spend more or less time based on

agreement between yourself and your NCP candidate.

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Exam NCP Guide Handbook

Sample Guide Session

Call #1:

Introductory Call

Introductions: Discuss Who You Are and What You Do

Introduce yourselves

Discuss Work Backgrounds

Discuss Check Experience

Do’s:

• Provide encouragement

• Provide guidance on the NCP program

• Share lessons learned from your journey

• Explain what NCP Candidate may expect regarding logistics,

experience, etc.

• Talk about NCP Blueprint topics in a collegial way

• Encourage self-study and participation in formal exam preparation

training program

• Help NCP Candidate establish their own study plan

• Remind NCP Candidate to study

• Think of yourself as a development and accountability coach for the

study plan

Don’ts:

• Do not discuss test questions

• Do not discuss test answers

• Do not discuss what was or was not covered on the exam (refer to

NCP Blueprint and NCP Roadmap)

• Guides are not trainers and are not expected to answer educational

questions

Guide’s Role

Explain the Guide’s role and what you can and cannot do.

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NCP Guide Handbook

Sample Guide Session

Call #2:

Setting Expectations

Logistics: Discuss and Agree Upon a Format for Your Contact

• What time zone are you and NCP candidate in?

• Discuss preferred time of contact. Morning? Afternoon?

• Discuss frequency of contact.

• Discuss preferred method of contact. Phone? Email? Other?

• Discuss when to start contact and when to end contact.

• Things come up and some of your contact plans might derail. Be

persistent.

• Provide accountability and focus for your NCP candidate.

Baseline: Discuss the Needs of the NCP Candidate

• How much check experience does NCP candidate have?

• How much knowledge in each area NCP exam:

o Rules & Regulations

o Operations

o Risk & Fraud

o Check Product

• What are candidate’s strengths / weaknesses / preferred areas of focus?

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NCP Guide Handbook

Sample Guide Session

Call #3:

NCP Program Details

NCP Communications

Discuss the milestones that ECCHO will be communicating via the NCP Connection

mailbox (ncpc@eccho.org) and what to expect along the journey:

• Confirm the candidate is receiving their emails from NCP Connection

ncpc@eccho.org. If they have not received an email, please have them

set ncpc@eccho.org up within their email client as a safe sender and

@eccho.org as a safe domain. Also suggest they work with their IT

department to whitelist @eccho.org domain at the server level so they

can receive these critical communications.

• Work through the candidate’s NCP Welcome Email with study links and

timeline. This is an important email as it contains links to all ECCHO

study aids

• Suggestion to take training with NCP Partners. ECCHO recommends

that NCP candidates take training through one of its NCP partners

• Question of the Day emails starting in January and ending when exam

window opens

• Exam tips from previous test takers--free webinar

• Time/details to register for exam location/date/time with PSI

• Homestretch email reminder of exam study/logistics

• It’s Go Time: reminders just before taking the exam

• What’s next: you have taken the exam and await your results

• NCP exam pass/fail results with bar charts of performance in each

Blueprint area (rules and regulations, operations, fraud/risk, and

product)

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NCP Guide Handbook

Sample Guide Session

Call #4:

Beginning Study Program

Ensure that NCP Candidate Has the Following Materials

and Utilizes Them

• Go over the NCP Jump Start program Jump Start

o NCP Blueprint: Go over the NCPC Blueprint to ensure that the candidate

knows what is covered on the test and the percentage of questions for

each section.

o Go over the NCP Roadmap. Pages 5-7 of the NCP Roadmap discuss

more about the topics and level of information covered on the exam.

• Ensure that the NCP Candidate has and is utilizing all the items on the ECCHO

NCP prep checklist: including the PREP Guide and Questions of the Day.

Please be aware that an updated version of the Questions of the Day will be

sent to the candidate on a daily basis via ncpc@eccho.org email starting in

January. The PREP Guide will be updated around October each year to reflect

changes in the NCP Exam Preparation Training course.

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Auditory Learners:

• Re-listen to the recordings of each exam prep training session

• Read materials out loud and put them in your own words

• Record your own lesson on smartphone and listen to it in the car, or other

downtime (e.g., doctors office, train, plane, etc.)

• Discuss materials in a study group

NCP Guide Handbook

Sample Guide Session

Call #5:

Establishing a Study Plan

Visual Learners:

• Turn notes into pictures, charts, etc.

• Develop and/or Use flash cards

• Color code the new concepts you have learned

• Learn the big picture first and then focus on the details

• Avoid distractions

• Print educational materials (PREP Guide, Roadmap, Jump Start

materials, etc. and make notebook or similar)

Discuss the NCP Candidate’s Plan for Studying

• Discuss the value of taking an exam prep training course--refer to the Exam prep

training options. Candidates have a variety of training options to prepare them

for the exam—offered by our NCP Partners.

• Discuss the candidate’s study plan. See APPENDIX A. Make suggestions on

studying; discuss things that helped you to study or retain information. Consult

reference materials online from universities and other resources (e.g.,

http://web.mit.edu/uaap/learning/test/plan.html,

http://www.howtostudy.com/create-a-study-plan/, http://www.wikihow.com/Create-

a-Study-Schedule)

• Discuss learning techniques and how the NCP Candidate learns best and assist

her/him in developing a plan that incorporates techniques for that style

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NCP Guide Handbook

Sample Guide Session

Call #6:

Open Session

On Topic of NCP

Candidate’s Choosing

• Suggest a call on a topic of interest from the candidate. Guide and candidate can

search Question of the Day, PREP Guide, training materials, regulations and other

resources on that topic to use as a reference. You may discuss topic in a collegial

way but not teach/train the NCP Candidate.

• Invite ad hoc inquiries – candidate calls you or emails with questions about exam

logistics, ways to study, what you experienced, etc. on an as-needed basis.

Detailed check questions/education should be forwarded to the Candidate’s

training provider or ECCHO.

• Set up status calls (for an agreed upon set period near exam window) – to discuss

how the candidate is coming along with their study plan. Does the candidate have

a study plan? Do they spend regular time studying? How much of the exam

material have they covered? Are they actively participating in a training course?

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NCP Guide Handbook

Sample Guide Session

Call #7:

Tips for Success

Test Taking Tips

• When is the last time the NCP candidate took an exam? Was it online? Is the

NCP candidate a good test taker? See APPENDIX B. Guide her/him to look

online at relevant suggestions offered by universities and other resources on

successful test taking techniques (e.g., https://casc.byu.edu/testtaking-strategies,

http://www.southwestern.edu/offices/success/assistance/skilldevelopment/testtaki

ng.php)

• Discuss the style of certification test language. The language can be confusing.

Emphasize that candidates should slow down, remain calm, read the question

carefully, more than once, look for key words, and look for references (e.g.,

“According to UCC”).

• Discuss the style of scenario based questions / questions that test the level of

knowledge and ability to apply the knowledge to business situation. Although the

test is multiple choice, it requires more than just recalling facts.

• Talk about how to map out challenging questions into scenarios/diagrams to

assist in answering the questions. Talk about ways to utilize the paper and pencil

provided during the exam.

• Refer candidate to sample keyboard for PSI. It is a good idea to be familiar with

the keyboard and its functions, prior to taking the exam.

• Discuss the ability to ‘Mark’ questions (blue key on the PSI keyboard) for later

review while taking the exam.

• Talk about the testing center: what to expect, setup for you (each center is a little

different), what you can/can’t take with you, as well as how to sign up for the

exam date/time with PSI testing center.

• Refer candidate to Study Tips presentation for simple exam taking techniques.

Go through the Study Tips from Previous Test Takers presentation.

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NCP Guide Handbook

Suggestions if Your Candidate is a Re-Tester

If you are paired with someone who has already taken the NCP exam, it might

be harder to figure out how to guide her/his journey. Following are some ideas

around how to navigate with a re-taker:

• Ask them about their study process for the prior test:

• How much time did they spend studying?

• Type of study techniques they utilized:

o Study Partners: independent, study group

o Study Aids: design flash cards, make recordings of material for themselves,

ECCHO study materials (PREP Guide, Question of the Day, NCP

Roadmap)

o Additional resources: NCP preparation training, original documents (UCD,

UCC 3 & 4, Reg CC, etc.)

o Discuss the gaps in these areas that you might help them develop and

focus on differently

• Walk through all available study techniques even if they believe they

know why they failed. Much can be learned by discussing with an

objective party and examining other opportunities.

• Suggest ways to succeed based on all available resources and your

own experience.

• Ask them about their performance results on the exam (if they are comfortable

sharing):

o Particularly focus on the Blueprint areas where they performed well vs

poorly

o Work with candidate to focus their study more on weaker areas of their

expertise

o Remind them to review areas they performed well

• Review pitfalls and ways to overcome them:

o Not studying enough: develop a plan, carve out time on a consistent basis,

start earlier, utilize a trainer, don’t multi-task while studying, create your own

study aids, get into a study group or have a study buddy, etc.

o Not a good test taker: look at resources online that provide test taking tips.

See below.

o Get too nervous: deep breathing exercises, arrive at the test site early and

take a walk or review notes a final time, read each question twice before

answering, meditation/prayer, etc.

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NCP Guide Handbook

APPENDIX A: to share with candidate

• Complete Jump Start reading program and determine any items that you need to

spend more time on.

o NCP Blueprint has all topics covered on exam

o NCP Roadmap goes into more depth about level subjects covered on exam

o Online versions of references are valuable for further study (Reg CC, UCC,

UCD, OC3, ECCHO Rules, FFIEC Guidance)

• Study PREP Guide

• Review Question of the Day

o Try to answer the Question each day as it comes in

o Do more research on that topic

o Confirm answer on the next day

o Print Question of the Day and place into notebook for future review

• Take a NCP Partner Exam Prep Training Course

o Print out materials

o Read chapter ahead of class and note any questions that you have

o Take notes during class, turn off all other phones/email, do not multi-task

o Ask questions in class

o After class summarize highlights onto index cards or other useful format for

review

• Form a study group if others at your organization are taking the exam; otherwise,

form a phone study group—pick a topic and discuss it thoroughly; ask your training

provider if they have a study group

• Ask experts at your organization to discuss topics or answer questions

Sample Study Program

Tips for NCP Candidate to Establish their Study Plan

• Consider your current activities and when time is available or can be made to study.

Study time of an hour or more is preferential but other test takers have reported that even

taking 15 minutes here and there helped them to be successful.

• Mark off study time on your calendar. Plot your course by adding which subjects will be

covered on each day.

• Determine your goals for what you will accomplish each week or month (depending upon

when you begin your studies). Use this as a checkpoint to ensure that you do not fall

behind.

• Stick to your schedule. If you fall behind, catch up at night or on weekends, etc.

• Most test takers find that cramming for NCP will not produce a positive result.

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NCP Guide Handbook

APPENDIX B: to share with candidate

Tips for NCP Exam

Just Before the Exam

• Get a good night's sleep the evening before the exam.

• Eat a healthy, protein-rich breakfast the morning of your exam.

• Arrive at the PSI testing facility 30 minutes early.

• Relax your mind before the test begins.

Prior to the Exam

• Register for the test as early as possible. ECCHO has study aids to help with your

preparation and putting off this crucial step will only add to your stress.

• Spend time working through study topics, scenarios, Question of the Day, other

practice resources for several weeks before your scheduled test date.

• Take an exam prep training course.

• Study a little every day. This gives your mind time to absorb the material.

• Depending upon your learning style, either relax the day before the test to give

your mind a break so that it will be refreshed and ready on test day, OR take the

day away from work to concentrate solely on studying for the exam.

• Take your study aids with you. If you are struggling with terminology or facts, make

flashcards and keep them in your pocket. You can review while you are standing in

line, on train or plane, or waiting for class to begin.

• Put together a study group. If you know other people who are preparing for the

same test, you can get together for study time. This helps because your colleagues

will be able to explain some of the things you do not understand and you can do

the same for them.

Guide’s time to provide Words of Encouragement….

You can do it! I know you can!

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During the Test

• Ask PSI test proctor resolve any issues that you may have with desk,

computer, etc.

• Read the instructions carefully. Know how to use the keyboard and

special keys.

• Read each question carefully, paying attention to details. Look for

references like “according to Reg CC”, etc.

• Pay attention to time passing in relation to the time allotment.

• Don't get distracted by other testers in the room (wear earplugs).

• Begin by answering the questions that you know. For the rest of the

questions, eliminate the answers that cannot be correct. This often leaves

you with just one answer.

• If you come across a question that is difficult, use the paper and pencil to

draw out/assist in understanding the scenario. Be careful not to spend

too much time on any one question. Mark it for later review, move on and

come back to it at the end.

• Don't second guess yourself by changing your answer unless you are

100% certain.

• Don't fall into the trap of looking for patterns in the answers. There really

can be three (or more) "C" answers in a row.

• When you are finished, ensure you have answered all questions.

• After the test, CELEBRATE! Go out and do something enjoyable. Treat

yourself to a favorite meal or other activity. Celebrate your

accomplishment

NCP Guide Handbook

APPENDIX B: to share with candidate

Tips for NCP Exam (continued)

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Test Facts

• NCP exam is administered online at PSI proctored testing centers.

• You are allowed three hours to take the exam.

• No books or notes of any kind are allowed.

• Testing center will provide a piece of paper and a pencil to contemplate test

questions.

NCP Guide Handbook

APPENDIX C: to share with candidate

PSI Test Center Guidelines

Other Tips

• Know exactly where your testing site is before test day and how long it will take to get

there at the time of your test (e.g., traffic conditions).

• Get to the testing site early and go through your flashcards one final time.

Things You Should Know

• You must present two valid, unexpired and acceptable ID(s) in order to take your test.

One must be a photo ID. Examples of ID include: driver’s license, passport, employee ID,

signed credit card.

• You must take a copy of the email that confirms your appointment at PSI.

• The name for the appointment should match the name on your ID.

• Make a plan for your personal items. Purses, phones, etc. are not allowed in the testing

centers. Some testing centers have lockers but some do not have a place to secure your

personal items.

• You must arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time

in order to be admitted to take your exam.

• Persons not scheduled to take a test are not permitted to wait in the testing center or

surrounding common areas.

• You may not exit the building or use your cell phone or other electronic devices during the

exam, however there is a bathroom available in all testing sites.

• Assist her/him in developing a plan that incorporates techniques for that style

Scheduling Your Exam • Schedule as soon as you can after signup with PSI begins. Sessions fill up quickly.

Your Pass/Fail Score

• You will receive your pass/fail score via email by the end of June which will provide

four bar charts that depict how you performed on each section of the test.

• You will receive your NCP certificate in the mail a few weeks after that.

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Thank You!

Your guidance paves the way for the success of the NCP program

as well as for the electronic check payments system.

Thank you for supporting the future of your NCP program and the

development of expert check professionals.

If you have any questions during your NCP Guide journey, please

email us at ncpc@eccho.org or call Stephanie at 214-273-3210.

We are more than happy to help!