NAFA Member Paul Johnson Passes All Eight CAFM® Modules In One Sitting
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Earning CAFM® certification is a major achievement that requires many months of study and diligence. It is rare that someone is able to pass all the CAFM® module tests in one go. Paul D. Johnson, Fleet and Equipment Specialist for the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources joined a very elite group in September by taking on the CAFM® tests at one time and passing all of them. NAFAConnection asked Paul how he did it.
Starting about eight weeks before the test, I tried to spend an hour or two each day reviewing the material. I focused on getting all the study guides filled out accurately and completely, then focused on studying areas that I was less familiar with.
The weekend before the test I spent two full days reviewing the study guides, practice tests, and webinars on the NAFA site. Having access to the webinars was very helpful. I enjoyed the break from reading information and felt the webinars helped reinforce some important topics that didn’t stand out to me in the printed material.
Did you require any special or extra study aids to help prepare?
Aside from filling out the study guides and watching the webinars, I tried to take good notes and add to them each time I reviewed the material. If I came across a topic or idea that I wasn’t familiar with, I tried to equate it to what my fleet would do. I feel that putting a concept into real life terms makes it easier to understand and recall during the exam.
Fortunately for me, I use many of the concepts covered on the CAFM® exam on a daily basis. Having that hands-on experience certainly helped on the exam. Also, I’ve benefited from working with some really sharp people over the years and tried to learn everything I can the "easy way" vs the "hard way."
What were your personal/professional reasons for pursuing CAFM® accreditation?
I have always placed a high value on certifications and education. I originally entered the automotive business as a technician and still hold twelve ASE certifications. I feel that holding the industry standard certification provides a baseline that a person can work to grow from; so for me, the CAFM® was a natural progression for my career.
After speaking with other CAFMs® it became clear that the course was a good opportunity to learn new skills and ideas, not just prove current knowledge. This was important to me; I wasn’t simply looking for another piece of paper to hang on the wall. While certifications are good, skills and ability are what gets work done. I believe the CAFM certification has already helped me grow as a fleet professional and made me a more valuable asset for my organization.
If you were asked by another student what a significant hurdle might be in study, or in the test, what would be your advice to overcome that?
There is a lot of information covered in the CAFM® course. I think a person could get overwhelmed by looking at all the material at once. In many ways it reminded me of college and taking several finals on the same day, so I tried to approach my studying the same manner. Instead of getting overwhelmed by all the content, I took a strategic approach to studying. I tried to remind myself that I am studying one topic at a time. It was nice to know that I had another testing session available if necessary.
It was hard to find the time to just sit and study so I made sure to schedule quiet time. My wife did a great job keeping our two year old son occupied so I could focus on studying. I knew studying for all eight sections would be demanding, so I made sure she was on board.
Now that you have passed the tests, what would you tell others in regard to the CAFM® program?
There is a lot of really good information contained in the CAFM® program and it is challenging, but it will help you grow and you will learn in the process.
Celebrate the CAFM® anniversary with us at www.nafa.org and www.fleetcertification.org.
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For more information on NAFA fleet education, visit http://www.fleetcertification.org
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