Pittsburgh, ITE and the PTP

I leave for Pittsburgh from work on Friday. I wouldn't call what I am feeling nervous, but there isn't a better word to describe how I feel. I am taking the Professional Transportation Planner Certification exam which really means nothing at all.

Ever since college it has been important to me to become "certified" in someway. I thought it was going to be AICP but the more involved in transportation I got, the less AICP seemed relevant. That's why I was so excited when I found out about the PTP certification. Theoretically this is just as important as the PTOE and other certifications ITE gives but I don't think in reality it will give me any more credibility.

I get the impression from my boss that she thinks its a waste of time. OH well. It's important to me so thats what counts, I suppose.

Whats really got me nervous though is the fear of failing. I've always thought of myself as relatively good at what I do and assume that my knowledge is sufficient to be certified but I can't get the thought out of my head as to what will happen if I don't pass.

For one this is costing me a ton, all in all its going to be over 500 dollars, but I'll have to deal with telling my parents and friends and coworkers that I failed a test that is supposed to check knowledge of my own profession?

I did take the "practice test" ITE set up. It's a joke that i had to pay 10 or 15 bucks to take it and I don't know if I believe that the questions were representative of the actual test. After I took the practice test someone from ITE told me that the passing score was one better than 50%. I thought with those odds I can't go wrong. I double checked again though and found out that the passing score varies with each test. The CEO of ITE emailed me to say that if I get 2 out of 3 right I will likely pass. I guess that gives me something to go on.

I'll let you know.