2017 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

CRM Exam Prep WorkshopApril 26, 2017

Presented by:

Ellie Maier, CRM, CBCP, Change Management Practitioner

Corporate Records Manager, Information Technology, emyler@citgo.com

and

Courtney Stone, CRM

Records and Retention Manager

AMOCO Federal Credit Union

Disclaimer: This document was presented during the 2017

ARMA Houston Conference. The content presented in this

document is for informational purposes only. The opinions

expressed in this document and those of the presenter do not

necessarily represent the official position of CITGO.

References to other resources including links are for

informational purposes only. Providing these links does not

necessarily indicate CITGO support or endorsement of the

site/s. CITGO is not responsible for the content or accessibility

of any of the links or resources listed.

2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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Audience Takeaways & Agenda

✓Understand the CRM

application and testing

process

Gather resources and learn

test taking techniques

Meet and network with

fellow colleagues taking the

exam

2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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Anything but taking a test…

Yes, you can do this!

Personal Commitment

New CRA Designation (Certified Records Analyst) –Pass Parts 2-4, then take the rest of the exam at your own pace

Resources and Mentors

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Old School Resources - Books

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New School Resources - Online

• Taking the Examinations

• Applying for the Examinations

• Preparation Resources, ARMA Study Packs & Sample Questions

• CRM Examination Preparation Workshop

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Updated CRM Website

http://www.icrm.org/

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2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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CRM Exam Components

Part 1• Management Principles

Part 2

• Records and Information: Creation and Use - CRA

Part 3

• Records Systems, Storage and Retrieval -CRA

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CRM Exam Components

Part 4

• Records Appraisal, Retention, Protection and Disposition - CRA

Part 5• Technology

Part 6• 2 Written Case Studies

2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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Audience Takeaways & Agenda

✓Understand the CRM

application and testing

process

➢Gather resources and learn

test taking techniques

Meet and network with

fellow colleagues taking the

exam

2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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Gathering and Using General Study Resources

Independent vs. Group Study

Use the outline but annotate it with your own notes

Bibliography is Key – William Saffady

Use the web for scouting various definitions, presentations and YouTube

how to videos (especially to learn about “Technology” concepts)

Stay connected with industry professionals

Get a good Mentor, Coach, and Support Network

2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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CRM Resources for the Houston ARMA Chapter

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Mastering Test Taking Techniques

Adopt a “Can Do” Attitude and focus when studying

Don’t go in cold or cram the night before

Memorize key definitions, study regularly and take

practice exams

Build your own library of resource materials such as

books, lists, outlines and flashcards

Take all 5 parts at once to speed up exam cycle, and

don’t worry or even think about Part 6 until you pass

1-5 first

2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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You Tube for understanding TechnologyConcepts for Part 5

RAID Storage Instructional Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa0RTgxJJy8%20(RAID%20storage)

XML Instructional Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccg8rWnfBng%20(XML,%20HTML,%2

0etc)

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General Preparation for Parts 1-5

Relax, get a good night’s rest and eat a protein snack before the test

Read the entire question before looking at the answer selections

Predict the right answer before looking at the answer selections

Read all the choices before making your answer selection

Eliminate wrong answer selections

Watch for absolute words such as “Always” and/or “Never” as those are

usually not correct answer selections

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Parts 1- 5 – Remember 70% to pass

Go with your gut and try not to change answers once you have answered

Answer all the questions, even if you have to guess

Flag Questions to which you don’t know the answer

Use similar questions to help you eliminate wrong answers

Be aware that duplicate questions do occur on the exam

Don’t worry or even think about Part 6 until you pass 1-5 first

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Part 6

The format for part 6 is an “Executive Summary” style

Review the main chapters of RIM literature to be able to prepare content mentally

Read business cases, white papers, executive summaries for examples on writing

Practice writing by writing on records management topics

Write a practice case for a mentor, well in advance of the test and time it

Write two cases, one general example and one specific topic

Finish BOTH questions in 240 minutes!!

Work with your mentor on feedback for practice exam

Follow directions and don’t argue with the test, mentors or others trying to help

you pass

2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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Audience Takeaways & Agenda

✓Understand the CRM

application and testing

process

✓Gather resources and learn

test taking techniques

➢Meet and network with

fellow colleagues taking the

exam

2016 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

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Audience Takeaways & Agenda

❖ Divide into small groups

❖ What is the weirdest thing you have ever

experienced in records management? Don’t

overthink this!

❖ Report back to the group, if there is time

2017 ARMA Houston Spring Conference

Questions? Thank You!!

Disclaimer: This document was presented during the

2017 ARMA Houston Conference. The content

presented in this document is for informational

purposes only. The opinions expressed in this

document and those of the presenter do not

necessarily represent the official position of CITGO.

References to other resources including links are for

informational purposes only. Providing these links

does not necessarily indicate CITGO support or

endorsement of the site/s. CITGO is not responsible

for the content or accessibility of any of the links or

resources listed.

Presented by:

Ellie Maier, CRM, CBCP, Change Management Practitioner

Corporate Records Manager, Information Technology,

emyler@citgo.com

and

Courtney Stone, CRM

Records and Retention Manager

AMOCO Federal Credit Union