The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) offers two different certifications to individuals seeking to improve their professional credentials. The IAAP Certified Professional Secretary and Certified Administrative Professional examinations offer a chance to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the areas most critical to the modern office environment.
The IAAP Certified Professional Secretary focuses on three content areas: office technology; office systems and administration; and management.
The IAAP Certified Administrative Professional exam is a bit more challenging, and focuses on four content areas: office technology; office systems and administration; management; and advanced organizational management.
The office systems and technology section of the IAAP exams consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, and takes 2 hours to complete. This section covers the following subjects:
- computer hardware, systems, and configuration (12% of the section)
- document layout, design, and reproduction (16%)
- software (60%)
- managing physical resources (12%)
The office administration section of the IAAP exams consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, and takes 2 hours to complete. This section covers the following subjects:
- records management (28% of the section)
- communication (72%)
The management section of the IAAP exams consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, and takes 2 hours to complete. This section covers the following subjects:
- human resources (48% of the section)
- accounting procedures and analysis (16%)
- time management (12%)
- communication (24%)
The advanced organizational management section of the CAP exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, and takes 3 ½ hours to complete. This section covers the following subjects:
- organizational planning (28% of the section)
- advanced administration (24%)
- team skills (24%)
- advanced communication (24%)
The IAAP exams are taken on paper. An official score report, which includes summaries of performance in every section, is mailed about 45 days after the exam.