Hello everyone!
I am very excited to share such good news with you all! I finally took the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor on May 29th (2013) and passed it. I started preparing for the exam in October of 2012, when I created this blog. I studied all my notes every day; I did not purchase any study guides and I only used free resources mainly from SAMHSA.
One thing I can tell you; it was a wonderful experience preparing for this test and creating the blog and all of that, but I feel so much better now that I got that requirement out of the way. I feel relieved!
But I am sure many of you want to know about the actual test and not so much about my experience 
. Ok, the exam was not difficult but it really tests your knowledge in the subject. I mean, guessing is not recommended because, even though the questions are not tricky, you have to choose the BEST answer. There might be more than one correct answer and you have to choose the best one! Ok, this is only achievable if you know this stuff very well so that you can apply the “Umbrella Principle” (choosing the answer that includes all the other answers).
My Advice?
You really want to prepare for this exam. I don’t recommend taking the exam unless you have studied for at least 4 months. I was told to prepare for it for 4-6 months. I did it for 6 and I am glad I followed the advice. No study guide guarantees a passing score; it does not matter how expensive or popular it is. You will pass the test if you are well prepared, and being well prepared will reduce your test-taking anxiety. Some people suggest to “practice by taking multiple-choice practice quizzes.” It sure helps, but keep in mind that you might be practicing with quizzes that offer 1 correct answer and 3 distracters. The problem with this is that you get used to looking for the correct answer, while in the real test there might be more than 1 correct answers and you have to choose the BEST.
“Study guides are not good on their on. Bad study guides are for bad students; good study guides are for good students. Get it?”
“When you can identify the answer that includes all the other answers, aka Best Answer, then you know that you have the knowledge and the skills to pass this test. Choosing the Best Answer is a measure of your Competencies.”
LCDC Exam Review 
Congrats ! you have worked hard to get to this level on your journey. The best is yet to come:) I am so big sister proud of you 🙂
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2013 02:21:09 +0000 To: yvette_20@hotmail.com
Thanks my friend! Thanks for all your support from day 1!
Congratulations, what an accomplishment. I so appreciate you sending me the study sheets. I dont jnow how long I have been subscribed, but I hope it was long enough to get all of your posts. I will take my exam some time this year. Thanks. Again,congratulations.
Thanks Tommy! Good luck on your exam 😉
…and thanks for being a subscriber 😀
Congratulations! I was glad I was prepared when I took mine, also. Were you tested on the pharmaceuticals also? That was the most difficult to study for. And then I found out I wouldn’t be tested on it! Those who were tested were nurses.
You have done an exceptional job helping others prepare as you studied yourself. I hope that many, many people will sign up for your class!
What’s your next move career-wise?
Again, congratulations!!!!
Pam
Thanks Pam!!!
The test was not heavy on pharmacology, or I did not feel that way…it is definitely a test that most students will need to prepare for. No guessing here; if you know the stuff, you know the best answer.
It is not extremely hard either. But, then again, I studied for it for 6 months lol!
Thanks for your kind words and your support. The next step is to help other students and CIs through my online class. It’s going to be fun!
Kind regards!
Hi Samantha. Congratulation for the exam!!. I would like to take the exam in 6 months and i need help! please let me know what i need to do to get your help!.
Thanks
Soraya
Hello Soraya,
Thanks for your message! I currently have an online study guide that you can subscribe to at an affordable price. I offer 2, 4, and 6 week subscriptions. You can also find good tips and articles on my blog, but I really recommend the study guide because it is specifically organized and put together to help you study for the test.
I am also adding short videos on youtube, with topics covered on the IC&RC ADC exam. Check out LCDC Exam Review on Youtube.
Let me know if you need more information. Good luck!!