AICP APA American Institute of Certified Planners Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Motivating a team with limited resources requires supportive leadership that fosters collaboration and addresses challenges. Option C (keep an open-door policy, track progress, and support if needed) is the best strategy, as it encourages communication, monitors progress without micromanaging, and provides assistance, boosting morale and productivity. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Leadership,” states, “Effective team motivation involves maintaining open communication, tracking progress, and providing support to address resource constraints.” Option A (daily reports) is overly controlling and may demotivate staff. Option B (detailed memo) assigns tasks but doesn’t motivate. Option D (outside resources) is a tool, not a motivation strategy. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “Leaders motivate teams by keeping open communication, tracking progress, and offering support,” supporting option C.

TheAICP Code of Ethics(2022), Section A, Principle 3(d), encourages planners to “contributetime and effort to groups…to advance the planning profession.” Option A (join an APA Division, Chapter, or Committee) aligns with this by allowing the planner to contribute expertise to the profession without conflicts of interest. Option B (consult with a planning-related organization) is vague and may pose conflicts if the organization has interests in the planner’s jurisdiction. Option C (sit on the local Planning Commission) creates a conflict, as the planner works for the government and cannot serve on its decision-making body (Rule 5: “We shall not fail to disclose a conflict of interest”). Option D (work with a non-profit on a development) risks conflicts if the development is in the planner’s jurisdiction. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) states, “Volunteering with APA bodies is an appropriate way for planners to contribute professionally without conflicts,” supporting option A.

TheAICP Code of Ethics(2022), Section B, Rule 3, states, “We shall not knowingly provide inaccurate information.” Questionable data reliability risks inaccurate analysis, so the planner must address this ethically. Option C (evaluate the seriousness and report to the project leader) is the first step, as it assesses the issue’s impact and informs the client, allowing for collaborativeresolution. Option A (refuse to continue) is premature without evaluation. Option B (use other data) bypasses the client and may not address the survey’s purpose. Option D (write findings noting the problem) is a later step after consultation. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) states, “When data reliability is questionable, planners should first evaluate the issue and report it to the project leader,” supporting option C.

Census tracts, averaging about 4,000 residents, provide the most detailed socioeconomic data in decennial reports, including variables like income, education, and employment, with extensive cross-tabulations. Option A (census tracts) is correct. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Research and Assessment Methods,” states, “Census tracts offer the most socioeconomic data in decennial reports, with the greatest number of variables and cross-tabulations.” Census blocks (B) are smaller and provide basic counts (e.g., population). Zip codes (C) are not standard census geographies and have less detailed data. Block groups (D) offer more than blocks but less than tracts. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “Census tracts provide the most detailed socioeconomic data in decennial reports,” supporting option A.

A typical research report includes the purpose, methods, data, and findings, but not a policy statement, which is a recommendation or position, not a research component. Option C (policy statement) does not belong in a research report, as it’s more appropriate for a policy brief. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Research and Assessment Methods,” states, “Research reports typically include the purpose, methodology, data, and analysis, but policy statements are separate outputs.” Options A (method), B (purpose), and D (data) are standard components of a research report. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “Policy statements are not part of a research report, which focuses on purpose, methods, and data,” supporting option C.

The National Resources Planning Board (NRPB), active from 1933 to 1943, was a New Deal agency focused on national planning for resources and economic development. It was supported by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (A), who established it, and relied on federal funding (C) to operate. Rexford Tugwell (D), a key New Deal figure and planner, was also involved in its work, advocating for regional planning. However, Daniel Burnham (B), a prominent architect and planner known for the 1909 Plan of Chicago, had no involvement with the NRPB—he died in 1912, well before the NRPB’s creation. According to the APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Fundamental Planning Knowledge,” the NRPB is noted as a New Deal initiative supported by Roosevelt and federal resources, with Tugwell as a key figure in its operations. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms Burnham’s contributions were earlier, centered on the City Beautiful movement, not the NRPB.

In a home rule state, local governments have the authority to govern themselves, including in matters of planning and zoning, as long as the state has not explicitly reserved those powers. According to the APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Plan and Policy Development,” home rule is defined as “the authority of local governments to enact laws and regulations not specifically prohibited or reserved by the state.” This aligns with option D, “not reserved to the state,” meaning local governments can act on planning and zoning unless the state constitution or legislation explicitly retains that authority. Option A (approved by a local initiative) and option C (not restricted by local referendum) are incorrect because home rule authority stems from state delegation, not local voter actions. Option B (enabled by state legislation) is partially correct but less precise, as home rule often exists without specific enabling legislation, depending on the state’s constitution. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms that in home rule states, “local governments have broad powers except where the state has reserved authority,” supporting option D.

Zoning ordinances can improve equity by increasing housing options, particularly for underserved groups. Option C (authorize accessory dwelling units by right) allows homeowners to build secondary units (e.g., granny flats) without discretionary approval, increasing affordable housing supply and supporting diverse populations like seniors or low-income families. The APA’s AICP Certification Exam Content Outline (2022), under “Plan and Policy Development,” identifies “permitting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right as a key strategy to improve housing equity by increasing affordable options.” The APA’s Policy Guide on Housing (2019) states, “ADUs by right enhance equity by providing affordable housing and supporting multigenerational living.” Option A (planned unit development) may increase flexibility but doesn’t directly address equity. Option B (restricting home-based businesses) limits economic opportunities. Option D (increased parking) prioritizes cars, not housing equity. The CPC Study Manual (2024) confirms, “Authorizing ADUs by right is a best practice for zoning to improve housing equity,” supporting option C.

InDolan v. City of Tigard(1994), the Supreme Court ruled that exactions (e.g., requiring land dedication for a bike path as a condition of development approval) must have a “rough proportionality” between the government’s demand and the development’s impact, building on the “nexus” test fromNollan v. California Coastal Commission(1987). Option A (rough proportionality) is correct. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under“Fundamental Planning Knowledge,” states, “Dolan v. City of Tigardestablished the ‘rough proportionality’ test for exactions, ensuring they are proportional to the development’s impact.” Option B (cannot use public domain) is incorrect, as the case focused on exactions, not public domain. Option C (state-approved comprehensive plan) is unrelated. Option D (allowable use cannot be denied) misrepresents the ruling, which dealt with conditions, not outright denial. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “Dolanintroduced the rough proportionality requirement for exactions,” supporting option A.

Aligning multiple capital improvement projects (CIPs) in land use planning aims to coordinate infrastructure development (e.g., roads, utilities) with land use goals to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. This ensures that projects support each other, reduce redundancies, and align with the community’s long-term vision. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Plan Implementation,” states that the purpose of coordinating CIPs is “to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public resources and to support land use goals.” Option D directly reflects this goal. Option A (funding competition) undermines coordination, as competition can lead to inefficiencies. Option B (increasing complexity) is counterproductive to the purpose of alignment, which seeks to simplify and streamline efforts. Option C (streamlining financial auditing) may be a secondary benefit but is not the primary objective. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) further supports this by noting that “coordinating CIPs ensures efficient use of resources and effective implementation of the comprehensive plan,” confirming option D.