CCA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CCA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Schlossberg's '4 S' model for coping with career transitions includes Situation, Self, Support, and: → Strategies
2. The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used to: → Classify workers into occupational categories for data collection
3. What does validity in psychometric testing refer to? → The accuracy in measuring intended traits
4. According to Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), which factor most directly predicts whether a person will pursue a career in a particular field? → Self-efficacy beliefs about their ability to successfully perform tasks in that field
5. Which accrediting body specifically recognizes standards for career development programs and professionals in the United States? → National Career Development Association (NCDA)
6. What action best demonstrates professional boundaries? → Maintaining a client-counselor relationship
7. What does the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) measure? → Monthly data on job openings, hires, and separations across industries
8. Which goal-setting method is recommended in career planning? → SMART goal method
9. Which federal agency publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) in the United States? → Bureau of Labor Statistics
10. Why is career research important during the planning process? → To understand career trends and opportunities
11. In labor economics, the term 'labor force participation rate' refers to: → The percentage of the working-age population either employed or actively seeking work
12. Which of the following is considered a 'soft skill' most frequently cited by employers as lacking in new hires? → Professional communication and interpersonal collaboration
13. Linda Gottfredson's Theory of Circumscription and Compromise explains that children and adolescents narrow their career options primarily based on: → Gender-role compatibility and social prestige perceptions formed during development
14. Which ethical principle emphasizes protecting client identity and data? → Confidentiality
15. Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of a program logic model in career services? → To map the relationship between program inputs, activities, outputs, and intended outcomes
16. A career center implements a new online scheduling system. After six months, which evaluation question addresses FORMATIVE concerns? → What scheduling barriers still exist and how can the system be improved?
17. Why is informed consent important in career counseling? → To ensure client awareness and agreement
18. Which federal legislation most directly governs the funding and administration of publicly funded career services programs in the United States? → Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
19. Which theorist developed the concept of 'planful competence' as a key predictor of career success? → Glen Elder
20. Holland’s RIASEC model is based on what primary concept? → Personality-environment fit
21. Which action reflects cultural competence in counseling? → Respecting and adapting to client diversity
22. Which type of program partnership MOST directly expands a career center's capacity to serve clients with training needs beyond counseling? → Formal MOUs with community colleges, vocational schools, and training providers
23. Which theory focuses on career development across the life span? → Super’s Life-Span, Life-Space Theory
24. Which type of psychometric tool evaluates a person’s work preferences and interests? → Interest inventories
25. When writing measurable program objectives for a career services center, which format best ensures accountability? → SMART objectives with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound criteria
26. What does 'salary benchmarking' mean in the context of CCA practice? → Using market compensation data to establish a target salary range before negotiating
27. A 35-year-old client in a stable but unfulfilling career is considering a major pivot. According to career development theory, this is BEST described as: → A voluntary career transition driven by intrinsic motivation and values realignment
28. What is 'career lattice' as opposed to 'career ladder'? → A career path model allowing lateral and diagonal moves in addition to upward advancement
29. What does a high reliability score indicate in a psychometric tool? → The results are consistent and stable
30. Which digital tool would a CCA MOST likely recommend to a client who wants to research company culture before applying? → Glassdoor or Blind, which aggregate anonymous employee reviews and ratings