"Do You Speak Usability?" - We from the UX/UI team at Appmatics can definitely answer this question with "Yes!".
But ... does a CPUX-F certification make sense? Can one apply the knowledge in everyday professional life? Is it enough to learn the publicly available exam questions by heart? And how does the exam preparation work?
In this blog article, I would like to report on my experiences with acquiring the CPUX-F certification. You will also get an overview of why certification can be worthwhile.
My experience
What certification am I doing?
After starting my career as a UX researcher and designer at Appmatics at the beginning of 2022, I was looking for a suitable training opportunity in the UX field to acquire a sound basic knowledge of terms and concepts from the specialist area of user experience (UX) and usability.
It quickly became clear to me that I wanted to take the internationally recognised CPUX-F basic certification of the International Usability and UX Qualification Board (UXQB). According to the German UPA, the „UXQB® Certified Professional for Usability and User Experience – Foundation Level (CPUX-F)“-certificate is "the standard for training and further education" for people who work professionally in the UX field.
Before the exam
After the decision was made that I would do the CPUX certification, an exam date was chosen promptly. As a member of the German UPA, I even received a discount on the exam costs. Then I only had to do one thing: study!
Since I already had enough practical experience through my first project experiences in usability testing at Appmatics and had internalised the contexts of the human-centred design process, I decided to learn the exam contents on my own. Because even according to the UXQB, all certification tests can be taken without prior training.
In preparation for the exam, I learned a lot on my own. For this purpose, I studied with the freely accessible learning materials of the UXQB.
The CPUX-F certification exam
The exam itself was more demanding than expected. To pass the exam, at least 70% of the multiple choice questions (28 out of 40 possible points) must be answered correctly in 75 minutes. Those who only concentrate on memorising the publicly available exam questions probably have rather less chance of getting enough points. This is because the questions that have to be answered during the actual CPUX certification contain some pitfalls where "significantly more correct" answers have to be distinguished from basically correct answers. Thus, I also needed the entire 75 minutes to answer the exam questions and check them again for correctness before handing them in.
All the greater was the relief and the perceived happiness when I saw the confirmation screen on my laptop after submitting the examination performance: "You have passed!
But what is the point of the certificate?
Internationally accredited UX certification
The CPUX-F certificate is internationally recognised and is based on the requirements and recommendations for human-centred design of interactive systems according to DIN EN ISO 9241-210. By obtaining the CPUX certification, one objectively proves that one has competences in the field of UX and usability.
UX basic knowledge
In addition, the CPUX certification provides you with central basic UX knowledge and teaches you numerous definitions and technical terms. Once you have internalised these, the definitions provide a very precise understanding of the individual processes and methods. In this way, I was able to expand my knowledge horizon across the entire human-centred design process and link it to already existing practical knowledge.
We speak "usability"
UX-relevant technical terms are not always understood and applied correctly. Through the CPUX certification, I was not only able to learn the methods and processes precisely, but also UX technical terms that are relevant to my everyday work as a UX researcher. Now I can work and communicate even better with my team colleagues from the UX area, be it with product owners, designers or developers.
Further expansion stages in sight
In addition, the CPUX-F certificate as a basic certification offers the possibility to deepen one's knowledge through further advanced levels. There are currently three advanced certificates for
- Usability Testing and Evaluation (CPUX-UT),
- User Requirements Engineering (CPUX-UR) and
- Designing Solutions (CPUX-DS).
Since I would like to constantly deepen and expand my UX expertise, I see the CPUX-F certification as a wonderful foundation to continue my education in the future in the further expansion stages.
My conclusion
Is it worth talking about "usability"? I would answer this question with a resounding "yes". By acquiring the CPUX-F certificate, I have gained the necessary basic UX knowledge to be able to accompany our clients through all stages of digital product development.
This is also the reason why all of us in the UX/UI team at Appmatics have CPUX-F certification. Because the focus of our work is always to put the human-centred design process first in the (further) development of digital solutions.
Would you like to know what we offer in the field of UX/UI? Then take a look here.
And if you're interested, we'd be happy to arrange a non-binding meeting.
Author: Lisa Trubina
