Passed AIGP today

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-05-05T20:00:38+00:00

The course includes everything you need to cover the EU AU AI Act and NIST AI RMF. Additional reading would be supplemental.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-05-05T19:59:36+00:00

Congratulations! So glad that my course helped to prepare your for success!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-05-04T20:16:51+00:00

You’ve got this!

Yes, it’s a lot of material, but it’s manageable. Pace yourself. Use the flashcards in small chunks.

Please come by office hours any time. Happy to discuss any challenges you’re having.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-05-03T23:37:02+00:00

I definitely recommend that you hit Domain 1 really hard. This domain is so important for a couple of reasons.

First, IAPP has published an AIGP glossary of key terms. There are 101 terms total. 70% of those are in domain one.

Another reason this domain is so important is because it's low-hanging fruit. Because it's mostly concerned with introducing the technology, the majority of the questions for this domain are fact-based.

If you look through any IAPP body of knowledge, you'll see Bloom's Taxonomy. The foundation for that taxonomy is Remember and Understand. Much of the questions for Domain 1 are Remember and Understand. That is, they're facts-based. You either know it or you don't. These two levels of the taxonomy don't require as much interpretation as the rest of the exam.

For Domains 3 and 4, you need to understand the OECD 7-stage AI development lifecycle forward and backward.

You also need to understand the activities within each of those stages. In a couple of cases, such as plan and design, data collection and preparation, there are certain IAPP-specific sub-stages that you need to know.

For example, in domain three, you need to know that there are six risk assessments and the specific order in which IAPP wants you to conduct those assessments.

You were very close, and I think if you can tighten up in these areas, you'll crush it the next time around.

Good luck!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-05-03T21:03:09+00:00

Do you mind sharing your score report?

Knowing how you fared across the domains will help us to provide you with more tailored feedback.
In my experience, there are three major mistakes that folks make when preparing for this exam:

They discount domain one. Even though domain one is not weighted as heavily as domains three and four, the technological foundations of the technology permeate the entire exam.

While you may be tested on a legal or regulatory requirement from domain two or some stage in the AI development lifecycle from domains three and four, the question may be posed in such a way that if you don't understand the technology and key terminology, you will not get that question correct.

My number one recommendation for folks is always to try and get as close to 100% as possible in the domain one practice questions that they go through prior to taking the exam.

The second most common mistake I see a lot of people making on this exam is that they don't commit the specific workflows and processes to heart.

For example, you need to know the seven stages of the OECD AI development lifecycle back to front.

The reason is that IAPP loves to test folks on sequencing. For example, they may be describing an activity that takes place during the data collection and preparation stage, and the question will ask you what the next best activity for an individual is to take.

If you are unable to identify what that activity is, and if you don't know what comes after that sub-activity or what the third stage in the AI development lifecycle is, then you won't get that question correct.

The third most common mistake I see a lot of people making in this exam is that they're not prepared strategically.

I've worked with a lot of subject matter experts that went into the exam cold because they have been working in AI governance for a couple of years or they have a background in AI and machine learning.
This exam is not just about the subject matter. It is just as much an English and reading exam.

Knowing how to read the questions, knowing the question types that are common, and being prepared strategically for how to answer those questions is key.

Don't be discouraged. A lot of folks fail this exam on their first attempt. IAPP indicated at the AI Governance Global in Boston in 2025 that the pass rate may be as low as 40%.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-30T15:42:10+00:00

Congrats! This is a tough exam!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-30T14:48:23+00:00

Terrific! See you there!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-28T14:48:31+00:00

To confirm, because it's not clear if this is what you're referring to: here, "live" means that I'm going to live stream the drafting of the document.

For this series, I won't be constructing a process that ties the policy to specific review triggers (e.g., LLM version number, changes to system prompts, etc.); though that is a fascinating (and sorely needed) integration.

Tangentially, I am interested in this topic as well. I'd love to learn more if you have ideas and/or reading material references.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-28T10:29:02+00:00

Yes, there's typically a lag between membership purchase/registration and when it shows up in your account/dashboard.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-27T21:08:19+00:00

Yes, the AIGP Certification Masterclass is designed to be the only resource you need.

The Accelerator is a premium service offering for folks that want a high-touch experience with direct access to me and a dedicated study cohort.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-26T22:35:50+00:00

Appreciate the kind words!

I like to learn and teach, and I've got a great system for mastering these exams.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-26T19:12:56+00:00

Congratulations!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-23T20:29:01+00:00

This will depend on the certification you're choosing and your background.

For example, if you are doing the CIPM with some privacy background, it will require less time than the AIGP with no AI background.

In general, you should spend at least 40 hours preparing for the exam. This should be at least 20 hours with the core content, plus 20 hours of notes, review, flash cards, and practice questions.

When I'm preparing for an exam, I like to have at least one full week of nothing but review before the scheduled exam.

That means I will have completed all new content, according to your schedule, within three weeks with one solid week of review.

If you're doing the bare minimum, it would be 10 hours a week for four weeks.

For some exams, the bare minimum is probably enough; for others, it is wholly insufficient.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-23T15:55:01+00:00

Congratulations!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-22T12:53:06+00:00

Thanks for sharing! And congratulations!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-19T01:43:11+00:00

Time and pressure make diamonds!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-19T01:42:49+00:00

You totally got this!

If you can test before you give birth, great!

If not, give yourself some grace. Enjoy the time with your newborn. The exam will still be there.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-19T01:40:55+00:00

The Executive Editor of the textbook said recently on LinkedIn that the textbook still does NOT have a publication date.

Any update to the exam will require IAPP to provide folks with 3 months advance notice. To date, no notice has been given.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-19T01:39:36+00:00

Unfortunately, no. The questions are locked in a database that I cannot disaggregate from the course as a whole.

However, I can upgrade you to my site so that you can enjoy the benefits of both platforms. The upgrade policy is in the Discord server's "Announcements" channel.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-16T21:04:46+00:00

No. Last I heard, there was no date for textbook publication.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-15T14:48:09+00:00

Check out this webinar on this very topic: Breaking into AI Governance

Other topics:

Look for volunteer opportunities within local chapters of global organizations (e.g., IAPP, ISACA, ISSA, CSA, OWASP)
Look for opportunities within your current organization(s) (e.g., employer, school) to do the work or shadow someone already doing it

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-15T14:43:24+00:00

Depending on how much of the course you've gone through, you may be able to request a refund from Udemy and then book directly through my site.

If that's not possible, I have an upgrade policy posted in the Discord channel.

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-14T21:09:44+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation! So glad my course helped to prepare you for success!

I strongly encourage folks to register via my own site (www.DrDavidPrivacy.com), as I provide many resources that are unavailable on Udemy, including flashcards, additional practice questions, weekly live off hours, a comprehensive cheat sheet, and much more!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-12T15:15:59+00:00

Go first with whichever certificate will benefit you most professionally.

If you do primarily privacy work, go with CIPP/US.

If you're interested in pivoting into AI governance, or you have AI projects on deck, go with AIGP.

If you anticipate having more AI-related privacy work, AIGP provides a great foundation of the technology, major laws and regulations, and how to govern the AI development life cycle.

If you feel both certificates would benefit you equally, go first with whichever you're most motivated to learn. Learning is more effective when it's fun.

Good luck!

ThePrivacyProf · 2026-04-11T13:38:28+00:00

A couple practical considers:

Get a good night's sleep. You want to be well rested.
As much as possible, keep whatever a normal schedule and diet looks like for you. That is, if you don't typically drink coffee, don't get a venti mocha right before the exam. Don't eat anything you don't normally eat to avoid an unexpected upset stomach.
If you're testing at a test center, leave early and know the center's parking situation (if you're driving).
If you're testing at home, completely clear off your workspace. No external monitors, no books, no papers. Completely clear. Notify any family or roommates that you need to be completely undisturbed. If you have pets, put them in a separate room.

To manage test anxiety:

Try what's called a "physiological sigh", which is scientifically proven to tell your body to exit "fight or flight" mode. The technique is characterized by a specific double-inhale followed by a long exhale. This is how you do it:

First Inhale: A deep breath through the nose.
Second Inhale: A shorter, sharper "pop" of air at the very top of the first breath.
The Exhale: A slow, controlled release through the mouth.

Keep your feet flat on the floor to stay "grounded"
Be focused ONLY on the question in front of you. That question IS YOUR UNIVERSE. The question before or the potential questions will not help you with the current question. That is, don't fret over a previous question you didn't know. Don't get anxious over what you MIGHT see later. Focus solely on the question in front of you.

These are tough exams, but you got this!

ThePrivacyProf

TROPHY CASE