Current Pass Rates For New Test

[David Molenaar]

These are the current pass rates for the new test.

State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser 10%

Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser 28.57%

Certified General Real Estate Appraiser 50%

We are working on getting national results to find out the weak area's for people taking the test. This way we can let the teaching organizations know the weakness area for additional educational classes. If you fail the test, you will get the results of each section as to the # of questions and the # of correct answers. This way you will know which area you need to study up on. Remember, this new test is based on the 2008 requirements.

Dave Molenaar, SRA, RAA, CRA
Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser

Chair, State of Michigan Real Estate Appraisers Board

 

[Smokey Bear]

What were the pass rates prior to 2008 requirements?

 

[David Molenaar]

I'll see if I get them next week.

 

[ericdeanmorse]

Very interesting...

 

[Michigan CG]

I thought the Licensed appraiser was no longer an option after January 1, 2008; only certified..?

 

[Doug Smith SRA]

Why high fail rates?

It is no mystery why there are such high fail rates for the new series of tests.
Much of the previous testing was drawn from material developed by Dr. Dennis S. Tosh, recently retired from the University of Mississippi.

Tosh went on to co-author "Questions and Answers To Help You Pass The Real Estate Appraisal Exams." With the author of the tests selling the preparation material, it was no accident that what was on the test showed up in the cram guides.

It is a new ball game and it will be awhile before the cram guides catch up to the new material or when the new authors sell their guides. Passing the test was a matter of choosing the right cram guide.

BTW the new test material is being developed from an appraiser notable from Western Arkansas State and a professor from St. Thomas University in the Virgin Islands. These two academics formulate the questions and write the correct answers. The three wrong choices are written by a professor of etymology from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Robert E. Bucks.

Doug

 

[Caligirl]

I find the order of 'fail rate' interesting. 90% fail the licensed exam the first time while only 50% fail the general exam the first time. This tells me something is wrong with the tests, or with the education preceeding the exam. Why? Because the general exam should be more difficult to pass than the licensed exam.

http://www.apa.org/science/standards.html#overview

 

[Stone]

I find the order of 'fail rate' interesting. 90% fail the licensed exam the first time while only 50% fail the general exam the first time. This tells me something is wrong with the tests, or with the education preceeding the exam. Why? Because the general exam should be more difficult to pass than the licensed exam.

I don't get that from these (limited) results.

I would say that it is just as reasonable that folks who have been appraising long enough, and have done enough studying that they are comfortable taking the CG (and the CR) exam are generally more prepared. It sounds like the prep work requires more than just cramming from a book and those who have been appraising might be better prepared. Also, those sitting for the two certified exams might not take the test until they are really confident, while some of the folks sitting for the licensed level might take a flier in order to get their feet in the licensing door.

I would guess that the past failure rates were also higher for the first level. How many trainees have come on this board and asked what to do after failing one or more times? That isn't something that has come up nearly as often (at all?) with the CR or CG exam.

Confidence probably plays a part in it, as well. Folks who've taken the exam and are in the business probably have less test anxiety than those taking their first one.

I wouldn't read too much into it, particularly considering the small sample size of only a few months. A harder CG or CR exam doesn't automatically equate to higher failure rates than the licensed level.

 

[Caligirl]

If Stone is correct, and experience plays a large role in successfully passing the test, the extraordinarily low 'licensed' pass rate is indicative of sub-par field training, and indicates that there is a *critical* need for 'supervisor' training and education.

 

[Stone]

If Stone is correct, and experience plays a large role in successfully passing the test, the extraordinarily low 'licensed' pass rate is indicative of sub-par field training, and indicates that there is a *critical* need for 'supervisor' training and education.

It is just my theory, but if it is correct you are probably right on with that.