How hard was your Certified Residential Test?

[Dan Feasel]

Just passed the Certified Residential test over the weekend. After about the 10th question, I actually went back to make sure they hadn’t given me the general test by mistake. Nearly 75% of the questions on the test I took cited shopping centers, restaurants, large apartment complexes, etc in the development of the question. I truly think that the coursework I took didn’t help at all. I passed more on just experience and common sense than anything. For anyone who has the course hours already under the belt, I’d recommend just taking an advanced income approach course and getting a set of vocabulary cards.

 

[Marcia Langley]

Smokey,

Back when I took the test my impression was similar to yours. I studied very, very hard for the test including the sample questions for the cert gen. I was very surprised that the math based questions were so few.

Although I thought the test was not all that hard, I did sort of over-prepare so I'd not be a good judge.

I did think the test was comprehensive in the non-math portions. I can see how a casual studier would have trouble.

Some people think the difference between being hard or easy is the amount of math involved. But I don't really see it that way. If there are only 100 questions and of those only five are regarding USPAP then one must pretty much memorize USPAP. And that is just for 5% of the questions.

My point is that there is an enormous amount of material to study in order to pass that test.

Like the guys said, though, the test has changed and my experience is outdated.

 

[Jim Hill]

Each state is different.

Here in Florida I believe there they rotate between a number of different tests to keep everyone sharp.

It means each time you take the test it might be a little different.

I think the test I took had some trick questions and you have to think in terms of the whole country when making your answers.

One question I believe had to do with what is the most popular form of home construction. Stick frame, block, panels, manufactured, or Post and Beam?

Remember were sitting in Florida taking this test. Post & Beam was the correct answer.

After building homes for over 30 years and being in Florida for the past 16 years I don't think I have ever seen a Post & Beam home in Florida.

Do you think I got that question right or wrong on the test?

One final thought on preparing for the test is I took a few different online tests in which I did very well on and that kind of gave me some false confidence and none the questions from the online test were even on the state test.

Study hard and when you think you are ready go back and study some more.



Jim Hill

 

[Doug Meyer]

In Indiana you must pass the CR and the state law exam at the same time. Flunk one and you fail.....

 

[Suz-E]

I took the test July of 2006. It was mostly income. Like Dan Feasal stated a few posts back, many questions were about shopping centers, aparment buidlings, etc. I've heard, in my state there are 4 versions of the exam. I have no idea if that is true or not, though. I didn't think it was easy-easy, although it did only take me an hour and I passed on the first try.

 

[Roscoeman]

I thought, along with many others in Oregon that our test was very challenging. Many of the questions appeared to be ambiguous.

Having said that I believe I was very prepared. In order to be certified in Oregon I had to redo my 90 hours of education from California, due to the fact the Oregon rules are different.

So I had alot of preparation from those hours of education. I studied for approx. two months and passed on the first try.

It was not easy here.

 

[JTip]

Why on earth would a residential appraiser need to know about shopping centers? I can count on one hand the number of reports I logged where I used the income approach and GRM. Yes, math is our friend but you guys are scaring me.....:mellow: I better put down the PS3 bowling game and study more.

j

 

[Roger Murdock]

Since the answers on a Multiple-Choice exam are randomized,
the correct answers fall on a normal curve.
Thus the correct answers will most probably be in the middle choices:

• 5 answers: Most probable B/C/D
• 4 answers: Most probable B/C
• .

You can't possibly be serious. That's ridiculous. It's like saying that if a restaurant has a lunch menu that reads:

1) Turkey Sandwich
2) Chicken Sandwich
3) Hamburger
4) Hot Dog
5) Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

then that implies that most people pick the hamburger, chicken sandwich, or hot dog. This is obviously fallacious - a simple "proof" would be, what would happen if they changed the order of the menu items? Everyone's tastes would change suddenly?

 

[John "Corky" Harry]

You have to remember the whole licensing program is based on MINIMUM standards. I found the CR test in Virginia to be very insulting. The Continuing Education program is a joke.

 

[Lost Cause]

Exam Entirely Too Easy

You have to remember the whole licensing program is based on MINIMUM standards. I found the CR test in Virginia to be very insulting.

I was disappointed what a low bar to entry the state CG test was. I took it almost 20 years ago, but it seems things haven't changed very much. Other than those who suffer from test phobias, I think anyone with a little experience and some preparation will have little trouble passing it. Compared to every test I've had at the end of an AI class, it was a breeze. Right away it was clear that many unqualified people will become certified, and that the state licensing program was going to be worthless (or worse). An insult indeed...