Licensed Appraiser Exam Failure -

[ucbruin]

In counterpoint, one of the vagaries of this type of testing is that they're looking for the answer from the texts. The correct answer, which is sometimes not exactly the right answer. When you get more experience and start seeing exceptions to the rule or a more nuanced understanding of the principles and applications the wording of the questions and answers can contain absolutes that you have come to understand from experience are not always the case.

Long story short, you're trying to pass a test based on the lowest common denominator; based on texts that are aimed at raw recruits for whom the material is all abstracts to them because they've never seen anything.

I saw the same thing back in 1991 when experienced appraisers were repeatedly failing the tests because their understanding was more nuanced than the texts. My advice is to go back through the texts and the quizzes in those texts until you get on the same page with some of the absolutes they're using in a basic concepts/principles instruction.

I agree...
The year before licensing, I worked for the Bank and a private appraisal company. I did this to get Commercial experience.

The owner of the appraisal company held a couple of classes for the appraisers and his main advice was....
"Don't argue with the answer in the book". If the practice text book said the answer was A and your experience yelled B, don't argue with the answer. Just check A.

 

[Tom4value]

If you took all the courses and understood the material, I can only say that you suck at taking tests! Don’t take this as an insult. Take it as a solution. Read the questions twice to make sure you know what they are asking. I contend that most people know the answer but are stumped by the double negative, I.e. “which of these is NOT......” Don’t over analyze the question.

 

[RSW]

I took the Harrison Q&A book and typed every question and every answer on my computer. That way I made sure I read every word to every question and answer. I took every chapter test until I got 100% on them. I took every sample test until I scored 90%. I passed on the first take. That was in 1992 or 1993. I took the cert. exam in 2005 and just brushed up on the math section. It took me 45 minutes to finish the test. I again passed on the first take.

 

[Sid Holderly]

Math(conversions), vocabulary, dates, acronyms, turn story problems into math problems to get rid of the surplus and contradictory wordings, know your states appraisal laws & penalties.
Study your weak points.

 

[Rick Stillman]

I have a trick that works every time, and I've taken the test from registered to CG, as well as real estate agent - 5 in all. It's a simple technique and it works wonderfully when you understand it and ALLOW it to work for you. If you fight it, you won't do nearly as well. Here it is:

Cover the answers and answer the question before you see the answer.

The answers are not what you would call wrong - they are there to mislead or trick you. The answers play to your first instinct, and sometimes there is no correct answer, but you have to choose the MOST correct one.

Pausing, thinking without distraction and allowing yourself to focus and concentrate. Take your time. This will allow you to focus much better on the question. Ever try to remember a song when music is playing? It is very hard because the music playing distracts you. Try to remember when there is no music, and you can focus - and you will be amazed at how fast your brain can zero in on the answer.

It works. Like I said, I've done it 5 times in real estate, and more in other fields of study. Let your brain do the thinking - give it enough time to absorb and ponder the question - and DON'T stress out about it. There are also a couple "speed bump" questions thrown in that you are not expected to get correct. These are there to frustrate you and break your rhythm. Now that you know they're there, you can deal with them. You will know them when you see them, as you will say "How the heck am I supposed to know that?"

Also KNOW that you can, and will pass this test. Know your stuff. When you do, confidence is crucial. Focus is also. Do those two things and you will waltz through it.

 

[sail143]

Be sure you have a complete understanding of the HP 12C - not just how to duplicate sample questions/answers. When you are sure of your 12C calculations then you will be confident that you have the best (or most likely) answer which means you will not be trying to calculate THE answer.