MAI Exam Prep

[wydahogaper]

Rebooting this one for some fresh input. Taking MAI Comp Exam in November. Here's a quick overview of my study plan, looking for input/advice on this plan:

Not taking any courses. Have an abundance of prep materials on hand.

1) September - Daily hour of study (likely several hours on weekends)
2) October - Daily hour of study (1st two weeks), intensify studying for the next 2 weeks
3) November - Taking one exam every week - using the week before to intensively that module.

Has anyone had success passing all modules on 1 try without taking a prep course? I'm pretty fresh (within 24 months) off of all my advance courses.

 

[Gobears81]

I did (which was a surprise). I did a fairly similar type of long-term study plan as you and actually started studying about six months before. Everybody learns differently, but the goal is to remain fresh and not suffer from information overload, so weekend cram sessions might not be overly beneficial. Studied all of my AI study texts from prior courses and if there was a topic that was a little fuzzy, circled back on that closer. Also bought Whitmer's study guide (didn't attend his course). After taking the exams, it was evident that more focus should have been on his study guide and less on the AI study texts. If I didn't have Whitmer's guide, I would have failed the exam miserably. Another mistake that I made was scheduling Capstone demo in the same month, as I really started getting everything together on the comp exam early in the study process, but when the Capstone process started, there was too much going on.
IMO, the toughest module by far was the sales comparison approach and the easiest was the income approach, but I've had three candidate for designation in the adviser program that didn't pass the income approach module the first time, so how you did (or think you did) in the previous course exams for those respective topics might give some insight on where you may need to focus more.
Good luck

 

[Michael S]

I passed the comp first time about 18 months ago and just studied on my own. I used study materials from Ted Whitmer and Gary DeWeese. I liked the latter better as far as formatting and style. Ultimately you'll see that there's only so many questions you can ask and all the study guide questions and actual test questions just tend to blur together.

The study guides had some harder questions that weren't on the test (think sandwich sub-leasehold interests, etc.). I found few of the questions from the study guides were a direct match for the tests, but they were close enough to cover probably 75% of the material.

I consider myself to be a very good test taker and I can retain information pretty well. I spent a few dozen hours total studying - mostly just working through problems in the study guides and problems from my old AI advanced class books. I felt that it prepared me pretty well. I can't recall any specific areas where I felt like I had never seen it before and had no idea.

 

[Deleted member 152047]

I didn't study as intensively as you plan to over an extended period of time. Basically, I just took the week off of work prior to taking the comp, which at that point, you had to take on two consecutive 8-hour test days. I had Whitmer's tools and all of the AI materials. I found that working through the problems within the course manuals and using Whitmer's review questions were sufficient.

I passed all but income the first time as I have always been strong in income and thought that I could get through without focusing as much on that portion of the exam. I was wrong, the rate relationships felled me and I passed it fine the second go round after studying the way that I should have the first time.

I don't know if you find out whether you passed instantly now or not, but a word of advise......immediately after taking each exam go through your study materials and highlight similar problems. Try to remember any questions that you struggled with and go back after and work through them (and circle them). That way, if you have to take the section again, you will know where you need to focus your study efforts.

The end goal is to pass all of the modules, don't be discouraged if you don't pass all in the first go round. Once you go through the exams, you will have a better idea of what to expect. Best of luck!

 

[MsMFraser]

I found Whitmer’s materials to be the best. The comp exam questions are much more difficult than the questions from the appraisal institute classes; the comp questions are most similar to the Digging Deeper problems. I didn’t go to Whitmer’s class in Texas but did pay for my own materials and access to all the videos. I found the videos to be especially helpful. The calculator skills video had a lot of great information which helped in every component. I also called in to his live video class where he will answer any questions about the material. By watching every video and completing every Whitmer test question, I was able to pass the components. The sales component was by far the hardest. The calculation of the adjustments within this component requires mastery of income concepts as well as sale concepts. I did find the DeWeese materials to be very helpful for the cost approach.

 

[NachoPerito]

I passed the first try and studied far less than what you plan to do. Maybe I put in 30 hours of focused prep time. I had AI materials and Ted Whitmers sample questions (I didn't take a prep course). I found that the Whitmer stuff was overly complicated and I didn't see any of Whitmer's harder questions on the actual tests. But this was 10 years ago so maybe things have changed.

 

[Eminent Domain]

I took Urubeks class and purchased Whitmers materials. Really felt that Urubeks class was spot on, however, there were some questions that Whitmers material definitely helped on. I by far got more out of Urubeks class as I tend to enjoy the classroom atmosphere and being able to bounce questions off of someone. I did make it through the first go around after a number of years off from the advanced classes. For some of the classes it had been 10+ years prior that I took them, so these materials were extremely important for me.

 

[Red Flint]

Too thrifty to pay for exam prep materials, so studied coursework (mainly Appraisal Institute classroom courses), Appraisal of Real Estate latest edition, and USPAP. Outlined materials for a couple of months, then bore down and studied problem solutions exhaustively plus unfamiliar verbiage for the last couple of weeks, passed first try. Secret weapon was chocolate balls already unwrapped in pocket for last hour of each module. Mmmm, chocolate. Good luck.

 

[sbgame]

I utilized both Whitmer's and Gary DeWeese's study materials. Of the two, I found Gary's to be much better. The questions were most similar to the test along with clear explanations. Additionally, he is responsive to any questions you may have while studying. Whitmer's materials were littered with mistakes and he was unavailable for consultation.

 

[wydahogaper]

I utilized both Whitmer's and Gary DeWeese's study materials. Of the two, I found Gary's to be much better. The questions were most similar to the test along with clear explanations. Additionally, he is responsive to any questions you may have while studying. Whitmer's materials were littered with mistakes and he was unavailable for consultation.

I'm experiencing this already with Whitmer's response time. I signed up to attend the class in person, only for it to be cancelled (online only) weeks before. Quite frustrating especially considering i find it difficult to believe that the online experience will be anywhere near as interactive as doing it in person.