Sitting for the PA State Certified General Appraiser Exam in a week

[cpalub01]

Any advice? I've been bouncing around the Practice Examination Questions for Real Estate Appraisers book by Mark Rattermann for the past month. I've also tried CompuCram. I feel pretty confident with everything, and have heard this exam is more a war of attrition (8 hour exam!) than anything. I don't want to underestimate the test though, because obviously I'd prefer not to have to go through the process of re-taking it.

 

[The Warrior Monk]

I took the exam several months ago. IMHO, there is really no way to study for it, as much of it deals with application (problem solving). You either know the material or you don't. If you took your classes through the Appraisal Institute, you should be able to pass the exam with no problem, though the test is grueling. Also, if you don't know your HP12C inside and out, I recommend taking the AI HP12C course prior to taking the exam.

 

[cpalub01]

I took the exam several months ago. IMHO, there is really no way to study for it, as much of it deals with application (problem solving). You either know the material or you don't. If you took your classes through the Appraisal Institute, you should be able to pass the exam with no problem, though the test is grueling. Also, if you don't know your HP12C inside and out, I recommend taking the AI HP12C course prior to taking the exam.

Thanks David, that's kind of what I was figuring. I took all my classes through the AI, probably about 70% live and 30% online. I wrapped up with Income II and the Advanced Income course, which was calculator intensive, but that was a few months ago, so I likely could use an Hp12C refresher.

 

[sail143]

I found the 12C class to not be of much help. In my opinion review of Advanced Income will be a better use of your time.

 

[Michael S]

There's several threads with quite a bit of information on the test, both in the appraisal education forum and the commercial forum. I made one for when I took it a year ago.

Bottom line, your best study material is your AI course books and USPAP. Go through all of the test questions at the end of the chapters and sections. If you can do all of that you should have no problem. USPAP, I read through it cover to cover once a week or two before the test. I know I missed a few questions on it but I figured my time was better spent on studying other topics rather than trying to memorize USPAP minutiae.

 

[cpalub01]

There's several threads with quite a bit of information on the test, both in the appraisal education forum and the commercial forum. I made one for when I took it a year ago.

Bottom line, your best study material is your AI course books and USPAP. Go through all of the test questions at the end of the chapters and sections. If you can do all of that you should have no problem. USPAP, I read through it cover to cover once a week or two before the test. I know I missed a few questions on it but I figured my time was better spent on studying other topics rather than trying to memorize USPAP minutiae.

Thanks Michael, I found the thread.

http://appraisersforum.com/showthread.php?t=193908&page=2

 

[cpalub01]

I passed. That was pretty grueling. Strong emphasis on the income approach classes and USPAP as was mentioned in a few threads here. I almost feel like I wasted time reviewing some of the other courses.

 

[PLCG]

Good going! And just in time to party all weekend :new_multi::new_multi:

 

[The Warrior Monk]

Congratulations!

 

[cpalub01]

Thanks guys. Just the little matter of footing another check to the state to process my certification. I'm going to enjoy this weekend, hopefully do some golfing on Sunday if the weather holds, then Monday it's the start of the path to the MAI! :new_2gunsfiring_v1: