Sitting The Certified General Exam

[cpalub01]

Points 1, 3, and 4 was exactly my experience as well. Congrats on passing the exam!

 

[Red Flint]

AMEN!!!!!!

This would have saved me so much time and frustration. Not only do you need to wait after doing the classes and gaining the experience but you also have to wait until the state processes your application, asks for a work sample, reviews the work sample and only then do they O.K. you to take the test. In my case it was six months before finally giving me the go ahead. At most they should require you to take the classes first. At least at that point you would be the most fresh to take the test.

The test also incorporates questions that are answered by drawing on work experience or valuation judgement rather than classwork.

 

[Eli]

I couldn't pass the certified residential exam today without studying a long time, much less the general exam. I'll bet most certified generals couldn't either unless they are teachers or studying it all the time. I'll bet most in high places couldn't. They might barely pass. I might barely pass. It's pass/fail. No extra points for making a 100. I smoked it back then. I would be lucky to pass today.

 

[Eli]

I've passed the exams, done the hours, ruined several pairs of boots, filled the appraisal logs and am now ready to sit the test! It's been 5 years since coming into the industry and I'm finally here.

I've ordered the AI book for taking the exams. In addition, I will be using my class materials from McKissock as a guide.

I recently took the GRE's (graduate school entrance exam) and it appeared like a more involved set of exams but there is exponentially more study material available. I'm lost on where to begin with studying for the Certified General.

What are the recommended study sources for the exam?

As always thank you for any information. This forum has been a great resource and frankly an instrument in me staying in this business.

Good Job!!!

How many hours did you have to complete exam? 3 or 4 hours? I can't remember how long they give you. Did you take the whole allotted time?

 

[Stone]

I couldn't pass the certified residential exam today without studying a long time, much less the general exam. I'll bet most certified generals couldn't either unless they are teachers or studying it all the time. I'll bet most in high places couldn't. They might barely pass. I might barely pass. It's pass/fail. No extra points for making a 100. I smoked it back then. I would be lucky to pass today.

This. I’d be in the same boat.

 

[Eli]

General question. Do all States give the same exams? And has the protocol changed any over the years?

 

[Stone]

General question. Do all States give the same exams? And has the protocol changed any over the years?

I haven't kept up with it much recently, but my recollection is that it got a LOT harder a decade or so ago. I'm not saying I couldn't have passed the CG exam they take now when I passed mine, but dang I'd have a hard time with parts now. I'd have to study some stuff a LOT (which I did when I took the old one as I didn't want to pass it I wanted to guarantee I passed it as close to 100% as possible). I'm pretty sure I could pass the test I took (or similar) right now with minimal studying - probably just read through USPAP to make sure I recall what goes where as that information blew right through me once I didn't need it. I feel I'm pretty conversant in our standards, but remember what goes where in a testing sense would take some studying. That and maybe a night or two on different aspects of the income approach I think is all I would need for the old one. As I've heard it described since it changed, I'd likely have to take a class or at least spend a lot of time leading up to it studying to get through the new one. Not false modesty - I just have no problem looking things I don't understand up so I really don't retain some things I knew back when I tested. That's what books/the internet are for.