taking the certified test

[Mikyl]

Hello Everyone,

I have gotten all of the basic education out of the way and am submitting my hours for the Certified upgrade test. I don't do well on tests and freeze up a lot. Is there a good service out there that will drill into my head the information? When asked questions in non-test format, I am okay, but I tend to choke on tests. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

 

[PLCG]

You might try www.learnappraising.com that is in test format and allows you to practice taking a test test or to study. It might help you get used to taking a test on the computer.

 

[Mikyl]

Thanks Pat,

I am hearing both that one and compucram. I just need something that will stick in my head like a flash card.

 

[California Valuator]

The certified test

I took the test today and didn't pass. I used the 1000 questions/answers to help you pass the residential real estate/certified exams and it was absolutely useless. The only thing I could have used it for was a booster seat. I studied for 2 solid weeks and took the 2 practice exams and had a 98% passing score. I went down in flames with the new test as the material is much different than that of the aformentioned book. I am throwing myself behind compucram in hopes of passing the test on my 2nd attempt.

 

[Flygirl 152]

Hello Everyone,

I have gotten all of the basic education out of the way and am submitting my hours for the Certified upgrade test. I don't do well on tests and freeze up a lot. Is there a good service out there that will drill into my head the information? When asked questions in non-test format, I am okay, but I tend to choke on tests. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

I took the certified exam prior to the 2008 changes, and utilized a combination of materials to study. I combined my efforts between exam prep books and learnappraising.com. If you have test anxiety, learn appraising.com is great because it is the same style format as the state exam as far as sitting in front of the computer and clicking/choosing your answers.

I went into the exam with the mindset that if I didn't pass the first time that it was OK, since the second time around I would be more familiar with the content and way the questions were asked. After answering all of the questions, I went back and reviewed every single question and made a check mark on the white board they give you to do your work if I knew I got the answer right. I noticed within the first 15 questions that I made some really dumb mistakes due to my nerves that were definitely wrong. I changed those questions and continued to check my answers. I figured if I got to the point where I knew I had enough right, I would close the exam and go out to get the score. There were a lot of questions where there could have been 2 right answers. I did end up passing the test and felt that the combination of book work and learnappraising.com were very helpful.

CA Valuator; I know you are going to pass the second time around. You know now what to expect from taking it the first time, so you will be prepared for the next exam.

Wishing you both the best of luck! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Joe Booth]

I passed the test about two weeks ago. I passed the first time. I used all of the stuff I had from prior courses and also used learnappraiseing.com. This website was good but lacked some of the more basic sales grid adjustment problems / regression analysis / paired analysis, that I saw on the test. Good luck.

I agree that learnappraising.com will help. Read the questions carefully.

 

[laurielutton]

I upgraded to my AL at the end of last year and do not have the gutts to upgrade to my AR because my test anxiety is so bad. I think it might be a miracle that I passed the first time. The best advice I was given was to slow way down and read the questions very carefully. I was so nervous that I was going way too fast. I also took a test crash course through the Real Estate Trainers up in LA and pratically memorized my Q and A book from school. I also had 2 fantastic supervisors that mentored me well, and a friend who studied with me every night for a month prior to the test. If you can memorize the entire USPAP book, that will be helpful too!
Best of luck to you. I know what you are going through. Just take your time and remember to breathe.

 

[Jo Ann Apostol]

Good study tips include:
twenty minutes at a time and take a short break - research shows this is the best way to study
A way to avoid anxiety is to try to memorize or remember all of the memory tips and acronyms you were taught in class and regurgitate these on the scratch paper when you first sit down. This will avoid you trying to remember them when you need them and they are more likely to be correct. For example - PEGS - 4 forces of value, DUST - 4 factors that create value

I was told a new one this year, that worked for me as well. Read the first 10 questions without answering any of them. This will slow you down.

AND as always RTFQ - Read the FULL question - including the answers -

Pick the "BEST" or most correct answer if there are two that seem correct.

Good Luck!!!!