Texas Licensed Residential Appraisal Exam

[Will41]

Compucram was pretty good but it sounds similar to McKissock's Course. Several people have mentioned that Steve Williamson's is most like the test. I am going to get that one soon. Unfortunately, it is $350. I thought you could go back and check any question. That is the way it was when I took the license exam several years ago. Did you get close to passing? Are the word problems all math? What percentage of the test was word problems?

I used McKissock's Course and Prep. It was pretty good but I need to take many more prep exams (especially word problems). Was Compucram any good? My main issue is the time allotted for each question. I was not expecting the amount of questions vs the time. Another problem is, is that you can't go back to the first part of the test. I had extra time after the 2nd part but the first was in the books already. A class would have been great for test prep to see where the problems and pitfalls are. I was okay with general knowledge but the word problems were a shock....

 

[Financially Feasible]

The Appraisal Institute offers practice examination questions. $60 for members; $75 for non-members.

https://AI.appraisalinstitute.org/e...0050-4A62-BB15-5522A5E5EB6B&courseType=online

You also might want to check this out (offered on the same site indicated above)... might be useful:

http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/a...05.984950833.1563800208-1956235717.1525090579.

I do not believe that the AI offers the residential exam prep course any more.

 

[Will41]

Here is the direct link to Appraisal Institute practice examination questions book. I am thinking about ordering it soon.

This is the one that several people say is close to the test Steve Williamson's exam prep

 

[Lon Davidek]

Thanks guys for the help...

 

[Red Flint]

E1/2 NW1/4 SW1/4 of Section 12. How many acres???? The answers were 2.5, 4 (I think), 10 or 15.

Section is 1 mile by 1 mile, or 5,280 feet by 5,280 feet, or 27,878,400 square feet, divided by 43,560 square feet per acre, equals 640 acres.
SW 1/4 is one quarter of 640 acres, equals 160 acres.
NW 1/4 is one quarter of 160 acres, equals 40 acres.
E 1/2 is one half of 40 acres, equals 20 acres.

 

[Lon Davidek]

EXACTLY...problem is my test did not give that answer. Hmmmmmm..... spent way too much time trying to figure this out. Trying to find out why.

 

[Rick Stillman]

The best way to work word problems is backwards. They try to overload you with details up front. Find and define the question exactly. Then figure out what you need to know to answer the question and solve it. You will find they put in extra information to steer you in a wrong direction - but if you know the question first you will be in charge and you will be cherry picking the information you need. This should double your speed. Another method I recommend is to cover the answers to a multiple choice question and solve it without looking at the answers. Of course, you have to know your stuff pretty good to do this - but that's not difficult. There ARE only so many questions they can ask - don't let this overwhelm you and you will have half the battle won.

 

[Rick Stillman]

EXACTLY...problem is my test did not give that answer. Hmmmmmm..... spent way too much time trying to figure this out. Trying to find out why.

There is a term for it, but I can't remember what it is. The test WILL have several questions that you will not be expected to solve. Those questions are NOT graded, but act as speed bumps to slow you down. I would not put it past them to have a question or two that does not have the correct answer either. Now you know their strategy. Don't make this worse than it is - it isn't really all that bad.

 

[Lon Davidek]

Thanks Locutus for your insights!!!

 

[Lon Davidek]

What did you use to practice? From what I read, they made the test much harder in 08. I have been using Compucram to get ready, and I am going to add another source soon. When I took the license exam, I took a class in person that was very helpful. This class is no longer available.

Hey Will41,

After my failed 1st attempt, I was NOT prepared enough to take that test. I used McKissock for my course work but I feel the practice questions were no where near what was seen on the actual test. I broke down and paid the 75 smacks to look at the practice exam questions on the Appraisal Institue. It was definitely worth the $$$$. With both Mckissock and Appraisal Institue, I passed on my second try.