CRCM Examination-April 6, 2012

Has anyone taken the exam last Friday, April 6th? I did and thought the exam was very hard. I know that I am not stupid but I sure felt like it when I was done. Let me know.

Lots of folks took it, and I am sure that they all thought it was tough... You are probably way smarter than you feel right now.

I took it and agree with Deek,CRCM's comments. There were a significant number of questions that I wasn't 100% sure of the right answer, but I felt the same way on the review course practice test, and I got an 82 on it. Avpbanker64, even if we don't pass the first time, we can study what our results tell us we need to study more and take it again. The study process has made me a better compliance officer, and I'm sure you, too, and that is the goal.

Thank you both for the kind, encouraging words. I did not cry but felt as though I could, especially since I studied so much and so thoroughly. I wish everyone the best!

I took it last June and was completely convinced I'd failed. I don't think I'm alone in thinking that I wouldn't pass and was happily surprised to get my results showing I had in fact passed the exam.

If it makes you feel any better...as soon as I left the exam room, I cried and took a three hour nap! I'm sure it didn't help that I'd been up until 3:00 AM studying and was on a three hour time difference! That's my little war story and it has a good ending! So, keep your chin up! I think there's many test takers that spend the 4-6 weeks questioning how they did!

I thought the test was difficult...It will be a long four weeks waiting on the results. I wish this was like the FDIC commissioning test...click "Finished" and get the pass/fail score. The antipication will probably kill me!

On the positive side, I did very well on the FDIC test and they were pretty similar. Keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed...

I thought it was pretty tough. I studied relentlessly leading up to it. There were some questions that I know I got wrong but others I felt very comfortable with my answers. I think the key to the test is to go over all of the material in the ABA Compliance Manual that they test on. It's a staggering amount of information to process now that I think back. But they can potentially ask a question about any of it. Another thing is to pay very special attention to the section on compliance management. Many of the questions were about compliance management and asked how you would handle a situation. If I don't pass I do plan to take it again.

Hi, guys, any news on passing yet? I am still expecting my results.

I have seen this article online http://www.itexamstube.com/exam.asp?e=2440 and wonder how someone could learn about his "very high score" by 4/23/12...

Nothing yet...I'm expecting Friday

has anyone received their scores from April 2012?

No not yet, I'm thinking probably early next week.

Just got my results in e-mail, running to order new business cards:)

Good luck to all others!

Just got mine, too. Focusing more on celebration plans for tonight. I'll think about new business cards next week.

I PASSED! Just found out. Boy was I surprised but happy. Yea!!! Can you hear me in Kentucky shouting?

Congrat's to all
For those posting Anon, why not post with your names instead of Anon? It's quite an accomplishment!

Agreed, SB!

Congrats you guys!

(waits for Booty)

Deek, your avatar is awesome.

Thanks... she's my freak du jour...

Passed!!!

Woot!

I passed!! Yeah

I didn't even know this thread was here!

I passed too, congrats to you all!!

When I left the room, I didn't Think that I would pass it. I was just glad that it was OVER!!

Congrats everyone!

Congratulations, everyone! Great accomplishment... not easy!

If we haven't heard anything, when do we find out about not passing?

You should hear either way via the email address you gave as your contact information. All emails go out the day of notification. If you haven't heard by the end of the day, you might try calling to see if there was an issue with your email address. Best of luck to you!

I just received an email stating I PASSED!!! The test was hard and I also had the flu so I had it in my head that I didn't pass. Glad I was wrong!

Has anyone received their score for their score in the mail, yet?

Nothing yet.

Probably tomorrow, one week after notification.

My score came in the mail Saturday.

What is the passing score this time around?

I don't have it with me but I think it was 71%.

Hi guys,I'm a first time taker. I was very surprised that I needed an 81% to pass the exam. Can one please confirm that 81% was indeed the required pass rate for the April Exam date?

My report says 71%, in which my total score was 70%!!!

A score of at least 71% was needed to pass the April 6th CRCM exam.

I am planning on testing this fall. I purchased the ABA Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance. I really hate it; the bullet points, order of presentation, and overall lack of being user friendly. Just wondering what everyone else used to study? I have been using magazines,BVS online courses, and the hated reference guide.

I'm planning taking the exam this fall as well. I will be registering for the online study course.

I used the reference guide and to a lesser extent the material from the online course. I agree that the reference guide is brutal but that's what the source document for the test appears to be. You just have to go through the thing and process the information as best as possible. They don't test on all of it so make sure you find out exactly what's on the test. Definitely focus on the compliance management section. Although I don't recall that it was stated as one of the areas on the test, it was in actuality. Many questions were compliance management related and asked how to handle situations (what would you do first, etc.) Getting those correct is critical to passing, IMHO. Also make sure you don't fall behind while taking the test. Four hours is not a long time! Send me PMs if you have questions. BTW, I passed this most recent test.

I used the ABA Reference Guide To Regulatory Compliance and enjoyed it...or at least as much as one can! I took the online course too, but in my personal opinion it was a lot of money for what I got out of it. If I could do it over again I would of just purchased the book. I did attend the National Compliance School in April and highly recommend it regardless if you plan to sit for the CRCM test. It was a great refresher and helped prepare me for the test.

Took the test a few weeks ago in Georgia. I'm betting that the Thanksgiving holiday delays the results a bit. Sure would be nice to get the results ahead of t-day, though, so I knew if I had something to be thankful for!

Anon--I took it a couple of weeks ago also. The results take 4-6 weeks. When I calculated it, that puts the pass/fail email date around Dec 17. Hopefully we'll get a nice Christmas surprise. Good luck!

Dani -
Got my results this morning ... glad to say I passed. Good luck to you!

Congrat Anon.
With that accomplishment, you should be posting under your name, and adding the CRCM behind it!!

Congrats anon!

Hoping my results come this week.

Received my results today! So excited! I passed!!

My stomach dropped when I read this. Thought we would have a while longer to wait. Did any of you that received your results get your testing date delayed because of the FedEx glitch?

Congrats carotop3!

JobSecurity--I believe that all of the ones who have received results took the test at the end of the National Compliance School, which was a week before the proctored exam. As far as I can tell, no one who took the protctored exam has gotten their results yet. We're all still nail-biting with you.

Nail-biting?? I think I will be nauseated until the results come in. Just was not expecting them this soon

Just an FYI for those of you who tested recently. There were two tests; on at the end of the Compliance School in GA the end of October, then the proctored exam the week Hurricane Sandy hit. I am guessing that those who are receiving their pass/fail emails were the group that tested after the ABA Compliance School? The proctored results will be a whole different week.

Good luck to all of you who tested, and congrats to all of you who passed!

Correct.

I tested at the end of the compliance school on 10/27/12 and recieved my results 11/19/12.

I also took the test in Georgia after the school and received my resutls on Nov. 19th. I am happy to say that I passed. I got a package today with a certificate and CRCM pin. I also got a seperate letter showing the results broken down by sections.

You need a 71 or better to pass.

Wishing the best to all to took the exam.

Thank you!!! I was getting a little concerned! I took a proctored exam on 11/05/12.

Okay, this is killing me. It has been almost a week since the others got their results. If the proctored test was a week behind we should be hearing soon?? Everytime an email hits my inbox I am afraid to look at it. Hope we will hear soon.

I feel your pain, but....

The proctored exam was a different test altogether, so they have to analyze it all over again, including reviewing the comments and deciding whether or not to throw out questions due to the comments received and potential flaws in the questions themselves. It could be that the proctored exam had more comments than the other test.

Hang in there. We'll get the results soon enough.

I was talking to a coworker this afternoon about this, and I thought tomorrow would be the day. Figured we wouldn't get results the week of Thanksgiving but possibly this week...and tomorrow is Friday!!!

I'm going to be glued to my email all day long...

:crosses appendages for the test takers:

Ditto! I think today is going to be REALLY unproductive for me (and hopefully we'll hear something today or it's just going to get worse until we get our results!)

Good luck guys.

I'm glad mine came earlier than expected so I didn't have time to get nervous.

I'm sure you all did well.

The same for me, been looking at my email since the morning. I took the exam on the 2nd, this is technically the end of the 4th week! I feel like the process is as complex as figuring out the Florida Primary election results...

For what it's worth, in 2010 when I took the test, the e-mail came in on Sunday. At that point, I didn't have access to bank e-mail when I was out of the office, but started to see folks here on BOL post they had received their results. Needless to say, I got in the car and drove to my office. Couldn't wait until Monday.

Good luck to everyone!

For this reason, I will not be accessing BOL from home until I get my results......

ditto Dani!

I took the exam on 11/2/12, I am hoping today is the day! No news yet.

Guess I will be signing in from home this weekend. Who would have thought they would send results on Sunday?

This is nerve racking!! I hate waiting. In my opinion the waiting has been almost as painful as the actual exam!

I agree C1979. I'm starting to think this won't be the day, so I have now put in my headphones, turned on some Avett Brothers, and will try to enjoy what is left of my workday.

Anyone heard anything yet who took the exam on 11/2? This waiting is driving me crazy. I want to know if I passed so I can put this behind me or if I need to keep studying and not forget all the information to prepare to take it again...

I'm actually just preparing for the CRCM designation examination. ABA offered a study guide: The Reference Guide to Regulatory Compliance

It states that the study guide carries 30 hours of credits, which is a plus towards the 80 required, but how useful is this study guide? It it worth it? Did anyone find it helpful in preparing for the examination?

Any other suggested study guide materials for the CRCM examination? Anything to stay away from?

I used my study guide until it was dog-eared. I also answered all of the questions in the book, and went and checked my answers. Some people prefer the online manual prep class. I lked to bring my big book to the pool.

Which study guide did you use? The one I referenced above, or something similar?

I took the online course which uses the reference guide. On the whole, I HATED the reference guide. It is just the reg put in outline form. That medium doesn't work for me, as I'm a tactile/application learner. If outlines work for you, then get it. The section questions were good, but pretty hard in some cases. That part helped me the most from the reference guide. The online course was good. I found the webinars most helpful with respect to areas that would be on the test. I also always attended the live webinars to make sure I was able to ask off the cuff questions based on the presentation. The Q&A forums were ok, but I didn't find them very helpful.

I mainly took the online course though to get in that 30 hours for the qualification. I found that even though I studied like a mad-woman for 3 months, my base of knowledge from my day to day job is what I was going to rely on in the test. You can only cram so much info. My advice is make sure you know your stuff already and use the reference guide/study courses as refreshers.

I took the test on 11/2, and yes the waiting is excrutiating. Anon, compliance is a constant learning game. Use the areas from the test that you weren't comfortable with to expand and develop your knowledge base and enhance your program. And if it turns out you passed, you are a better compliance officer. If you get bad news, then you will be that much more prepared for a retake.

Good luck everybody!

No news yet for me ( took it on 11/2)

Same here, took the exam on 11/2 and haven't received the results yet.

http://www.aba.com/Products/Pages/PS98_633812.aspx

I used the Regulatory Compliance guide and hated it also. The big orange book from FIS would be better if you are going to sit and read a big book. The bullet points sucked as I would rather have more information than that. I also took BVS classes on different topics, read magazines, etc.

I am also waiting for results and would like the waiting to end.

The Guide is simply meant to used as a tool to help guide you through the high points and pass the exam. It is not meant to be an educational tool to teach you all therr is know about compliance. If a bullet point seemed vague or unfamiliar, then that is a sign you need to do additional reasearch on your own within a fullbodied writing of the regulation in question.

If people are looking to the Guide as a tool to learn compliance, then they are not at a point where they should be taking the exam to obtain their CRCM.

Any opinion(s) regarding all the software study guides I see on-line(there are so many)? Or know of anyone who used such tools?

I did the online review course, but if I had to do it over again I likely would not have.

However, I did like the weekly webinars that are a part of the course. We were able to get some extra training for the bank by having people sit in on those.

Also, the PDF copy of the reference guide was handy to load on the Ipad and study during down time instead of having to lug around a printed manual.

I think what helped me the most was just reading these threads about first hand experience to see what the questions will be like. Especially all of the "what do you do first/last" questions.

IMO, this is not a test that you can just study for and pass. If you don't have a good knowledge base from your day to day dealings, you are not going to do well on this. The study guides may be worth an extra question or two on the test just so you will be used to the format and what not.

Doubt anyone who purchased the Guide expected to learn compliance from it. I just felt it was not very much fun to read, very poor overview and the bullet points drove me crazy. The tests that were in it were good for letting you know where your weaknesses were but for the price I did not think it was very good and I would not have purchased it if I had been able to view it prior to purchase. It was a recommended tool and therefore purchased it. The books from the compliance school and the test breakdown areas/percentages were more useful to me as a preparation tool.

....and there were TYPOS in it! Seriously, for the money, they could have at least run spell check and enlisted a decent editor to proof it.

I actually found the guide to be quite helpful. I used it as my primary study material. Was it fun? NO, but it was helpful.That and my base knowledge helped me to pass the test given in October.

I took the test in Atlanta and had the PDF version on my notebook. I would recommend it as a study guide.

Really liked the ABA study guide. Thought the online course was a big waste of time and money. I agree, compliance work experience over many years helped greatly in passing.

I took the test on 11/2 as well, no results yet, what is going on??? This waiting and email checking is exhausting!

It can take 4-6 weeks because they review comments from test takers about questions that may need to be thrown out. also with the mail issue from Sandy, some candidates had to test on a different day, so that probably delayed them somewhat as well. I'm sure we will get them soon. I had the week of the 17th marked as the probable week of revelation.

It was 5 weeks after I tested before we got the results. It can take up to 8 so they say, depending on the number of testers and the number of comments about questions. It IS nerveracking, to the point that I was so psyched out when I got the email it was like that scene from Major League where Wesley Snipes was afraid to open his locker. I mean, I even covered my eyes after I clicked open the email.....hang in there...I am feeling it will be tomorrow.....

^^^ prognosticator

Did anyone use the CRCM Study Program from CertAREA? Or, should I stay away from such programs and just stick to the ABA Study Guide book?

I haven't heard of anyone using any software or test prep courses (other than the ABA online course). Personally, I wouldn't use those.

The tests change with the times and the comments. I'm with DY in that I'd stay with the ABA, ICB, etc.

And as a reminder to CRCMs, if you haven't been it will soon be time to update your CPEs.

Same here. I am waiting for results of 11/2 proctored exam as well. Was thinking today was the day.

I am right there with you, thought it would be today, but guess it will be next week

Did anyone receive their November 2012 results yet? Still waiting...

No, nothing yet.

I havent heard anything either.

Every time someone posts to this thread I hold my breath when I open it! Knock it off!!

That being said, I haven't heard yet either.

ditto!

Just received my email and I am officially a CRCM!!!! Good luck to all of you!!

Congrats!!!

Yahh, I passed. Just received my results too.

Me too . . . .big sigh of relief. Merry Christmas to me!

Me too!!! Congrats to all of us!

I passed too, so relieved. Good luck!!

Way to go everyone!!!

Me too! What a relief!! Good luck to those still waiting!

Passed, so thankful

Me too! Congrats to all that passed, what a great Christmas present!

Congrats!!

Congrats!!!

I too just received my e-mail. I passed!! Congrats to the rest of you, I know we all worked really hard!

Yes, congrats to all!! We can finally enjoy the holidays!

Yay for all of you!

I passed too, what a relief. Time to update my resume :-). Congrats to all. I wonder what the passing score was this time, not that it matters.

I like your new tagline Comp1979! That's funny

Within a few days you will receive a letter detailing your score, how you scored under each section, and what the pass-fail cut off score was for your group of exam takers.

I passed!!! Could not believe it when I saw my email yesterday, what a relief and a great Christmas gift. Congratulations to all that did too, and the ones that did not, keep trying do not give up!

Ditto!

Grrrr...still waiting for an email. Hard to be patient!

Did you check your spam filters? I would have thought everyone got theirs yesterday. If you don't get it by the end of the day, call them.

I passed too! It is a Big relief and a very nice Christmas present. Congratulations to all of us!

I have an employee that did not pass and is asking about reviewing their test with the ABA. He is very upset and I know that the ABA will review for a fee. Has anyone ever gone through this process?

I know someone who appealed their score. Paid the fee (I think it is $75) and still failed. He appealed because he missed it by 1 point. He said it wasn't worth appealing when we talked about it.

ETA: He passed on his retake.

I think all they do is go over your responses by hand to make sure the scantron machine didn't make a mistake??

Compli-

No one here has gone through that, but I pulled this from ABA's website:

Upon receiving your score, you may appeal it if you feel an error has been made by requesting a hand scoring within 30 days of the postmark date on your score report. A $75 fee is assessed for hand scoring. To request a hand scoring, please address your written request to: ICB, 1120 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036, Attn: Exam Manager. Requests for hand scoring must include: your name, examination date, the fee and an explanation as to why you are requesting that a hand scoring be performed. A response to your request will be sent to you within 14 business days upon receipt of your request. Requests submitted without the fee will be returned. Requests received more than 30 days after the postmark date of your exam score report will be returned. Should a discrepancy between the results of the hand scoring and the computer scoring be revealed, the hand scoring results will prevail.

Hope that helps...

Nothing in my spam filters, so I emailed. They said they hadn't received the required letter of reference, and that's why they haven't released my score yet! I had sent it in with my application to take the test, but that page didn't go through or something! I sent that, and within minutes, got that email that I passed! YAY!

Yay #12!!!!

Quatro, Dani, and Manimal - thank you all for your answers. I hope that he realizes it may not change his score and will need to retake the exam.

Yay #12!

Congrats #12! You know ICB had your reference letter the whole time...they just wanted you to sweat a little bit!

Well, it worked!

Congrats, y'all!!

Has anyone gotten their results in the mail yet for the Nov proctored exam?

I'm still waiting and wanted to make sure my mailman didn't turn idiot again...

No, I haven't gotten mine yet.

Nope, I have not received mine either.

I received my frame-able certificate in the mail today, but no score.

I just received my score, but not the certificate #12--strange.

I'd rather have the score! It shouldn't matter, because I passed, but it matters to me!!

The score comes in a separate envelope from the certificate packets, so be watching for another envelope in the mail in the next few days.

Received both score and cert today. Did better than I thought! I truly believed that if I passed, it was by the skin of my teeth. I was pleasantly surprised by my score.

Now to find a place on this wall to hang the cert...conspicuous enough to garner attention, subtle enough to not be in your face.

Is anyone's bank doing the recommended press release?

Question for anyone who has taken the online review class. Did the review class practice test have any correlation to the actual test you got? Like were the topics that appeared on the practice test similar to the ones that appeared on your real test?

I know they give you an estimate of which sections get which percentage of questions. The practice test for the class that just ended was very heavily weighted towards CRA; just wondering if the real test (tomorrow!) will have a similar slant.

Trust the outline from the ICB on which sections get which percentage of questions.

The practice exam is good for learning the style and types of questions they ask. For example, the "What would you do first?" compliance management questions.

At least that was my experience in 2010 when I sat for the exam.

Same here for the Nov 2012 exam.

Any suggestions on studying? I am looking to take the exam in June and I am very nervous!!

I used the CRCM study guide. I preferred the paper one so I could make notations.

I am taking it in June as well. Started the online course on Monday, was off and nervous and went through all of week 1's stuff already. Not sure what to do now...

Anyone receive score from the march 15 th exam?

I took the exam 3/15 and have not received a score yet. Hoping it will be in the next week or two!

And the April 2012 exam.

Learn what "they" would like you to do first as I found that what I would do first and what they test wats you to do first are soemthimes different things.

Good luck!!

Emails are starting to go out for the 3/15 exam.

Just received my email - passed!

Congratulations!

Thank you

I did think the online practice test was similar to the actual test. Topics that were heavily featured in the practice test also showed up in spades on the 'real' test. The practice test was a good dry run and probably worth the price of the online review course all by itself.

Got my email yesterday...

PASSED!!!

WHOOHOO!!

I took the exam on Friday, 3/22/13 in San Diego. I received the email that I passed on Tuesday, 4/9/13. Looks like the turn around is getting faster.

Very relieved it is over. I took the online review course and found it and the guide very helpful....if for no other reason than all of the practice questions.

I cannot believe that the exam is not electronic like the ACAMs

There are some questions for practice here:

http://exampdfs.com/crcm/

This is still true. Sat for the Mar 2015 exam. Passed, thank GOD.

You can take an online version, but a lot of people still seem to opt for the paper version. I opted for paper too.

I thought Carl Pry (the narrator for the online review course) did a good job of cramming a ton of info into only 10 hours of lecture. Of course, it didn't cover everything, but the major points were there. Also, the practice test was helpful and did somewhat mirror the actual test, though it is obviously only 100 questions and not 200, like the real test. I also liked the practice questions at the end of each section in the manual.

The test is definitely written to weed out people who think they can just take the test after studying the regulations. Can't do it. You have to actually have some kind of experience or knowledge of what a compliance officer does as well.

hi can you share with me how you studied. I take the test in October this year. did you take a practice exam and where did you find it and did you get flashcards or any other materials than the book. thank you for your help in advance.

I studied via the online course, with a hardcopy of the manual. The test exam is part of the online course.

http://www.aba.com/Training/ICB/Pages/CRCM-StudyResources.aspx

My co-worker made her own flashcards from the online test questions.