rtrp exam

[zeros]

Will - Took the Exam - Passed

Zeros, you seem to be very worried about this test (postings here and on the Drake board). I would encourage you to try to stop worrying and just make the appointment and take the test. It is not difficult at all and someone with years of experience will have no problem with it. To answer your question, yes, I used Pub 17 for a couple questions, since I had so much time left. I found the electronic version of 17 pretty easy to use, once you do a few look-ups. (Even if by some chance you do fail, you have plenty of time left; another 14 months, so go for it.)

I took the exam today and passed. Although I studied quite a bit, some of the questions kind of caught me off guard. Took 1-1/2 hours which included the tutorial. Did not use the publication 17 at all, and used the 1040 instructions twice. Looked at the 1040 which was available and that helped on a couple of questions. Don't know how much longer I will prepare taxes anyway, but this gives me the upper hand as to when I will quit. I thought the test was a little harder than what I was led to believe. I used Drake study guide and also went over the question from FastForward which had 230 questions that were free. Don't think I would have passed without the study guides.

[AccTaxMan]

I took the exam today and passed. Although I studied quite a bit, some of the questions kind of caught me off guard. Took 1-1/2 hours which included the tutorial. Did not use the publication 17 at all, and used the 1040 instructions twice. Looked at the 1040 which was available and that helped on a couple of questions. Don't know all much longer I will prepare taxes anyway, but this gives me the upper hand as to when I will quit. I thought the test was a little harder than what I was led to believe.

HI zeros, do you know what percentage is needed to pass the test?

[zeros]

350 Out of 500

HI zeros, do you know what percentage is needed to pass the test?

They never give you your score just whether you "passed" or "not passed." I understood that you need to get 350 out of 500, I don't know if there is a value on every correct answer. You need, however, to pass every 'domain." There are seven. Don't know if this is of any help.

[S T]

AccTaxMan - You keep asking about % of passing for the RTRP - I don't know if any one can answer that question for you.

Here is what I found on the IRS site

The test will have approximately 120 questions in a combination of multiple choice and true or false format. Questions will be weighted and individuals will receive a pass or fail score, with diagnostic feedback provided to those who fail.

Study,study,study - You will do fine and pass, like so many other posters on TTB.

Good Luck!

Sandy

[Lion]

I read recently (but, of course, cannot find where I read it) that the passing score is 70%. That's an oversimplification, but gives you a benchmark.

[Will]

I took the exam today and passed. Although I studied quite a bit, some of the questions kind of caught me off guard. Took 1-1/2 hours which included the tutorial. Did not use the publication 17 at all, and used the 1040 instructions twice. Looked at the 1040 which was available and that helped on a couple of questions. Don't know how much longer I will prepare taxes anyway, but this gives me the upper hand as to when I will quit. I thought the test was a little harder than what I was led to believe. I used Drake study guide and also went over the question from FastForward which had 230 questions that were free. Don't think I would have passed without the study guides.

Congratulations, Zeros! Looks like you would have had plenty of time to use 17 if you needed it. Glad to hear you did well.

[Lion]

Oh, yeah, and CONGRATULATIONS.

[iratax]

IRS won't say what a passing score is. It must be pretty low because everyone who talks about taking the test passed it. I have not heard of a single person who failed.

[zeros]

70% Passing Grade

I read recently (but, of course, cannot find where I read it) that the passing score is 70%. That's an oversimplification, but gives you a benchmark.

I suppose the 70% comes from 350 points out of a possible 500. Am I a genius or what?

[FEDUKE404]

Kinda

I suppose the 70% comes from 350 points out of a possible 500. Am I a genius or what?

Your math is correct, but it is my understanding that the questions/correct answers are actually "weighted" as to importance and/or to the seven separate testing domains involved.

And there also may be / have been "experimental" questions that are not part of the score.

Source of the below information: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/rtrpc...fobulletin.pdf

Experimental questions. Your test will include 20 experimental questions that will not be scored. They are distributed throughout the test and will not be identified as such. These are used to gather statistical information on the questions before they are added to the test as scored items. These experimental questions will not be counted for or against you in your final test score.

Scaled scores are determined by calculating the number of questions answered correctly from the total number of questions in the test and converting to a scale that ranges from 50 to 500. Some test questions may be weighted. The IRS has set the scaled passing score at 350, which corresponds to a minimum level of knowledge deemed acceptable for the tasks performed by a minimally competent Registered Tax Return Preparer.

FE

[Peachie]

Why does it have to be pretty low?

IRS won't say what a passing score is. It must be pretty low because everyone who talks about taking the test passed it. I have not heard of a single person who failed.

Do you think failing people are happy to say they failed? I think your comment is offensive to all of us considering ourselves to be savvy at preparing taxes and passing the exam. A refresher course, or just plain knowledge contributed to our passing the exam. Why can't we just support each other and not be condescending? Cut out the cattiness. I didn't find the exam to be difficult and much of what I knew came from my knowledge of doing taxes. The refresher course wasn't as helpful to me. I took the exam in March, the heat of tax season, and based on 2010 law. I passed. Don't think it had a thing to do with a low score. I'm smart like that.

I congratulate all of my fellow preparers taking and passing the exam. If anyone failed, you have until December 31, 2013 to show your "smarts".

Peachie

[mrbill]

I took the exam in January, figuring if I failed, that I would have a heads up on what to study when I returned for a 2nd try. Note that my exam was based on the 2010 tax year; now it is based on the 2011 tax year. Never studied, I have been at it for 20 years. I was sweating the results. Learned in March that I passed. That was a two drink night. I also dread written exams, much better verbalizing. Good Luck....

[jimbo]

Took the test today

After 35 years in the business I decided to take the test now rather than wait until next year. I studied Publication 17 for a few hours on my own, thinking that if I failed, I'd take a study course next year and try again. Total test time was 1 hour 45 minutes, so I had 45 minutes to spare. I didn't dwell too long on any 1 question, but took my best guess and marked them for review after finishing all 120 questions. There are some tricky questions, so read them carefully! I'm pleased to say that I passed and am relieved to not be having this hanging over my head.

[Chief]

Congratulations

Jimbo. I am sure you are happy to have this behind you.

[erchess]

Congrats to all who passed

and consolations to any who failed.