Posted by Lasandra Kegler on 1/16/13 10:30pm
Msg #450756

testing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Has anyone taken the certification test by FLEX and passed? This has been my second failed attempt at passing.
notes:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_4juHvSvyYcMHVsa0VZQWc5aEE

Reply by pan/nd on 1/16/13 11:30pm
Msg #450761

Failing Flex's certification test is no big deal. Failing it twice is even less of a big deal.

It's obvious from their rating in signing central that they have failed the "notary test."

And, they've failed it more times than twice.

Reply by Sha/CA on 1/16/13 11:34pm
Msg #450762

I have always found that the ratings in Signing Central (blue tab above) are a great guideline to use to determine if I wanted to spend my valuable time working with a company. Although I have never attempted a FLEX test, I can say, based on the opinions (see orange search button) and ratings of many (hundreds or thousands) of well respected Notaries Public, that I would not waste my time. Good luck. Look, listen, read and learn here. It's the best place to glean valuable information from well seasoned and pleasant Notaries.

Reply by Scriba/NM on 1/17/13 1:37am
Msg #450779

Why Would You Do This?

If you have no idea about this company (never looking at Signing Central) why would you ever ask this question? Everyone contributes data to SC but if you don't look at it, uuuuhhhh.

Additionally, they don't pay very much at all. They pay numerous notaries late. They want fax-backs, background checks (even if you already have one) and want you to take a test.

Be glad you can't pass their test. It would probably behoove you to be able to, looking at this from another angle.

Reply by HisHughness on 1/17/13 2:13am
Msg #450781

I don't think I could disagree more than I do with posters in this thread who diminish the implications of not being able to pass a notary public knowledge test.

I don't care if the test is offered by the lowest of the low among the deadbeat signing services, I would still expect of myself that I would pass it, and do so handily. A newcomer understandably might not have that level of confidence, but anybody -- anybody -- who proposes to do home loan signings should be able to at least pass any test propounded by any signing service. To fail it twice would send me a message, loud and clear, that I need to go back to Square One and actually learn what I am already supposed to know.

How would any of you like to have someone closing your home loan who twice flunked a notary public knowledge test?

Lasandra, I don't mean to be overly harsh, but somewhere along the way you missed something; actually, lots of somethings, apparently. If you want to work in this business, you need to find what you missed and fill that gap. You have a problem, and you really should not listen to those who tell you that you don't.

Reply by desktopfull on 1/17/13 8:51am
Msg #450788

Agree with Hugh on this. n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/17/13 8:59am
Msg #450789

Re: Agree with Hugh on this....as do I. n/m

Reply by VT_Syrup on 1/17/13 10:34am
Msg #450793

Re: testing; test writer fails

Writing tests requires knowledge, basic thinking skills, and practice in test writing. Faults I've seen in all kinds of tests include

1. None of the answers offered are completely correct.

2. Several answers are equally good (although none of them may be completely correct.

3. The test writer had some scenario in mind, but didn't explain the scenario in the question. While one of the answers is clearly the best for the imagined scenario, the test taker has no idea what the scenario is.

4. The test writer worked from a particular study material (which the test writer might have written). To find the correct answer, the test taker must treat the study material as holy scripture, and ignore any other sources or any real-world experience. It's even worse if the study material is never provided to the test-taker. The questions in the FLEX test seem to be like this: different entities interested in ID provide lists of acceptable ID, but the list may be divided into "primary" and "secondary" parts, or it might not. Lists from different entities would have different items in their "primary" and "secondary" items. FLEX doesn't provide the list their exam is based on.

If the test writer for the FLEX test were a school test, his/her principal would be sending him/her to a remedial test writing class.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 1/17/13 10:47am
Msg #450795

change "school test" to "school teacher" n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 1/17/13 11:47am
Msg #450821

Re: testing; test writer fails

So in plain, straight to the point language, you are saying that the test is no valid for anyone? Most? And your opinion(s) is based upon personal knowledge?

Reply by VT_Syrup on 1/17/13 12:22pm
Msg #450835

Re: testing; test writer fails

Well, it's possible the original poster forgot to mention some restrictions that are not mentioned in the web page the original poster provided. Maybe it is only for notaries from one state who work with one title company. But this seems unlikely.

Question one asked what forms of ID are acceptable, (A) Birth Certificate, (B) valid government issued passport, (C) work ID, or (D) all of the above. It depends on the state. Some states don't allow passports because they lack a physical description. At least one state only allows foreign passport for real estate transactions, not other notarizations. Some states have no rules, so if the notary was confident that a certain employer used rigorous procedures to ID employees, the notary could use a work ID.

Question 5 asks what are acceptable forms of funds to bring to closing (A) Via wire transfer, (B) cash or personal check, (C) Certified cashiers check, (D) both A and C. Well, you don't actually bring a wire transfer to the closing, and a check might be certified, or it might be a cashiers check, but it isn't both. Leaving grammar aside, a personal check usually is acceptable if the amount due is small. Cash isn't acceptable in an NSA closing because it would be foolish to send cash by FedEx or UPS, but it might very well be acceptable in a simple sale where there is no old mortgage to pay off and no new mortgage (the buyer is taking it free and clear), and the buyer takes possession immediately after the closing.

Several questions use the term "primary ID" but there is no standard definition for what this means. Many lists of acceptable ID from title companies, or contained in notary laws, don't even use the term "primary ID".

Question 7 asks when it is acceptable to backdate documents, but fails to specify whether it is the signer or the notary who is backdating. Obviously the notary never backdates a notarial certificate, but the effect of the signer backdating is for a lawyer to figure out; it isn't necessarily grounds for the notary to refuse to take an acknowledgements. (Jurats must indicate the oath is being taken the same day the affiant appears before the notary).

The several questions about the correct way for a trustee or attorney-in-fact to sign presume there is one right answer, but in my experience various title companies prefer various signatures.

Reply by HisHughness on 1/17/13 2:49pm
Msg #450871

The test may be flawed. The test may be biased.

The test may be deficient in any number of ways.

I'm guessing, though, that most notaries who take the test at least pass it; otherwise, the propounder of the test would either withdraw it or revise it. I'm also guessing that anyone with a firm grounding in what is required to be a signing agent could pass the test.

My advice to the OP would be the same. She needs to take a close look at her knowledge base, and fill in the gaps.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 1/17/13 3:31pm
Msg #450883

Re: The test may be flawed. The test may be biased.

HisHughness seems to be supposing that the passing score is set low enough that even if a third of the questions are flawed, someone who knows his stuff will be able to pass by getting the proper questions right plus some lucky guesses on the flawed questions. Without knowing the passing score, its hard to say.

After seeing automated systems in this business (including signing services, lenders, title companies) spitting out the same crap over and over and never fixing it, I am not willing to bet the propounder of the test would either withdraw or revise it. I would not suppose that the person responsible for writing the test and/or the person who decides to still use it even bothers to keep track of how many people are passing and failing. There is very little feedback in this business. When a problem is found, especially during a closing, whatever expedient will get around the problem is used, and the issue is forgotten until next time. There is generally no way to report poor documents back to the person responsible for generating them, and even if there was, people wouldn't for fear of being labeled as a whiner.

Reply by Lasandra Kegler on 1/19/13 3:25pm
Msg #451213

I am new to being notary in Texas an I was just looking for a reputable company. Thanks everyone for referring me to signing central still new to this site also.