Friday, November 16, 2007

CBP Posts October Exam Answers

After weeks of waiting, the answers for the October Customs Brokers Exam have been mailed to the anxious examinees and posted to the CBP website for the public. First, we want to congratulate all of you who passed! We would like to hear your comments about how you studied, what worked best for you and any other comments about the exam. Next, we want you to know that there appear to be some typographical errors related to references on the Exam Key dated November 13, 2007. Click here to view the correct references.

We were not surprised that questions were thrown out, but it was a little surprising that four questions were eliminated. Congratulations, everyone automatically answered four questions correctly and earned five free percentage points (4 x 1.25). Now all you need is 70 points, which equates to answering 56 questions correctly.

So what if you only answered 54 or 55 questions correctly? Should you give up and say “maybe next time?” No! Look at the answers to see if there are any questions that could be protested. You haven’t lost anything by protesting a question, but with the right protest, you may go from failing to passing and obtaining your license.

We have analyzed the questions and answers and found five questions that we believe could be subject to protest. Those questions are 19, 21, 42, 45 and 47. Click here to see the comments about Question 45. In future postings to the blog we will provide additional information about these potential protest questions. We welcome your comments and suggestions on these questions and any others you think might be subject to protest. Remember, you haven’t lost anything by filing a protest and you may save yourself the time and money necessary to take the test again.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you know what was the passing rate in this exam ?

Anonymous said...

When should we have received our results? It is the 25th and I have yet to get anything in the mail....should I be concerned?

Unknown said...

Although I do not have direct knowledge, I was told by a reliable source that the pass rate for October was about 9%, i.e. 125 out of 1380 passed. Without the 4 give-aways, the rate would have been around 4%.

As for not yet receiving the results, I think some local service ports (broker management/compliance departments) are willing to give results over the phone (pass or fail), though not scores. But I think that's up to the specific offices. Rest assured, there are others, including me, who have not received results yet.

Boskage Staff said...

We've had reports of students receiving their results starting right before the Thanksgiving break, so you should be seeing it soon. If you don't have it and are concerned, I'd recommend calling the service port.

Anonymous said...

I received my letter on Saturday, but not the copy of my answer sheet and the answer key they usually send.

Anonymous said...

Very interested in other potential protest items. When will you post comments?

Anonymous said...

I have submitted an appeal in December. However, I have not received any response yet as of today. Can you please tell me how long will it normally take to receive the response?

Anonymous said...

I've been told that the protest results will not be available in time to avoid filing for next exam but will be back in time to withdraw(provided you get the answer you are hoping for).

Anonymous said...

has anyone received a response to an appeal from the 10/07 exam yet? i also was informed that these would be available in time to withdrwal from the 04/08 exam, but that date is quickly approaching with no results recieved yet.

Karin said...

If you have not received a response from your protest, call your local CBP office to ask if they can make a phone call on your behalf. A friend of mine did this in September and received a verbal answer that her protest was approved exactly two business days before the October Exam. It took almost another month for her to receive the written confirmation.

Anonymous said...

I heard a rumor that customs gave credit for 21 and 38. Does anyone know if as of 4/08 that any protest results have been made public?

Anonymous said...

I don't believe that anyone received has received credit for 21and 38 before the exam. I heard a rumor that as of 4/8 protests were not as yet finalized.

Anonymous said...

this stinks... I wish Customs would get the appeals finialized. I missed passing by only one question & if they did give credit for 21 then I would pass. Has anyone heard anything yet?