View Full Version : US Customs broker exam was today
The exam was very difficult. I seriously don't know how I did. I get an unofficial opinion on answers from prep materials company tomorrow. I've got my answers marked in my question booklet, so we will see. Official results will come in 6-8 weeks.
I might end up taking it again in October, which means I'll spend the summer studying, if I don't pass (you just need a 75% - 60 answers out of 80 correct). Customs goes through spurts where there have been higher national pass rates and then do more difficult exams - it helps to keep the number of licensed brokers in check.
National pass rate going back a few years:
4/2005 - 5.8%
10/2005 - 3.9%
4/2006 - 13%
10/2006 - 25%
4/2007 - 20.8%
10/2007 - 9.1%
4/2008 - 20.6%
10/2008 - 10.1%
4/2009 - 11.4%
10/2009 - 6.9%
4/2010- 11.1%
10/2010 - 29%
4/2011 - 19%
10/2011 - 25.22%
flowerseverywhere
4-2-12, 10:45pm
it looks like the pass rate is not very high. I hope you did well. Good luck.
With the difficult tests and low pass rates, you'd think they don't want anyone to be a customs broker. Hope you did well.
chrisgermany
4-3-12, 4:44am
Good luck!
These difficult qualifications usually translate into high salaries for successful candidates. In your job too?
Fingers are crossed for you, Tradd!
I wish you well on this, and am glad that you'll be up for another test in the fall if you don't pass this one.
Good for you going through this and wish you well.
Good luck Tradd! Kind of crazy how the pass rate fluctuation is as high as it is. They must really change it up!
After all your hard work, I hope you passed. Fingers crossed here.
It's looking like I didn't pass. My exam prep materials company put out their opinion on answers. We were allowed to take our question booklet with us, so someone sent it to them (nothing wrong with that). Some answers are iffy. I panicked at the beginning and fumbled around for about 20-30 minutes. :( So I ended up doing a bunch of wild guesses. Some were actually right, but if I'd not been so flustered (and I usually don't get that way on tests - at least not when I was in school), I would have read other questions better, etc. And given that my life was in chaos - having to move out of my place for the three weeks in December and then trying to finish up my theological program - I think I did pretty well.
It's a good thing I don't like summer heat and humidity and hibernate in the a/c. I'll have plenty of time to study over the summer without the pull of the outdoors!
Update:
Still no official answers. We'll have to wait several more weeks for that. But I've found two other sets of prelim, unofficial answers online. My score hovers between 62.5% and 67%.
I took about three weeks off. I began studying last weekend. I've got a study group set up (one local person using the same prep materials, and a coworker of mine). We're going to meet every Saturday for at least 1.5 hours at a coffee shop to study.
If that holds up the good news is that even with being flustered you were still very close to the 75% passing requirement. Heading into the next test you will know what to expect, how to react to confounding questions, how to better use your time, how to subdue the panic and keep a cool head, etc. In other words, all the things that come with practice. And you will have had more opportunity to study the material, which is no small thing!
iris lily
4-28-12, 11:38am
I am in awe of tests that specifically are designed to flunk out a significant portion of test takers. Is "awe" the right word? I guess it's more that I'm in awe of those who tackles these tests.
The Daffodil Society's tests for becoming a judge is like that. Who knew that daffodils could be so intimidating!!!????? And more importantly, WHY!!!? I won't be taking it ever. The education and testing process for becoming a lily judge was supportive and designed to have everyone pass. That's what I like about our lily society vs iris and Dafs, it is far more laid back.
If that holds up the good news is that even with being flustered you were still very close to the 75% passing requirement. Heading into the next test you will know what to expect, how to react to confounding questions, how to better use your time, how to subdue the panic and keep a cool head, etc. In other words, all the things that come with practice. And you will have had more opportunity to study the material, which is no small thing!
Yes, that's the part I am very happy with. From industry scuttlebutt locally and online, there were good numbers of people who didn't even *finish* the exam - they didn't have an answer for each question. I at least made sure I had that. I already had some good exam strategies - leaving the two toughest questions for the end, additional materials to take in with me (we were allowed ANY written materials, but nothing electronic besides a silent hand-held calculator). If I'd used my time better and kept a cooler head, I suspect I would have passed - squeaking by, but passing. A friend who took the LSAT (75% first time, 85% second time) was the one who got my head straightened out when I was bummed right after exam, by pointing out I had a solid foundation on which to build and to go from there, with what I now knew.
I am in awe of tests that specifically are designed to flunk out a significant portion of test takers. Is "awe" the right word? I guess it's more that I'm in awe of those who tackles these tests.
The Daffodil Society's tests for becoming a judge is like that. Who knew that daffodils could be so intimidating!!!????? And more importantly, WHY!!!? I won't be taking it ever. The education and testing process for becoming a lily judge was supportive and designed to have everyone pass. That's what I like about our lily society vs iris and Dafs, it is far more laid back.
I'm amazed *flower* societies test like that!
I'd say "awe" is the correct word! A friend in law school (the LSAT taker I mentioned above) is astonished that the brokers exam isn't standardized like the bar exam and that it's *designed* to flunk out so many.
My first study group session went really well, although meeting at Panera Bread maybe wasn't the best option. It was kind of noisy. I'm going to ask our station manager (head of office) for permission to meet in the office on Saturdays. Big conference room and some materials we wouldn't have to bring.
But we discussed what we want to focus on, how to go about it, etc. We sat down with our calendars and mapped out what we're going to cover each week, broken down by section number in the gov't import regulations. We're going to meet every Saturday with the exception of one (I have something already planned). We will go through our entire textbook by the end of July, spending two Saturdays just on the toughest part, and one Saturday on the next toughest. August is left open, as we will determine what we need to spend more time on or go over again. Our test prep place works with repeat takers a little different, telling us to leave the entire month before the exam open to *just* work on previous exams (Customs posts questions and answer key on their website), including sitting down and taking them under exam day conditions (timed to 4 hours, with only materials you would take into the exam, etc.).
Tradd, I don't understand in your scenario: who is your mentor or "go to" leader for answers? When you and your study partner disagree about a point, who would you go to for assistance?
In a way, I'm the leader since I'm the one with all the import experience and actually deal with customs clearance on a daily basis! My coworker is in export (wee bit of import experience years ago, but wants another credential) and the other woman is getting into compliance at the corporate level. We have resources at our test prep materials place, but the brokerage manager at my office is my main go-to person. I'm also part of a closed group on Facebook for customs brokers, entry writers (doing this stuff without the license, under a licensed broker), and trade attorneys. That has turned out to be a great resource on things I experience on the job, but it's a brand new group that didn't exist before the April 2 exam. However, I'm sure that will also be a good resource as we go along. A lot of this stuff is VERY cut and dried. We're dealing with the CFR - Code of Federal Register and a bit with the USC - United States Code, so we have actual citations in the regs or laws for what we're dealing with.
On the very plus side, I found out this week I completed my theological program with flying colors. Whew! So glad that is out of the way. Doing anything related to it has to take a back seat to the brokers exam, though.
On the very plus side, I found out this week I completed my theological program with flying colors. Whew!
Tradd - very hearty congratulations to you. I admire your pursuit of learning and growing both spiritually and in your profession.
Congratulations! As a customs and international trade attorney I would love to network with newly licensed customs brokers; send me an email sabady@customsesq.com
I just noticed the thread, Tradd. Congratulations are in order for all of your hard work.
Gardenarian
5-2-12, 6:29pm
Congratulation Tradd!
Congratulation Tradd!
I didn't pass the brokers exam!
chrisgermany
5-3-12, 4:25am
You did pass one of 2 exams you prepared for in parallel. Congratulations for that!
Some exams are constructed for the majority of people to fail in the first run.
It is also an exam on strategy and persistance.
(I have been examinator in one of the most difficult professional examns in G. for several years. So I know.)
Now you have some experience with the exam situation and more time to prepare for the second run.
Go for it!
Two quotes:
"The Roses of Success"
Every bursted bubble has a glory!
Each abysmal failure makes a point!
Every glowing path that goes astray,
Shows you how to find a better way.
So every time you stumble never grumble.
Next time you'll bumble even less!
For up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses of success!
Oh yes!
Grow the roses!
Those rosy roses!
From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success!
(spoken)Yes I know but he wants it to float. It will!
For every big mistake you make be grateful!
Here, here!
That mistake you'll never make again!
No sir!
Every shiny dream that fades and dies,
Generates the steam for two more tries!
(Oh) There's magic in the wake of a fiasco!
Correct!
It gives you that chance to second guess!
Oh yes!
Then up from the ashes, up from the ashes grow the roses of success!
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses of success!
Grow the roses!
Those rosy roses!
From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success!
Disaster didn't stymie Louis Pasteur!
No sir!
Edison took years to see the light!
Right!
Alexander Graham knew failure well; he took a lot of knocks to ring that
bell!
So when it gets distressing it's a blessing!
Onward and upward you must press!
Yes, Yes!
Till up from the ashes, up from the ashes grow the roses of success.
Grow the ro
Grow the ro
Grow the roses!
Grow the ro
Grow the ro
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses of success!
Grow the ro
Grow the ro
Grow the roses!
Those rosy ro
Those rosy ro
Those rosy roses!
From the ashes of disaster, grow the roses of success!
Start the engines!
Success!
Batten the hatches!
Success!
Man the shrouds!
Lift the anchor!
Success!
And:
THE MAN IN THE ARENA - by Theodore Roosevelt
Excerpt from the speech "Citizenship In A Republic"
delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Best,
Rodger
Thanks, Chris!
Those were lovely quotes, Rodger! Thank you!
Update of sorts:
Industry scuttlebutt has it that April's brokers exam had a 1% pass rate. 1%!? &!?%@! That is insane! More than insane - freaking nuts! Some people have been able to get their scores verbally, so I'm calling the local Customs office on Monday morning.
1%? I simply cannot see why everyone in the class shouldn't have aced the exam! Makes me wonder what sort of politics are attached to such asinine standards.
It's not standardized, like the CPA or bar exam. It's not uncommon for several questions to be from previous exams (ones dating back to 1997 are on Customs' website), but they must have a devious minded bunch of NEW people coming up with the questions this year. It's asinine, alright! October's exam had a 25% pass rate - and to go down to almost nothing?
Got my score by calling Customs today. 66.67% - passing is 75%. Very good for one this tough.
iris lily
5-14-12, 10:38am
Tradd, that DOES seem like a very good score! Good for you!
Tradd, that DOES seem like a very good score! Good for you!
It gets even better. I also found out 1400 took the exam across the US. Only 14 passed. October has got to be easier. Pass rates historically have been in the 8-13% range.
I actually just emailed a letter to my US Senator informing him of the situation with CBP's customs brokers exam that has ceased to be an objective assessment of related knowledge. People just try to beat CBP at their own exam game!
19CFR 111.13(a): “The written examination for an individual broker's license will be designed to determine the individual's knowledge of customs and related laws, regulations and procedures, bookkeeping, accounting, and all other appropriate matters necessary to render valuable service to importers and exporters. The examination will be prepared and graded at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Headquarters, Washington, DC.”
Hah to the regs!
Good for you Tradd for following up with your congressman.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.