57% Pass Rate - Don’t Be a Statistic.
Pass the NMLS SAFE Exam
The NMLS exam has a pass rate of 57% for first-time testers. So many people fail the exam because they underprepare or they are not used to preparing for such an exam.
Using the practice method below, I have been able to substantially increase the pass rate for this exam: 80% of testers who follow this method pass the exam on their first attempt.
Words of Advice
You play like you practice — so take your practice exams seriously.
Studying is not a spectator sport. Re-reading notes and re-reading the course material is the least effective way to prepare. The most effective way to prepare is to continue to interact with the material: take quizzes, quiz yourself or others, and complete memory dumps.
Day by Day Practice
This is a 10-day study plan that incorporates the resources provided and makes use of the study sessions that are provided. You can use this plan to self-study or use it to supplement the in-person study sessions that are offered
Day #1
Listen to the 4-hour exam prep crash course
Take notes based on the 4-hour exam prep crash course material
Resources: 4-hour prep course
Time: 4 hours
Day #2
Go through the PowerPoint review
Take notes based on the first slides, then start to complete the quizzes
Resources: PowerPoint Review
Time: 2 hours
Day #3
Take the first practice test: “Favorite NMLS Exam”
Good representation of the actual exam and a good test to see how ready you are.
Expectation: You should expect to score a 50-60% on this exam based on the practice you’ve completed so far.
Fast track: If you score above a 90%, continue to Day 4 and take a few more practice tests and get ready to take the exam.
Highlight the questions that you missed. Figure out why you missed those questions. Go back and study that material.
Resources: Favorite NMLS Exam
Time: 2 hours
Day #4
Before we keep trudging through practice tests, spend some time making sure you know your facts.
Read and take notes on the 800 Facts sheet. Any facts that you didn’t already know, take a note on them.
Didn’t know the facts as well as you expected? Try watching the NMLS videos.
Resources: 800 Facts; videos (supplemental)
Time: 2 hours
Day #5
Practice tests. Take each one, and grade yourself after taking it. Figure out why you got certain items wrong. Then move on to the next practice test.
You should be scoring around 70% now, and a practice test should only take you 45 min to an hour.
Time: 3 hours
Day #6
More practice tests. Take each one, and grade yourself after taking it. Figure out why you got certain items wrong. Then move on to the next practice test.
You should be scoring around 70% now, and a practice test should only take you 45 min to an hour.
Time: 3 hours
Day #7
Even more practice tests. Take each one, and grade yourself after taking it. Figure out why you got certain items wrong. Then move on to the next practice test.
You should be scoring around 80% now, and a practice test should only take you 45 min to an hour.
Time: 3 hours
Day #8
Rest your brain a little bit. Take 3 thematic tests:
Time: 3 hours
Day #9
Take the first difficult practice test: “Simulated Exam 1”
Expectation: You should expect to score a 85% on this exam based on the practice you’ve completed so far.
Highlight the questions that you missed. Figure out why you missed those questions. Go back and study that material.
Resources: Simulated Exam 1
Time: 2 hours
Day #10
Take the second difficult practice test: “Simulated Exam 3”
Expectation: You should expect to score a 85% on this exam based on the practice you’ve completed so far.
If you score an 85% or above, you are considered to be “ready” to take the real test
Highlight the questions that you missed. Figure out why you missed those questions. Go back and study that material.
Resources: Simulated Exam 3
Time: 2 hours