Well I didn't take any course, I studied based on the PG and Academy handouts, which are available for free on the intranet and ended up with an 82 raw score. If you feel like you want to spend the money, my one observation is that when I was in BMOC, Capt. Misfud (Mifsud? I can never remember), who teaches at the Key came in and asked who he had helped pass the exam, and probably 80% of the class put their hand up. So that's about as ringing an endorsement as you're going to get, IMHO.
People seem to be saying good things about Yanosik too, but $800 is a lot of money...
At the end of the day what I'll say is that none of these courses are magic. If you are committed to studying, and put in the necessary work, whether on your own, or in a class, then you will probably do well... if not, then there's always next time ;)
-- Edited by Cfgl1888 on Thursday 29th of November 2012 08:38:05 PM
Su Madre 24 said
Nov 29, 2012
I did the key and in liked it alot. I'm going with Yanosik, the key and paying for the rising star questions.
That and the free academy questions which are worth their weight in gold.
-- Edited by Su Madre 24 on Sunday 16th of December 2012 08:12:45 PM
REDALERT11 said
Nov 30, 2012
Any suggestions? Educated guess plz. And does anybody know who the instructors will be.? Thanx
New2this said
Nov 30, 2012
The key is sloppy. They have arrows pointing in all directions and these bubbles all over the place place. I haven't used elite strategic training. I like KSA home study course as well as rising star questions.
New2this said
Nov 30, 2012
My list # is in the low 800's. the best advice I could give is don't pay for anything right away. Just pay the daily rate for the class and choose from there.
Su Madre 24 said
Nov 30, 2012
All that would be for the LT test
Su Madre 24 said
Nov 30, 2012
I looked at KSA questions for final sgt test prep. They were good HOWEVER I hated how one question has 6 MC answers and the next question had 5-7. Then some questions were double answers. That was annoying.
Have your own questions, do the prep your way but don't reinvent the wheel. Keep the question format like the test. 4 choices.
unborn said
Nov 30, 2012
New2this wrote:
My list # is in the low 800's. the best advice I could give is don't pay for anything right away. Just pay the daily rate for the class and choose from there.
Not the greatest idea. Each school operates on different schedules and if you jumped ship a few weeks in, you'd potentially an important section.
wisecop said
Nov 30, 2012
Invest the money don't listen to the "raw" score genius. Unless you are sitting in some office in 1pp you won't maximize your chances if you don't enroll in courses. As we all know from the LT test dcas can change the format of these exams anytime.
They both have their pros and cons. Yanosik was by far the best instructor at fast track. Fast track was very unorganized. They combined procedures and utilizes non motivated instructors. Never the less the total guide was invaluable. The lms gave you the luxury of reviewing if you missed a class. The key was very well organized and consistent with the instructors. The key is design for good readers who don't mind doing some work on their own time.
FYI. I was in the first BMOC thanx to the key and capt. Misfud
EDAYKING said
Nov 30, 2012
I took the Key and I felt that they were on point. Hey I passed and I took the key.
hollar said
Nov 30, 2012
Passing isnt enough... I went with Yanosik for SGT & LT, both times top off the list.... Yanosik gets down... I do not like the KEY, notes are HORRIBLE... not enough questions.... I feel with the Key more self studying, Yanosik key points, questions questions and reading material....
Cfgl1888 said
Nov 30, 2012
wisecop wrote:
Invest the money don't listen to the "raw" score genius. Unless you are sitting in some office in 1pp you won't maximize your chances if you don't enroll in courses. As we all know from the LT test dcas can change the format of these exams anytime.
They both have their pros and cons. Yanosik was by far the best instructor at fast track. Fast track was very unorganized. They combined procedures and utilizes non motivated instructors. Never the less the total guide was invaluable. The lms gave you the luxury of reviewing if you missed a class. The key was very well organized and consistent with the instructors. The key is design for good readers who don't mind doing some work on their own time.
FYI. I was in the first BMOC thanx to the key and capt. Misfud
Wow... At what point did I say not to spend the money? $800 is a lot for me, if its not for you then thats great. I specifically mentioned that the Key was very effective for 80% of my BMOC class, I just wanted to make the point to the OP that it's very possible to do well without spending the money.
But please, continue to misinterpret what I say...
New2this said
Nov 30, 2012
What I meant to say was don't sign up for one course right away. I bought the key immediately and didn't like the format of the packets and then I was stuck with it. Had I went to the key and paid for one class and didn't like it all I would have lost was 30 dollars or so. This would have allowed you to save your money on a course that was more suited to my learning style. I wouldn't suggest just reading the patrol guide and the police academy
TransitSucks said
Nov 30, 2012
Fast track hands down. Yano cares bout ppl passing. The total guide was the best. I was in the top trn on th list
tensixone said
Nov 30, 2012
Yanosik is the man...... Top 40 on the lt list here. Key is ok. The option to attend class in person or online with yano is great. It's just like being in class with his lms ( learning management system). So if u can't make a class in person u don't feel as if u r missing out. I loved that option.... It's great if ur a midnight guy who has a hard time staying up for such a lengthy lesson. Yano is always available whenever u need him too which is great
hollar said
Nov 30, 2012
Yano ppl... YANOOOOOOOO....
Best instructor, Mifsud is good also... the biggest difference is the Total Guide, is the Patrol Guide for dummies.... that is the number one reason to go with Yano and Elite... I be their for that captains exam...
Notes is much better than the key, the key the notes look like scramble eggs....
wereinbacklog said
Nov 30, 2012
Yano, this guy went to the beach this summer and read the patrol guide. Enough said.
Doggieloverwoof said
Nov 30, 2012
I loved the fast track mainly cuz of Mike so Elite it is!
sig226 said
Nov 30, 2012
If next Lt test will be similar to previous one then forget about Yano, Mifsud and the format of their classes.
REDALERT11 said
Nov 30, 2012
Lol you're nuts bro
REDALERT11 said
Nov 30, 2012
Thank You all for the feedback, it is greatly appreciated and Congratulations to all of you who have taken the test and have achieved your goal wether is was the sgt or Lt test and have done well enough to be on a promotional list. I will consider everyone's suggestion and see which class will work for me for the sgt test.Thanx again and be safe.
jill72 said
Nov 30, 2012
Rising Star questions hands down! Did any of you do rising star? First, they give 3-4x the number of questions that any of the schools give. Tough, nitpicky questions but they work
43cpop said
Nov 30, 2012
jill72 wrote:
Rising Star questions hands down! Did any of you do rising star? First, they give 3-4x the number of questions that any of the schools give. Tough, nitpicky questions but they work
Rising Star is the best kept secret. Glad I had them when no one else did. Anyway, their material is great if you are one of those buffy guys looking to get 100 on the test. If you're just looking to make the list, then I guess the other classes are the way to go.
43cpop said
Nov 30, 2012
New2this wrote:
The key is sloppy. They have arrows pointing in all directions and these bubbles all over the place place. I haven't used elite strategic training. I like KSA home study course as well as rising star questions.
Key is all over the place. Simple is better. Also 2x on rising star
Su Madre 24 said
Nov 30, 2012
Rising Star questions are top flight.
REDALERT11 said
Dec 1, 2012
From what you guys have posted and talking to other guys I'm leaning towards elite strategic traing class and I will also try to get the questions from rising star as almost everyone seem to give a positive feedback on this material. Thanks again guys.
REDALERT11 said
Dec 1, 2012
I also hear the KSA in basket it's pretty good. Any feedback on that?
18and1 said
Dec 1, 2012
Take the key with Chief Shea as the instructor. Hands down the best of them all. Capt. Mifsud is also good and so is DI Shea. I used them twice, once for sgt and once for Lt. and made both lists. I know a lot of people were not happy with fast track last time for the Lt test. I never had Mike Yanosik as an instructor however he seems very genuine we he says he wants all his students to pass. Mike was also the only one who really helped people when it came time to protest the questions on the Lt test.
wereinbacklog said
Dec 1, 2012
RisingStar questions are a MUST and the KSA inbaskets (in my opinion) are the best in the business.
RMP6969 said
Dec 1, 2012
The Key just sent out an e-mail announcing a class schedule regarding the 2013 sgt exam. Look like this test is a go.
-- Edited by RMP6969 on Saturday 1st of December 2012 03:34:27 AM
REDALERT11 said
Dec 1, 2012
18and1 Thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated.
REDALERT11 said
Dec 1, 2012
Wereinbacklog I will defenetly use them both thank you.
AhouseRocker said
Dec 1, 2012
wisecop wrote:
Invest the money don't listen to the "raw" score genius. Unless you are sitting in some office in 1pp you won't maximize your chances if you don't enroll in courses. As we all know from the LT test dcas can change the format of these exams anytime.
They both have their pros and cons. Yanosik was by far the best instructor at fast track. Fast track was very unorganized. They combined procedures and utilizes non motivated instructors. Never the less the total guide was invaluable. The lms gave you the luxury of reviewing if you missed a class. The key was very well organized and consistent with the instructors. The key is design for good readers who don't mind doing some work on their own time.
FYI. I was in the first BMOC thanx to the key and capt. Misfud
I agree with this post. I also took the key and attended classes where Capt. Mifsud (sp?) was the instructer, and I felt his way of delivery was the best for me, and kept me interested and able to continue on without getting tired or bored of the material. You also have to take the time to study and go over and over the same stuff, even if you already know it, imo. I only say this b/c on test day, with nerves, etc, you're bound to forget something you swear you knew for months, repetition is key, and I truly believe that.
I wasn't as lucky as this poster, making the first class, I had to settle for the second class, lol.
AhouseRocker said
Dec 1, 2012
18and1 wrote:
Take the key with Chief Shea as the instructor. Hands down the best of them all. Capt. Mifsud is also good and so is DI Shea. I used them twice, once for sgt and once for Lt. and made both lists. I know a lot of people were not happy with fast track last time for the Lt test. I never had Mike Yanosik as an instructor however he seems very genuine we he says he wants all his students to pass. Mike was also the only one who really helped people when it came time to protest the questions on the Lt test.
Chief Shea and DI Shea are both great bosses. However, imo, DI Shea is hard to get through a class with, whereas Chief Shea is the opposite and grabs your attention.
REDALERT11 said
Dec 1, 2012
AhouseRocker wrote:
wisecop wrote:
Invest the money don't listen to the "raw" score genius. Unless you are sitting in some office in 1pp you won't maximize your chances if you don't enroll in courses. As we all know from the LT test dcas can change the format of these exams anytime.
They both have their pros and cons. Yanosik was by far the best instructor at fast track. Fast track was very unorganized. They combined procedures and utilizes non motivated instructors. Never the less the total guide was invaluable. The lms gave you the luxury of reviewing if you missed a class. The key was very well organized and consistent with the instructors. The key is design for good readers who don't mind doing some work on their own time.
FYI. I was in the first BMOC thanx to the key and capt. Misfud
I agree with this post. I also took the key and attended classes where Capt. Mifsud (sp?) was the instructer, and I felt his way of delivery was the best for me, and kept me interested and able to continue on without getting tired or bored of the material. You also have to take the time to study and go over and over the same stuff, even if you already know it, imo. I only say this b/c on test day, with nerves, etc, you're bound to forget something you swear you knew for months, repetition is key, and I truly believe that.
I wasn't as lucky as this poster, making the first class, I had to settle for the second class, lol.
Thanks for the advice. Hey I would be happy going in first or second class if you ask me lol. Congratulations to you and good luck with the next exam if you decide to take it. I also believe in reading the material over and over Im a firm believer repetition will be key.
M5Pct said
Dec 1, 2012
Does anyone know if mike yanosik will be teaching all the classes in each location they're using? I'm considering trying elite strategic since I'm hearing a lot of good things about them, but they're not really close to me unlike the key is. Thanks for info guys.
JudgeDredd said
Dec 1, 2012
Need advice, I'm currently on this list in the 1200's but I'm jammed up and don't expect to be restored until the summer. Then I'm expecting a year dismissal probation which would not make me eligible until summer 2014. Do you think this list will still be alive then? (I'm leaning towards taking the exam just to be safe but just wondering if I still got a shot with this list)
bigfoot45 said
Dec 1, 2012
I went to the key and I also went to a few classes of the fast track. I couldn't stand the fast track personally and wound up leaving early from their classes. Chief Shea is by far the best instructor and is probably one of the top 5 smartest people on this job. Additionally, I would recommend doing 4 or 5 inbaskets. I'm also a believer of reading directly out of the patrol guide. I read the whole thing once... and I read procedures that they love to go to as much 15 even 20 times. I like the little packets that the Key gives and the questions on the back.
Su Madre 24 said
Dec 1, 2012
i second Big Foots résponse. Chef Shea is a smart guy and a gentleman too
wereinbacklog said
Dec 1, 2012
JudgeDredd wrote:
Need advice, I'm currently on this list in the 1200's but I'm jammed up and don't expect to be restored until the summer. Then I'm expecting a year dismissal probation which would not make me eligible until summer 2014. Do you think this list will still be alive then? (I'm leaning towards taking the exam just to be safe but just wondering if I still got a shot with this list)
You should definitely take the 2013 exam serious.
Warden2Sgt said
Dec 1, 2012
I do not like it when shills from each testing organization come here and bash the other. I like the "KEY" and "Rising Star". You do not see any of their reps here ****ting on other study classes. Seems like this Yano dude is being paid to flood this forum with crap. Stay away from him and his courses. He strikes me like a desperate kind of guy who is out for the money.
ProfessorFiveZero said
Dec 1, 2012
Key all the way!
AhouseRocker said
Dec 1, 2012
RMP6969 wrote:
The Key just sent out an e-mail announcing a class schedule regarding the 2013 sgt exam. Look like this test is a go.
-- Edited by RMP6969 on Saturday 1st of December 2012 03:34:27 AM
I got that as well, I'm already a Sgt though, hopefully they email me when the LT test comes around.
-- Edited by AhouseRocker on Saturday 1st of December 2012 08:29:28 PM
FranknBeans said
Dec 1, 2012
Key!. Bartoszeck and DI shea. Made the patrol guide plain English. Everything they focused on in the cram was on the test.i hated rising stars questions. I also suggest KSA mock exam just so that you learn how to pace yourself.
unborn said
Dec 2, 2012
FranknBeans wrote:
Key!. Bartoszeck and DI shea. Made the patrol guide plain English. Everything they focused on in the cram was on the test.i hated rising stars questions. I also suggest KSA mock exam just so that you learn how to pace yourself.
Bartoszek isn't going to be teaching anymore. The cram is based on their experience, which may or may not be right for this new test. Look at the Lt exam debacle, every single school was wrong.
Wheresthelist said
Dec 2, 2012
Not every school. Rising star saw the LT's test being different. They even commented on it in there LT's course. There info was based on the 2010 capt test.
Basicly it all comes down to what instructor if any help you retain the info in a way you can recall and use it correctly. As someone said earlier maybe you might want to goto an few different classes before you pay for the entire class upfront.
TheJobLovesYou said
Dec 2, 2012
I went with the Key, but whatever you go with get your hands on those rising star packets for the questions. Testing yourself with as many questions doesnt hurt your chances, they have a lot of questions in their packets.
OnTheeArm said
Dec 2, 2012
Do yourself a favor and just go with the KEY. All the others are crap.
Well I didn't take any course, I studied based on the PG and Academy handouts, which are available for free on the intranet and ended up with an 82 raw score. If you feel like you want to spend the money, my one observation is that when I was in BMOC, Capt. Misfud (Mifsud? I can never remember), who teaches at the Key came in and asked who he had helped pass the exam, and probably 80% of the class put their hand up. So that's about as ringing an endorsement as you're going to get, IMHO.
People seem to be saying good things about Yanosik too, but $800 is a lot of money...
At the end of the day what I'll say is that none of these courses are magic. If you are committed to studying, and put in the necessary work, whether on your own, or in a class, then you will probably do well... if not, then there's always next time ;)
-- Edited by Cfgl1888 on Thursday 29th of November 2012 08:38:05 PM
I did the key and in liked it alot. I'm going with Yanosik, the key and paying for the rising star questions.
That and the free academy questions which are worth their weight in gold.
-- Edited by Su Madre 24 on Sunday 16th of December 2012 08:12:45 PM
Have your own questions, do the prep your way but don't reinvent the wheel. Keep the question format like the test. 4 choices.
Not the greatest idea. Each school operates on different schedules and if you jumped ship a few weeks in, you'd potentially an important section.
They both have their pros and cons. Yanosik was by far the best instructor at fast track. Fast track was very unorganized. They combined procedures and utilizes non motivated instructors. Never the less the total guide was invaluable. The lms gave you the luxury of reviewing if you missed a class.
The key was very well organized and consistent with the instructors. The key is design for good readers who don't mind doing some work on their own time.
FYI. I was in the first BMOC thanx to the key and capt. Misfud
Wow... At what point did I say not to spend the money? $800 is a lot for me, if its not for you then thats great. I specifically mentioned that the Key was very effective for 80% of my BMOC class, I just wanted to make the point to the OP that it's very possible to do well without spending the money.
But please, continue to misinterpret what I say...
Best instructor, Mifsud is good also... the biggest difference is the Total Guide, is the Patrol Guide for dummies.... that is the number one reason to go with Yano and Elite... I be their for that captains exam...
Notes is much better than the key, the key the notes look like scramble eggs....
Rising Star questions hands down! Did any of you do rising star? First, they give 3-4x the number of questions that any of the schools give. Tough, nitpicky questions but they work
Rising Star is the best kept secret. Glad I had them when no one else did. Anyway, their material is great if you are one of those buffy guys looking to get 100 on the test. If you're just looking to make the list, then I guess the other classes are the way to go.
Key is all over the place. Simple is better. Also 2x on rising star
The Key just sent out an e-mail announcing a class schedule regarding the 2013 sgt exam. Look like this test is a go.
-- Edited by RMP6969 on Saturday 1st of December 2012 03:34:27 AM
I agree with this post. I also took the key and attended classes where Capt. Mifsud (sp?) was the instructer, and I felt his way of delivery was the best for me, and kept me interested and able to continue on without getting tired or bored of the material. You also have to take the time to study and go over and over the same stuff, even if you already know it, imo. I only say this b/c on test day, with nerves, etc, you're bound to forget something you swear you knew for months, repetition is key, and I truly believe that.
I wasn't as lucky as this poster, making the first class, I had to settle for the second class, lol.
Chief Shea and DI Shea are both great bosses. However, imo, DI Shea is hard to get through a class with, whereas Chief Shea is the opposite and grabs your attention.
I went to the key and I also went to a few classes of the fast track. I couldn't stand the fast track personally and wound up leaving early from their classes. Chief Shea is by far the best instructor and is probably one of the top 5 smartest people on this job. Additionally, I would recommend doing 4 or 5 inbaskets. I'm also a believer of reading directly out of the patrol guide. I read the whole thing once... and I read procedures that they love to go to as much 15 even 20 times. I like the little packets that the Key gives and the questions on the back.
You should definitely take the 2013 exam serious.
I got that as well, I'm already a Sgt though, hopefully they email me when the LT test comes around.
-- Edited by AhouseRocker on Saturday 1st of December 2012 08:29:28 PM
Bartoszek isn't going to be teaching anymore. The cram is based on their experience, which may or may not be right for this new test. Look at the Lt exam debacle, every single school was wrong.
Basicly it all comes down to what instructor if any help you retain the info in a way you can recall and use it correctly. As someone said earlier maybe you might want to goto an few different classes before you pay for the entire class upfront.