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NightOwl · Veteran Member

Elite or the key?

DETSGT · Guru

Dude we just did this on another thread:

risingstarpromotion.activeboard.com/t60856808/when-is-the-next-sgts-test-please-help/

skiguy37 · Senior Member

The key for me all the way. I did 90% packet for 2011 sgt and 2015 LT with success... But the bottom line is "to each their own." You will get some swearing by the key, while others bash it as garbage. And vice versa with elite. With me, the key worked and I was happy. I suggest borrowing an old packet of key from 202 and borrowing an old section of 202 from someone and then trying them out for 2 weeks before the next test is announced. You will quickly find out what you prefer.

Others on here will tell you that the schools suck and to just use the actual patrol guide. I will say again "to each their own." See what works for you and give it 110% and you will succeed.

lpc · Member

Did the Key in 2011 and scored a 66. Now, i admit; i completely half-a**ed my studying. So the key is certainly is effective. I used the Elite in 2013 and i passed in the high 70's. What i enjoyed about the elite, was the fact that if i got stuck at work and missed a class for any reason the class was available for me online and i had the ability to rewatch classes if i wanted too. The Elite was certainly more advanced and current in regards to technology than the key who simply gave you a packet on class day and the lecture. Things may have changed and the key might have updated and adapted to current times, that i don't know. Regardless, whichever class you choose you will still need to read your a** off and put in the effort. The class alone will not suffice.

mk06 · Veteran Member

Rocked the '13 test with the key. I'm a diciple of Mifsud though. I plan on using both for the next LT test.

jill72 · Senior Member

mk06 wrote:
Rocked the '13 test with the key. I'm a diciple of Mifsud though. I plan on using both for the next LT test.

Mifsud "a little birdie told me don't study this and that" only to have it show up on the exam? lol

Rising Star all the way. Key and fast track/elite have missed the mark repeatedly over the years. rising star was the only who had an idea of what was going to be tested

Trueblue · Member

Elite is more broken down and explained then the key...Capt Yanosik helps allot of people .

bigfoot45 · Guru

I passed both tests using the Key... but the majority of my studying was straight out of the patrol guide. With that in mind I have taken some of Yanos classes and seen his materials... they are better. He charges a little more but your getting more. Plus he provides you his cool version of the patrol guide and the key only gives you an online version. I need the actual book in my hands.

ajvic21 · Senior Member

They're both good, I passed the 2013 exam, first attempt off the key.........just two different styles of teaching........Elite does fill in the blanks, true/false, and resembles the printout of the patrol guide............The Key does Bold Headings, cliff notes, bubble messages, and main points in each sections.....no fill in, or true/false, and basically sums up whats in the patrol guide......It all depends on what style you prefer and what kind of study person are you.......elite offers the classes online if you miss a class & The Key just gives you the packet the very next week you show up.....what worked for me was studying the KEY packets, after reading the patrol guide, and doing both review questions from ELITE & THE KEY.....either way you have to put in the work.....no such thing as a lucky Saturday in my opinion. Good luck.

BatmanForever · Newbie

I took Elite ....recommend highly...and free academy courses...and key question app.

Oooh-yeah · Senior Member

Elite

96Times6 · Senior Member

For what is worth, here's my take on "Elite or Key" question.
I used the Key to prepare for the 2011 sgts test. I went to a few classes at first, but skipped a lot of classes later and only read their packets over and over again. I did not read the pg at all. I simply read the Key packets. The information on the packets seemed dead on, and I scored within the top 25%. In all honesty, I half-azzed the whole thing and still made the list.

I chose to go with Elite for the 2015 Lts exam because unlike the key, elite was giving you the printed pg. Expecting a hard lts exam and not wanting to be at the bottom of a list and waiting for years to be promoted, I switched strategies , and read the actual pg over and over again. I went to each week's class and listened what Yanosik had to say, but did not read his packets once the class was over. I simply read the patrol guide.
Towards the end (the last 2-3 weeks), I answered as many questions as possible, I got a hold of all of the Key questions, as well as Academy and rising star questions. I believe answering hundreds of questions and looking up procedures when answering a question wrong really helped and solidify the information in my head.
I am fortunate to be one of the few to actually pass the 2015 lts exam.
To sum it up; I was able achieve a passing score with both options, and can tell you 100% that neither is better than the other. It all comes down to how serious you take it, and how hard you study. There is no magic formula, no one can help you pass a test unless you are willing to put forth the effort and be willing to sacrifice your family, friends, going to the gym, etc.