Civil Service Test Prep, LLC

Why should I prepare with you rather than just studying on my own?

Testing well is a skill. Without even knowing what to expect, there are many techniques you can utilize that will help you. Combine that with instruction on strategies for each section, practice exercises, speed drills, and sample tests, and you will be on the correct path to achieving an excellent score.

Some mistakenly set out to just pass the exam. Just passing doesn’t meaning anything with the amount of people testing. It all comes down to how high you score. One question could bump you up over hundreds of applicants testing against you.

With each new testing cycle, you are stuck with the score you achieve for several years. Applicants testing now will not be able to test again for several years from now. This is good for those who receive a high score but not so good for those with marginal scores. Can you afford to be stuck with a marginal score for several years?

Do you think your materials are better than the others out there?

We believe that we have improved on the quality of many existing test prep courses located in New Jersey, which seem to have become assembly line operations of old, outdated materials, offered by individuals who haven't taken a test in many, many years. Most haven't ever taken a test in the fields they are providing instruction for.

Additionally, we actually have experience in the areas we are providing instruction about. Would you seek out a welder to learn electrical wiring?

What made you want to start your own test prep business?

Civil Service Test Prep was started to allow test candidates to reap the benefits of exam preparation without paying almost a thousand dollars for a course. Many people find test preparation beneficial. Those who do shouldn't have to pay that much for it.

Your services are a lot less money than the others; what's the catch, you must have sacrificed something?

We offer a cost effective alternative without sacrificing quality. What we sacrificed is some of our profits. Like any business venture, we would prefer to be profitable; however, we do not prefer to be greedy. This is not our sole bread and butter, but it is our passion.

But what about the courses that keep saying, "You get what you pay for"?

Let's see, one course that openly states, "You get what you pay for," also offers free introductory classes, so I guess that statement only applies when they see fit.

We specifically chose to keep our fees low because of the monopoly that had developed.

What about courses that have been rumored to obtain past exam questions from students and then administer them in class?

First and foremost, per the Civil Service Commission (formerly DOP), as a test taker you have the responsibility to, "Maintain the confidentiality of the examination by not removing, sharing, reproducing or illegally acquiring test material." This is cheating and you can be disqualified for this.

Second, with proper instruction and preparation, you will be able to achieve a higher test score without putting yourself at risk for discipline and/or disqualification. You do not need to cheat to obtain a higher score with us.

Third, any instructor that asks you to put yourself in a potentially harmful position by requesting that you remove test materials and provide it to them (so they can make money off it in future courses) has no regard for you, your family, or your job. See where that instructor is if you get jammed up; on a boating vacation with your money.

Lastly, the days of recycling tests are LONG GONE. New tests are developed these days, including for the make-up exams.

What about results? I see some other courses pumping theirs up. What's that all about?

This will be a long one because of all the marketing hype out there. Some courses try to fool you with smoke and mirror marketing techniques under the disguise of 'results'.

First, we can't comment on results for 35+ areas because we have never tried to master exam preparation in all those areas, especially with limited instructors. We have chosen to specialize only in areas that we personally have experience in rather than trying to be a, "Jack of all trades, master of none." We'd rather concentrate on being the best in limited areas. In our opinion, a single instructor that is trying to juggle multiple courses, in different fields, in a similar time frame, is not putting the students' best interest first. Rest assured, we will not be thinking about upcoming enrollment for 'the next health care provider exam' while we are preparing your materials. Our focus is solely on you.

Be mindful of what you're reading. Take a good look at some of the hype used by others to honor themselves; some of it is quite comical. For example: ____% of my students have been promoted to _____ already! ... Already? Comical when you realize that the promotional list being hyped is long EXPIRED and no others will ever be promoted from it!

And, a survey indicated that ____%of our students would strongly recommend our program; we have the best record of any prep program! ... A survey conducted by the prep course itself? Very convenient.

Or, _____ out of _____ that passed this exam were prior students of mine! ... Prior students? Hmmm, your Prior students decided not to take your course again to be a Current student. Simply because someone was a prior student doesn't mean they liked or would recommend a certain course. Also, how many of those who passed the exam were current (not prior) students? How many of those who failed the exam were prior students? Just more marketing hype banking that you won't pay attention to all the details listed in the statements.

Or even, half of my students were promoted off this list! ... When you brag about half of your students being promoted off an expired list, you really just stated that you have a 50% failure rate for that course.

Here's a new one, hour for hour, my course is longer in duration than other programs...Last time we checked, an hour was 60 minutes. Maybe some courses have more minutes in an hour than 60; we're not sure how that's possible. Glad to see that a certain website has changed their phrasing since these postings...at least they realized how silly some of their stuff sounded! We wont be there to proofread their practice exams though, so good luck with that.

How about the use of such hype as: ____ of my students are awaiting promotion! ... Awaiting promotion? Everyone on a current list is awaiting promotion, not just those who took certain courses. Plus, they forget to mention that many lists expire while individuals are awaiting promotion.

Lastly, although a certain course is actively taking credit for the #1 score for the 2003 NJ DOC exam for lieutenant, the individual who scored #1 was tutored by us.

We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.