Experiencing the Notary Exam
First time notary applicant and PAN member, Robin Carson admitted she was nervous about taking the notary exam.
"I had no idea what to expect," said Robin, the branch office administrator for Eric S. Smith, financial advisor at the West Chester branch of Edward Jones.
After completing PAN's Notary Public Basic Education Online course, she created a Pearson VUE online account and scheduled her exam, which was "easy," she added. Robin chose to take the exam at the Chester County Community College, which "had the most availability in the area." While registering, she paid the $65 notary exam fee payable to Pearson VUE, with a credit card.
Not knowing what questions would be on the exam, Robin said she studied prior to the exam. Upon arriving at the college, she had to show two valid forms of ID, including one with a photograph. She used her current driver's license and her passport.
Pearson VUE allots 60 minutes to take the exam, "but it was only 30 questions and it took only 15 minutes," said Robin. The entire process took a total of 25 minutes, 5 minutes for registering, 15 minutes for the exam and another 5 minutes to check out.
By the time Robin left the college, she was told she had passed the exam.
When asked what type of questions were on the exam, Robin explained that the questions including what type of documents you can certify and what appears on the first line of your notary stamp.
"The notary stamp question was something I did not really pay attention to when I was studying. I really did not think I would have to describe the layout of a notary stamp," she said. "There wre also questions on reappointment and what to do if you move to another state and the number of days for recording the bond, oath, commission and signature.
"I was surprised by some of the questions. They wanted to know a specific fee you could charge for taking a verification. I did not even look at the fee chart since I would never be charging a fee."
"I had no idea what to expect," said Robin, the branch office administrator for Eric S. Smith, financial advisor at the West Chester branch of Edward Jones.
After completing PAN's Notary Public Basic Education Online course, she created a Pearson VUE online account and scheduled her exam, which was "easy," she added. Robin chose to take the exam at the Chester County Community College, which "had the most availability in the area." While registering, she paid the $65 notary exam fee payable to Pearson VUE, with a credit card.
Not knowing what questions would be on the exam, Robin said she studied prior to the exam. Upon arriving at the college, she had to show two valid forms of ID, including one with a photograph. She used her current driver's license and her passport.
Pearson VUE allots 60 minutes to take the exam, "but it was only 30 questions and it took only 15 minutes," said Robin. The entire process took a total of 25 minutes, 5 minutes for registering, 15 minutes for the exam and another 5 minutes to check out.
By the time Robin left the college, she was told she had passed the exam.
When asked what type of questions were on the exam, Robin explained that the questions including what type of documents you can certify and what appears on the first line of your notary stamp.
"The notary stamp question was something I did not really pay attention to when I was studying. I really did not think I would have to describe the layout of a notary stamp," she said. "There wre also questions on reappointment and what to do if you move to another state and the number of days for recording the bond, oath, commission and signature.
"I was surprised by some of the questions. They wanted to know a specific fee you could charge for taking a verification. I did not even look at the fee chart since I would never be charging a fee."
