I am sorry you missed the 2009 NALTEA Annual Conference.  If you had been there, you would have witnessed first hand, the excitement and pride shown by those that have passed the exam.  You also would have seen some members studying their books every available minute, and attending review classes, hoping to be able to take and pass the exam in the near future.  There are currently only 26 individuals that hold the NALTEA Certified Abstractor or NALTEA Master Abstractor designation.  That includes 3 out of the 5 that sat for the exam during the conference.  I think, if you spoke to any one of them they would tell you it is not something to take lightly.  It is a tough test!  The pass/fail ratio is approximately 50% at this time.  If you are a professional, and you take your profession seriously, I encourage you to become a member of NALTEA and sit for the exam.  The letters after your name will showcase your professional knowledge, and if you achieve it and use it, it will promote you and your future as a title searcher.  It does set the serious professionals apart from the rest.