I live in Boston, home of one of the best public library systems in America, so I'm pretty sure I can get my hands on any book worth reading, but I have no idea what books are worth reading.Any recommendations for excellent but daunting real estate investing books to test my mettle?

The deals that pass the 1% sniff test are few and far between, but they can still be found.  

I feel many new investors shoot themselves in the foot by not approaching their local bank first to test the lending climate.

The quizzes have been very valuable, and it comes with a test prep course as well. 

Any licensee in any profession must receive formal training from a qualified instructor by education and experience and then students are tested.I hated tests in high school, later on in college my views changed.

I used to work in software sales/distribution, and it is not uncommon for people to buy software to test drive and then return. 

ONe of my most successful colleagues who wholesales and has built a great business spent much more than the 40k 4 day wonders  but he credits his whole business to this intense one on one mentor who basically created his whole business model for him and his wife.. they are now in 3 states..  

I go to test the brand new toilet, and it rocks back and forth.  

No test or anything required 

If you are only acting as your own agent for your own investment properties you don't have to worry about licensing classes, tests and continuing education.