I just checked my credit today and they just jumped as one of the collections just dropped off. 
EX went from 616 to 640
EQ hasn't updated yet as it still list the collection but it went from 598 to 603 from last I checked.
TU went from 638 to 659.
I'm so excited and happy to see these scores, been working on my credit for the past year and half when my scores were below 500 which reflected me being in a difficult situation at the time. I've been trying to improve my scores as I want to get my family our first home. Now with kids, reaching that dream has never meant so much. I've learned so much from being on these forums, and reading all the terrific advise from everyone. There have been nights no doubt where I thought they would never go up, but they have.
To those that are just starting out with improving your scores, it is possible. Be presistent and never give up.
That is great, my scores are in the 500's and it is overwhelming sometimes... So that score jump was with just ONE collection being removed? How old was the account? Sorry for all of the questions... I had quite the day in getting PFD's and I'm looking at 7 being deleted (Still quite a few to go though)...
Congrats keep those scores moving up