simple validation question

[eluser]smickiedoo[/eluser]
Is there any way to know true or false if a form has failed with error messages?

I have a long registration form and I'm using individual error messages under each field. The problem is that when the form fails the user has to scroll down to see the individual error messages, and Id like to put something at the top that reads like "please verify that you've completed all required fields".

I tried the echo $this->validation->error_string; but it doesn't return anything. Perhaps because I'm using individual error messages?

silly problem.

thanks for any help