I am writing this pretty fresh from walking out of the testing center but I want to hit the ground running.
I missed the passing rate this morning by two points and I’m reflecting on what could’ve gone wrong. Prior to the exam, I had passed 5 exams in a row (70s range but still passing). I felt like there were about 52+ qs I really knew but flagged almost everything else and guessed on others. I took way too much time with some questions and was driving myself crazy second guessing myself.
Looking back there was some munis and a few investment company questions that threw me or had some knowledge gaps. Customer accounts and Options felt pretty solid, though I may need to review suitability for different strategies.
Here’s my analysis:
Opening Accounts - Adequate
Information, Recommendations, Records - Borderline
Seeks Business for BD from Customers - Low
Obtain and Verifies Instructions - Very Low
I really want to pass in the next 30 days, I’m so so close. Any help or input you guys could provide would be really helpful.
Hi @Kate_Toller,
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t pass, but being just two points away means you are close - and that’s something to be proud of. It’s clear you’ve been putting in serious effort, and your determination to jump back in right away is the mindset that leads to success.
While the exam breakdown can feel helpful, it’s often very broad. Instead, I recommend using your Achievable study report as your primary guide. From your report, I noticed your weakest areas include Common Stock, Secondary Market, and Retirement and Education Plans. I’d suggest revisiting those chapters in depth and retaking the quizzes until you feel confident with the material.
When it comes to full-length practice exams, try to simulate the actual test environment as closely as possible:
Use the full allotted time
Eliminate distractions
Focus on accuracy over speed
After each exam, take time to carefully review every question - even the ones you got right - to reinforce concepts and identify any lingering gaps. Don’t move on too quickly; the goal is to build lasting understanding, not just short-term recall.
We recommend consistently aiming for practice scores in the upper 80s to build a buffer and offset any test day stress. Achievable’s practice exams closely mirror the real thing, so reaching those scores will help you walk in with confidence.
You’re so close, and with a focused push over the next 30 days, you’ll be in good shape.