Certification Exam Failure – Now What?

I just failed my certification exam, so now what? Here’s some questions to answer that will guide your path.

Do I have the option of quitting now and not getting the certification?
What is the first thing that comes to mind about taking the exam?
What can I do differently to ensure success on the next attempt?

In my case, I can’t quit. The certification exam is the comprehensive exam for my MBA. The first thing that comes to mind about the test is that I didn’t have a business calculator. To ensure success on the next attempt I’ve bought one of the approved calculators and will learn how to use it. I failed by two (2) questions and am confident the calculator will make the difference. During the exam I worked questions backwards from the answers given to rule out illogical answers. If I had the calculator I would have determined the answer directly.

If you haven’t taken your exam yet you can try my technique of creating “insurance” in case of failure. As soon as I return to my vehicle I have a notepad and pencil ready to take notes on all the exam content. Once I’ve “downloaded” all I can remember I continue with my day and try not to think about the results until they arrive.

Good luck on your next exam and if you ever need a study partner you know where to find me, right here in the pit!

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