Studied REALLY hard...and failed. What to do now?

I just got my marks back from my last exam in my designation program.

I failed.

I studied hard, I knew my stuff, I thought I did well.

Now what? Rewrite it to have the same result? I am so discouraged.

And no we don't get to see the exam.

Sorry Nat I'm sure you'll do better next time. Something that might help for studying is flashcards. Write up like 100 questions and have your DH ask you them.

That's a bummer, Nat!! How soon can you retake?

I would talk to someone at your school. If you studied hard, felt good about it and failed, it's not fair that you can't see the results to see if there was some sort of mistake or see where you went wrong. There's no learning involved if you can't see where you went wrong.

What kind of test was it? Was it a multiple choice using scantron? Or was it an essay or oral??

I helped my husband with exams for years (he a professor) and I can tell you that sometimes the machine makes mistakes. If you usually get decent grades but failed a multiple choice test that was graded by a machine, then ask the instructor to look at it.

I'm sorry Nat. When are you able to retake it? It would be very helpful for you to see the results so you know which areas you need to concentrate on.

I feel your pain. When I took the CPA exam I failed the first time. And they didn't give me the results either. It did make it hard. I took an educated guess on what areas I need to work and sat for it again. Sometimes these qualifying exams take a couple of times to get. I have faith in you. Try again.

Originally Posted by peachytoday

I feel your pain. When I took the CPA exam I failed the first time. And they didn't give me the results either. It did make it hard. I took an educated guess on what areas I need to work and sat for it again. Sometimes these qualifying exams take a couple of times to get. I have faith in you. Try again.

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To this I would add: you haven't failed until you quit. We know you can do it.

Originally Posted by sarahp

I would talk to someone at your school. If you studied hard, felt good about it and failed, it's not fair that you can't see the results to see if there was some sort of mistake or see where you went wrong. There's no learning involved if you can't see where you went wrong.

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That's absurd!

Do you have personal tutor or mentor you can ask for advice. Someone must surely be able to give as to where you are going wrong. It is often the case that mature students do either very well or very badly, depending on their methodology, because they do not approach things the same way as people straight from school. Often, they use their own experience and knowledge instead of just using the facts as given. You would think that would be better but it is not always the case, especially if what you say disagrees with a professor's opinion. But you need to know, and I would certainly not leave it there. Don't be discouraged, it just may be that you have a mind of your own!

Originally Posted by rapunzel47

That's a bummer, Nat!!

How soon can you retake?

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April is the rewrite.

Originally Posted by sarahp

I would talk to someone at your school. If you studied hard, felt good about it and failed, it's not fair that you can't see the results to see if there was some sort of mistake or see where you went wrong. There's no learning involved if you can't see where you went wrong.

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It's not a school course, it is a designation program done by correspondence. I think we can see the test only if we pay money...DH wants me to get the exam to see where I went wrong also, but I am scared to see all the red marks. I feel so embarassed..I am not a person that fails exams.

Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

What kind of test was it? Was it a multiple choice using scantron? Or was it an essay or oral??

I helped my husband with exams for years (he a professor) and I can tell you that sometimes the machine makes mistakes. If you usually get decent grades but failed a multiple choice test that was graded by a machine, then ask the instructor to look at it.

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It was half multiple choice and half written long and short answer. I do wonder if the marking person could read my writing.

The worst part of the marking process if they just have random non-insurance people marking so they don't even know the point getting across...they just search for key words and if you don't write them down, you get no marks for the questions. So unfair!

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

It's not a school course, it is a designation program done by correspondence. I think we can see the test only if we pay money...DH wants me to get the exam to see where I went wrong also, but I am scared to see all the red marks. I feel so embarassed..I am not a person that fails exams.

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You definitely need to pay the money and see where you went wrong - ESPECIALLY if you're the sort of person who usually passes your exams fine. Better to know, than not know and potentially get it wrong again.

*off to see what a designation program is now.... *

If you can purchase it to see the results, I would definitely consider doing that!

I have a Chartered Financial Analyst designation, and it required three exams, given annually. The pass rate was usually around 60% for each exam (it fluctuates but usually not a whole lot). They never gave you your marks, but they would show you the % of each section of exam, so you could see where you needed the work. Without having SOMETHING like that, you're just shooting in the dark!

Don't feel like a failure! So much of these types of tests - as you pointed out! - is about knowing what they're looking for. It's about how to test as much as it is knowing the material. If you can get your results, it'll help you figure out what they want.

If they don't even give it to you for payment... you'll just have to take a big, deep breath, and try again.

What a bummer! I know exactly how you feel. I took a test last semester that I thought for sure I passed with flying colors and I ended up totally bombing it.

Hopefully you can take it again and do much better

It is OK. Try again

Originally Posted by sarahp

I would talk to someone at your school. If you studied hard, felt good about it and failed, it's not fair that you can't see the results to see if there was some sort of mistake or see where you went wrong. There's no learning involved if you can't see where you went wrong.

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Originally Posted by sarahp

You definitely need to pay the money and see where you went wrong - ESPECIALLY if you're the sort of person who usually passes your exams fine. Better to know, than not know and potentially get it wrong again.

*off to see what a designation program is now.... *

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I agree with Sarah...I would definietly ask to speak to someone and do what you can to get ahold of the test to figure out what you missed (or if you were graded wrong.) It will give you peace of mind and help you when you're ready to retake it.

I've had days like that. I've studied my butt off and prepared countless hours- went in and thought I smoked a test, only to find out I didn't do well. It's just a little bump in the road. You are beautiful and intelligent. Just get back up and try again sweetie Don't let one bad grade get you down Natalie. Definitely pay a few bucks to see where you went wrong (or if the grader just marked you incorrectly). Then you can study a bit more and can do wonderful the next go round!

Thanks everyone...my DH convinced me to buy the evaluation of the exam (at $150! ) and then the retake will be another $160.

What an expensive error

That will be good to see what you missed. I have found mistakes before. One time, I was given a D for a whole course, when it should have been an A! I didn't know it but the professor got me and someone else mixed up I had to fight really hard to get it resolved. Another time I got a bad grade on a test and it turns out I really didn't. Everyone is human, we all make mistakes.

Just a word of encouragement...I have a friend who is an accountant. You need to pass 3 exams to get the full CA designation. My friend passed the first test of the first try, I think. The second test...she had to write 3 times before she finally passed. Then, she passed the last one on the first try!

Just keep trying...you'll get there eventually!

It will be interesting to see what part of the exam had more errors the multiple choice or the essay part. One would be easier to study for than the other.