I work full time (47 hours a week) and just registered for the CAL. I'm trying to set a realistic study timeline before committing to a test date.
From what I've read online, estimates range from 4 weeks to 13 weeks depending on background. My background is related but I've never taken a formal exam prep course, so I'm probably starting from an intermediate level.
I've been using the cal - certified automotive locksmith key generation and duplication questions and answers to gauge where I stand, and my initial diagnostic scores are around 67% — which tells me I have work to do.
For those who've been through it: did you study daily or more intensively in bursts? And did you feel like your practice scores accurately predicted your real exam performance? Any input would help me set a realistic target date.
Bookmarking this. I'm still in the early stages of CAL prep and threads like this are way more useful than generic study guides. The specifics about exam prep are particularly helpful — that's the section I've been avoiding.
The part about reviewing wrong answers thoroughly is so underrated. Most people (including me, first time around) just move on after getting something wrong. Going back to understand the concept is what actually builds retention for the CAL.
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