So I just got my results back yesterday and I finally passed the BOSR exam on my second try. Honestly felt like crying when I saw the score. First attempt I went in way too confident — I work in boiler operations and figured my field experience would carry me. It did not. There are a ton of regulatory and safety code questions that just aren't stuff you deal with day-to-day on the job.
Second time around I spent about six weeks actually studying. I found a solid BOSR study guide that broke down the code sections by topic, which made a huge difference. I also used a BOSR practice test site to drill questions every night for the last two weeks — I'd do 30-40 questions, review every wrong answer, and actually look up the underlying rule. That repetition is what clicked things into place for me.
My biggest exam tip: don't skip the pressure vessel sections even if you think you know them. That material showed up way more than I expected. Anyone else here prepping for BOSR right now? Happy to share more specifics about what I focused on.