So I just got my results back and I passed the CAIC on my second try. Wanted to share what changed because I see a lot of people asking about this exam and honestly the advice out there is pretty scattered. First time I failed by 4 points — brutal. I had studied for about three weeks but mostly just read through the handbook twice and figured that was enough. It wasn't.
What actually made the difference was finding a solid CAIC practice test to run through repeatedly. Not just once, but like five or six times until I understood why each answer was correct, not just which one to pick. The scenario-based questions on snow pack assessment and rescue decision-making are way more nuanced than I expected. I also put together a proper study guide covering companion rescue protocols and terrain evaluation — having everything in one place vs. bouncing between PDFs was a game changer.
For anyone prepping right now: don't underestimate the human factors section. I spent maybe 20% of my study time there the first attempt. Second time I flipped that closer to 40%. That's where I was losing points without realizing it. Happy to answer questions if anyone's deep in the prep grind.