Finally passed my CAPS exam after two attempts — here's what actually helped

I failed my first CAPS attempt back in March by just four points, which was honestly devastating. I'd been working in apartment management for six years and figured my on-the-job experience would carry me through. It didn't. The exam covers a lot of ground — fair housing, maintenance fundamentals, financial reporting — and my practical knowledge had some real gaps when it came to the technical stuff.

For my second attempt I completely changed my approach. I spent about six weeks using a structured CAPS study guide and worked through as much practice material as I could find. I'd do a CAPS practice test every Sunday to track where I stood, then spend weekdays drilling whatever I'd gotten wrong. My mock scores went from mid-60s up to consistently hitting 78–82 before I sat for the real thing.

Passed with an 81 last week. If anyone's prepping right now, the biggest exam tips I can offer: don't skip the financial sections even if they feel dry, and time yourself on practice questions — the real exam moves faster than you expect. Happy to answer questions about what worked for me.