I've been working in federal financial management for about six years and finally decided to go for the CGFM last year. Parts 1 and 3 weren't too bad — I passed both on my first try. But Part 2 (Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Budgeting) absolutely destroyed me. Failed it in March, studied harder, failed again in July. I was ready to give up honestly.
What finally turned it around was switching how I studied. I stopped reading the AGA study guide cover to cover and started drilling with a CGFM practice test every single day for three weeks straight. The practice questions forced me to actually apply the concepts instead of just recognizing them on the page. I also made a list of exam tips from people in this community and that helped me prioritize fund accounting and the budget cycle stuff, which I'd been skimming over.
Passed in October with a 78. Not a perfect score but honestly felt like a victory lap. Happy to share what specifically clicked for me if anyone's in the same boat — especially for the governmental GAAP sections that always tripped me up.