I passed the Certified Hospitality Educator exam last month and honestly I'm still kind of in disbelief. Failed my first attempt back in February by about 8 points — I went in thinking my 12 years of teaching experience would carry me through and completely underestimated how specific the questions are around instructional design and curriculum development frameworks.
What changed the second time around: I gave myself a structured 10-week study plan instead of just reviewing my notes. I used the AHLEI study guide cover to cover, but the real game-changer was drilling with a CHE practice test regularly. Doing timed practice sets helped me figure out where my gaps actually were — turns out I was weak on adult learning theory and needs assessment methodology, not the hospitality content itself.
My exam tips for anyone prepping right now: don't skip the competency framework sections even if they seem dry, and time yourself ruthlessly during practice. I was running out of time on my first attempt because I'd linger too long on tough questions. What's everyone else's experience been with the content areas — especially the training delivery section?