Okay so I need to share this because I was seriously losing hope. Failed the CHES in March 2024 (got a 258, passing is 275) and then again in August by just 9 points. I'm a health educator with four years of experience and I genuinely thought I knew this material cold. Turns out knowing how to DO the job and knowing how to answer NCC-style questions are completely different skills.
What changed for my third attempt was actually focusing on the Seven Areas of Responsibility as a framework instead of just trying to memorize facts. I also spent a lot of time doing timed CHES practice test questions — like 40-question blocks — instead of reading my study guide passively. That shift from passive to active recall was honestly the biggest thing. The Competency-Based Prep book is fine but it won't save you if you're not applying the concepts under pressure.
Anyone else go through multiple attempts? I want to hear what finally clicked for you, especially around Area IV (health education advocacy) because that section wrecked me both times.