Took the CP exam back in November and failed by 4 points. Walked out thinking I knew Robert's Rules cold, but the scenario-based questions on motions and precedence really got me. Spent another 10 weeks doing a complete reset before my second attempt.
What changed was actually slowing down on the RONR 12th edition index. I'd been reading chapters linearly but the exam tests application, not recall. I drilled about 2 hours a day on subsidiary and privileged motions, specifically ranking them in order under different scenarios. The NAP study materials were more exam-aligned than I expected too.
Second time I finished in 90 minutes and passed with 78%. The parliamentary authority questions are roughly 30% of the content from what I could tell. If you're doing the written plus oral components, practice articulating your reasoning out loud — the oral portion catches people off guard who haven't rehearsed it.
The NAP materials are underrated. Most people only use RONR but the NAP official study guide fills in gaps on how questions are actually framed. Took me two reads to appreciate it.
I'm sitting for CP in September and the oral component is what scares me most. Did you do any mock sessions with a practicing parliamentarian beforehand? I've been debating whether to hire someone for a few practice runs.
This mirrors my experience almost exactly. The motions hierarchy is where I lost the most points on my first try — I kept confusing which motions were debatable versus undebatable. What resource did you use for the scenario drills?
Congrats on passing. 78% is solid. I passed mine last spring with 74% and felt like I barely survived the special orders section. The exam really rewards people who've sat in actual meetings, not just studied theory.