Finally passed DEI certification after two failed attempts — here's what worked
Okay so I've been putting off posting this because honestly my DEI exam journey was kind of embarrassing. Failed it twice last year — first time I scored a 67 (needed 75), second time a 71. I was cramming the night before both times and clearly that wasn't cutting it.
What finally got me over the line on my third attempt was treating it like an actual exam instead of something I could wing. I spent about 3 weeks on a real DEI study guide, focused heavily on the legal frameworks and inclusive leadership modules since those were where I kept losing points. I also did a DEI practice test every few days to track where my weak spots were — that made a huge difference in knowing where to focus vs. just rereading everything.
Third attempt I scored an 84. If anyone else is prepping right now, happy to share more specifics about which topics to prioritize. The equity vs. equality distinction comes up way more than you'd expect, and a lot of people underestimate the organizational culture section.