Okay so I've been putting off posting this because I was honestly embarrassed about failing the DEQ twice before finally passing last month. First attempt I went in pretty cold, figured my years of environmental compliance work would carry me. Scored a 68, needed a 75. Second time I bought one of those generic study guides off Amazon and still only hit a 71. Super frustrating.
What actually turned things around was finding a decent DEQ practice test online that mirrored the real question format — specifically the sections on ambient air quality standards and inspection procedures. I'd been glossing over the regulatory citation stuff thinking it wouldn't show up heavily, but it's everywhere on the actual exam. Once I started drilling those questions daily for about three weeks, my practice scores jumped into the low 80s consistently.
Anyone else here studying for DEQ certification right now? Happy to share the study guide breakdown I put together on where the exam actually focuses its weight. The official prep materials are honestly pretty thin on the procedural stuff.