Finally passed my ETCP rigging exam after two attempts — here's what worked

I'm not gonna sugarcoat it — I failed my first attempt by 7 points back in February and it absolutely crushed me. I'd been in the industry for six years, thought I knew enough, and barely cracked a book. Big mistake. The exam goes way deeper into load calculations and equipment ratings than I expected, and the arena rigging vs. theatrical rigging distinctions tripped me up constantly.

For round two I completely changed my approach. I spent about 90 hours over 8 weeks using a combination of the ETCP study guide, the ANSI/ASME standards (yes, actually reading them), and an ETCP practice test to drill weak spots. The practice questions were honestly the biggest unlock — they train you to read the stems carefully because the real exam loves to hide the answer in the phrasing.

Passed with an 82 this time. Anyone else preparing right now? Happy to share specific exam tips on which topic areas to prioritize — there are a few that show up way more than you'd expect.