Failed my first attempt with a 71% and was pretty frustrated. The MCC exam covers way more liturgical theology than I expected, and I underestimated the catechetical methodology section entirely. I'd been spending most of my 2 hours a day on scripture and doctrine, which is only about 35% of the test.
For attempt two I switched to a structured 6-week plan. Weeks 1-2 were all methodology, weeks 3-4 on sacramental catechesis, and the last two weeks doing mixed review. I also started timing myself on each question block since I nearly ran out of time in my first sitting.
The thing that really moved the needle was reading through the National Directory for Catechesis more carefully. A solid chunk of the questions trace back to that document specifically, and just knowing the chapter structure helped me eliminate wrong answers faster. Ended up with an 84% the second time.
That tip about the National Directory is gold. I didn't even own a copy before my first attempt. Got one for round two and it made a big difference on the harder application questions.
The methodology section is no joke. I went in thinking it would be the easy part and it tanked my first score too. Spend at least a third of your prep time there.
Six weeks sounds about right. I did 8 weeks at around 90 minutes a day and passed with a 79%. Probably could have done it in 6 if I'd been more focused early on.
Congrats on passing! Did you find the ethics portion to be heavily tested? I'm retaking in 5 weeks and that's the area I'm least confident in right now.