After failing my first attempt back in February, I just got my results yesterday and I passed with an 84. Honestly didn't think I was going to pull it off. The first time around I went in way too casual, figured my field experience would carry me through the written portion. It didn't.
What changed everything the second time was actually being systematic about it. I spent about 6 weeks this time instead of cramming the week before. Found a solid NSS study guide that broke down the competency areas properly, and I did timed practice sets almost every evening. The NSS practice test sections on safety protocols and nutritional standards were where I had the biggest gaps — way more detail tested there than I expected.
Anyone else currently prepping for this? Happy to share what resources I used or swap exam tips. The question format threw me off the first time — lots of scenario-based stuff, not just recall. Would love to know if others found the same thing or if my test version was just particularly heavy on application questions.