Failed PIC exam twice — what am I missing in my prep?

by Nicole F. 57 views3 replies

Nicole F.OP

May 27, 2026

I'm really starting to question myself here. I've taken the PIC exam twice now and both times I've fallen just short of passing. First attempt I scored a 68%, second time a 71% — so I'm clearly getting closer but it's frustrating when you can see the finish line and keep missing it. I've been using a PIC study guide I found online plus some YouTube videos, but honestly I think my prep has been too scattered.

The sections killing me are infection prevention practices and surveillance/epidemiology. I feel decent on the foundational concepts but when questions get into application-based scenarios I second-guess myself constantly. A friend told me I should be doing more PIC practice test questions rather than just re-reading the material, which honestly makes sense in hindsight.

Anyone who's passed on their third attempt — what finally clicked? How many hours did you put in and what resources actually moved the needle? I'm giving myself 10 weeks before I book attempt three. Any exam tips would be genuinely appreciated.

Brian Y.

May 28, 2026

Have you looked into the APIC study guide specifically? I wasted weeks on generic infection control materials before someone pointed me toward resources actually aligned with the CIC/PIC blueprint. Also — and this might sound basic — print out the exam content outline and check off every domain as you study it. I had huge blind spots I didn't even realize. The epidemiology math questions aren't hard once you practice attack rates and odds ratios a few dozen times. What's your test date looking like?

emily_w

May 28, 2026

71% on your second try is actually solid progress — that's not someone who doesn't know the material, that's someone who needs to tighten up exam strategy. Watch your time per question (roughly 75 seconds each) and stop second-guessing your first instinct. So many people change correct answers under pressure. You've got this on attempt three.

Marcus T.

May 28, 2026

Third time was my charm too, so don't give up. What changed for me was shifting from passive reading to doing 50-100 practice questions every single day for the last six weeks. I'd review every wrong answer thoroughly, not just note the correct one. The APIC text is dense but the application-based questions are where the real exam lives — you have to think like an IP, not just recite facts. Surveillance and epidemiology tripped me up too. Focus on outbreak investigation steps and you'll gain points fast there.

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