Failed the plumbing journeyman exam twice — what finally worked for me

I'm not gonna sugarcoat it — I bombed the journeyman plumbing exam the first two times I sat for it. First attempt I got a 68, needed a 70. Second time, 69. I was losing my mind. Been in the trade for four years, thought I knew my stuff, but the written exam is a totally different beast than actual fieldwork.

What finally clicked was getting really systematic about pipe materials and code specifications. I'd been glossing over that stuff because I figured I used the pipes every day — how hard could it be? Turns out there's a ton of detail they test on that you don't think about consciously on the job. I started using a dedicated Plumbing Pipe Systems & Materials practice test to drill those specifics, and honestly that was the turning point. Third attempt I passed with an 81.

For anyone else grinding through this, what study guide or exam tips actually made a difference for you? Especially curious what people do for the code questions — that section still feels like a lottery to me.