So I just got my results back yesterday and I passed! Honestly had to take a moment because after failing by 12 points the first time, I wasn't sure I had it in me. First attempt I went in after about three weeks of just reading the textbook and watching YouTube videos. Big mistake. The exam is way more application-based than I expected — they really want you to think through clinical scenarios, not just recall definitions.
The second time around I gave myself eight weeks and completely changed my approach. I used an RT practice test site almost every day, doing 20-30 questions each morning before work. That repetition of seeing how questions are worded made a huge difference. I also found a solid study guide that broke down ventilator management and ABG interpretation in a way that finally clicked for me. Those two topics showed up constantly.
My exam tips for anyone currently grinding: don't skip the NBRC's own practice exams, and pay attention to the rationales even when you get something right. Sometimes you're right for the wrong reason, and that'll bite you on test day. Happy to answer any questions about what resources I used!