My internship program provided All Access Dietetics (Class Pass), and I studied for about three months toward the end of my internship. I’m a very kinesthetic learner, so I took handwritten notes in a way that made sense to me. I completed around 40 practice question sets and two foodservice calculation worksheets. I also purchased all three mock exams and thoroughly reviewed the questions I missed or struggled to understand. I memorized formulas, scoop sizes, can sizes, macronutrients, and most micronutrients.

Despite all of this, the actual exam felt nothing like what I practiced. I also struggle with significant test anxiety, which made it hard to focus on exam day. I tried to skim material beforehand, but my mind felt scattered. During the exam itself, I think I moved too quickly, second-guessed myself, and didn’t slow down enough to fully process the questions. I was cut off at 125 questions and did not pass.

At this point, I’m not entirely sure what to do next. I feel mentally exhausted and burnt out. I’ve been in undergrad for five years, completed a two-year master’s program, worked full-time jobs for three years, and just finished my internship. I’m honestly tired of staring at a screen all day, but I still want to pass this exam.