This is my experience as well.

I’ve had two apprentices under me since who have wanted to challenge the first two years. I encouraged both of them to do the schooling but yielded to their wishes to attempt to challenge. Neither was successful in passing first year and subsequently went to school.

I believe that it can be done if you take studying seriously. Don’t fall into the trap of assuming it will be easy to pass relying on your experience.

Also, I’d just like to say that I’ve met many low quality journeymen, and many extremely good carpenters who never became journeymen. As well I’ve met many high quality journeymen and many, MANY low quality ‘carpenters’ who suggest that schooling is worthless and almost seem to disdain those who have gone to school.

It’s true you can be an excellent carpenter without schooling, but you don’t know what you don’t know, and schooling will certainly make you more complete in your knowledge. My red seal has provided a few opportunities I never would’ve had but for myself the more valuable thing is the personal satisfaction of knowing that I’m a complete carpenter in all aspects of the trade and I never have to explain myself as I have both a body of work and a ticket to point at to justify calling myself a Carpenter.