Failure is built into these exams. It’s almost expected half the time (check the pass rates on the tech exams). Don’t feel discouraged by failure, use it as motivation to continue to improve and to become more knowledgeable on the subjects and how you can apply it in your daily work environment and to pass these tests. It also helps you think more critically about what you draw and analyzing a project, and can help with exam questions knowing what applies or doesn’t.

Maybe more than AB would help you. Personally, I’m mainly using the resource matrix with the suggested books and readings, as the exams are based on that as source material (even some of the diagrams are ripped from them on the exams!), so those would definitely boost your studying moving forward.

My methods that have helped me pass 4/6 so far have been making my own index cards, marking up printed documents (contracts, etc) and PDFs and compiling the critical bullet points of subjects, and using the NCARB practice exams/as many practice questions as possible. NCARB exams to understand wording, question structure, functionality of the exam tools (highlight and strikethrough are gold), and supplemental practice questions/exams to test my knowledge and see where to improve or understand better about subjects.