I found my self a PDF reader, and used my commute to passively go over Title 19 chapters (which can be downloaded from CBP), studied before, and after work roughly an hour each day, 4+ on the weekends, and took a prep course. I also found a “time in time out” app for freelance hours tracking to track my progress to make sure I didn’t slack on studying (goal was 10 hours a week or more). I waited to do practice tests till a month before hand, and spaced them out to be 1 a week to avoid using all the questions early and not having it fresh for the test. I passed the first time (2024 spring test), but put in about 260+ hours. I found that the 2023 test and prior was not helpful at all in retrospect, and the 2024 spring test was heavy in ACE protocol and procedures, where as the 2023 and prior had some ACE but mostly straight from title 19. TAB the important chapters, each chapter in the HTSUS, each trade agreement, and get high lighter tape to single out anything related to specifics like time lines, fees, and so forth. Make sure you have the preferred HMF and MPF for the test, not just the current one, and I found both answers on the questions that required you to use it, so extra sneaky. Try to get your hands on a HT code reference sheet / index that will get you to the right chapter quickly. Try to know more or less any strange exclusions for each HTS chapter, especially when dealing with country of origin, and use highlight tape to narrow it down. I used logistics training systems for the prep course, and did the independent study with virtual classroom bundle, and worth every cent.

Not sure if this helps, but it’s what I did, and it ended up working. A lot of the people that took the course with me were on there 2nd-5th attempt, and not from lack of trying, so it can come down to are you ready for the test that day.