Retake Strategy After Failing the IT Passport Exam: Cause Analysis and Planning for the Next Attempt

Don't Give Up After Failing

The IT Passport exam can be retaken any number of times, and the exam fee is charged each time. The pass rate is about 50%, meaning half of test takers experience failure. Treat failure as material for your next success: analyze the causes and plan your countermeasures.

Reviewing the Passing Criteria

If your overall score is below 600 points, you fail. Also, if your score in any individual field is below 300 points, you fail even if your total score exceeds 600. Be careful, as it's possible to think you passed only to be let down by a low field score.

How to Read Your Score Report

The score report, displayed and printable immediately after the exam, shows your overall score out of 1000 points. Field scores are also shown converted to a 1000-point scale. It also lists your correct answer rate by field and any fields where you scored below 300 points. This report is the best resource for analyzing your weaknesses.

Countermeasures by Failure Pattern

Pattern 1: Overall Score Below 600

If your total score is below 600 points, it likely indicates a general lack of study. Increase your study time, and while referring to the Complete Plan to Pass in 1 Month, it's effective to increase the proportion of practice with past exam questions.

Pattern 2: Field Score Below 300

A lack of knowledge in a specific field is critical, so focus your study on your weak areas. If your Strategy field is lacking, study the Strategy Summary and SWOT, 3C, PEST. If Management is weak, study the Management Summary and PMBOK, WBS. If Technology is weak, study the Technology Summary, the OSI Reference Model, and TCP/IP.

Pattern 3: Failed by Just a Few Points

If you failed by just a few points, your study method is likely correct, but you need to increase the volume of study. Add 2-3 more rounds of past exam questions and use practice exams to strengthen your test-day feel.

Time Until Retaking

You can retake the exam as early as the next day, but a period of 2-4 weeks is recommended. This gives you time to reinforce your weak areas. If you wait more than six months, you risk forgetting what you've learned.

What NOT to Do After Failing

NG 1: Immediately Re-register and Use the Same Study Method

The same study method tends to produce the same results. First, carefully analyze your score report.

NG 2: Switch Your Textbook

Switching study materials mid-course can reset your progress. It's more efficient to continue using the same textbook and add more past exam questions.

NG 3: Give Up and Think "It's Impossible"

The 50% pass rate includes multiple-time test takers. Failing on your first attempt is normal, so there's no need to give up.

Checklist Before Retaking

Before retaking, confirm that you have identified your weak areas from the score report. Check if you can explain the terminology in your weak areas one by one, and whether you have achieved a 70% or higher correct answer rate on practice exams. Also, review the flow of the exam day in CBT Exam Day Procedure.

Real Examples: Turning Failure into Success

Case 1: 520 points → 720 points (2 months later)

The score report showed a Technology field score in the 200s, so the test taker focused on studying networking and databases. They also added 5 sets of practice exams. Two months later, their score rose from 520 to 720 points.

Case 2: 590 points → 650 points (3 weeks later)

This was a near-miss failure. The test taker did two additional rounds of past exam questions from one more year and achieved a passing score in a short-term sprint. Their score improved from 590 to 650 points.

Related Articles

For passing the exam, please also refer to related articles such as CBT Exam Day Procedure and What to Bring, IT Passport Exam Application Procedure, and Complete Plan to Pass in 1 Month.

Summary

Failing is something half of all test takers experience. By rethinking your strategy, passing is entirely possible. Identify your field-specific weaknesses from your score report, and use this site's Past Exam Questions List and Practice Exams to prepare thoroughly for your retake.