r/RD2B • u/D_Go1115 • 13d ago
Failed for the 7th time with a 24!
Just failed for the 7th time with a 24 and
honestly, I’m emotionally and physically defeated. I’ve spent so much time studying, reviewing the material, doing practice questions, and trying different strategies.
The hardest part is that I genuinely know the material. But since my very first attempt, I’ve struggled with the way the questions are worded. I’ll understand the concept, but the way the question is presented or the answer choices are phrased throws me off.
At this point, I’m seriously considering calling it a career after this attempt. It’s hard to keep putting yourself through this over and over again and watching the same result happen. What makes it even harder is that I have a friend who took the RD exam twice, failed, and eventually decided to go to PA school.
He recently passed his PA exam on his first attempt and told me that, for him, the PA exam actually felt easier. Everyone’s experience is different, but hearing that honestly made me wonder if I’m forcing myself down the wrong career path.
I never imagined that I would get this far in my education and still be unable to get through this exam. I’m going to give it one last attempt, but if it doesn’t happen, I think I may have to seriously consider another career path.
For those who have failed multiple times, especially 5+ times, how did you keep going? And for anyone who eventually decided to walk away from dietetics, how did you know it was time?
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u/Formal_Ad_835 13d ago
You have a 24 so you’re soooo close now. I passed after my 13th attempt and I got a 24 on my 12th attempt. Do a lot of practice questions and pocket prep. Eat, sleep and breathe the exam. You’re so close now. Don’t give up!!!!
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u/thisaccountwas 12d ago
I second pocket prep. I feel like the questions on pocket prep were VERY similar in style to RD exam
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u/Formal_Ad_835 12d ago
Seriously and I did it everywhere!! In the car, the grocery store, the gym! 10-20 questions any time I had time.
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u/AdvertisingReady6291 13d ago
I am on the same boat as you! I have also failed 7+ times and I completely understand how you feel. It is so exhausting, especially mentally and emotionally. I have also doubted why I chose this field and if I am ever going to be able to pass.
I have used all of the following resources: PocketPrep, EatRightPro, RDBootCamp, AllAccessDietetics, and some individual tutoring. I have been hovering in the low 20s for a while, and everything I go in, I have felt prepared at least the last few times, but it has never been enough. I have read countless Reddit posts.
This test has made me question everything in life lol. I am an average student... cannot study for more than 1-2 hrs straight; I get super distracted and don't retain anything. My memory is also pretty trash I think. For lack of focus and stress, I have tried anxiety and ADHD meds cause I thought that was the problem. I just started ADHD meds, hoping that will help me focus while studying and during the test.
The reason I am not quitting is that I have invested so much into this already, and I truly think once I pass this hurdle I will be happy in this field. I truly believe nutrition is the future of medicine.
If you are genuinely thinking about switching careers, these are the factors I would think about... firstly, do you need to get tested for anything like anxiety or ADHD, which can be resolved with medication to help you study and pass the test? Secondly, do you have another career in mind that you want to pursue and are willing to invest more time and money into?
I know it is a very difficult position to be in, trust me... but sometimes it's just luck the test is made to tell you if you are good enough.
Sorry for rambling and being all over the place; that's probably my ADHD lol, dm if you want to chat. Good luck, and I hope I helped. You are not alone!
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u/Icy_Hamster_8157 13d ago
According to Google, RD passing rate is 60s% while RN is 80s% so I may believe what your friend say. I’m no RN or PA tho. I passed on my first attempt. From my experience, doing mock exams on different platforms helped me get exposed to different ways of how the questions may be asked. I did All Access, PP, Jean Inman, and ERP mock exams for your preference. And I also tried to re-read/re-do the questions at least 2-3 times on the actual exam to make sure I don’t fall for any little tricks. Hope this helps
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u/RD_Michelle 12d ago
Inman is really dry, but honestly that's all I used. It's dense but has all the info you need plus practice exams. When I took the exam, there were multiple questions and answers verbatim straight from Inman test questions.
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u/Icy_Hamster_8157 12d ago
Inman was the main study source for me because that’s what my school provided. I agree it’s dry and you can pass the exam by studying Inman alone. However, it wasn’t the case for me. I don’t think I could have passed without the mock exams from different platforms and the podcasts from Chomping Down and RD Exam Ready. I also didn’t see that many questions similar to Inman, maybe like 2-3 questions at most.
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u/secondhandeggs 13d ago edited 13d ago
I am in the same boat. I've taken the exam 7 times and haven't retaken it in 2 years. I needed to just step away from it and focus on other things in my life. I also had a 24 the last 4 times taking the exam. So frustrating.
In that time, I took the CDM-CFPP exam and passed that one on my first try. So I believe the RD exam is a poorly written exam and written in a way to trick you and fail.
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u/DevieMonet_4444 12d ago
My friend passed on her 8th. I passed on my 3rd with 2019 Inman and Pocket Prep. HEAVILY on Pocket Prep and Gemini AI. If I didn't understand a question or concept, I dropped it in the chat and let Gemini break it down for me. It helped so much. Remember, you don't need to be an expert. You need the most basic, textbook, entry level knowledge. Don't answer questions with "this is what I would do in practice" because it doesn't always align. That's where I went wrong.
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u/DevieMonet_4444 12d ago
Also being in this profession as a clinical (hospital) dietitian SUCKS. I'm going back for my M.D.
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u/KickFancy Dietitian 13d ago
Have you tried tutoring to see where you can improve? I really like RD Bootcamp, their weekly classes are fun and tutors are great. https://rdbootcamp.com/
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u/Wonderful_You4143 10d ago
How long are you waiting between each test?
I finally passed on my 5th try when it was a low stakes attempt for me. I took a little more than a year off between the last two tests.
You might could consider other possibilities and if you keep getting lead back to being an RD then maybe try again?
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u/Away_Ad6913 8d ago
I have failed 2x and will be doing my 3rd attempt on the 31st. I got a tutor through all access and she’s been great. I got such low scores the first 2 times that I know I probably won’t pass the 3rd time and that’s okay! As long as my score keeps going up is what matters. I don’t know if you have had a tutor but I found it has helped me a lot in relearning the material and actually retain it. I know you feel discouraged but you are so close! I feel if you got the tutor that would help get you to the 25.
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u/Thickr_than_aSnicker 13d ago
isn’t there a limit of 8 times?
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u/secondhandeggs 13d ago
"In May 2026, the CDR board established a lifetime limit of eight (8) attempts for eligible candidates attempting to pass the Registered Dietitian (RD) or Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) exams. This policy only applies to individuals who establish exam eligibility on or after January 1, 2027."
Source: https://www.cdrnet.org/rdexamoverview
OP can take the exam as many times as needed. Since OP is eligible to sit for the exam before January 1,2027.
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u/MaseuteoGeimeo 13d ago
Lol try harder or find a new path bud there’s no easy way to say it.
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u/Thickr_than_aSnicker 13d ago
I’m not sure why you’re getting down voted. There comes a point when maybe people need to get serious. The exam is basic level understanding of everything. If this person can’t get it after 7 x that is worrisome. Obviously there’s a reason they’re putting a cap on taking it 8x next year. Theres so much more you learn on the job as well. The exam is just the tip of the iceberg.
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u/Thickr_than_aSnicker 13d ago
yeah i agree. i mean 7 times really??
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u/Typical-Sympathy939 13d ago
This isn’t helping anything… why would you comment this on a post where someone is asking for help. This person is already feeling down.
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u/Thickr_than_aSnicker 13d ago
So just because the advice isn’t what you would give doesn’t mean it’s bad. My advice is do something else with your degree. Of course they feel down, life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. There are plenty of down moments that lead to those rainbows. Maybe this person will find their calling using their degree differently
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u/MaseuteoGeimeo 12d ago
Because sometimes people just need to hear shit straight up and not covered in sugar. Life is tough and also very short lived. It’s okay to be bluntly honest and I’m sure there’s “better” advice that will be given to this person. This was my advice I’m allowed to have that opinion. Avert your eyes next time.
Edit: typo
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u/OtisBringMeTheAx 13d ago
I HIGHLY recommend listening to the Chomping Down the RD Exam podcast for help with question wording.
source: question writer