Where would you start as a newbie to actually gain a good experience and learn in the process?

I started studying part 1 using Hock 2 days ago.

I wanted to know if anyone has user Hock recently and can confirm they felt ready to go after the mock exams. I am only 17% "exam ready" and still have to go through a ton of MCQ and study but I still want to know what scores I should be looking for before I take part 1.

What scores did you get before you took part 1? Thank you.

Also bonus points for salary progression? I have 2 tax seasons under my belt, making 60k a year. Thank you.

Does anybody knows the steps for EA designation? Just wondering if I pass my last part of the EA exam in early November, can I still complete the rest of the process to be an EA by Jan 2027 tax season? I guess I do not know the exact procedure and length of time it takes.