We all know it can be stressful to take an exam. For those of you like me that have been out of school for some time, it seems to be even more stressful because we haven’t had this experience in a while. To earn your CEBS®, GBA® or RPA designation, exams are in your future, but we’re here to help ease your anxiety.

Each exam purchased since January 2024 includes two exam attempts. If you do not pass your first attempt at the exam, there is a second one included in your exam’s original price. This new component is helpful to enable students to feel a sense of relief if and when they need to retake an exam along their journey.

Please read the information below carefully to ensure that you properly schedule/plan for completing the exam and are able to effectively utilize a second attempt if needed. A printable PDF of the second attempt details is available to print here.

Second attempts are not automatically enrolled on a student’s record. If a second attempt is needed, the student is required to follow the standard exam ordering process to select the appropriate testing window. If using the online order system, a $0 retake option will be available to select within two business days of the first attempt.

To schedule a second attempt in the current window, the order must be received at least 15 calendar days prior to the close of the testing window. (Please allow up to three business days for processing second exam attempt orders.) If an order is placed after this time frame, it will be processed for the next upcoming testing window.

 Important details regarding the second attempt:

1. The two attempts are only valid on the original exam purchased.
2. The second exam attempt must be taken in either the same testing window as the failed exam or in the next approaching window. The second attempt cannot be extended past the next approaching exam window.
3. To use the second testing attempt in the same window as the failed exam, you must submit your online order for the second attempt at least 15 calendar days prior to the close of the testing window.
4. If the exam is passed on the first attempt, the second attempt is no longer valid. The second attempt is nontransferable.
5. If the exam is not passed and both attempts are used, an exam retake may be purchased for further attempts.
6. Transferring the exam from the original testing window purchased would incur a transfer fee for the service.

Remember, we are here to help along the way as you work toward earning your designation. If you have questions on the second attempt details, please reach out to us at cebs@ifebp.org or 800-449-2327, option 3.