i DONT agree witht he "high performers/low performers" explanation of the pass rates. OBVIUOSLY biased and written by some smart a$$ who passed it the first time (yeh i know your kind . . right out of school . . . pass the test but STILL dont have a clue abou twhat youre doing on the job).
I suspect that it's impossible for you not take this exaplanantion personally. However, the fact remains that people who are familiar enough with the material and know how to breakdown the problems and obtain an answer faster (high performers) will have more success with the examionation than people who erquire more time to sort out the problem, identify the correct methodology, and then get an answer (lower performers). The test is as much an exercise in speed as it is in knowledge, otherwise there would be no time limitation. This in no way implies that people who don't pass are less "competent" per se but it does suggest that they aren't as quick to the correct solutions, which is the bar by which the exam is judged.
It is a difficult thing to improve efficiency as well as knowledge for the next test. Therefore, people who aren't successful on the first couple of tries, by definition, will need to work harder on succesive tries to pass. This is also evidenced by the ongoing trend among the state boards limiting the number of retries without demonstrating additional experience.
Each time the test is administered there are a certian amount of first timers, who again by definition, are more likely to be successsful whereas retesters typically will need to improve some as aspect responsible for thier previous unsuccesful attempt(s). This results in higher pass rates for first timers as compared to repeat testers.
Retesters certainly can and often do pass. The published pass rates are what they are.
i have come to the conclusion that the PE exam is A VERY ACCADEMIC exam . . . the closer you are to graduation the better you do.
I'll accept that for the FE, but in the case of the STR1 exam, I'm not aware of scholastic curriculum that will prepare you better than hands-on experience dealing with the design codes. I can't speak for other disciplines. Also you typically need 3 (with graduate degrees) to 5 ( with a BS) years experience before you can apply for the PE. I suspect that 5, or even 3 years out there's not a lot more retention of college classes than if you're 10+ years out. Of course, by then the codes have been updated, too.
My 0.02. Hang in there and best of luck on the next try.
