Failed/Extremely Hard Exams

[columbia]

I've taken 15 and passed 15 so far. My two hardest exams were difficult because I didn't use the right resources.
My very first exam was clep principles of management. I ordered something from passbooks and they sent me a several decades old Regents College book. I signed up for IC's flashcards two days before the exam (I didn't know about the forum until a few months later). I went through my first set of cards and had a good scare as I figured out I was under prepared. I spent most of the day before the exam cramming down the first two sets of cards. I should have rescheduled the exam, but I had to reserve my original test time two weeks in advance and I wanted to move on. On test day my hands shook as I signed my check. I really worked that test over I almost decided to cancel my score, but I just had to know what it was. I got a 58. IC really covers the material well; you don't need a textbook for that test.
The other test I mis-prepared for was clep US history 2. I hardly looked at the flashcards. I studied up on the political, military, and inventors (I didn't get one of the recommended textbooks). The test had a lot of authors, philosophers, literary works, an artist, and even a question about some newspaper editors! (I know I've mentioned this elsewhere but I still can't get over it.) I still passed with a 58 (my lowest score).