It took a little longer than expected, but after 45 days of waiting since the NFL Agent Exam on July 21, test-takers got their results today. For many, it was good news, and it’s always so much fun to join in their celebration, but for others, it wasn’t. It’s a crushing blow after so many aspiring agents pour their blood, sweat and tears into getting past that hurdle.

However, the good news (if you’ve only taken it once) is that you get another shot. I know that’s cold comfort, but it’s still true. At the same time, it’s hard to wait another year. For those people, I reached out to a few of our test-takers who got good news this year after bad news last year. Here’s what they told us about the year “off” and how to make sure the second try is better than the first.

• “Failing the first time was tough, but it gave me the chance to reset. I took the rest of that year to relax my brain and not stress over it. Knowing I could take the test again eased that ‘waiting’ pressure which made a huge difference. By January I was ready to dive back in with a clear head. Staying engaged with ITL and Having all the resources from last year ITL test prep, plus building on them with new material and Neil’s/ ITL support, was a game-changer allowing me to pass.”
• “I took the NFLPA exam last year and unfortunately did not pass after completing one review course. Later, I learned about the ITL Review Course, and Neil was confident that if I committed to the program and put in the work, I would succeed. I decided to trust him—and I’m so glad I did. The monthly Zoom calls and practice tests were absolutely key to my success. Neil and the ITL team were patient, encouraging, and went above and beyond—even holding Zoom calls right up to the day before the exam.”
• “The CBA is a complex system of rules that becomes easier to understand after you appreciate the high level framework. Understanding the nuances and complexities only comes after you have a firm, high-level understanding of what the system of rules is trying to accomplish. Unfortunately, I didn’t start to view the CBA this way until after I failed the first exam and took a step back to analyze what I may have missed in my initial preparation. After failing the exam, I studied every ITL video in my archives to understand the system at a high level. With knowledge of what it feels like to take the exam, I adjusted my preparation. . . On exam day, the execution was second nature and I was successful. There comes a point where you realize the CBA is your friend and organization is paramount.”
• “Stay organized early. Take notes by hand and review everyday. I put in two hours per day starting in May. Have a table of contents, but more importantly, understand the material and scenarios.”
• “By not passing on the first attempt, it brought me to an extreme low but I eventually gathered myself and repeatedly envisioned passing the exam. On my second review, I was able to really focus on the areas that I needed to improve on. Since my schedule was extremely busy by running a full-time solo law practice and being a father of a 4-year-old, 3-year-old, and 10-month old, I wasn’t able to dedicate myself to a full-time review over several months. In the month leading to the exam, I used Inside the League’s resources and paid close attention to Ian’s Zoom lectures. I also took much better notes during the NFLPA Seminar. Those changes made the difference in me passing.”
• “ITL’s study guide, practice tests, and prep sessions, along with the source materials, are all you need to pass — but do not underestimate the exam. I failed my first attempt, but did not lose hope, as I knew if I reserved enough time to prepare with the ITL materials provided, I had all of the tools necessary to pass. Sure enough, I passed on the second attempt — in large part due to ITL. Honestly, there is so much to digest when preparing for the exam, without ITL I wouldn’t have known where to begin. The guys were helpful in troubleshooting where I went wrong the first time and instrumental in my success.”

There’s plenty more to discuss when it comes to the NFL Agent Exam. If it’s something you’ve taken before, something you hope to take someday, or something you passed long ago (but that still intrigues you), read about all the particulars related to this year’s exam in today’s Friday Wrap, which comes out this evening. It’s free, and all the NFL insiders read it. Register for it here.