By: Beverly Thomassian with excerpt from, Healing through Connection.
Pushing through Defeat
We have all struggled with feelings of discouragement or self-doubt when we aren’t able to achieve our goals. Many people feel defeated when they don’t pass their CDCES Exam – but I encourage you to stand with your disappointment and keep moving forward! This IS a really tough exam and over 30% of really smart and successful healthcare professionals, just like YOU, don’t pass the exam on their first try. If you are in this boat, be reassured that you CAN pass this exam by making a few adjustments to your approach!
Over the past twenty years, I counseled and encouraged dozens of disheartened healthcare professionals who did not successfully pass the CDCES exam to keep trying! There have been plenty of tears and insights during these coaching sessions – for both me and the discouraged HCP on the other end of the line. As we explore the test-taking experience and its results, a recurring discovery emerges.
The majority of test-takers hold the answers to the questions inside them, but there are consistent barriers that block the best answer from taking center stage.
These common barriers are often linked to fear sprinkled with a little bit of self-doubt.
6 Top Barriers to Passing the CDCES Exam.
- Lack of tools to wrestle down test anxiety.
- Ignoring the “little voice” within.
- Adding in extra words to the test questions.
- Being lured in by “juicy answers”
- Needing more test-taking practice
- Lack of familiarity with ADA Standards of Care
You will notice that the first four barriers have nothing to do with knowing the content, memorizing the medication names, or knowing common carb portions. It has to do with our critical internal dialogue and difficulty believing in our abilities and knowledge- which I completely understand! I have been there! (see excerpt from Chapter 3 below.)
So You Didn’t Pass the CDCES Exam? Good News – We are Here to Help!
Not passing the CDCES exam can feel disheartening—but you are not alone. Over 30% of healthcare professionals don’t pass their CDCES on their first try.
Plus, this one setback doesn’t define your potential or your ability to succeed.
Join Coach Bev on August 26th for this free, supportive webinar designed to help you regroup, refocus, and reignite your confidence. Bev will share practical tips, common pitfalls, and an action plan to boost your readiness for next time. With over 25 years of experience training thousands of diabetes care professionals, Coach Bev believes in your ability to pass—and she’s here to walk with you every step of the way. Let’s turn this setback into a powerful comeback. You’ve got this!
Topics covered include:
• Strategies to address test anxiety.
• Tips to experience exam success.
• Review of study tips and test-taking practice questions.
We will review the examination process, sample test questions, and the reasoning behind choosing the BEST answers. We believe in your success!
Excerpt from CHAPTER 3 – Looking Fear in the Face
“Bravery is acknowledging your fear and doing it anyway.”
– Cheryl Strayed
Everyone has moments of self-doubt, especially when you are
expected to be the expert with a quickly accessible best response. It’s
natural to second-guess yourself when put on the spot, wondering if
you’re offering the correct information or making the best choice.
But deep down, beneath the layers of self-doubt, I encourage you
to tap into that quiet but unwavering belief that you will figure out
what it will take to succeed. This inner assurance reminds you that,
even in unfamiliar territory, you have the capacity to learn, adapt, and
grow. This is an important consideration: confidence doesn’t always
come from knowing everything at the outset but from trusting your
ability to acquire the skills and knowledge needed along the way.
I needed to learn that lesson the hard way by looking my fear in the face.
A strange combination of fear and courage defined my midtwenties to early thirties. In this decade, fear of failure became my constant companion and greatest motivator. Since childhood, the fear of not being good enough had shadowed me, urging me to push harder, do better, and keep proving that I was worthy of love. This fear had a particular benefit—the more doubt whispered into my ear, the more it fueled my fierce determination to prove it wrong.
This complicated relationship with fear has, at times, held me in its grip, inflicting me with intense feelings of self-doubt. Yet, paradoxically, it has also propelled me toward achievements I never thought possible. My own experiences with self-doubt and fear have sharpened my ability to recognize it in others when providing care. This recognition creates a powerful connection and allows me to hold space for their fear while reflecting back my belief in their
strength and resilience.
This chapter is a tribute to everyone who’s ever felt held back by
fear or the sting of past failures.
It’s for those moments when selfdoubt whispered that you weren’t ready or good enough, and that voice stopped you from going after that dream job, taking that certification exam, asking for the raise you deserved, or daring to do something bold to improve patient care. You’ll learn how you can reframe those feelings as fuel for growth. Through shared stories and insights, you will start to see fear not as a barrier but as a steppingstone toward greater resilience, courage, and fulfillment.
🎉 Register Today: DiabetesEd Live Conference – San Diego!
October 22–23, 2025 | 🌴 San Diego, CA
Get ready for two days of expert-led, info-packed learning at our in-person DiabetesEd Live Seminar! Whether you’re preparing for your certification exam or looking to sharpen your clinical skills, this intensive event is designed to give you the tools, confidence, and knowledge you need.
💡Ideal for exam prep and clinical refresh
💡 Interactive sessions with real-world applications
💡Network with peers and diabetes care experts
📅 Mark your calendar — October 22–23
📍 San Diego – beautiful location, powerful learning!
Exciting News! Newly Expanded Accreditation
Diabetes Education Services has teamed up with Partners for Advancing Clinical Education (Partners) to expand our accreditation offerings.
You can now earn CE credit for the Live San Diego Conference through the following accrediting bodies:
- AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- ACPE
- ANCC
- CDR
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