I finished training/IOE recently. It wasn't difficult, but it did require a good attitude, and work ethic. We did have some guys have issues. I know of one guy busting the type ride, and we had one guy get washed back for not being ready for CPT's.

My best advice is to study your butt off, ask your instructors questions and you'll be fine. I studied 4 hours or so a night when I was in training and I didn't get below a 96 on my tests. If you paid close attention in class, studied the home work, and did the reading the academics weren't too hard.

For CPT, Sims, and IOE. I utilized the CBT's on the company IBT website. If you wanna get a leg-up in between Appleton and the sim I would recommend practicing the acceptance checklist, flow, profiles with your sim partner a few times and starting to memorize the FCM limits, IAC, and mem items, with a review of the a/c systems to keep yourself sharp.

I found it thorough, but manageable with the right amount of study and work ethic.