The DE I took my initial CFI with in the DC area had a 85% fail rate.

Ima dumb as a box of bricks and I passeded on the firstest try. yupyup.

You dont have to know everything. Know where to find the answer quickly when you look things up.

For god's sake, we shouldnt have to say this again.... but know the PTS cold.

I failed mine the first time. Had what might have been the worst power off 180 I've ever done. I turned base, knew I was going to be short, told him, evaluated myself talking about what known errors I just exhibited. Asked if I could have another (whole flight went great otherwise) and still got the slip.

Didn't stop me from getting an airline job. Learning experience, humbling experience, blah blah blah.