Janos:
Used to be a rite of passage for an o/d, and I know plenty, myself included, who studied whilst in work and at home, and then sat the exam at a local college. It is not that big a deal.
I’m going to make an assumption here, “used to be a right of passage” I’m guessing you and your peers took the exam over ten years ago.
Everyone I had spoken to on the lead up to my exams said the same thing “I wouldn’t pass that exam now, it’s Change a lot. It’s all red tape and regulations, I’m glad I did it back in the day”
Like I say I’m only assuming, but maybe it wasn’t a big deal because back then more than just 46% of candidates passed, because back then there was half the amount of crap to learn.
In my humble opinion of course, I’m sure I’ll get verbally battered by the oldies.