Jared, the best way to pass the CF is to work hard and study hard and show u on the test day over-prepared. Too many people look at the certification as something that is way out there and very difficult to obtain. I contend that the CF test is something that anyone practicing farriery professionally should be able to pass with little difficulty.
Written Exam:
Get in a habit of studying daily just as if you were preparing for a college exam; I recommend mainly two books for the CF: Butler's P2 or P3 and John Hickman's book called "Hickman's Farriery" second edition. Hickman's is an easy read that easy to understand and contains a lot of valuable info. And I'm sure you probably already have Butler's book and I will add that this is probably where most of the test questions will be taken directly from. Also there are some study guides out there that will help you understand the format of how the questions are going to be asked on the tests. These are great practice tests but do not depend on them as it is not enough to study them alone. I liked to use them in the following manner: look up each answer and find the correct answer, read the whole section of the book regarding that subject matter, look up all of the incorrect answers that were given in the sample question and know what they are and what questions could be asked about them. This method proved very helpful for me on both the CF and CJF. The main thing to understand is this is not a memorization exercise, but a learning exercise.
Shoe Display:
I would discourage the use of handmades on the CF shoe display for the fact that this opens up more things to be critiqued and judged. If you turn in handmades, every nail hole, fullering and just the forging and finish of the shoe will be judged as well. If you used kegs, nail placement and fullering isn't considered so long as you don't crush or otherwise mess up a nail hole.(with the exception of your one nail hole to be stamped outside the fullering) You do not have to buy the patterns, but if you have a hard time making your fronts look like fronts and your hinds look like hinds, they can be helpful as they are shaped more like "table shoes" but don't turn them in with your display. Page 11 of the guide says "While no specific patterns are designated or specified, candidates should work from pattern plates/ hooves. Candidates may use patterns of their own design or purchase a set of pattern plates from the AFA." the main thing is that all front or hind shoes have to be made to fit the same front or hind foot. Keep in mind that if you use a wedge pad, it will need to be fit full and beveled down to the shoe so a larger shoe will be needed, etc. Also keep in mind, you will be given 30 mins. at the test to repeat a modification and fit it to a pattern that they will provide. This is the reason I would recommend a keg shoe w/ an arc welded bar. You will have a chance to prove your forging skills on handmades in the CJF test, I would only do what is asked of me on the CF. I will save the modification justifications and uses for another night.
Shoeing practical:
The best advise I can offer on the practical is don't get carried away with your trim. Be conservative, but if a little needs to come off, take it off as it will hurt your A/P balance and your nailing. You have an hour to apply two keg shoes, this is more than enough time. If you fit clips everyday and are afraid the shoe might slip back when nailing w/o them, then put clips on them an burn em on. But if you're ok w/ nailing them on unclipped, then don't use up the time drawing clips b/c as I discussed on the shoe display, this opens you up for more to be judged such as the clip itself will be judged as well as the clip fit and if you draw an ugly clip, then you have to spend time rasping it into shape. As I said above, only do what is asked of you. Save your time for using a sanding block and getting a good fit and finish. When I took my CF I did everything just as I was doing in my everyday work, I hot fit him and had him nailed up with 10 mins left to sand and when I passed my CJF I had 9 mins. to sand and that was after burning up two shoes and having to start over. I'm not bragging, I'm trying to show you that they give you plenty of time if you develop a system. Know what order you are going to do everything in, know exactly at what point you will call for a judge on your trim and fit, know exactly how long it takes you to clinch two feet an finish them, know how long it take you to nail, know how long it takes you to trim,etc. clock yourself at work and use these times to develop your system.
I feel like I've written a book but the main thing to remember is this is a learning journey and if you apply yourself during this process and carry the habits over into your everyday routine of practicing and studying the amount of learning will astound you. But you can't stop when you pass a test, but rather let the test help you develop good study and practice habits that you carry throughout your career. Don't give up, not everyone passes the first time. Don't get worked up on test day, talk to the testers and journeyman candidates for pointers, they aren't out to get you and if you do what the book asks you to do EXACTLY, you WILL PASS. Best of luck to you and any one else out there.
If anyone is testing in Kentucky in 2 weeks, come hollar at me, I will be there. I have a friend that will be taking his Journeyman Shoeing Practical.