Is the ServSafe Manager Exam Hard?

The food service industry is expected to reach $898 billion in sales in 2022 and is projected to create an additional 400,000 jobs by the end of the year. Many people who work in food service choose to take the ServSafe Manager exam. They may be the owner or manager of a food establishment, or they may be taking it to expand their employment opportunities.

Do you need to take the ServSafe Manager Exam? Are you wondering whether the ServSafe Manager exam is hard?

If so, you’ve come to the right place. Whatever your reason for taking the exam, it’s important to know what to expect to help you pass the test with confidence. To become certified, you must have the skills and knowledge to efficiently manage a food service operation.

Find out what might be difficult about the ServSafe Manager exam and discover the best ServSafe exam tips for success.

Is the ServSafe Manager Exam Difficult?

The first question people ask before taking the ServSafe Manager exam is how hard it is. This is a reasonable question given how difficult exams can be.

The answer? Yes, it is challenging. But don’t worry, most people pass.

The ServSafe Manager exam tests your knowledge of several categories of food safety in a commercial foodservice environment. They include:

• Foodborne Microorganisms and Allergens

• Purchasing, Receiving, and Storage

• Facilities, Cleaning/Sanitizing, and Pest Management

You will also be tested on Personal Hygiene, Preparation, Cooking, Serving, and Regulatory Authorities.

If you must complete this certification to work in a management position, you will also need to know and have the skills required for the Food Handler test. The ServSafe Manager exam builds upon the Food Handler test content. As a result, there is a lot of material to cover to pass the test successfully.

If you have not taken a previous food safety course, there is a higher chance that you will fail. However, studying early and dedicating enough time to learning the content will put you in good shape to pass the exam.

The ServSafe Manager exam has 90 questions, and you are graded on 80 of them. There are ten pilot questions for research purposes only. You have a limit of two hours to complete the multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 75% to pass.

The test is available online and in a written version for your convenience. A certified proctor must be present during testing regardless of how you take it.

If you fail the ServSafe Manager exam, don’t despair. While failing isn’t ideal, it certainly isn’t the end of the world. The worst part about failing is having to hit the brakes on your managerial career.

The good news is you only need to wait 24 hours before retaking the test. If you fail another time, don’t worry. You can take the test as many times as you need to pass.

The only rule? You can only take the test twice within 30 days. So, if you fail twice in that period, you’ll have to wait at least 60 days.

To avoid failing on multiple occasions, it’s essential to prepare for the exam. Take as many practice tests as you can to identify the areas you need to improve and those you have sufficient knowledge of.

How to Pass the ServSafe Manager Exam

To pass the ServSafe Manager exam, you need to score at least 75%. This means you must answer at least 60 questions right within a two-hour timeframe.

If you have completed the training course and studied the relevant materials, you should pass the exam. However, here are a few extra tips and tricks to help you pass the exam:

• Read materials and take notes

• Answer every single question on the exam

• Fill in the answer bubbles completely

• Check over your answers before submitting your exam

• Do not mark the bubbles with an “X” or “/”

• Study thoroughly

Even if your state does not require course completion before taking the ServSafe Manager exam, it pays to do it anyway. They cover the most recent up-to-date information and terms that may be new to you.

ServSafe Manager Exam Study Tips

Studying for the ServSafe exam is no walk in the park. The good news is it doesn’t have to be difficult either. With the right study tools, you can walk into your exam feeling confident and ready to succeed.

Here are some of the best ways to prepare for your ServSafe manager exam.

ServSafe Practice Test

Practice tests are the ultimate way to prep for an exam. Here are just some of the reasons why practice tests are crucial to your exam success:

• Improve your endurance

• Identify knowledge gaps

• Learn to pace your timing

• Overcome test anxiety

• Track your progress

• Retain information

• Cement knowledge

• Learn the quirks of the test

Union Test Prep’s Free ServSafe Manager Practice Test is designed to help you get the edge. The types of questions in the practice tests are similar to what you will see on the actual exam. You can also create a free profile to track and save your progress and scores. Like the actual exam, our practice test questions are multiple-choice. When you respond to the question, the correct answer will pop up and tell you whether you got it right or wrong. It will also explain the correct answer and provide you with a hint to help you on the next try.

ServSafe Flashcards

Flashcards are an excellent supplementary study material alongside practice tests. Here are just some of the reasons why flashcards are a fun way to retain material:

• Engages in active recall

• Enriches vocabulary

• Enhances creativity

• Stimulates memories

• Creates lasting connections to the material

• Promotes spaced learning

Union Test Prep’s Free Flashcards for the ServSafe Exam are a quick and easy way to study concepts and terminology. Whether you’re short on time or looking to add another study method to your exam prep, flashcards are for you.

When you think you have the correct answer, press the “flip” button and find the correct answer. We also briefly explain what makes this answer the right one.

The ServSafe Manager exam requires knowledge in almost all aspects of the foodservice industry. Our flashcards cover all the different sections of the ServSafe, including:

• Alcohol Service

• Allergens

• Cleaning and Sanitizing

• Facilities and Equipment

• Food Preparation

• Food Safety and Regulations

• Food Service

• Pest Management

The ability to have a broad understanding of the foodservice industry is an important requirement for passing the ServSafe Manager exam. Using our flashcards in tandem with practice tests will give you the best chance of passing the exam.

ServSafe Study Guide

Do you need a concise overview of the information you need to know to pass the ServSafe exam?

If the answer is yes, you need a ServSafe study guide. Our free study guide for the ServSafe Manager exam will give you the right information to simplify your study.

A study guide acts as a condensed textbook highlighting only the most essential concepts relevant to the exam. For example, our ServSafe Manager Study Guide is compiled of six pages that address advanced concepts you’ll need to know. They include:

• The Provision of Safe Food

• Food Contamination

• Safe Food Handling

• The Flow of Food Basics

• The Purchase, Receipt, and Storage of Food

• Food Preparation

• Food Service

• Systems of Food Safety Management

• Facility Safety and Pest Management

Our study guides will allow you to memorize key material and think critically about the main terms and concepts.

Other Study Tips

Apart from the above, there are many other exam preparation tips to help you successfully pass. Some study tips that you may not have considered yet include:

• Start study prep early

• Organize your study time wisely

• Eat a healthy diet

• Get plenty of sleep

• Vary your revision techniques

• Vary your study locations

• Take regular breaks

• Set study goals

• Ask for help

• Plan your exam day and sleep well

The night before your exam can be stressful. While you might want to spend more time cramming, it’s generally not worth it. Instead, focus on letting your mind rest and getting a good night’s sleep.

You will feel refreshed and nourished by morning and (hopefully) have a can-do attitude!

Are You Ready to Sit for the ServSafe Manager Exam?

In order to become certified under the ServSafe Manager exam, you must have the skills and knowledge necessary to manage a foodservice operation. The exam will help determine your ability to work unsupervised and expand your employment opportunities.

Once you have your certification, it will be good for five years. So, what’s stopping you?

Union Test Prep is here to help give you the edge. Our ServSafe free study materials are designed to help you pass your exam for free.

Want to go the extra mile? Take our customizable Cram Course to learn everything you need to know to pass the ServSafe.

Ready to take the next step in your food service career? Build a career you love and get started with our free study materials today!