# Failed exams (used SM-2). Plan to retake in a year, but use FSRS. How to handle piled reviews?
**URL:** https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/failed-exams-used-sm-2-plan-to-retake-in-a-year-but-use-fsrs-how-to-handle-piled-reviews/55319
**Category:** FSRS
**Created:** [February 3, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/failed-exams-used-sm-2-plan-to-retake-in-a-year-but-use-fsrs-how-to-handle-piled-reviews/55319 "2025-02-03T20:56:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@CookieBox](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/CookieBox)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/failed-exams-used-sm-2-plan-to-retake-in-a-year-but-use-fsrs-how-to-handle-piled-reviews/55319/1 "2025-02-03T20:56:36Z")
Hello everyone
**Background:**
1. Studied a deck of about 1700 cards for “subject 1”, using the SM-2 based algorithm (the only thing I’ve ever touched is the number of new and review cards I could see per day)
2. Some days prior to the exams, followed the “Cram mode” (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7LA2ca-09U&t=21s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7LA2ca-09U&t=21s)), without rescheduling my cards based on my answers on that custom filtered deck
3. Had exams
4. Deleted the custom filtered deck I made during the “Cram mode”
5. For around 40 days, did not study at all while waiting for the exam results
6. Failed exams
7. Reviews have piled up
**Current plans:**
1. Retake exams in a year
2. Enrich existing deck for subject 1
3. Create and study 2 new decks for subjects 2 and 3
4. Really considering using FSRS due to higher retention/workload ratio
**Problem:**
Studying using SM-2, or even the attractive FSRS, might push due dates of reviews of cards answered correctly significantly far. On the other hand, I think “So be it. Trust the algorithm”.
In short, given that I can afford the time to study, I’m afraid significantly long due dates might deprive me of beneficial extra exposure, although I might use cram mode close to the examination date again.
How would you recommend to approach this situation, if you are looking to transition to FSRS? (I’ve attached a graph displaying my current thoughts)
Any insights are greatly appreciated! 🙂
TL;DR: Studied with SM-2. Had & failed exams. Aim to study & retake in 1 year. In need of recommendations regarding piled reviews and transition to FSRS
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### Author:  [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)
#### Post date: [March 5, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/failed-exams-used-sm-2-plan-to-retake-in-a-year-but-use-fsrs-how-to-handle-piled-reviews/55319/2 "2025-03-05T20:56:42Z")
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