Well done for passing with a high mark anyway. It's a very good achievement, especially that you did so well with the commentary part.
The F1rst was brought in, IMO, to encourage attainment of it and although I don't know the stats, from the F1rst register on the IAM website, I suspect that the numbers are still low (possibly even roughly the same as they always were) by comparison to those I assume are taking and passing the test. I'm one of those people for whom personal bests feature highly and if the result is an award, fine but awards are not my goal, if you see what I mean? I gained a F1RST and I'm currently aiming at RoSPA Gold but a very high Gold, because that's how I'm wired. It'll still be the same Gold as everyone else gets but for me to know that I did really well, especially in my hobby of driving, means a great deal to me and that, in turn, means as much to those who know me. But that's just me.
On the topic of badge collectors, some might consider me such a person because I always aim very high, even if I don't always succeed in gaining the highest of marks and this curiously reminded me of an anecdote; it just came to mind at 05:30am.
My wife's grandfather died aged 104 ish, a couple of years ago and while sorting through his personal effects, we found some certificates and medals. He used to work for Peugeot in France and had medals (it was customary for companies to award medals, watches and engraved carriage clocks for long or outstanding service) for 25, 40 and 50 years of service. He retired on the day of his 50th year at Peugeot aged 65 and he and his wife (died 105 a year later) spent the next 35 years or so travelling the world almost continually, both drawing good pensions and having a whale of a time. Medals. Not many people reach 50yrs with a company and a Bronze, Silver and 4" diameter gold medal (golden handshake) is something to behold. I wear his gold Omega watch almost daily. Now I'm not saying that he deliberately stayed at Peugeot for his entire working life for the sake of a medal and a watch but what I am saying, is that they were and still are worth more than their weights in gold. He also kept his Judo Shodan belt. He began Judo after he retired gained a black belt before he was 70 and practiced into his 80s. We were designed in the same way, to excel where possible, if this is to be considered as excelling.
So now that I drive with a cape and my underwear on the outside
I'm kept in check mentally by the F1rst I once obtained and the Gold I'm aiming for. One day, all of this may only matter to somebody else but right now, as anyone within Advanced Driving circles who has met me will tell you, it matters to me. This is not to say that other marks cause driving sloppiness, just that for me, I carry my 'medals' with pride and always seek to demonstrate the highest standards of driving I can muster at any given time, even if I don't always carry it off. The wife's grandfather was never arrogant, he didn't have such things on display and like you and I, he took a sincere interest in his hobbies. So although you may consider retaking and getting a F1rst to be fairly cosmetic, I think on a personal level, it could mean a lot to you, especially as Masters is in your future plans. That's fail, pass and distinction and because I aspire to be up there with some of the best drivers you'll meet on this forum, passing at IAM Masters is not an option for me (sorry folks, I'll be around for a while longer) though I don't consider others who don't have such grades as lesser mortals.
Enjoy driving well and because it's current for me, buy a copy of Reg Local's book 'advanced and performance driving' as its a refreshing change to Roadcraft.
All the best and I hope this made sense,
Kimosabe