diff --git a/scripts/autoload/exam_simulation_service.gd b/scripts/autoload/exam_simulation_service.gd
index ebb22e3..0bffa07 100644
--- a/scripts/autoload/exam_simulation_service.gd
+++ b/scripts/autoload/exam_simulation_service.gd
@@ -132,7 +132,13 @@ func _on_request_completed(result: int, response_code: int, _headers: PackedStri
 	is_loading = false
 	call_deferred("_process_request_queue")
 	if result != HTTPRequest.RESULT_SUCCESS or response_code < 200 or response_code >= 300:
-		request_failed.emit("Simulation request failed with status %d." % response_code)
+		var server_message := body.get_string_from_utf8().strip_edges()
+		if server_message.length() > 240:
+			server_message = server_message.left(240)
+		var message := "Simulation request failed with status %d." % response_code
+		if not server_message.is_empty():
+			message = "%s %s" % [message, server_message]
+		request_failed.emit(message)
 		return
 	if response_code == 204:
 		if action == "active" or action == "abandon":
diff --git a/scripts/ui/simulation_break.gd b/scripts/ui/simulation_break.gd
index fc3a43f..a89393a 100644
--- a/scripts/ui/simulation_break.gd
+++ b/scripts/ui/simulation_break.gd
@@ -72,10 +72,10 @@ func _refresh() -> void:
 	var break_seconds := int(ExamSimulationService.simulation.get("breakSecondsRemaining", 3300))
 	if block < 0:
 		title.text = "Foundations of Independent Practice"
-		detail.text = "232 questions across 12 timed blocks. Results and explanations remain hidden until the simulation is complete. Estimated break pool: %d minutes." % int(break_seconds / 60)
+		detail.text = "232 questions across 12 timed blocks. Results and explanations remain hidden until the simulation is complete. Estimated break pool: %d minutes." % int(break_seconds / 60.0)
 	else:
 		title.text = "Block %d complete" % (block + 1)
-		detail.text = "%d of 12 blocks complete. Your progress is saved. Break pool: approximately %d minutes." % [block + 1, int(break_seconds / 60)]
+		detail.text = "%d of 12 blocks complete. Your progress is saved. Break pool: approximately %d minutes." % [block + 1, int(break_seconds / 60.0)]
 	start_button.text = "Start Block %d" % (block + 2)
 	start_button.disabled = ExamSimulationService.is_loading
 	abandon_button.text = "Confirm abandon" if abandon_armed else "Abandon simulation"
diff --git a/scripts/ui/study_selector.gd b/scripts/ui/study_selector.gd
index 082bb37..e5a1483 100644
--- a/scripts/ui/study_selector.gd
+++ b/scripts/ui/study_selector.gd
@@ -260,6 +260,7 @@ func _select_simulation() -> void:
 func _preview_simulation_results() -> void:
 	pending_simulation_launch = true
 	simulation_preview_link.disabled = true
+	simulation_status_label.text = "Generating simulated exam results..."
 	ExamSimulationService.load_results_preview()
 
 
@@ -294,11 +295,11 @@ func _launch_simulation_block() -> void:
 
 func _on_simulation_failed(message: String) -> void:
 	pending_simulation_launch = false
+	_refresh_simulation_state()
 	if simulation_preview_link != null:
 		simulation_preview_link.disabled = false
 	if simulation_status_label != null:
 		simulation_status_label.text = message
-	_refresh_simulation_state()
 
 
 func _refresh_simulation_state() -> void:
@@ -330,7 +331,7 @@ func _refresh_bank_state() -> void:
 	elif state == "failed":
 		bank_status_label.text = "The question bank could not be loaded."
 	else:
-		bank_status_label.text = "Question bank will load when selected."
+		bank_status_label.text = ""
 
 
 func _start_question_bank() -> void: