Following cuz I'm having the same issue!

I struggled with the learning curve there too. The higher ratios add more of an echoey/distorted quality to the sound. Longer tails to transients I think. It sounds almost bitcrushey sometimes
I didn't touch Compressionist for a while, spent a lot of time with Dr. Compressor, and then suddenly something clicked and I was able to go back and slay some revenge laps on Compressionist.
As long as you stick with it, you'll get there! (I've been stuck on the same level of Pan Man for a month... lol)

I really hate Pan Man as well haha! but in Pan Man you don't have to deal with concepts like in Compressionist. I know how the short and long attack sounds, how the short and long release sounds, but the ratio... it's my weak spot!
"The higher ratios add more of an echoey/distorted quality to the sound. Longer tails to transients I think. It sounds almost bitcrushey sometimes" <- I'm gonna pay attention to this.
Thank you!

A higher ratio means less dynamics, so when you have makeup gain the softer parts will be louder than with a lower ratio. You can listen for this by listening for a louder reverb tail etc.

You may also find this video helpful https://www.soundgym.co/learn/watch?id=VPSjiJsQkm

I'm somebody who's pretty new myself but slowly improving at this one, so take this for what it's worth. What I started listening for to clear compressionist was which choice sounded "flatter." I put it in quotes because it's hard to convey in writing, but it just feels less punchy, or less sharp in a way which is sometimes unpleasant. It's also literally flatter (less "dynamic range") but that's not something you need to know to do well on that training.

pay attention to the low frequency, you should get a subwoofer it help alot

watch out for the perceived level of the snare drum, how much it'''s stuck out. If the options presented are similar in that respect, then check for the cymbals: in a compressed signal they sound louder. Saves me every time :)

to me the higher the ration, the more "paper" sound the snare will have..

Thank you all guys for your tips!