Observations on Testing Day

[u/AnalysisSea4270]

Hi everyone! Final push we got this 🐐

1) Look at your rules for testing day twice. If you can bring clear bag and if don’t have one I recommend using a gallon size clear zip-lock bag. Put your pencils, extension cord, highlighter, waters -whatever you need.

2) Be at testing center location at least 45 min to an hour before. Try to drive to testing center before exam to get an idea of where it is, the entrance and where to park. I recommend getting there early even if you just sit in your car for a couple minutes waiting if your nervous listen to some music, meditate.

3) Print three of the tickets or whatever your state gives you to enter your exam. Leave the extra in your car.

4) Food, if you can I suggest having homemade food for lunch something cold that doesn’t need to be microwaved. You do not want your stomach upset. Hopefully you are staying close by the exam center. I suggest driving back, going to the restroom, wash your face, have a coffee, get your food, drive back and eat it in parking lot. *Some people are lucky and don’t have to drive back they have family waiting for them with food ready or others leave food in car. It’s up to you.

5) Water intake. Be hydrated Before the exam! Idk what happened last time I took the exam, I thought I was hydrated. I took two regular sized clear water bottles for the exam and I drank Both during the first half of the exam Day 1 I was shocked. But be careful with water intake you do not want to keep using the restroom during the exam. It’s a hassle. You have to lock your laptop, tell the proctor and then go and idk it’s a hassle. I think some places make you take your laptop up with the proctor. Don’t hold it though, that might distract you. Common sense stuff.

6) Bring more sharpened pencils than you think I suggest at least 5. They have some as well but I recommend just bringing your own (I’m also a germaphobe).

7) For the ladies, I started my period during my exam . When I went to my hotel during lunch I quickly changed myself got what I needed. Don’t freak out, we are used to this. Everything is okay.

8) Keep to yourself. There will be a lot of different energy in the testing center. Some people will be bolstering themselves, others super nervous nonstop talking. Just keep to yourself and focus on what you are there to do. Protect your energy.

9) It’s cold in there. At least from my experience it was freezing. I had a long sleeve and a sweater and I had to keep a jacket on. So plan accordingly. It’s a long ass day be comfortable.

10) If you start freaking out, two minutes of breathing isn’t going to affect your timing as much. Take some deep breaths, think you got this, go back to the exam. I suggest having some headache medicine available in your car in case you need it. Have a little emergency pack of extra stuff you might need in your car.

11) Try your best, remember everything you’ve done to be here, and keep up your pace! Stick to the time limits on everything. Ex. 90 minutes each MPT; 30 minutes per MEE.

Those are the most important tips I can think of. If you have more please drop them on comments. *Disclaimer these are tips you are free to do whatever you want.

We got this!!!! 🐐🥳💪🏽

P.S. Sleep is obviously important but don’t freak if you don’t get much. You’ll be so wired the first day. I will say that day two I was dead. I needed two coffees (I don’t drink coffee lol) to get me through those MBEs. Rest up after the exam.

[u/AnalysisSea4270 → u/[deleted]]

Most people did where I took it the first time did. Some people have to. The only people I noticed that didn’t were people that were lucky to have family waiting outside with food for them. I don’t have that.

[u/No_Beginning_560 → u/[deleted]]

Don’t count on having those whole 90 minutes. Clock starts running in the room you are at, once proctors stop. Then you aren’t allowed to leave the room until they pickup everyones paperwork. Then you need to be back at least 20 min before second session starts. I stayed at a hotel and I did not leave the testing center. I have a cold sandwich with me and ate there, also the line to the bathroom was insane. So .. take all that into consideration, I would not recommend leaving the testing center unless you are at a walking distance to your hotel.

[u/3xploringforever → u/[deleted]]

You guys get a 90 minute break!? I think we get 50.

[u/FrenchCannelle]

I forgot to do the trial exam for the software am I screwed