Managing the Test

Here are a few tips for test day:

1.  Get a good night’s rest before the exam.  Cramming will only create anxiety.
2.  Practice the timed exams here, aiming to do the earlier questions faster than the later ones.
3.  Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the exam time.  This will avoid additional anxiety if there are unexpected delays on the way to the exam office.
4.   Avoid a fatty breakfast.  But, carbs and fruits can help fuel the brain.
5.   Use the washroom before the exam.  Added “pressure” won’t help you on the exam.
6.   Remember to bring identification.
7.   The grammar exam is generally in three sections but you won’t notice the split.  The first 20 questions are generally the easier ones to get you warmed up followed by 20 intermediate, and 20 difficult.  There are 5 questions that are test questions for future tests but you won’t know which ones those are.
8.   For find the error type questions, do a quick look at the potential errors before reading the question.  For easier or more familiar errors you may find them straight away without having to read the question.  This will save time for the harder questions.
9.  For fill in the blank grammar questions, look at the answers and check for verb errors first.  This includes ensuring the verb is conjugated to the correct subject, it is matched (if needed) with plural and/or feminine, and it isn’t a word that sounds like the verb but is spelled differently (e.g., toux, tu, tous).

Here is a helpful video on managing test anxiety from a combat medic and doctor.