I stink at tests; taking them that is, not giving them. I am pretty great at giving tests. But really, what teacher isn’t? ☺ Which is why I always get so nervous when I have to take an exam.
I am a licensed teacher in two states; and to become so I have taken a total of thirteen (yes, 13) tests. This past June, on June 13th actually, I took test thirteen. And I was terrified.
It isn’t that I don’t feel comfortable with the material – quite the opposite I am very familiar with it; that being ESL, English as a Second Language. I taught ESL in two different states actually. Furthermore, I really enjoy the topic, the students that I get to help, and what it means to be an ESL teacher.
But that didn’t stop me from being completely petrified to take this exam. And really, it was probably the scariest of all the tests I’ve had to take.
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As a teacher, and a tutor, I have not only assisted my students (children and adults) in preparing for exams, I have taken classes on how to best help my students learn about their topics, as well as, give them studying and test taking strategies. Yet, when it came to applying those same strategies and techniques to my own study habits – I faltered in the beginning.
For the first two months that I knew I was taking this test, I didn’t study at all. The next month, I pulled out all of my old notebooks, teaching manuals, and graduate school textbooks. I glanced at them, chuckled at passages that reminded me of what I had taught. Then, two months before the exam I finally looked up online the requirements of the test – and I became very scared. “Auxiliary Verbs? Labial Consonant Blends? What is the significance of the Lau verdict?” Umm…what? I freaked out. I panicked. I had no idea what these terms meant and what their meaning was as it related to ESL.
Luckily, I had just finished tutoring an adult student on an exam. By reevaluating the study techniques I gave them, I realized what steps I needed to take to ensure I was to (hopefully) be successful on my exam.
For the remaining six weeks, I studied a bit each day, reviewed key philosophies, and went over important dates and individuals. In short, I did the work that I would have assigned to one of my students in order to assist them in being a successful test taker.
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A month ago, I took my exam. And today I received the results. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement. In fact, I was so concerned about the outcome of this exam I barely told anyone that I took it.
I am thrilled to say – I PASSED! (Can I get a WooHoo??)
For me, taking this test was a reevaluation and reaffirmation of why I am in teaching. In the past, I would tell my students about my fear of exams, things that I would do to help me feel more confident; but now, I have fresh memories and experiences available to me. Ones that will allow me to grow as an educator and an entrepreneur.
Plus – it’s always better to tell people about tests you’ve taken once you’ve passed!!!
