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December 10, 2001

Pencil me in...

I am now the proud owner of a reserved seat at 11am on the 21st of Dec...to take the Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam.

Whew. That relieves some of the pressure. At least there's now a target date (and it's not tomorrow or the day after). And now I know I have a spot (and won't miss this opportunity). Now all I have to do is pass the test.

Please mark that date and time (Eastern) and send some love and light my way. It's a Friday (not this Friday but the next Friday). It's also a 4 hour test - so if you could send well wishes my way for the duration, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I'm already preparing my methods for maintaining a sugar high for those 4 hours. Lots of candy in the pockets. Breakfast before I leave for the test. BRING GUM. Last year I took a few 3 to 4 hour beta tests for the new CCNP exams. So I'm not worried...but I'm aware. I know that I'm going to be wanting a smoke *very* badly in the middle of the exam. By the end of the exam I'll be in full blown cig cravings. *mental note to self - bring gum*

Things I know from taking so many exams:
1. Read each question -- carefully
2. Prepare prepare prepare before the exam -- the more prepared you are and the better you know the material, the less time it takes to complete the test
3. Complete the test as quickly as possible -- do this by knowing the material and being sure about your answer so that you can finish before a) your confidence drops and you spend all your time second guessing yourself b) your blood sugar drops and you start getting confused or c) you get bored and your mind wanders.
4. Leave early for the testing site (and drive by the building days before the exam so you don't get lost) -- the pressure that getting lost could add to an already tense situation...well, it could get pretty ugly.
5. Practice with every and all practice questions available. The book comes with a CD, there are free questions online at various sites, and I have a book of sample questions. This does two things --> it gets you comfortable with answering questions and you will probably see something very similar on the test. Don't memorize the answers. Don't get "trained" by the questions. The test questions may be worded differently and may be asking the exact opposite of the question you were trained on... (see 1. above)
6. Use the scratch paper provided.
7. Wear comfortable clothes.
8. Bring gum.
9. Breathe.

(The last point taught to me by Tracy 8^P )

All in all, I'm feeling much more comfortable about the whole thing now that I know when, where and how. There's no more guessing...no more wondering. The only thing left is ....TO DO. [You either DO or DO NOT DO ... there is no try.]

Well, I'm off to study for a few hours. Don't wish me luck - wish me perseverance....

Posted by BlueWolf on December 10, 2001 05:05 PM