1.
The FACT that you have made it as far as
registering means you are likely to PASS
B. Practical Issues Before the Exam - Reducing Stress
1. Go to the test site ahead of time.
Time the trip so you know how long it will take to get there. Check out the
parking. Do you have to pay? Do you need change/tokens? Are you going by bus? If so, know the bus schedule.
2. Find out where the room is so you are
not wasting time on the day looking for it.
3. Sort out overnight accommodation if
you are not going to go home on the Friday night.
4. Clear your schedule for Friday
afternoon and all day Saturday. Make
sure somebody else is covering your chores/duties/childcare, etc.
5. Plan a “treat” event (shopping,
restaurant, etc.) that you will do immediately after the exam as a reward for
all your hard work.
6. Make a cheat-sheet of all the things
you are afraid you might forget (tips and tricks you have learned, definitions,
times tables, etc.) and study this sheet.
7. Get a good night’s sleep on the
Thursday night before the exam. Make sure you have arranged things so you will
get a good night’s sleep on the Friday night as well. Stay away from alcohol.
C. On Exam Day
1. Arrive at least ½ hour early so you
are not feeling rushed or panicked. Give yourself extra time on your journey to
handle things like detours, construction, accidents, etc.
2. Dress in layers and take a hat. MOST PLACES HAVE 2 TEMPERATURES - TOO HOT or TOO COLD. The
air conditioning might be cranked up or the heating might not be working
properly. Being uncomfortable will be a mjor distraction to you.
3. Do not eat a big meal before the
exam. This might make you sleepy. Instead, eat a small meal of energy foods
like pasta. Take along some energy bars or trail mix to snack on.
4. Sip on water to help you stay awake
and to keep you hydrated. No coffee is allowed in the exam room so keep your
supply outside in an insulated container. Caffeine can improve concentration in
some people.
5. If you prefer to sit in a particular
part of the room, ask to do so. Sitting at the back reduces the number of people around you who may distract you with coughing, paper shuffling, etc.
6. Study your cheat sheet until the last
moment.
D.The Friday Exam
1. Immediately write down everything you
can remember from your cheat sheet onto the blank paper that is given to you.
Take a deep breath and start the exam knowing that you will pass.
2. Look at your watch and determine when
your time will be half up. When you get to this time, make sure you have
completed at least half the questions. If you haven’t, you need to speed up. If you have completed more than half the questions, you can slow down a bit.
3. You will likely pass the GED exam if you use the
4-step method.
a) Scan the exam and complete the
questions that are the easiest. Skip over any questions that you don't know. Aim to do half the questions. If you answer each of these questions
correctly, you will already have passed.
b) Go back and go over the questions you
skipped. Chances are you may have suddenly remembered how to do a question or
another question will have triggered your memory. Continue to skip questions
that you don't know.
c) Look at each question you skipped. If
they are multiple choice, scratch off 3 of the 5 answers that you feel are
obviously wrong. Pick one of the two remaining answers. Chances are your first
guess will be right.
d) With any remaining questions, GUESS!
You have a 1 in 5 chance of being right, which is better than the 0 in 5 chance
you have by not answering.
4. Stay until the very end of every exam
section unless you are absolutely sure you have passed. Do not be pressured by
others who are leaving early. DO NOT be pressured by the examiner looking at
the clock, shuffling papers, etc., trying to hurry you up. Keep your head down
and stay focussed.
5. For the section with the Essay and
Grammar, write the essay first. You do not want to be thinking about how you
will write your essay while trying to complete the grammar multiple choice
questions.
E. After The Friday Night Exam
1. Go straight home or to where you are
going to stay the night. Do not discuss the exam questions with anyone. This
will only make you more worried.
2. Stay away from alcohol
3. Go straight to bed when you get home.
F. Saturday Morning
1. Get up early. Eat a decent breakfast.
2. Pack a healthy lunch. You do not want
to worry about having to look for a cafeteria, restaurant, etc. at lunch,
especially if you have to leave the site.
3. Arrive at least ½ hour early so you
are not feeling rushed or panicked. Give yourself extra time on your journey to
handle things like detours, construction, accidents, etc.
4. Dress in layers and take a hat.
G. The Saturday Exam
1. Keep sipping water and snacking on
energy bars throughout the morning.
2. Find a place to eat lunch by
yourself. If you sit with others, you will likely talk about the finished parts
of the exam and lose your focus. You cannot change your answers, so talking
about them will serve no purpose other than to worry you.
3. Follow the same advice for the Friday
night exam. Complete all questions using the 4 step method and use the entire
time period for each section.
H. After the Exam
1. Go on your treat activity and forget
about your exam.
