Inconvenient Annoyances

My test centre was a “start and finish anytime” with loads of people taking different tests.  It was very distracting.  I found it really important to review everything as there was a lot of background noise.  And I was 10 days away from having a baby.  I was easily distractable. 

Wow, I don't think I could have done that.  My centre processed us in groups.  Everyone went in at the same time and started the exam at the same time.  When you finished, you went into an adjoining room to allow everyone left to finish their exam at their own pace, and in silence.  You waited in the next room until everyone finished, then they handed all of us our results.  We all left, and the next group started.

Mine was like KF's, only there were far more empty seats than taken ones.  There was one other test-taker who who was already in the computer room when I went in, and he finished before I finished mine, and another guy was checking in as I was being brought into the computer room who was brought in while I was doing mine.

After I finished my test, I sat down in the check-in/out room for a bit with the guy who'd already been there and finished his test before me.  That guy was called to the desk and given his result (which he didn't understand, from the looks of his blank-stare demeanor), and he left.  Then I was called to the desk and given my pass letter and I left.  The person who checked in right before I started my test didn't come out of the testing room before I left.

Wow, I don't think I could have done that.  My centre processed us in groups.  Everyone went in at the same time and started the exam at the same time.  When you finished, you went into an adjoining room to allow everyone left to finish their exam at their own pace, and in silence.  You waited in the next room until everyone finished, then they handed all of us our results.  We all left, and the next group started.

And 10 days from a baby?!  You deserve a medal.  I don't have personal experience, but I heard baby-brain can be a killer!

The lady doing the checking in and results laughed with me.  As I was all, “okay, I’m going to pee now.  Then can I immediately start the test because I’m going to need to pee again?” 

I knew from my first that I wanted to get it done BEFORE baby.  And I’m so glad I did.  I was not graced with a sleeper.

My IA... Friend gave me vegan chocolate chips to try, nothing that I should be allergic to in the ingredients. Natural flavors strike again *sigh* thank goodness for benadryl!

Thanks for all the tips and re-assurance   Doing some more practise quizzes as we speak (and might try to do one or two again in the morning before heading out...do you think that'lll be too much???)

Yes, this.

I was also careful and deliberate with my Life in the UK test.  I have always been a careful and deliberate test taker, to be honest. Standardised tests in school, SATs, etc, the last one to turn in it. That's okay with me.
If it makes you feel any better, I was stressing over the Life in the UK test too. I was much more worried about the Life in the UK test than I was for the Certified Quality Engineer exam, which was 5 hours of calculations and statistics.

Out of curiosity, how did you feel when you actually got in there and started doing the test? Did you feel relieved? Like it wasn't as tough as you thought? Or was it more like you were nervous until you got your results? I don't usually get nervous and I'm good at blagging my way through things typically....but I am more nervous for this (even though with £50 I can take it again and again) than I am for any other thing I've done in my life...I'm so worried they'll find something wrong I didn't even spot and not even let me sit the exam! And if I make it that far, I'm so nervous I'll just go blank and forget everything or jumble up all the facts that I definitely KNOW in my head!

Once you're in there, did you feel any calmer/more relaxed??

Maybe I'm extra nervous because I know it took me 3 times to pass my driving theory test and it's just made me extra nervous about testing now? That was the first test I had to take in YEARS so it didn't help my confidence lol

My IA... Friend gave me vegan chocolate chips to try, nothing that I should be allergic to in the ingredients. Natural flavors strike again *sigh* thank goodness for benadryl!

That's sucky I'm sorry

Thanks for all the tips and re-assurance   Doing some more practise quizzes as we speak (and might try to do one or two again in the morning before heading out...do you think that'lll be too much???)

With most things, if you haven't learned enough by the night of the test more studying won't help much and can add to the stress. If you think you will be able to remember more random British facts by taking more tests then by all means do it, but be realistic because getting a good night of sleep will help more!

If you struggle this time and have any diagnosed learning challenges you may be able to ask for accommodation on the next test, to have someone read the questions so you don't flip the answers by your reading etc. But I think if you are just slow and careful you will be OK!

With most things, if you haven't learned enough by the night of the test more studying won't help much and can add to the stress. If you think you will be able to remember more random British facts by taking more tests then by all means do it, but be realistic because getting a good night of sleep will help more!

If you struggle this time and have any diagnosed learning challenges you may be able to ask for accommodation on the next test, to have someone read the questions so you don't flip the answers by your reading etc. But I think if you are just slow and careful you will be OK!

Nothing diagnosed so don't qualify for any additional assistance. I will just have to make sure I force myself to take my time and read. then re-read. then re-read again.

I just hate sports questions and government questions. They make me just want to crawl into a hole.

Out of curiosity, how did you feel when you actually got in there and started doing the test? Did you feel relieved? Like it wasn't as tough as you thought? Or was it more like you were nervous until you got your results?

For me, I felt a bit calmer during the exam as I realized I had studied enough and the questions weren't entirely alien.  The nerves came back though when I was waiting for the results because I'm my own worst enemy and I started second guessing myself.  Thank goodness it was too late to change anything at that point... I'm sure I would have sabotaged myself with all that niggling doubt. 

Absolute worst case scenario, you take it again.  But that won't happen and you'll do fine - you've got this!

Absolute worst case scenario, you take it again.  But that won't happen and you'll do fine - you've got this!

I keep telling myself that! I'm my own worst enemy as well so I know if I need to find a balance between going slowly and also not re-reading TOO many times so I start talking myself OUT of answers lol

For me, I felt a bit calmer during the exam as I realized I had studied enough and the questions weren't entirely alien.  The nerves came back though when I was waiting for the results because I'm my own worst enemy and I started second guessing myself.  Thank goodness it was too late to change anything at that point... I'm sure I would have sabotaged myself with all that niggling doubt. 

Absolute worst case scenario, you take it again.  But that won't happen and you'll do fine - you've got this!

This.  Exactly this.

Most of the questions you will read and automatically think, "I know this one!" without having even seen the possible answers yet.

For those where you don't immediately know, as mentioned above, just flag them and move on.  Do the questions you can first, then go back and review the flagged ones.

I was so nervous leading up to the test.  I was reviewing flash cards at work, some of my colleagues would quiz me, I was taking notes on all the questions I'd get wrong on the practice tests.  I do NOT do history.  Always hated the subject in school.  I can't remember dates, I'm not interested in the slightest.  I was SO anxious about the test.  But then I sat down on the computer and read the first question and felt so much better because it was easy peasy.  With every question you recognize, your confidence will build.  And then all of a sudden, it's over.

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This.  Exactly this.

Most of the questions you will read and automatically think, "I know this one!" without having even seen the possible answers yet.

For those where you don't immediately know, as mentioned above, just flag them and move on.  Do the questions you can first, then go back and review the flagged ones.

I was so nervous leading up to the test.  I was reviewing flash cards at work, some of my colleagues would quiz me, I was taking notes on all the questions I'd get wrong on the practice tests.  I do NOT do history.  Always hated the subject in school.  I can't remember dates, I'm not interested in the slightest.  I was SO anxious about the test.  But then I sat down on the computer and read the first question and felt so much better because it was easy peasy.  With every question you recognize, your confidence will build.  And then all of a sudden, it's over.

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I'm rubbish with dates as well! Except the end of WW1 being 11/11  @11 That one for sooommmeeee reason is the easy one heh

Found this post on Reddit () and even though it's from 4 months ago, it's actually made me feel a bit better because I can answer those questions!

Nah, I didn't feel calmer or relaxed, but luckily the test didn't take me too long (despite being deliberate and careful, it still wasn't more than like 20-25 minutes) and I felt better once she handed me the pass certificate.  I had popped out of work to take it, so everyone knew where I was and I didn't want to go back to work with my head hung in shame, hahaha. 

You'll be okay! 

Nah, I didn't feel calmer or relaxed, but luckily the test didn't take me too long (despite being deliberate and careful, it still wasn't more than like 20-25 minutes) and I felt better once she handed me the pass certificate.  I had popped out of work to take it, so everyone knew where I was and I didn't want to go back to work with my head hung in shame, hahaha. 

You'll be okay! 

Haha family don’t know but some friends and people at work do so I’m the same of not wanting my head hung in shame lolol


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Haha family don’t know but some friends and people at work do so I’m the same of not wanting my head hung in shame lolol


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You can do this x0Kiss0fDeath! I’m studying away now, trying to get myself prepared.....now living vicariously through you!


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You can do this XoD!  Trust yourself.

How can you fail when all these people are sending you positive thoughts?