The exam

The last time I sat an exam must have been in 1989. Last century! It was in high school and it probably was maths, but it could be any of the other five subjects I had exams for as well (Dutch, English, German, Chemistry and Biology). I was one of those people who studied the day before and then sort of sailed through the exams. Apart from biology which for some reason never really stuck. No matter how early I started learning. I had my lowest grade (still a pass though) for that subject when I graduated. 

But that was a long time ago: 1989. Twenty-six years have passed and in the mean time I have passed several more exams, but never in the same way. Never sitting at a desk together with tens of others also sitting at desks doing their exams. I wasn't allowed to use any textbooks and using laptops/computers for an exam was still very much in the future. 

This morning I had to be present at 8.30am and there were tens of others there as well. Not all taking the same exam though. I was taking the qualifications for professional driver (lorry and bus), others were there for logistics and warehousing; kindergarten; carpentry and several other things most likely. 

The outside temperature went up to 20 degrees today
SUMMER!!!

The exam started at 9am on the dot and I opened my envelope containing the task at hand. I would have to write a paper about a tour that included 7,5 hours driving time one way one day and back the next day. It had to contain references to the digital tachograph; European driving and resting legislation; health, environment and safety and lastly: work environment legislations and regulations. 

Woops!

I knew about the first three, first hand, through books or both. But that last one: legislations. It got me quite hot under the collar. But no need for panic just yet. I had gotten great marks on my maths exam by just filling out everything I knew and not bothering about the rest. That was without books and now I had the books at hand. First though: everything I did know and have. 

I started typing, copying and pasting and before I knew it, it was midday. I checked whether there was more I could write about the things I knew/had and finally I got to the dreaded legislations part. I opened the book and there it was: stuff I knew. So, I just continued typing the whole thing up and before I knew it, I had something that looked actually quite neat! I read it through one more time and then signalled one of the ladies: I was done! It was 12.45pm. Over an hour left. 

I won't know for at least another four weeks what my grade is, but I feel quietly positive. As long as they won't hold it against me that I don't know my Norwegian distances!!