Friday 5 June 2015

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!! 

11 comments:

  1. Good job! Our mom only needs to hear the word test and she freezes up. Bet you did great.

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    1. I am not that bothered really and never was either. I think I did okay. Have to wait and find out whether I did great!

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  2. Hari Om
    You kept your nerve - the is the single biggest asset in any situation!!! Nothing worse than looking at a paper and thinking you didn't have the wherewithal... nothing beats realising you do have it after all &*> Phew. Congrats on completion, will keep stuff crossed till the results are announced... YAM xx

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    1. I am perhaps a bit too laid-back. Listening to my colleagues and how they dealt with things, I found out I could have done several things better. Mind you, I was the only one who actually finished everything. Be it right or wrong!

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  3. Glad you feel good about it, that's a good sign!

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  4. One more thing done and now on to getting the results. Time for work and play till then!

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    1. After the results there is one more thing to do though: the practical part. Only then will I have passed the whole thing and will I get the extra money per hour. But that won't be until a few more months yet.

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  5. Good for you, Mara! You sound like an ideal student.

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