I am very happy to report that I passed the Series 7 exam yesterday! It feels wonderful to have that monkey off my back. This was my first experience of HAVING to pass a test for a job. Sure, I've taken important tests in the past, like the ACT in high school and the GMAT to get into an MBA program. But this test was a little different because not passing meant my job could potentially be in jeopardy.
So phew. It's behind me.
Taking this standardized test was an interesting experience. I went to a testing center where they were administering a plethora of exams. When I checked in, the receptionist say, which a look of dismay on her face, "Oh my, you are the lucky girl taking the series 7..."
Odd, right?
Then when I went to see another person to get seated for the exam, she said, "Oh honey, you are taking the 7? Oh my. We are going to put you in your own room, because you are going to be with us for quite awhile."
She seated me in my own little room, gave me a look of sympathy, and wished me luck.
Bizarre. Luckily I am a pretty good test taker. Yes, I was nervous, but I don't really get test anxiety, thank God. But sheesh - imagine if I was a nervous test taker! I think my anxiety would have gone through the roof.
So the 7 is over and done with. I celebrated by buying some new running shoes and then I treated myself to tacos + guac + wine from my favorite Mexican restaurant, Barrio.
Yes, I drank at noon on a Wednesday. Don't judge. ;) It was my first alcoholic beverage in 2.5 weeks!!
Did I spend the rest of the day reveling in my success? Not really. After my leisurely lunch, I went to a coffee shop and resumed my studying for the CFA, which I will take in June. I mean, that is the beast of all the finance exams I will take this year, as the pass rate is 35-40%. I figured I better not waste any time and better get back to studying. The good news is that I am almost done with the 16th section... out of 18 total. The end is in sight and the reviewing can commence soon!
I did end the day with a massage, which was glorious and a wonderful way to reward myself for all the studying I've done!
So tell me, do you consider yourself a good test taker? Or do you struggle with testing anxiety? I am VERY thankful for the fact that I am a good test taker. My challenge is that I tend to get test ADD - meaning, I can't bear to sit there very long, so I tend to read through the questions uber fast (it took me 2.5 hours to complete the exam... they give you 6...), which means I can skip over key words and make stupid mistakes. And I don't go back and check over my answers because I just want to be freaking done with it. So those are my test taking weaknesses.
30 comments:
Thank goodness - congratulations!
I have always been a good test taker and a FAST one. Only once in my life did I not finish a test first out of a classroom, and that was when I had the flu. I don't get nervous, either, but that might be a bad thing - false confidence???
Again, congrats, that's obviously a tough exam and good for you to ace it! Go celebrate! :)
Nice job! I don't normally get nervous for tests either. I've always been able to do pretty well on them but it does sound like they were trying to psych you out at the testing center!
Congratulations!! And---the comments from the ladies at the testing center--- were they doing that on purpose?! :)
CONGRATULATIONS! What an accomplishment! You sound just like J; "As soon as I finished my CPA test, I went to the library to start studying for the CFA." You kids are nuts! Congrats again-a massage sounds perfect!
I take tests just like you! Read through them quickly, pick an answer, move on and never look back! I'm always the first one done!! Probably could stand to slow down, but I can never make myself.
CONGRATS on passing series 7 ... that's huge!!!!
I'm a terrible test taker. In high school, I took a SAT prep course. I improved my scores (from my PSATs) almost 200 points. Like you, I tend to read fast and make stupid mistakes. I hate going back to look over my answers ... I feel like once I'm done with a question, it's time to move on and not look back.
that is my exact same testing style. i am so happy for you!!!!!!!1 yayy.. :::throws confetti:::: and i would have totally celebrated too.. but change wine to margarita.. yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Bravo, my Dear! I knew you would do well but I'm still very proud! Those ladies at the test sight were not very professional! I agree, those comments could have really psyched some test taker in a bad way! A massage sounds like the perfect reward for all the work you've been doing!
Yay! Big congrats lady :)
Congratulations! You so deserve a glass of wine! (noon is lunchtime, wine is allowed as long as it's with food).
I'm an ok test taker. I always get a wee bit anxious, but I am 'a natural student' and tend not to do too badly even with no prep, so I can generally relax.
I don't think I'd be a natural student If I was doing your tests though! xx
Congratulations! You so deserve a glass of wine! (noon is lunchtime, wine is allowed as long as it's with food).
I'm an ok test taker. I always get a wee bit anxious, but I am 'a natural student' and tend not to do too badly even with no prep, so I can generally relax.
I don't think I'd be a natural student If I was doing your tests though! xx
Congratulations Lisa! That's amazing!
I am a pretty nervous test taker even if I am confident that I studied enough, so both of those ladies comments would have totally rattled me! Strange that they would say that...you should have been like thanks, I am going to rock this test! :)
So Proud of you! I knew you would do just fine. Glad you treated yourself to a fun afternoon afterwards. I was hoping we would have had time to chat but I didn't get home until almost 5 last night due to a work meeting.
Have a great day!
SO PROUD OF YOU!
Well, considering it's been about six months since my last exam I don't really remember... generally speaking no test anxiety. I went with what I knew, didn't worry about what I didn't and did my best. I would tend to get a titch nervous, but I think that's only natural! Some of the exams in my MBA program (ahem, finance, accounting) were challenging for me but thanks to amazing helpers/friends (ahem, you) I actually understood what I was doing before the exams!
Again, SO happy you havve this one behind you. Not that there was any worry over here :)
I'm so proud of you! I knew you would pass! And I know how great it must feel to have this behind you so you can focus on the CFA!!!
I am a pretty fast test taker as well, all through college I was always one of the first 5 students to hand in a test. I also HATE rechecking my answers because it makes me second guess myself - especially on multiple choice!
Congrats to you - what an amazing feeling that must be!! And, considering your obvious dedication, I feel pretty confident that you're going to do great on your June test!!
congratulations lisa!! what an accomplishment!! you should be very proud of yourself!!
Congratulations! I consider myself a pretty good test taker too. I tend to only get nervous immediately before a test. I also have a habbit of flipping to the middle of an exam and starting instead of at the beginning. No idea why but it seems to help. I recently just passed my own big exam - the CISSP (for IT security geeks!) although I had to wait two weeks to get the results back.
Congratulations!! That is so exciting, doesn't it feel awesome to have that weight off?! Im glad you went and rewarded yourself, that is really important.
I am also a pretty good test taker. I agree though that I always feel like I should check over my answers more, and am usually done early, but maybe we are just quick! :)
Three cheers! You deserve those rewards you gave yourself.
I'm a medium test taker -- if prepared, no problem. If not, all depends!
I am a horrible test taker. I get horrible test anxiety and have always been that way. I used to go really fast, but I have learned to slow down and read carefully.
Congrats, again! :)
Lol I test take exactly the same as you- as FAST AS POSSIBLE!
I don't get test anxiety at all but I really hate sitting there too. I also suck at multiple choice. I'm very good at looking at multiple sides of an issue and tend to think more than one answer COULD be right haha.
Congrats on passing!
Congrats on passing girly! That is awesome! You totally deserved that massage!
Congrats!!! So great to here you passed! I know I'll need to take a few tests for work in the months to come, but I've kind of been putting it off for fear of failing. Luckily I am a pretty good test taker. That's always been my strength since in general I suck at studying. Although remember being so ridiculously nervous back when I was taking my SAT
I'm so proud of you! I'm a HORRIBLE test taker and I get really worked up about stuff. Wahoo for one down, and another to go (for now)!
Congratulations to you!!!!!! That must feel so good to know that that is out of the way :-)
I am a good test taker, and I am very thankful for it.
I am so incredibly proud of you, lady. You did a kick ass job. I don't know that I would have done so well with that woman's craziness before the test. I sort of psych myself out sometimes.
Also, you totally deserved that drink at noon!
I am so so so proud of you, Lisa! I didn't have a doubt in my mind, but I know what kind of stress that test can have!! You are amazing! I am so excited for JUNE to be here!
I don't get nervous about tests, actually. In fact, I kind of enjoy test taking? When I took my NCLEX, the people kept making comments about how nervous I should be - I was like "Can I just go in there and take this test already??"
So happy for you!
Sheesh, if everyone followed your test taking practices, they would pass with flying colors. You are such a dedicated studier! It seems a bit inappropriate that multiple people would say worrisome things to you as you're going to take the test. I'm usually a pretty terrible test taker. I HATE sitting for too long and often start overanalyzing each question, which is often bad. So then I debate two answers for a long time. At the end of those standardized tests, I often felt pretty stupid. Hopefully, whenever I Do take the GREs, I'll be able to do it with a much more calm and focused approach just bc I'm a little more mature and settled in life overall.
I love how you treated your day. Perfect combo of work and relaxation. Mexican + running shoes + coffee (minus more studying) is right up my alley. ;)
Congratulations on passing! I have a friend who just finished up those exams and I know they're not easy! Law school beat the text anxiety right out of me. Sure, first semester it was totally crippling since your entire grade therefore, of course, your entire future, ride on 2 hours at the end of the semester (law students - nothing if not dramatic, ha!). Now? I'm all "meh" and just go in and take them. That said, the Bar Exam this summer is resurrecting a wee bit of nerves, ha! :)
Congrats! It's so nice they tell you right away! It would suck to have to wait for weeks before finding out!
Hey a little noon drinking never hurt anyone. I do it all the time. Just kidding, but really, you deserved it! Great job!
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