The Dreaded Writing Test

Throughout my time in university, I have managed to overcome some of my greatest fears; however, there is one fear that I have yet to overcome — the written test. Whether it is in a job interview or in a class, tests cause me to have sweaty palms, heavy breathing, an accelerated heart rate, and overwhelming anxiety. I just think of one thing: ‘I need to finish.’ I repeat this like a mantra in my head as if my proverbial life depended on it. I have left tests too many times feeling like an inadequate and complete failure — I wasn’t prepared enough; I didn’t know what to expect; I didn’t finish the test; I didn’t get the position; I failed the class.

            Although I have always dreaded timed writing tests since I was young, my first real writing test — with any significant outcome — was my writing test to get into the Professional Writing Diploma program (PROW). After submitting my written portfolio, I thought the entrance exam would be a breeze — after all, how hard could a test possibly be that is designed for writers who are recently out of high school? After entering the room, I noticed that there wasn’t a clock; how could I possibly know how much time I was taking if I couldn’t watch the time ticking monotonously away?

After taking a year off from high school, my writing skills were rusty at best; although I have always had a natural talent with words, writing is a skill like all others where you can’t always rely upon natural talent. The first task was writing an article on whether Baby Einstein videos improve babies’ IQs when they watch them. They supplied some information and asked you to argue for or against; I spent 45 minutes, at least I think, writing the article. I was then asked to write an essay on the same topic; I was about two paragraphs into the essay when my now program counselor said, “Time’s up.” 

             I was looking for some sort of solace in her serious expression; all I could sense was pity. I knew I failed the entrance exam. I failed at my dream. I locked myself in my room for three days — amidst tears and copious amounts of coffee, I thought of all that wouldn’t be. I refused to answer my phone, petrified that my deepest fear would be confirmed. I didn’t check my voicemail; for two weeks I lived in a self-imposed exile, a darkness of thought and feeling.

To my surprise, a week later, my dad knocked on my bedroom door and told me that Grant MacEwan had called. I said that I didn’t want to know; I said that I didn’t want to hear. My father congratulated me and told me I had passed the entrance exam; I would be a student again and live out my dream. In a manic, happy panic, I checked my voicemail. I was in disbelief at the news; I didn’t even finish the test. With self-doubt, I checked the purported message. In astonishment, I realized it was true. If anything, what I learned from my first serious timed writing test was that an unfinished test is not synonymous with failure.

While my PROW entrance exam was my first real timed writing experience, it certainly wasn't my last. The last timed writing experience I had was for a job interview; it was my first interview that required a writing assessment. I was asked to write a press release; unfortunately, I didn’t expect to write the exam on a PC laptop — I’m used to using Word for Mac which is a lot different than Word for PC. Half of the time I spent trying to format my press release correctly, not taking into account research time for the release — I had to write on an Engineering Conference for the U of A.  For one thing, I know nothing about engineering; I had a simple understanding, at least after reading the organization’s website and the job posting. I finished the test but only after pretending that I didn’t hear her knock to signal that my time was up.

After the interview, I received an email and a voicemail; while I was not the chosen candidate, I was in the last round of decision making, between two finalists. She offered to keep my name on file for future job competitions at the U of A. She offered me a piece of invaluable advice, which I will in turn tell you: “It may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the PC/Windows environment so that you do not find yourself panicking in a test situation. The formatting was not a big issue in the end. In any case, I think testing just takes practice. Remember you have great interviewing skills, and these will factor into an employers’ assessment of you far more than minor issues related to a test.” From my experience writing written assessments,  I would recommend the following:

1.     Expect to be tested in an interview; think about what tasks they might ask you to do — specifically check the end of job postings, usually they are listed.

Make sure you are aware that many communications fields expect one to be able to work under pressure. A written assessment (though always difficult) shows employers whether you are able to work under pressure and under deadlines.

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2.     Expect a take-home test, an online test, or a test in the interview.

Many employers use different formats for the written assessment. They may send you home with an exam, test on you the spot, or give you a document to fill out and return within a certain time frame. If writing an online assessment, remember to save and remember that you are still being timed — even if it is online. If you are filling out a document at home, remember that you have the luxury to edit and rewrite your test. You have a much bigger time frame to polish your work than you do with an online or interview test.

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3.     Don’t panic about finishing a written test or if it’s not up to your usual high standards.

As I learned from writing my PROW entrance exam, not finishing a test does not always signal that you will fail or that you won’t get a position. Even after failing to finish my PROW entrance exam, I was admitted into the program. As well, although I was concerned about my press release’s formatting and quality, I was still competitive and was one of the top candidates for the position I applied for.

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4.     Remember, an employer (or your professor) is much more interested in your interviewing skills, your previous portfolio, your education, your previous work experience, and your writing quality.

As my interviewer said above, my interviewing skills and writing samples were much more important than my written assessment. And, in the end, the formatting wasn’t even a big deal. A written assessment, again, is mainly testing your stress tolerance. It is not indicative of your ability to write; most employers understand that you could do much better if given more time. That’s why your portfolio samples are so important!

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5.     Refamiliarize yourself with both PC and Mac versions of Microsoft Office — you never know!

As I found out, sometimes employers want you to type out your written assessment; while I am familiar with Mac platforms, I seldom use PCs. As a result, I was somewhat nervous when I was asked to write my assessment using Microsoft Word. So, before your test, make sure you know, at least basically, the main functions on both systems. Email your interviewer and ask what type of laptop you will be tested on. And, if worse comes to worse, bring your laptop with you to your interview and ask if you may write the test on that instead.

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6.     Research each job posting and make sure you have at least a basic knowledge of the company before writing a written assessment.

It is important to research all organizations you apply for before you go in for an interview. The knowledge you acquire will be invaluable to you later, when you are writing your written assessment, as I discovered when I had to write on engineering mathematics.

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7.     Make sure that you have the necessary qualifications and skills needed for a position.

Save yourself the time! Don’t apply for a position when you know that you don’t have the necessary skills and qualifications; it will save you from panicking when are asked to write something you have never done before or when you come across heavy, industry-related jargon that you are unfamiliar with. 

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8.     Break your time up into segments — researching, writing, and editing— and roughly try to stay in your self-appointed time frame.

This technique has saved me time and time again. I usually am riddled with anxiety and nerves when I write a written assessment; however, roughly breaking up my time allows me to stay relaxed. And, although some might negate the usefulness of this, check the clock every five to ten minutes. Don’t get flustered in response to checking the clock; simply check to see if you are on time with your self-appointed schedule.

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9.     Remember practice makes perfect and to trust your education, talent, and skills!

I can’t stress the importance of this enough —you got into your program for a reason. You are naturally blessed as a storyteller; you have a natural aptitude for words. No test can ever take that away from you.  And although trite, the old proverb “Practice makes perfect,” is true. Although you may never truly embrace written tests, they are a fact of life. And, like all things, each one will become easier to write and you will be less stressed as a result — eventually you'll catch the ball!

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10.  Remember to breathe; not getting a position or failing a test is not the end of the world!

Don’t succumb to self-imposed melancholy like I did! Failing a test or not getting a position might seem like the end of the world at the time; however, it’s not. There are always new opportunities that you can succeed at in the future; all you need to think is that this route didn’t work out. It’s time to pursue a new one. And, I hate to say it but, there is nothing worse than listening to friends whine about the end of their future because of failing a test or not getting a position. There will always be another position; there will always be other tests.

            In my life, I have learned to trust and embrace serendipitous moments. Maybe a written assessment is simply another avenue of fate; you either pass or fail. However, how you accept your fate and react is simply up to you. 

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