– Get a practice test. Don’t worry about the cost. You should be able to get a good, accurate, and reliable practice exam for free with minimal risk of comprehension errors. The website for the Test Assessing Center is an excellent resource. You can print a variety of review material to make practice tests on, and you can take a simulated exam to get a feel for the format.
– Go through the materials. You should be able to access all the sample tests, homework, and handouts for the course without difficulty. If you have questions, you can contact the website and get quick answers to practice problems. A lot of TACs also offer practice tests through email. If you really want a challenge, you can even register for the real thing. It’s a small amount to get the practice you need to know you’re ready before taking the real thing.
– Pay someone to do your practice. Some TACs actually have professional testers on staff who can give you a written diagnostic report on your score. If you don’t know how to read a credit report or you think you may need a copy of it because you’re applying for another job, you can pay someone to get you a copy. This way, you’ll be sure you’re getting a realistic score and that the information is accurate.
– Practice your attitude. Most assessment centers will ask you to fill out a practice application or they will call you to schedule a practice exam. Be prepared. Bring extra copies of your resume and cover letter and take the time to answer the questions honestly and to really practice them.
– Practice your timing. You will have to take a timed test from a page of questions on a screen and you will have to hit buttons on your keyboard in order to click on the correct answers. You might have to wait a while for the computer to catch up or you might have to re-click to get to the next question on the screen. Don’t worry, most practice tests will not last more than a few minutes so you should get comfortable with your time during the practice test.
– Practice your listening skills. You will be called on to read a variety of documents and you’ll have to identify the key points of what they say. Assessors won’t be able to hear everything you are saying, but they’ll be able to tell when you miss a word, misread a passage or otherwise mess up the meaning of the material. It’s important to listen carefully and to completely understand the material before you answer the exam so you can do well on the real thing.
– Practice your writing. A practice test is typically short and will give you ample time to work on your essay, response or other response section. Make sure you thoroughly read and understand the material before you start writing. You’ll find that most practice tests include multiple-choice or short answer questions on a variety of topics. Take the time to get the best practice you can before taking the real test.
