Posted: 10/31/2011 7:17:48 PM EDT
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What should I bring (or anyone else who is testing)? Pens, pencils, erasers, money, snacks, cupcakes, bribes,...?
I test next Saturday morning, and think I'm ready. Consistently getting 85%+ on the eham.com practice tests. Any last minute tips? |
| As a survivor of the tech test last week myself, bring at least a couple of pencils, maybe a pen too, as well as your drivers license. May bring your SS card to be safe. Go in relaxed, and be as comfortable as you can. The guys there where I took it, were older, all three examiners were seasoned extras. They took to joking when I offered a $5 tip if I passed,lol. I passed with flying colors, and they let me try the general. Missed passing by one. If you pass the tech solidly, try the general, even if you didnt study. It doesnt matter if you fail, they wont tell your momma. It will give you an idea of what the test is like. If you fail the tech test, dont panic, you can retake it again right there, though it will be different questions. |
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This link from the ARRL pretty much sums it up what to bring, and more importantly, what to leave in the vehicle. Myself I brought a calculator to both the Tech and General tests. Never used it.
If you're hitting 85% or better on the Tech test stop studying that and start studying for General. There is a bunch of overlap between the two. You'll thank us later. Going for Extra Thursday. Consistently hitting high 80s to low 90s on both HamExam.org and QRZ.com practice tests. I'm about as ready as I'll ever be. And I'm not bringing a calculator either. |
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A basic calculator is fine, just show it to the VE. The memory should be cleared. Don't whip out your cell phone. Turn it off.
Testing is NOT an adversarial situation. We (VE's) want you to succeed and become a ham. But we cannot help you on the answers. But if something is wrong, a missing schematic sheet, etc, don't be afraid to raise your hand. Make sure you put your test number on the answer sheet. That is because each test sheet is unique. You can copy off your buddy but it won't do you any good... and will get you kicked out. Each test issued is unique. DO study some for the General if you feel you can spare the time and are doing well on the Tech. PLEASE. I have given General tests to applicants that didn't do that as I advised in our classes. They usually come very close to passing, within just a few questions. And I asked, if you had at least looked over the General material do you think you could have picked up 2 or 3 and passed? They answer yes. So, if you don't at least try, you are passing up an opportunity. Good luck! (Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.) |
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I was a VE at a test site this last week-end. One young lady going for her Extra, there were 4 total up-grading to Extra and all 4 passed, had taken her Tech and General at a single test site in early September. Actually the same site I tested, and passed, my Extra at. So goes to show with a little study you can go from zero to Extra in less than 2 months!!
Go for you General after passing your Tech you have nothing to loose and everything to gain! Sarge |