Pro-tip: How to take tests

Pro-tips exist to give you an edge in your field. Getting a professional license, or certification, are both examples of how to get ahead.

The fresh college grad may still have the motivation to go ahead and take tests, but that goes away with time. I encourage all of you early-career individuals to find the licenses (or certifications) relevant to your field and jump on them. It will be harder to study as you go further on in life, when responsibilities really kick in.

Before the test...

Buy a recent study guide! Do not save money on older, outdated ones which cover the wrong material. This is not the GRE we are talking about. (Math and English do not change that often, the Professional Engineer's exam does!)

Ask if work will pay for a test-prep course! If they are a large firm and it is a core license, they very well might. (Some have the caveat that you pay up front and they refund you... if you pass.)

Spend at least one week just doing test prep right before your exam. You want to practice the areas you are bad, rather than the ones you are good at.

Get a good night's rest! Cramming might work in college, it will not help you now. I usually get a Jack Reacher book to read the night before, which always distracts me adequately to sleep and not worry about the test.

Read the exam instructions! Bring the right materials, eat (or don't), and try not to get kicked out. You are putting a lot of effort in, forgetting your phone in your pocket would be a horrible way to mess this up.

During the exam...

Follow the instructions.

If it is multiple choice, I try for three passes.

1. Any question I can figure out immediately (<60 seconds)

2. Any question I know how to solve

3. Guesswork

After the exam

Try not to stress over the results. You cannot change anything now. Go celebrate a little.

If you pass- Excellent! Go celebrate a little more!

If you fail- Not bad! Many of your compatriots are not trying and most tests will tell you which areas you did poorly on. Take it to heart, study those areas and try again.

Keep up the good work!