Test jiters and you.

The truth is that my superiors knew well before I did the results of my test. In fact a couple of them were shocked I passed considering I slept two hours before the exam and had 101 temperature. The reality is that I may not do well in anticipation of a high stress test. However, when it comes time to perform under pressure I am calmer than my peers. I worked in professions that had multiple tasks and impossible deadlines. I did not freeze under pressure, but many with better skills did.

My boss knows that I tend to perform better when slightly tired because there is no extra energy to be nervous. The job at hand must be done and I never looked at my watch or the clock. I simply wrote an essay and paused to use spell check after every second paragraph.

Now that I have passed the test I want to point out every criticism of it is valid. The test itself is almost unrelated to what we do. Moreover, the key skill in my job is logic and cutting through extraneous information. The test itself does have an age and occupational bias. The percentage of people that pass decreases markedly with age. Moreover, lawyers and recent college graduates pass in much higher proportions than do experienced workers. These college graduates are routinely out performed by those with life experience.

I am glad that several of my close friends passed. In reality we compette against ourselves. Should I get passed over I would remain a candidate for future rounds there is always the next round or other offices. I am a candidate in Washington DC but there are a mere four openings there. There is another term position for next year as well.