The contents of this past week have been filled with excitement, stress, anxiety, and worry. This cocktail of emotions came to the summit of what I have been preparing for the past three months: my IFR Knowledge Test. Studying in short, hour-long bursts on a semi-regular schedule and reviewing all content questions at least twice, I began the final process of preparing for my tests by completing mock tests. 12 of them. While all of my grade results were satisfactory by the standards of the FAA, I considered them to be below my personal minimums.
Once the day arrived that I was to actually take my test, I had to stop and collect my thoughts over what had occurred the past few days. My test scores, while passing, weren't where I wanted them to be. To further complicate the problem, it is theorized by many flight instructors that students will do about 10 points less on their actual test compared to a simulated test. This is due to a variety of factors including new or strange test questions and test anxiety. This "10 point factor" also held true for me when I completed my Private Pilot Knowledge Test. Factoring in the "10 point factor" I began to realize that there was a strong possibility that I would not meet my personal minimum goal for my knowledge test. Concerned over this, I decided to cancel my test, and use the weekend to review and polish up a little more.
That weekend, I continued my regimen of practice tests with moderate results at first. As the weekend continued, I saw my scores slowly begin to increase to a satisfactory level. Internally, I still wasn't completely satisfied with myself, but the realization that I was running out of time gave me no further room to delay my test. As my test day grew closer, I began to realize that my learning had plateaued and that it would continue to remain in such a trend unless I changed my study habits. Not having the time for this, I decided to face the challenge, use what extra days I had left and do the best that I could do.
On test day, the hours of the day crept by at a slow pace, each adding a bit more stress and pressure as my test time grew closer. I even had brought some last minute study notes with me to review in my spare time, but the busyness of the work day kept me from glancing at them.
Finally, it was time. I walked into the testing facility, my heart beating furiously from the nervousness contained within my body. After completing paperwork, and verifying my name and address a minimum of 5 times, I sat down in font of the computer and began my test. As I saw my first question, I felt my eyes widen in fear. I was being asked a question I had never even seen or studied. "Maybe it's just one of those new questions they ask you," I thought to myself. The FAA will include 5 questions in s test for data collection that don't affect the grade of the test. Testers are not notified which questions are for this purpose, but I have to say it's pretty evident.
I pressed on, reviewing each question and selecting my answers and marking those I wasn't sure about to later review. Completing all of my questions, I reviewed my marked ones and finally submitted it for grading. Stepping out of the room to notify the proctor, she asked me if I'd like to review the ones I missed. "Nope. Just give me my grade," I said anxiously. Looking back, I know this was a foolish decision, but I had been through so much anxiety that I didn't care at that point. I didn't want to see how many I missed, because I knew I would count them to calculate my grade and didn't want to risk any disappointment.
Hearing the printer finally spin up, I knew that what was on that piece of paper would either make the rest of my week, or crush me in disappointment and fill me with fear of having to continue what has already been a long, drawn out process. Looking at my test results, my eyes caught it. "PASSED". While it was a promising sign, I also wanted to make sure that my score was above my personal minimum. A second later, I found my actual score and realizing it was ABOVE my personal minimum, I raised my hands in victory.
Relief came to me instantly. The long 3 months of studying had paid off and came to a successful completion. That evening, I walked out of the testing facility, a smile on my face, satisfaction in my soul, and adventure on my mind as to what will follow next- the flying portion!
