Love them or hate them, you will have to take an exam at some point throughout your electrical qualification.

At Trade Skills 4 U, we understand that some people find tests stressful and nerve racking. Using effective techniques can go a long way. Try to plan, prepare and take the right approaches on board to help limit the anxiety you feel before undertaking an exam to help you achieve top marks.

Take a look at the handy tips listed:

Theory Exams:

Read the question

  • Read the question more than once to understand what the examination requires of you.
  • Look out for negative and double negative questions. You will have a choice of four answers giving 25% chance of getting it right.
  • Two answers are probably completely wrong, with one answer nearly correct and one answer correct. This increases you chance of a correct answer to 50%.
  • A good calculated guess is better than no answer at all, and may gain you valuable points.

Flag the question

  • You also have the opportunity to flag a question and come back to it at a later time.
  • If you’re still unsure of the answer, make a guess, select your guess AND flag it. You may have answered it correctly and possible marks gained are better than no marks at all.
  • Don’t dwell on a possible answer, save time to answer the questions you know.

Double Check

  • On completion of the exam go back and check your flagged answers, a later question may have given clues to answer a previous question correctly.
  • Use your time wisely. If you have the time check all your answers.

Practical Assessments:

  • Know the correct procedure for single and three phase isolation and practice it to perfection, showing the assessor you can work safe
  • Look and research at what is required of you so you can plan ahead. Building an assessment will also require its Inspection and Test
  • Build the assessment neat and correct, to show professionalism
  • Before performing Inspection and Testing, check the condition of the leads and probes. Are they GS38 compliant?
  • (Don’t forget to null the leads!)
  • Before doing the first insulation resistance test, prove the meter is working OK. Sort out the test leads with crocodile clips, press the test button and confirm you are getting a 0.00 MŒ© reading
  • Show the assessor you know your stuff
  • Check your readings and confirm to yourself, they are as expected. Don‚Äôt be frightened of querying test results, it may be a faulty circuit?
  • Complete any assessment including paperwork and testing paperwork neatly and as professionally as possible

One of the best tips we can probably give is- remember, keep cool, calm and collective and don’t let your nerves get the better of you!

When the exam is over, don’t obsess with what you could’ve done. Relax and praise yourself for doing the exam in the first place.

Or failing that, head to the pub for a pint!

Good luck everyone!