Passing the EPPP takes time and dedication like it’s a part time job. When something absorbs so much of your time and energy, it’s important to do everything you can to ensure success. Here are seven practical steps you can take to boost your odds of passing the EPPP before, during, and after the exam.
Before the exam
- Mimic the study environment
Once you know where you’re taking the exam, check out the testing center and see what noises and surroundings might accompany you as you take the test. Will it be dead quiet? If so, then take a few practice tests in the dead quiet.
Furthermore, take a practice test under the time constraints you’ll have during the real deal. For instance, you might have about one minute per question give or take. Set a timer for one minute to know what it feels like to answer one question within that timeframe.
- Visualize
Close your eyes and imagine yourself opening the letter that tells you you’ve accomplished your goal: you passed the EPPP!
How do you feel? Excited, accomplished, and maybe that studying was worth it.
Use your vision as motivation. Hang onto it through the late nights, early mornings and imperfect practice test scores. Remember that set backs are inevitable. Instead of believing that they are getting you farther away from your vision, think of them as adding tension to a sling shot. The more you pull back, the farther you will launch forward toward the passing score you visualize.
- Healthy Habits
Create a study schedule in favor of exercise and sleep. These things are as vital to your passing score as studying itself. When you choose study snacks, pick ones that fuel your body and brain.
It’s possible to pass the test with fatigue, stress, and an upset stomach, but your likelihood of passing will increase if you make time to exercise, sleep well, and eat well. Plus, the entire process of studying and taking the test will be more enjoyable if you are healthy.
During the exam
- Write an affirmation
Give yourself a truth to hold onto as you take the test. Write it at the top of your scratch paper. Perhaps it’s an affirmation that you reminded yourself of throughout the set-backs of studying such as “you can do it… you ARE doing it”, “You’ve got this!”, “Keep going!”, or “You’re doing great!”
Look back at the top of your scratch paper when you begin to doubt yourself during the exam.
- Take deep breaths
This is one technique that you can take with you wherever you go. When you glance at the clock and realize a question took you two minutes instead of one, take a few more seconds to breathe before rushing onto the next one. Panicking will hinder your ability to pass much more than a few extra seconds to slow your breathing will.
- Take breaks as needed
And as allowed. Remember that you’re sacrificing your allotted time when you take breaks, but would you rather take a 30 second break to clear your head or stay muddled and stuck on a problem?
After the exam
- Stay positive
It’s easy to constantly wonder whether you passed, but worry will serve you nothing while you wait for your score. Don’t let fear get in the way of enjoying the fact that you took the test! Enjoy the time off, hope for the best, and don’t think about your score until you get it back.
Further Reading