Pre-exam rituals

kiki162kiki162 Member Posts: 635 ■■■■■□□□□□
in General Certification
What are your pre-exam rituals?
Mine is loading up on caffeine and energy drinks, with diet coke and sugar free redbull right up until I walk into the test center. icon_thumright.gif
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  • jamesleecolemanjamesleecoleman Member Posts: 1,899 ■■■■■□□□□□
    I usually go over a few things from the material, get an energy drink, and relax. I usually drink the energy drink while I'm on the way to the testing center.
    Booya!!
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  • demonfurbiedemonfurbie Member Posts: 1,819 ■■■■■□□□□□
    many a goat have died to the microsoft alter at the testing ritual

    i normally listen to music and goto the bathroom and get a drink
    wgu undergrad: done ... woot!!
    WGU MS IT Management: done ... double woot :cheers:
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  • jibbajabbajibbajabba Member Posts: 4,317 ■■■■■■■■□□
    Going for a pee .. that's it :p
    My own knowledge base made public: http://open902.com :p
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  • KrunchiKrunchi Member Posts: 237
    For me the test has to be on the same day of the week " Friday" and time "1:00 PM".
    I eat at the same place for lunch before the test
    I wear the same clothes
    The most important thing a mouth full of peppermints three to be exact.
    I'm pretty superstitious I do even crazier things during college football season.
    Certifications: A+,Net+,MCTS-620,640,642,643,659,MCITP-622,623,646,647,MCSE-246
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  • Dakinggamer87Dakinggamer87 Member Posts: 4,016 ■■■■■■■■□□
    I usually eat a good breakfast, look over the exam objectives, and drink some caffeine and energy drinks
    *Associate's of Applied Sciences degree in Information Technology-Network Systems Administration
    *Bachelor's of Science: Information Technology - Security, Master's of Science: Information Technology - Management
    Matthew 6:33 - "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
    Certs/Business Licenses In Progress: AWS Solutions Architect, Series 6, Series 63
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  • HypntickHypntick Member Posts: 1,451 ■■■■■■□□□□
    Do a quick run through of my notes, get a bottle of water, hit the bathroom and take a .25mg dose of an anti-anxiety medication to calm my nerves a bit.

    Edit: apparently that particular med is filtered.
    WGU BS:IT Completed June 30th 2012.
    WGU MS:ISA Completed October 30th 2013.
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  • PishofPishof Member Posts: 193
    A) Spicy chicken biscuit breakfast from Chic-fil-A along with a large mug of coffee made in my french press at home an hour before the exam.

    B) Restroom then leave for testing center.

    C) Pass testing center for the X number of times like I always do.

    D) Turn around, arrive at testing center, begin test.

    E) Pass!

    F) Girl proctor says I look familiar and I refresh her memory that I'm in there often.
    Courses Left for WGU BS - IT: NA:
    Finished!

    On to VCAP!
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  • CodeBloxCodeBlox Member Posts: 1,363 ■■■■□□□□□□
    Man, a few of you consume energy drinks before the exam? If I did, I think I'd crash half way through the exam. I play Xbox a few hours before my exams.
    Currently reading: Network Warrior, Unix Network Programming by Richard Stevens
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  • rwmidlrwmidl Member Posts: 807 ■■■■■■□□□□
    Night before maybe look at some notes, but mostly relax and try to clear my head. On the day of the test, usually I try to book the first available slot in the morning, while I'm still "fresh". Get up, eat a good breakfast and just "clear my head". Arrive at the test center, check in and before the test starts, I just close my eyes and get in to my zone and get at the test.
    CISSP | CISM | ACSS | ACIS | MCSA:2008 | MCITP:SA | MCSE:Security | MCSA:Security | Security + | MCTS
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  • kiki162kiki162 Member Posts: 635 ■■■■■□□□□□
    CodeBlox wrote: »
    Man, a few of you consume energy drinks before the exam? If I did, I think I'd crash half way through the exam. I play Xbox a few hours before my exams.


    Yeah I have to chase that with a diet coke to keep my brain going...red bull alone just doesn't cut it. Wow...Xbox huh?! That's a new one. I can't even listen to the radio before I get into the test center. At least that keeps your brain in that "focused mode"
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  • chrisonechrisone Member Posts: 2,278 ■■■■■■■■■□
    pre-game rituals!
    3302242518_aae11c8be4.jpg
    499w.jpg

    Imagine, wearing your headband and taking baby powder into the exam environment and doing that in front of everyone LOL!
    Certs: CISSP, EnCE, OSCP, CRTP, eCTHPv2, eCPPT, eCIR, LFCS, CEH, SPLK-1002, SC-200, SC-300, AZ-900, AZ-500, VHL:Advanced+
    2023 Cert Goals: SC-100, eCPTX
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  • Mike-MikeMike-Mike Member Posts: 1,860
    demonfurbie wrote: »
    many a goat have died to the microsoft alter at the testing ritual


    that literally made me laugh out loud
    Currently Working On

    CWTS, then WireShark
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  • rogue2shadowrogue2shadow Member Posts: 1,501 ■■■■■■■■□□
    chrisone wrote: »
    pre-game rituals!
    3302242518_aae11c8be4.jpg
    499w.jpg

    Imagine, wearing your headband and taking baby powder into the exam environment and doing that in front of everyone LOL!

    Def laughed out. They'd be like sir "no magic dust is allowed in this test center!".
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  • SteveO86SteveO86 Member Posts: 1,423
    Behead a chicken, perform a voodoo dance.


    All in all I might study the night before, although I try to relax.. go to sleep early.. I usually book my exam at 9-10 in the morning so I can sleep in a bit enjoy my coffee, drive down to the testing center pass the test, then go to work and have boss ask me if I'm any smarter for passing the test. Then that night I'll have a glass of some expensive scotch or cognac to celebrate icon_thumright.gif

    Not much of a ritual but I like to keep it simple
    My Networking blog
    Latest blog post: Let's review EIGRP Named Mode
    Currently Studying: CCNP: Wireless - IUWMS
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  • alan2308alan2308 Member Posts: 1,854 ■■■■■■■■□□
    chrisone wrote: »
    pre-game rituals!


    Imagine, wearing your headband and taking baby powder into the exam environment and doing that in front of everyone LOL!

    I'm so doing this when I go in for the 70-642. icon_thumright.gif
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  • SteveO86SteveO86 Member Posts: 1,423
    alan2308 wrote: »
    I'm so doing this when I go in for the 70-642. icon_thumright.gif

    I request a youtube video icon_lol.gif
    My Networking blog
    Latest blog post: Let's review EIGRP Named Mode
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  • tbgree00tbgree00 Member Posts: 553 ■■■■□□□□□□
    I always put on a temporary tattoo the night before a test. I have had my best luck with Mr. Potato Head or Eeyore, though I did pass a test with Hulk once. I fail when I wear DC hero tattoos.
    I finally started that blog - www.thomgreene.com
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  • DevilWAHDevilWAH Member Posts: 2,997 ■■■■■■■■□□
    OK mine goes like this,

    And lets be clear about this I gave up smoking about 2 years ago now...

    I always book the exam at about 11 to 12noon.

    Drive to the test center and jsut before i get there there is a garage/petrol station.

    stop and buy
    a pack of 10 marlboro lights
    one disposible lighter
    one bottle of bannana milk shake

    I then pull up out side the test center about 20 to 30 min early, scan though my one page of A4 notes ( i always write up a single side of notes to scan jsut before going in, list of topics to get my brain in gear)

    smoke one cigarette, followed by milk drink.

    take the exam

    go back to car and smoke one further cigarette (pass or fail)

    I still have a pack of exactly 8 ciggies in my car from my last exam a few months ago. apart from jsut before and just after exams I never touch the things. :)
    • If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. Albert Einstein
    • An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties. It means that its going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming.
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  • pitviperpitviper Member Posts: 1,376 ■■■■■■■□□□
    I try to do nothing stressful the morning of the test. I typically won’t even review my notes the day of (at this point, I either know it, or I don’t!). I take a nice long shower and listen to some music to unwind. Then I’ll mix a little FocusXT in a water bottle, drink it on the way to the testing center, hit the bathroom, and then it’s on!
    CCNP:Collaboration, CCNP:R&S, CCNA:S, CCNA:V, CCNA, CCENT
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  • DevilWAHDevilWAH Member Posts: 2,997 ■■■■■■■■□□
    pitviper wrote: »
    hit the bathroom,

    Ahh yes, the most important part of the ritual !! :) Why is it i go before I leave the house, but the moment i walk in the test center I am ready to burst!
    • If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. Albert Einstein
    • An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties. It means that its going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming.
    Linkin Profile - Blog: http://Devilwah.com
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  • Dr ITDr IT Member Posts: 351 ■■■■□□□□□□
    @Steve086 :: "" Behead a chicken, perform a voodoo dance. """

    Steve i would need to learn few dance steps here.icon_thumright.gif

    As for mine - just rush through my notes and eat a light breakfast and loads of water..
    Venturing in to the Unknown

    Target 2018 : SSCP VCP- DTM

    The Difference between the Ordinary and the Extra-Ordinary is that Little " Extra ".
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  • Dakinggamer87Dakinggamer87 Member Posts: 4,016 ■■■■■■■■□□
    CodeBlox wrote: »
    I play Xbox a few hours before my exams.

    I have done this before on a couple exams to relax and keep focused before I go into taking an exam. :)
    *Associate's of Applied Sciences degree in Information Technology-Network Systems Administration
    *Bachelor's of Science: Information Technology - Security, Master's of Science: Information Technology - Management
    Matthew 6:33 - "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
    Certs/Business Licenses In Progress: AWS Solutions Architect, Series 6, Series 63
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  • thehourmanthehourman Member Posts: 723
    1. I don't tell other people that I am going to take an exam because for some reason it feels like bad luck.
    2. A lot of prayers
    3. I also have to take a crap, no matter what I need to push those treasures out.
    4. Relaxing my brain is a must, but it is so hard to relax.
    5. Eat breakfast and a banana.
    6. Call the testing center if there is a seat available (I'm a walk-in)
    7. I usually take a test in morning because I don't like sweating while taking the test.
    Studying:
    Working on CCNA: Security. Start date: 12.28.10
    Microsoft 70-640 - on hold (This is not taking me anywhere. I started this in October, and it is December now, I am still on page 221. WTH!)
    Reading:
    Network Warrior - Currently at Part II
    Reading IPv6 Essentials 2nd Edition - on hold
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  • Forsaken_GAForsaken_GA Member Posts: 4,024
    My pre-exam ritual basically goes like this -

    I'm studying.

    I 'feel' it.

    If it's mid afternoon or later, I put the books down and relax the rest of the night.

    If it's earlier in the day, or I wait until the following day, I drive down to the test center, schedule an exam on the spot, and take it right then.
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  • SteveO86SteveO86 Member Posts: 1,423
    Forsaken_GA wrote: »
    If it's earlier in the day, or I wait until the following day, I drive down to the test center, schedule an exam on the spot, and take it right then.

    Hhmm, I've always scheduled mine a few days in advance.. I've never shown up on the spot and asked to take the test.

    I'll have to ask my nearest testing center if I can do that.
    My Networking blog
    Latest blog post: Let's review EIGRP Named Mode
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  • Forsaken_GAForsaken_GA Member Posts: 4,024
    SteveO86 wrote: »
    Hhmm, I've always scheduled mine a few days in advance.. I've never shown up on the spot and asked to take the test.

    I'll have to ask my nearest testing center if I can do that.

    If they've got an open spot, they're more than happy to fill it, the testing center doesn't make any money off empty slots.

    Doing that is also the only use I've ever gotten out of the wallet cards, as it has my Cisco ID on it, so I had that over with my license to make sure they're scheduling me correctly.

    Unfortunately, I've had issues with Vue on scheduling exams over the phone and via the website, that have resulted in me getting a new Cisco ID. Trying to get Cisco to merge your test results is an ordeal. I've found the easiest way to make sure they get the right account is to go schedule it in person, and watch over their shoulder as they do it to make damn sure it's done right.
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  • AkaricloudAkaricloud Member Posts: 938
    I usually don't sleep the night before(or get very little sleep) then have an energy drink or two in the morning. I'll add some alcohol to the energy drink if I'm feeling unnecessarily nervous about it. I'm one of the rare few that does better on exams when I have some alcohol in me.

    After I click start on the exam and the timer starts I draw out a picture on the supplied dry erase sheet. My first MS exam I drew a fairly detailed smiley face and for the second I drew out a Tetris game using the grid lines to properly form the shapes. I'm pretty sure the proctor watching thought I was crazy for spending about 15 minutes on it but whatever. If the test starts to stress me out at all I just look back to my drawing and maybe work on it some more.

    I really wish I could have taken a picture of that Tetris drawing but I'm sure they wouldn't allow it.

    If there's one thing I've learned in college it's that the moments before a test are best spent relaxing. During this time I usually connect the material that I do know in my head instead of trying to cram more in.
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