Decades of experience helping construction professionals to achieve their dreams and become licensed contractors has taught us that there are thousands upon thousands of men and women who would take the next step in their careers – and earn their licenses – if it weren’t for the testing process.
Some people are simply too afraid of the standardized examination to sit and take one, even if it means a whole new world of income and opportunities. Usually, these are construction professionals who excel at their jobs but didn’t do well in a traditional classroom setting. As a result, they feel too intimidated by the California licensed contractors exam to even try.
If that sounds like you, we want to tell you that you shouldn’t let one small obstacle hold you back from your dream. Here are four proven ways to calm your pre-exam nerves:
- Identify your fears. For most people with testing anxiety, there is a specific fear that holds them back. Perhaps they’re afraid that they’ll struggle with a section involving math, or that they won’t be able to understand some of the bigger words. Once these fears have been identified, you can develop a custom study routine to help you overcome.
- Over-prepare. The easiest way to get rid of anxiety about an exam is to simply over-prepare for it. Study until you have every answer and can feel completely confident that you’ll be able to answer whatever is thrown at you. Once you’ve mastered the material and understand what kinds of questions you’ll face, you’ll probably feel much calmer.
- Visualize the entire testing process. Most anxiety involves a fear of the unknown. At CSLS, we have computerized practice tests that mimic the entire exam experience. By sitting through them a few times, you can get a sense of what you need to know, and more importantly, what things will be like on your testing day.
- Talk to someone who’s been in your shoes. We work with thousands of new students every year, many of whom feel nervous about taking tests. Why not talk to someone who’s been in your shoes and successfully passed their exam? Learning about their experience might give you the confidence to move forward for yourself.
The California licensed contractors exam is only there to prove you’re ready to do great work – and the team at CSLS has the knowledge and experience to make sure you are 100% prepared when the time comes.
Call or email our admissions team today to learn more about your options and find the California licensed contractors exam prep course that’s perfect for you!
