So on Wednesday I took my first exam for 20-odd years - the DELTA module 1 exam. So how did it go? In summary, sort of OK. I think.
The night before was mainly spent checking I had my passport and registration form (which of course I did, not that either were required in the end), pens, pencil, ruler (which I might need for some reason), different coloured highlighters (one would have been fine) and directions to the hotel. After a final read through my notes for each task and an hour or so on quizlet to revise some of the terms I was weaker on, I managed to sleep.
Up early, another check that the previous day's checking process hadn't somehow removed anything important from my bag and off I went.
Paper 1 was OK. I did the questions in the order that worked best in my mocks: Task 1, Task 2, Task 5, Task 3 and then Task 4. In my first mock, I had hardly left any time for Task 5 which carries most marks hence the re-jig. I was always going to be up against the clock but things were more or less going to plan until the "you have 10 minutes left" announcement. I had just started my final task (OK, I was a bit behind schedule) but the announcement had the frustrating effect of deleting any relevant thoughts I had. The task was to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of a CAE writing activity - it should have been pretty straightforward for me, I do this a lot in my job so I know what to expect from a student of that level. The "you have five minutes left" introduced a strange near panic feeling and I struggled to get any sense into my answers. With another five minutes I think I'd have been fine.
I had always found Paper 2 slightly easier to manage time wise and so it proved to be again this time. Fewer tasks means the paper seems easier to plan. Although I can't see how it is possible for anyone to read through their answers (or indeed to double check the have understood the questions correctly) before time runs out, I more or less managed to write what I needed to before time ran out. I think/hope. the last question about teacher talk time seemed straightforward but was I missing anything.
A few days have passed and I've had time to reflect. Of course I could have done things better. I know I made some mistakes under the pressure but I haven't thought of anything major. So it's fingers crossed. Obviously I want to pass the exam but I have learnt so much (particularly in the last month when I really got my head down) and am already using my new knowledge to plan and deliver my classes. An extremely worthwhile process and probably the best work related training/development I've ever done. And I can motivate myself to fully engage in a course by distance learning. Something I wasn't sure about beforehand.
So what now? Time to catch up on things I've had to let drift for the past couple of months, finish the term on a high, get a job for next year, think about Module 2 and plan the summer for starters. And wait for the results...
The night before was mainly spent checking I had my passport and registration form (which of course I did, not that either were required in the end), pens, pencil, ruler (which I might need for some reason), different coloured highlighters (one would have been fine) and directions to the hotel. After a final read through my notes for each task and an hour or so on quizlet to revise some of the terms I was weaker on, I managed to sleep.
Up early, another check that the previous day's checking process hadn't somehow removed anything important from my bag and off I went.
Paper 1 was OK. I did the questions in the order that worked best in my mocks: Task 1, Task 2, Task 5, Task 3 and then Task 4. In my first mock, I had hardly left any time for Task 5 which carries most marks hence the re-jig. I was always going to be up against the clock but things were more or less going to plan until the "you have 10 minutes left" announcement. I had just started my final task (OK, I was a bit behind schedule) but the announcement had the frustrating effect of deleting any relevant thoughts I had. The task was to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of a CAE writing activity - it should have been pretty straightforward for me, I do this a lot in my job so I know what to expect from a student of that level. The "you have five minutes left" introduced a strange near panic feeling and I struggled to get any sense into my answers. With another five minutes I think I'd have been fine.
I had always found Paper 2 slightly easier to manage time wise and so it proved to be again this time. Fewer tasks means the paper seems easier to plan. Although I can't see how it is possible for anyone to read through their answers (or indeed to double check the have understood the questions correctly) before time runs out, I more or less managed to write what I needed to before time ran out. I think/hope. the last question about teacher talk time seemed straightforward but was I missing anything.
A few days have passed and I've had time to reflect. Of course I could have done things better. I know I made some mistakes under the pressure but I haven't thought of anything major. So it's fingers crossed. Obviously I want to pass the exam but I have learnt so much (particularly in the last month when I really got my head down) and am already using my new knowledge to plan and deliver my classes. An extremely worthwhile process and probably the best work related training/development I've ever done. And I can motivate myself to fully engage in a course by distance learning. Something I wasn't sure about beforehand.
So what now? Time to catch up on things I've had to let drift for the past couple of months, finish the term on a high, get a job for next year, think about Module 2 and plan the summer for starters. And wait for the results...