WEST-B

In order to get into the Education Department, all students must first pass the WEST-B test. It is a state test that is to ensure that we are smart enough ;o) to teach. This is the basic test and there is also the WEST-E, exit test, that we need to finish before actually teaching. All in all the test material isn't too hard, but the test in general is overwhelming. I took all three sections at once and it was 4 and a half hours of hell. Okay, I'll admit that I get a little test anxiety so that may have contributed to the hell. By the time that I left, my brain felt like mush. I had fully intended to take the test and come home to blog about it, but that is truthfully where my blogging fell behind. I didn't want to think about anything after the test; my brain was exhausted.

Like I said, the test itself was really not that bad. The math portion was- dare I admit it- kind of fun...yes, that sounds geeky, but I kind of like problem solving. Ironically, the hardest part for me was on of the English sections and I'm an English major! Remember in grade school when you would get the assessment tests with the paragraph to read and then have to summarize the main point? Well, that is on the test and no matter how many times I attempted these on the practice tests, I always answered them wrong! I walked out of the test thinking that I failed it and upset because if I did fail it there wasn't even really a way to study for those type of questions.

I am happy that I waited to write this because I received my scores in the mail this week. Each section is worth 300 points and you need a minimum of 240 to pass. I passed all three sections on my first try with my lowest score being a 278. So, it really can be done and for those of you who have to take it- don't stress; you'll do fine.