Exams

Times have changed. Back in the good ol' days, if there was ever such a time, exams were delivered to the candidates desk by paper. It has been five years since I last sat an aviation exam, and now the medium of choice is computer. Today being my first instrument exam, was my first experience of this computer delivered exam technology. It sure was a different experience, but on the whole an improvement on the historical system. I'll give it 8/10. Of course for the total exam experience I'll give that 1/10. I mean, I have enough trains on this emotional rollercoaster ride right now without this added predicament.

Exams affect everyone in different ways. Where once the wait for results could take days or weeks, now results are available within the hour. Now here's a question. Having just been dragged kicking and screaming through one exam, do you really want to know your results before sitting your next exam the next day? So after arriving back at the college we all sat round unable to answer that. For some it was simple. Yes or no. For others it was a maybe. It was painful. The only comparison I can make is dropping something of value down the waste disposal unit. Do you really want to stick your hand down there to retrieve that shiny gem? It's a conundrum. For myself it was a resounding NO, I'll wait until I get back home. In the end we all had our questions answered, whether we wanted it or not (Sue in the office just couldn't help herself, not saying if we'd passed or not, but just that we wouldn't be disappointed with the result).

I can only say that in the end it was a magical. To be there at the moment when each person found out that the hard work that they had put into this had paid off, was certainly an uplifting experience. The elation was tangible. Unfortunately elation was not to be for everyone. In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter, for in the end all these exams will be passed be all. Too much work has gone into it to not have another crack.

Today, a good day. Another day in the list of days which moves us all in our chosen direction.