...An Exam Proctor

Name: Anonymous
Profession: Occasional Test Giver

8AM: Drag myself out of bed and hit the shower.  Got to get up and dressed (business casual, no jeans!) and out the door in 20 minutes.

8:45AM: Arrive at college campus and find parking.  Ask for directions to the building I need to be in.  Run, run, run!

9AM: All checked in, picked up my nametag, grabbed a cup of Starbuck's coffee and a Krispy Kreme Donut and I'm ready for orientation.

9:05AM: Orientation begins.  What can I say?  I read the manual that was sent to me about the nuances of the test, so this part is pretty boring.  Basically, the head of the testing organization reads us directions (verbatim) from the manual, then asks if we have any questions.

10:30AM: We are given room assignments and necessary tools for the test giving (CD player, Pencils, Sharpener, Signs, etc.)  My partner and I head up to our classroom and begin setting up shop.  The room is in total disarray, so we have to organize desks, label them with each student's registration number, and put up signs.  All of this takes about 15 minutes, then we sit around and chat until...

11:30AM: Pick up lunch from office.  We are given a choice of Subway Sandwich boxes (Roast Beef, Veggie, or Ham).  Got to love a free lunch!

12:15PM: Toss out the remains of our lunches and get ready for students to begin arriving.

12:30PM: ID check begins.  We are not allowed to let students into the testing area without an official ID, which we use to confirm both the person and their birthdates.

1:00PM: Instructions begin.  My partner reads the instructions to the students verbatim.  This takes almost exactly 10 minutes.  In the meantime, I wait out in the hall for any stragglers.  I'm allowed to let students in up to 10 minutes after the test has begun.  Unfortunately we are missing 7 students, so they could arrive at any time.

1:10PM: Test Begins

1:20PM: I sneak back into the test taking room.  I now have an hour and 40 minutes to catch up on my reading.  I brought along a bunch of magazines and a book, so I'm fairly set for today.  My partner however, brought nothing.  Out of the corner of my eye I can see him start to fidget, so I offer him a fashion magazine.  He takes it gratefully!

3:00PM: Part 1 of the test is over.  We collect the test papers and instruct the students that they have a 20 minute break before the listening section will begin.

3:20 PM: Part 2 instructions are given.  The listening portion of the test is 60 minutes long, and unfortunately latecomers are automatically forfeited.  I hope for all the test takers' sakes that everyone is on time.

3:30PM: Part 2 begins.  I begin reading my book, occasionally checking to make sure no one is cheating.

4:30PM: Part 2 is over.  We collect the test booklets and answer sheets.  Students are allowed to go home.  My partner and I clean up the room and take everything back to the main office.  I sign out, get reimbursed for parking expenses and I'm done for the day.