Licensed to ...

I have always considered myself a good test taker in school. I have never failed an exam and I did pretty good on my ACT's (at least good enough that the two universities to which I applied accepted me). Even in grad school, I performed pretty well on my exams. Sure, I haven't aced all of them, but I always managed to scrape at least a B. So my expectation of what my social work licensing exam would be was about the same as a graduate school final. Boy was I wrong!!

This experience of preparing for the social work licensure exam is kicking my trash. I took a practice exam and scored 50%. I have never gotten a 50% on any exam or assignment in my entire life!! (unless you count that time in high school that I missed a chemistry exam and because my track coach was the teacher, he waived it for me -- my sister, who was in the same class, was very mad). I have really been stressing about this exam since I finished school in December. I can't imagine trying to prepare for the board examinations that doctors and other professionals have to take. This one is tough.

I have planned on spending this entire week to prepare for it (luckily I am currently, temporarily unemployed). Eight to twelve hours straight of studying. Holy Crap!! Not my idea of fun. At least I get to take breaks and watch the BCS games (one of which was last night -- what a game!!).

This preparation has taught me one thing though. I can't pass this test by myself. That doesn't mean that I'm planning on cheating. It means that since God is the source of all truth, he knows what social workers need to know to pass the exam. So I am trusting in Him to help pull me through. After my week long study binge, His grace will be what compensates for what I lack. That's the only way I can pass.

Here's to faith to walk on water (Matt 14:22-33) and to pass licensing exams!!