The CAST (Construction and Skilled Trades) test was established by the EEI in order to assess applicants for their skills in electrical repairs, facility maintenance, vehicle repairs, and other similar skilled trades. Here is what you need to ace it like a pro.
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Get as many practice papers as you can
Practice makes perfect – no doubts about it. The good news is there are plenty of practice papers out there, as well as sample tests and questions. Some of them are available for free – others require a premium, not to mention subscription-based ones.
Not only will you learn many new things, but you will also become familiar with the most common questions for the test, as well as the format of the CAST test questions. You can source such questions from more websites.
Practice against the clock
The CAST test will not last as much as you need, especially if you are not well prepared. Apart from becoming familiar with questions and formats, you also need to learn about the time. The test is split into more parts and each of them should be done within a particular time frame.
Spend 30 minutes on the graphic arithmetic. Spend another 30 minutes on reading comprehension. Then, you will need 20 minutes for mechanical concepts and seven minutes for mathematics. When you practice on paper, do it against time.
The last question is the most complicated one because you have less than 30 seconds for each question.
Timed exercises will boost your response time, but also show you how much time you need for each section – the areas that might need improvement. Getting the right CAST test prep is essential for success. You will also gain some extra confidence and reduce the tension throughout the exam.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
Failing to take this step is like lying to yourself. Practice papers will show you what areas require you to work more on. For instance, if you are great with mathematics and mechanics, you may need to spend more time on the comprehension section. It also helps to learn what recruiters look for when testing candidates.
Spend more time on it and train accordingly. Extra practice will make you better for the test, but it will also add to your self-confidence once the test begins.
Each section requires equal attention
There are two reasons wherefore people tend to avoid one section or the other. First, they think they are too good, so they do not need to prepare – only a misconception. Second, they may hate one thing or the other, so they will not insist on it.
No matter what it is, each section requires equal attention. If you feel too confident in one area, you still need to practice in order to become familiar with the questions and the format. You are not a professional, so you can still be caught off guard.
Familiarize yourself with the format
Go through practice papers and try to figure out a few things in common. Some questions come with diagrams. Then, you may want to know more about how long the reading passages in the comprehensive section are, not to mention the topics discussed.
How many questions need quick calculations? Knowing all these things will add to your response time.
The bottom line, the CAST exam is not impossible, but just like any other test out there, it requires proper training. The above-mentioned tips can turn you into a machine, especially if you start early.
