natalie

The Testing Center.

Anyone who knows what that is probably just got chills down their spine.

Those 3 simple words tend to do that.

What is with that place?

It's torture.

Let me educate those of you who don't know.

Here at BYU they have this building called, The Testing Center.

You enter this place, and it's just like prison.

You climb the stairs, wait in line, swipe your ID, and get the test.

Then you go through this one door.

When you enter all you hear is, papers, pencils tapping, and a few sighs.

You look around, and there are at least 150 desks.

Piled in lines, right next to each other, and no "personal space."

Windows every 15 ft, which should let in natural light...

but the old sheer white curtains cover them.

On walls are outdated posters with encouraging sayings on them.

Then you look at the students that are filling the desks.

Fear, panic, anxiety and stress is written ALL over their faces.

Calculators being pounded.

(like pressing the buttons harder gives you the right answer?)

Scriptures being hurried through to find "that one page."

Everyone clean shaven because the Honor Code is most strict here.

And of course you have the students who want to go talk to their teacher

either because it was too easy(which I will NEVER get) or too hard.

Then you choose any desk, and begin taking your test.

You hear the guy behind you saying to himself,

"What? We never did this?"

or the gal next to you breathing too loudly for your liking.

Lastly you finish your test.

Take it to the back to go through the "Scantron Reader"

Drop it off and say, 'Thanks" to the person taking your test.

(when really you want to say, I hate this place and that test)

You follow the Exit sign back down the stairs and look up to see a TV.

Not a normal TV though... one that displays your results.

Of course, you can only find it through your ID number.

Your eyes are quickly moving to catch your 4 digit number.

You catch hold of it. move your eyes to find the % flashing at you.

If you get an A you get a "Way to Go!" or "Great Job!" next to it.

Then you're done. You leave that dreadful building.

Enter outside and take a big breath of fresh air and tell yourself,

"Good Job, you did it! That wasn't that bad!"

then you remember you have to do it all again next week.