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Practice Tests and Studying for your CDL: Hazmat Endorsem*nt Test
Why the Test Is Mandatory
The hazardous materials endorsem*nt requires testing, just as getting your CDL required testing. Why do you have to take such a test? The reason is that commercial drivers need to be qualified to deal with potentially hazardous spills and situations. If you are driving large vehicles that require a CDL license and a Hazmat endorsem*nt there is a good chance that you will be dealing with hazardous materials. Knowing how to deal with these situations will keep you, the driver, safe as well as know how to react accordingly should a hazardous situation ever present itself.
Where to Find Study Materials
A lot of drivers feel because they have been around large vehicles and hazardous materials that they do not need the endorsem*nt but this is not true. You can never know too much about how to deal with these situations because responding appropriately could mean the difference between an accident and a catastrophe. It’s important to review information as much as possible until you know it well. A great place to start looking for help is your local motor vehicle department. Many motor vehicle departments offer study guides that will help you prepare for their specific test.
The library as well as the book store can be a great place to get the information that you need to pass the hazmat endorsem*nt test. Just make sure you check into the date of the information that you look into, as the more recently the book was published the more relevant the information will be. There is usually a wealth of information that can be found in these books. Not only will you get overviews of the tests, you can also take a look at sample tests and you’ll also find that when you read over the information enough times from enough resources, you’ll really start to absorb it!
The internet is a great place to learn about hazmat endorsem*nt testing because there are many resources, paid and otherwise, that will provide you with great information. Shop around and see what you can find, remember the newer the information is the more relevant it will be in meeting your study needs. Just be sure that you focus on taking in any information that you receive, instead of overwhelming yourself with the sheer amount of information available.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Do not look past the importance of a practice test. While practice tests may seem like a waste of time in the short term, in the long run you will be happy that you took the time to take a practice test or two because those who take practice tests usually do markedly better than those who do not. Give yourself a better chance of passing the first time by taking at least one practice test.
Practice tests for your hazmat endorsem*nt are usually very eye opening as it will show you in no uncertain terms what you know and what you need to study more. Continue taking the practice tests once a week and continue studying until you are able to pass the test with ease. Not only will you be able to concentrate your study efforts with the results of the practice test, you will boost confidence as you go along and do better and better.
There are many online CDL hazmat endorsem*nt practice tests for you to take advantage of. You should check with your motor vehicle department as well, because many offer a free practice test so you can get an idea of the types of questions that you will be asked. It will also allow you see how much you know and where you need more help before you actually spend the money on the real test.
You’re Ready When…
You’re ready to take the CDL hazmat endorsem*nt test when you know all of the information really well. At the bare minimum you need to answer 80% of the questions on the test correctly. It’s hard to say what 80% of the information will be on the test, so this is why you need to focus on knowing as much as possible so you can do as well as you can so you can pass the test the first time around.
This is where those practice tests will come in handy. You will have a sampling of test questions and you’ll also know where you need to focus your efforts. When you do the practice tests you should actually ensure that you know more than 80%. So, if you have been able to pass every practice test you have taken with at least an 80% (but you should focus on getting closer to 100%) you are ready to take the real test and get the job that you want that requires the hazmat endorsem*nt.
Studying for the Test: Setting Yourself Up For Success
Don’t allow for the importance of the test to overwhelm you. It is impossible to memorize everything that you read but by following a few study tips you may find that it is much easier to learn the information you not only need to pass the test but to also do your job well.
I. Don’t look at the big picture; break it down. Don’t try to learn everything in one foul swoop, instead break it up a bit so that you can learn with ease. Breaking it up and studying a small piece of information until you know it and then adding to that knowledge is much easier than trying to learn it all in one pass.
II. Use the techniques that work. Flash cards, repetition and memorization are all ways to learn the information that is needed to pass the test.
III. Find a friend. Meet up with someone else who is taking the same endorsem*nt test and work together to quiz one another and get as ready as possible. When you study with someone who is also knowledgeable or is learning the information, it can be much more effective than studying alone or with someone whodoesn’tknow what you’re talking about!
IV. Practice tests work. Take as many practice tests as you are able to take for the best result. If you take more than one you’ll get an even better idea of what you can expect on the real thing. The more you practice the better you’ll do and the more prepared you will be for the actual test.
V. Slow it down a bit. Remember that you don’t have to take the test until you are really ready. You’ll know when you are ready because you’ll know the information inside and out. Don’t rush it; doing so will not do you any favors in the long run. When you do things on your own terms and in your own time you are going to have a much better chance of being successful long term.
By Samuel Barradas.
