Many high school students are working towards a big step in their life right now, their license. With grades, jobs, and friendships to juggle, it can be difficult to maintain concentration on your permit test, but with the right studying habits and tactics, passing the test will be less stressful than you think.
The hardest part about anything is starting. So for your permit test, assuming you’ve completed Drivers Ed, set an approximate date that you wish to have your permit. By doing so, you know how much studying time you have to get all the knowledge you need to pass. This will also help with stricter deadlines and benefit you not only for this test, but for future exams and deadlines you will encounter. In my personal experience, I scheduled my test and studied almost every day after school because I knew I only had a limited amount of time. At this point, I was ready to get my permit as soon as possible and with a set date, it helped me reach that goal.
The biggest tip that helped me truly absorb the material was reading the handbook. The California Drivers Handbook is a book with all the information needed for the test, you can pick it up at any California DMV or download it online. It has very specific examples of what to do when you get into certain situations and this is important because the permit test consists of these types of questions. There are simple questions that may ask what a street sign means or situational questions about the correct choice to make when put in a tricky position. By reading, annotating, and going over the handbook multiple times, the test questions should look very familiar.
Another studying tactic many people use is practicing using online Permit tests. Although many questions on these tests can be similar, some can be misleading. When choosing which tests to take, do some research and check the websites to see if they’re reliable and credible. The first time I took my test, the worker at the front desk told me to use the handbook and be careful when studying with the online tests. Look for DMV-affiliated websites and after reading the handbook, it should be easy to tell which tests are most alike and helpful. When I passed my test, I used the app CA DMV, which has a list of sample tests for the specific Permit you are working towards. The actual test did seem to have similarities to this app, but overall read the handbook and then take these online tests.
When you get to the point where you are taking the test, remember to read very carefully. The thing about these tests, just like many others, is that they try to trick you. Some questions may seem like they are asking you one thing but when you read it over a second time, it clicks. So read slowly, understand what it is asking you, and go over each response before deciding on your final answer.
With the right amount of practice, studying, and persistence, the Permit test is not as bad as it seems. The most nerve-racking part is waiting at the DMV before you get to the test, once you start reading the questions the nerves start to leave and you realize it is possible to pass. Begin reading the handbook, set an appointment, study during that time, and when you go to the DMV ensure you are confident in what you know. With these key points to remember, you will breeze through the Permit process and be ready for the next step, your license.
