A Story About The Test

It was raining when I left my house for the test. This test was given free for about 20 teachers of our school. I had almost decided not to follow it because of the unfriendly weather. I even had sent two SMS-ies to few friends telling them my possibility not to come to test. But, one of the friends strongly stated that the test was important for all teachers of bilingual classes, especially me, an English teacher. Therefore I rode my motorcycle in the rain. I could not stop to take a shelter because I was already late. A long the way to the institution, I hoped that my jacket was thick enough to let my inside clothes dry.

I got to the English institution after riding around looking for the address. I saw motorcycles were parked in front of it. I recognized some of them as my friends’ . I assured me that I came to the right place. But, when I saw nobody through the door, an uncertainty appeared. Then, I saw somebody in the room. I asked her if I came to right place. She replied me affirmatively. I introduced her that I was one of the test participants form junior high school 1 of  Banjarbaru, and I apologized for being late. From the door of a classroom she gave me a sign with her fingers a direction for me to go to. So, I walked to the direction. I was a bit confused because I could not find what I was looking for. I smiled at some women in the waiting room and asked them if they were also the test participants. They shook heads. My mouth automatically said; ” Oh ? ” as the sign of a big question in my head. I had no choice but sat myself on the chair near them. I took off my wet jacket and tried to open a conversation with them. Thank God, a lady came toward me and I recognized her as an English instructor. She smiled at me and led me to a closed room. It was the room I was looking for !

I entered the room with the undried-clothes. I saw my friends had been there, doing the test. I smiled at them shamefully, felt guilty for being late. But no one cared, they seemed so serious with their test. The lady instructor pointed a chair for me to do the test. I sat at the chair and started to the test. She informed me that the listening section would be in the end of the entire test. I began to answer the questions about the English structure. I felt relaxed that time although I knew I was late and would not get additional time to do the test. English structure was the part I liked to do better than the other parts of the whole test. So, I answered question by question in relaxed feeling. The half-wet-clothes and the cool wind of the AC should have given me inconvenient condition, but I found out that they helped me focus my concentration well instead.

The lady instructor informed us that the time for doing the English structure was up, and that we had to start to do the reading section. It was 35 minutes to do the reading part. But I did not finish the structure test yet, so I decided to continue doing it and let the reading test delayed. I preferred doing the easier ones first.

It was time for listening section. The instructor briefly told us the reason why the listening was in the end of the entire test. She said it was because there were some test participants who came late. And, in order to give complete listening test for all participants equally, the listening tape was played in the end. I silently approved that policy. I would not be able to follow that TOEFL test completely, unless they had the policy.

The tape of the listening test was played. It sounded clearly. I understood well what the speakers said. I don’t always listen well in each of listening test, but the good sound system and good concentration helped me much do that listening test well.

The day still rained, although it was not as heavy as it had been. All of us finished the test. I found out that some other friends of mine had done the test in different room. They said they had the listening test played in the beginning of the whole test. They still talked about it while they were going home. I chatted a little with them because the day was almost dusk. I asked permission to leave for home earlier.

Days went by normally in our school. No one talked about the test. I also did not think about it, but one thing I knew for sure; I could do the test better than what I had done many years before in my old job, at the bona fide private English course.

The day of the announcement came. Some of us seemed like they did not care. Perhaps, they could guess the result of their test. Some of us were curious enough to know it. They were mostly from from the group of teachers who were involved in our school bilingual program. Where did I stand ? Well.., I think I was in the second group of us.

A friend told me that I got the highest score. “Really ? ” my heart said. i was not so sure because in our school there were two teachers who had  the master degree. I had the university degree only. To make everything clear, I contacted the English institution which had held the TOEFL test for us. And their answer was;”Yes, you get the overall score 540,  and that’s the highest score among all test participants from your school.”  When I went there, they gave me an envelope with my name on it. I could see my detailed score in it. Only my score ? I impatiently asked them the test score of my friends’. But they calmly replied;”Sorry, Ms. It’s confidential …”

Now what? 540 as the highest score. It doesn’t mean I don’t thank God if there’s still dissatisfaction inside. Because I heard that 550 is the minimum requirement to study abroad, so mine is still lower ! For junior high high school teacher, the score might be good enough. But, for sure I know that my teenage students who were once in my class can get higher than me.  Anyway…, that’s what it really is. Hopefully, it will be better next time. As it is said in a song ” Tomorrow will be better … “

Sumar

September 5, 2008

I’m glad I have enough time to write again