Not ready for CDL test

So today is my last day of my 3 week program, and I am freaking out! I don't feel ready at all! I am scheduled to take my test next Thursday, but I am pretty sure I'll fail because I can't back consistently. I'll have some good days where I can do them decently-ish (still needing some instructor help and going over the time limits), but then I have BAD days where I can't even straight back.

I have pretty severe anxiety issues. My instructors keep saying I'm making progress and they can see that I'm trying my best, but I don't know if I'm actually ill prepared or it's a self confidence issue.

I guess I'm just wondering if I should pay for more time to get additional assistance with backing before my test next Thursday or if I should just try the test and see if I can pass first. I really don't want to spend more money because my parents would be helping me out at this point, and I don't want to waste it...but I obviously want to pass...

 

Sometimes you have to retake the exam... I drove a co-worker to the DPS 4 times before she passed her class B, by the end she had memorized the course/route. Is you school a "gauranteed to pass" setup?

 

If you feel you need more practice, I'd get more practice. That being said, as a former trainer, 90% of the problems people have while backing are confidence related, not their actual skill level.

 

2 words of advice bud. "Calm Down"!!!!. You're going to be ok if you don't mindf**k yourself before you even get in the cab. I can guarantee you if you go to take the test in your current frame of mind,you'll fail it, because it's what your expecting. (You sound a heckuva a lot like me,which is why I'm saying these things to you. I've been on meds for anxiety and have always been my own worse enemy. Lol) Just keep thinking to yourself,"I got this". You'd be surprised how much of it is mental. Trust me when I tell you that every last person who has ever taken the test felt nervous beforehand,and it's almost always the backing part of it that worries them. Just remember to take your time but don't overthink it. Don't oversteer on the alley dock and FOLLOW UP!! ( i.e., once you've got the trailer headed in the right direction, cut the wheel back and follow it up). And if you do fail the test,don't sweat it. Out of 10 guys in my class 8 years ago, only 5 of us passed it on the 1st try. Good luck and as my daughters would say, "chillax", 'cause it's all going to work out for you.

 

The biggest problem I see with rookies backing is that they over-correct. Breathe, and make small corrections when you are straight backing (no more than 1/2 turn of the steering wheel at a time), always returning the wheel to the straight position. And don't pancake (as my Dad would say).

 

When you are testing they will just be quietly observing out of the way and you will hardly notice them. Quite the opposite of the instructors that are pacing around, flapping arms, or hanging off the truck. It's surprisingly easier without that distraction.

 

Change your mental thought of yourself to I'm a bad mothertrucker whose got this no problem! Mentally bashing your abilities degrades your own abilities. Confidence man! I like though as new guy you are concerned, many don't care, shows a lot to me.

 

Just pop an adderall or two before the test, you'll be fine.

 

Believe in yourself big g !

You'll be a pro in no time !