Public Speaking: the speech part

[Drummerboy]

My proctor stepped out the door. I couldn't get the timer to start, and she came back in to help. She could hear my speech, but she didn't sit across from me while I gave it. Yes, I liked this because I would have been nervous if I had to give the speech to her.

[KBnoweapons]

I also am planning to take this test sometime in the near future and have a question for people who have taken this already. At our testing center, there is generally someone who sits in the room while you are taking your test and makes sure you have everything you need and that you don't cheat...will the proctor person stay in there while I am giving my speech to a tape? If so, that would be kind of awkward. I don't mind giving speeches and things, but when it comes to giving a speech for college credits, it would be an extra distraction for me if I was giving a speech and someone was sitting there listening to me. Just wondering...

`Dakota

My proctor was in the room with me, however, he did step out for a minute to answer someone's question. I asked him if he could step out while I give speech, and he said he could not. Check with your testing center to see how they do things. I'm sure each center does things differently. Also, if you're military, go to Petersons website and take all three tests, AND practice the speech topics they give you. Write an outline for all three speech topics and practice, making sure to time yourself on each. That's what I did. I was able to actually write my entire speech out, I talked slow, and stayed within the 3 to 5 minutes. I think I did well.

[Basket Weaver]

I find the responses about the proctor being in the room interesting.

A little tale about my testing experience with Speech: I had passed the written part and failed the speech part once before so I really prepped myself by finding out as many of the test questions and writing out outlines.

Fast forward to test day: I did well on the written portion and was was given 4 turned over slips of paper to choose from; luckily, the question I picked was one that I had prepared for. I too was given 10 minutes to write out my outline but was a bit surprised when the proctor took a seat opposite me when I prepared to do the speech...(did I mention she was training someone?) so there were now two complete strangers staring at me as I readied to give an impromptu speech on congressional term limits.

It was the best thing that could have happened to me.

They were actually a good audience, gave nonverbal feedback and most importantly, gave me lifesaving feedback on my time. I was actually wrapping up my speech when the main proctor motioned for me that I was short on time...an automatic fail...so I reiterated my main points and got a thumbs up when I passed the three minute threshold.

In the end, I passed it but I know I would have failed if not from the support of the proctors in the room; its really all how you look at it!

Good Luck!