Public Speaking: the speech part

[katie.d]

I am hoping to take the Public Speaking DSST soon and I have a couple questions.

1. Are you allowed to read/use/refer to your notes that were written in the 10 minute prep time during the speech? Or must you not use any notes?
2. Do you need to turn the notes you wrote for your speech to the grader?
3. How critical are the graders on knowledge about the particular subject?

Thanks for your help!

[KBnoweapons]

I am hoping to take the Public Speaking DSST soon and I have a couple questions.

1. Are you allowed to read/use/refer to your notes that were written in the 10 minute prep time during the speech? Or must you not use any notes?
2. Do you need to turn the notes you wrote for your speech to the grader?
3. How critical are the graders on knowledge about the particular subject?

Thanks for your help!

Katie,

I just took this test yesterday! Definitely go to Petersons website and read the other posts regarding this test. You are not allowed to bring anything into the testing center. At most schools you must lock your belongings in a locker and take the key. When you write out your notes on the paper they give you, the proctor will take it and mail it in with your test. Regarding knowledge of the subject, practice several topics. They care more about how you speak, if you've addressed the topic, if you took a position one way or another. Whatever you do, talk at least 3 minutes and no longer than 5 or you get an automatic fail!!! I wrote my entire speech out which wasn't much, but I spoke slow which helped with my time. I'm not sure if I passed, but I feel really good. Go to the Petersons website and practice what you see, take all three practice tests, then go back and print out those you got wrong and study study study.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[Drummerboy]

I am hoping to take the Public Speaking DSST soon and I have a couple questions.

1. Are you allowed to read/use/refer to your notes that were written in the 10 minute prep time during the speech? Or must you not use any notes?
2. Do you need to turn the notes you wrote for your speech to the grader?
3. How critical are the graders on knowledge about the particular subject?

Thanks for your help!

I wrote my speech outline on the back of the instruction page for the exam. You can look at it while you are giving your speech. However, they will turn it into the graders along with your tape. I'm not sure why. Either they want to make sure you know how to write out an outline, or they want to be able to follow your speech when they listen to it.

I'm not sure how picky they are on subject matter. That was a question I had, too. It's not like I walk around with an unlimited supply of evidence for 10 minute essay prompts tucked away in my frontal lobe. I took this test on Wednesday, so I am awaiting my results.

[KBnoweapons]

I wrote my speech outline on the back of the instruction page for the exam. You can look at it while you are giving your speech. However, they will turn it into the graders along with your tape. I'm not sure why. Either they want to make sure you know how to write out an outline, or they want to be able to follow your speech when they listen to it.

I'm not sure how picky they are on subject matter. That was a question I had, too. It's not like I walk around with an unlimited supply of evidence for 10 minute essay prompts tucked away in my frontal lobe. I took this test on Wednesday, so I am awaiting my results.

LOL I wrote so fast, they probably won't be able to make out my handwriting. I read directly from the paper. As I was reading, I made a mistake but caught myself. I did not EDIT (because that's an automatic fail as well). I just reworded the sentence which was a little off, but at least I didn't edit. I hope and pray I passed.

[katie.d]

Oh, I don't have to write out the entire speech, do I? I usually just speak from an outline . . .

Also, thank you both for your help!!

[KBnoweapons]

Oh, I don't have to write out the entire speech, do I? I usually just speak from an outline . . .

Also, thank you both for your help!!

Yes, you just speak from an outline. You do not have to write out speech. And actually, I might be in trouble because I wrote out my entire speech. I did write the main points first, and then my intro and conclusion. They don't know what order I wrote it in. Oh, man... I hope I don't fail because I wrote mine out.

On the Fact Sheet it says, "You will have 10 minutes to prepare your speech, which will be judged on the following dimensions: structure/organization; delivery, content/supporting material; effect/persuasive; and language/style." So I should be okay. It doesn't say you have 10 minutes to write an outline and then speak from it. If I fail, I will pay the $40 and dispute it like everyone else on here who has failed and disputed their grade.

[katie.d]

yeah, I was just looking at the factsheet and they do not specify if the student is supposed to write out the speech or just an outline--either way should work then.
I'm sure you won't fail!

[KBnoweapons]

yeah, I was just looking at the factsheet and they do not specify if the student is supposed to write out the speech or just an outline--either way should work then.
I'm sure you won't fail!

Yeah, I hope I don't fail. I just called my proctor and asked him about this. He said he called Prometric when he received the test and told them that IT WAS HIS FIRST TIME GIVING THAT PARTICULAR TEST, and asked the specifics. He said they told him that I cannot pause the tape for any reason or it's an automatic fail for me. They told him that I had to go over 3 minutes and nothing over 5 minutes. He said he thinks I did fine. Had I known it was his first time giving the test, I would have went to another location.

UPDATE
Okay, I called Prometric (877) 471-9860 and talked to someone there. The lady said they DO NOT send that sheet in to the grader. She said the only thing they send to the grader is the tape. So now I'll be able to sleep tonight.

[katie.d]

Okay, I called Prometric (877) 471-9860 and talked to someone there. The lady said they DO NOT send that sheet in to the grader. She said the only thing they send to the grader is the tape. So now I'll be able to sleep tonight.

ahh awesome. yayy! good to know. thanks.

[hoagland]

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