One important point to remember, which may make it easier for you to relax while taking the test, is that if you do not get the score you are hoping for the first time around you are perfectly welcome to come back on another day and take the Census test all over again. You can do this as many times as you want, providing it is not on the same day. So, you do not have to worry about your score, just relax and do your best, knowing that it is possible to have a second or third or more chance.
Take the Census practice test: It is very important that you time yourself while doing the practice test first. This will give you an idea of the type of questions you will be asked, the level of math needed, and you will realize how little time you have to answer all 28 questions that you will be asked. You will also have a chance to understand the questions specific to census testing, such as the map key and boundaries, and coding questions.
Make sure you are feeling healthy and rested: No one tests very well when they are tired, hungry or if they have a headache.
Order of answers: Scan the whole test paper rather than jumping in at the beginning, and answer the easy questions first. Once you have all of the easy questions answered, go back to the harder ones, or the ones you were not able to figure out. This will ensure that you do not get stuck trying to figure out one of the more complex questions, and run out of time, failing to answer all the easy ones. Remember the Census test itself is only 30 minutes long. The time limit applies pressure by design, so by answering the easier questions first, it can give you some breathing room.
Answer every question: If you come to the end of the exam and you still cannot figure out some of the answers, just take a guess. Look at the answers and try to choose one that looks the most logical. Like most standardized tests, the census exam multiple choice answers usually have two wrong answers and two answers that could be right. To save time, quickly scan the question and eliminate the obvious wrong choices. If you cannot figure out the answer you will at least be making a more educated guess from two answers only, instead of four.
Scratch sheet: Just do your computations on the scratch sheet. Do not take time re-writing the problem itself on the scratch sheet.
Re-check your work: When you are done, providing you have time, go through and re-check all of your answers.
Watch out for tricky questions: Be especially attentive when it comes to people’s names, make sure the one you choose is spelled correctly. There is a difference between Rodrigez and Rodriguez for example, but if you are in a hurry or feeling under pressure, you may easily miss it and choose the wrong one.
Don’t waste time on difficult or unclear questions: If you get stuck on one question, or you find that it is taking too long to answer, move on and answer something else, then come back to that question later.
By following these tips, you should easily be able to complete the 28 questions on the Census employment test in the time period allotted with enough time to make sure all of the questions are also answered accurately.