If you use a slide rule....

"If you use a slide rule or calculator, you are resposible for its safekeeping for the morning and afternoon test sessions." So went the instructions on my broker's test. Now I am pretty sure that if I showed up with a slide rule I'd have some trouble explaining exactly what it was and that I wanted to use it while taking the test. But nevertheless there it was in my exam booklet. It almost makes me want to take the test again just to show up with a slide rule (no I don't have one but I know where I could get one). And really anyone who knows how to use a slide rule wouldn't need it to answer the questions asked.

The morning session was pretty tough but I think I more than made up for it in the afternoon. The woman who was giving the instructions was exactly the type of person you want for that job - clear, loud, a voice that puts you at ease. On the whole this ranks right up there with one of the best standardized test taking experiences I've had.