Was it sheer luck that I passed my test?

[Anonymous]

In December I took an important state level test that can lead me towards a prestigious job. Very few people pass it every year. The test was conducted on computer and it was multiple choice based. Many of my peers took this test as well. Although I was quite prepared, the question paper did seem pretty complex and I had lost hope. However, I first answered all that I knew and then attempted the ones I had doubt about or didn't know (there wasn't any negative marking). In the end I started having doubts about one answer I had randomly chosen and I decided to change it. My mouse froze and although I tried my best it didn't do anything. The timer ran out and the screen was closed then. Coming out of the examination room I realised that I had indeed selected the right answer.

Now, every year certain number of people pass this exam and thus the highest scorers that fit into these certain number of vacancies are selected as successful candidates. The results came out recently and I saw that I have passed and that I'm the only one of my peers to pass it. However, here's the trick. I could have failed it if I had given one more wrong answer. What if my mouse worked and I had changed it?

I do feel little bit of an imposter but I know I had worked for it. However, I really want to know if someone else has had a similar experience.

[Oliverlogan263]

Woah, that's crazy! I can see why you'd be feeling a bit like an imposter after that whole situation. It's so weird how one little technical glitch ended up working in your favor, even though you were doubting one of your answers.

I gotta say, that sounds like some serious sheer luck that you ended up getting the right answer in the end. Like, what are the chances? If your mouse hadn't frozen up, you might've changed that answer and failed the whole thing. That's some next-level stuff right there.

But at the same time, it's clear you put in a ton of work to prepare for this test. Even if the timing and technical issues ended up working out in your favor, you still had the knowledge to get through all those tough questions. That's not just luck, that's skill, girl!

Lots of people struggle with imposter syndrome, even when they totally deserve their achievements. But you should be proud of yourself for putting in the effort and getting this far. Not everyone can say they passed this prestigious exam, even if some crazy circumstances helped out along the way.

I'm sure there are plenty of other people out there who have had similar "what if" moments, where a small decision or technical glitch ended up making a huge difference. It's just one of those weird things about life, ya know?

The important thing is that you did it! You worked hard, you were prepared, and you got the results you deserved. Don't sell yourself short just because of some dumb luck. Embrace the win, girl! You earned it.

[Anonymous]

It was knowledge that was there all along.