Hi! I’ve also failed the welcome wagon test before :P. Here’s what got me to pass the test on a subsequent try:
Choose the questions that are easiest for you. Since you only have to respond to five of the scenarios, do the ones you feel most confident on. I’d suggest reading them all before choosing. You can also choose scenarios based on what you’re good at and not so good at.
- For example, I’m not great with the external links policy, so I usually let others handle that. I didn’t respond to the user adding external links on the test.
Start a message by saying hello and welcoming them to the site. Be as friendly as you can, even if it might seem a little obnoxious if it were something said in real life. Don’t be afraid to use an exclamation point for every other sentence.
Next, talk about something specific about them. If the contributor is making good edits, such as with categorization, spelling, or editing by topic, talk about that. Thank them for what they’re doing; tell them how their edits are going to help people and how great that is.
If the contributor has made some good edits and some not so good edits, only talk about the good ones. My advice is to resist coaching completely on the test. I’m sure that definitely factored into my failing the first time and passing later.
If they’re making some not-so-good edits, just don’t talk about their edits at all. You can leave that for a patroller to do with the quicknote function. Just don’t coach on the test
For any contributor, you’re going to want to make a personal connection next. For example, if they started an article on a game you like (whether it’s a stub/dub/nfd, whatever), just talk about how you like that game too. If not, maybe mention something on their user page, like if you both have dogs.
I remember that when I took the test they didn’t give you the user pages, only the contributions and talk page, so you can make something up! Say something like, “I saw on your user page you have a cat. I love cats! What’s his name?” You can totally make up some stuff like this since the test doesn’t give you the user pages. Again, I did this on the try I passed, and I’m very sure it helped a lot.
Last, do a closing. Talk again about how happy you are to have them here and offer to answer any questions, help out, etc.
Just be sure to make each response personal and friendly! Sorry this is so long
Let me know if this helped at all or if there’s anything else I can do for you! Good luck on the test;I hope you make it!
