Editing A Test Before Trying

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{{EpisodePrevNext|Homer Goes to Prep School|Changing of the Guardian}}
{{EpisodeHD
|image=A Test Before Trying promo 3.jpg
|productionCode= RABF03
|originalAirdate= January 13, 2013
|blackboardText=I will obey Oscar® campaign rules from now on
|couchGag=Couch - The Movie
|titlescreen=
|billboard=[[Krusty]]: Live from rehab! 8PM
|specialGuestVoices=[[Valerie Harper]] as the [[Department of Standardized Testing proctor]]
|Show Runner=
|Written By= [[Joel H. Cohen]]
|Directed By=[[Chris Clements]]
|Episode Number=518
}}

"'''A Test Before Trying'''" is the tenth episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[Season 24|24th season]]. It first aired on January 13, 2013. This episode is dedicated to [[Huell Howser]], who died on January 7, 2013 of prostate cancer.

== Synopsis ==
[[Mr. Burns]] hikes up electricity prices, leaving most of Springfield unable to afford to use it as much as before. Springfield's schools cannot afford to use it as much either, and they decide to test every single student, and whichever school has the lowest test scores will close. Springfield Elementary gets the lowest test scores, but [[Lisa]] discovers that one student did not take the test and the school's fate will rely on his test scores: [[Bart]]'s to be precise. Meanwhile, [[Homer]] uses a parking meter he found at [[Springfield Dump|the dump]] to fleece unwitting parkers of their quarters.

== Production ==
The music for the [[couch gag]] for this episode was left extremely late in production. On Thursday, January 10 (only 3 days before the episode was set to air), music editor [[Chris Ledesma]] was asked to come up with a new soundtrack for a new couch gag, which was replacing the current couch gag. Chris Ledesma had to start to score the music and get it ready for dubbing in only a few hours.<ref>[http://simpsonsmusic500.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/its-a-poor-workman-who-blames-his-tools/ Simpsons Music 500 - "It’s a Poor Workman Who Blames His Tools"]</ref>

== Reception ==
The episode gathered 5.06 million viewers.<ref>[http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/01/14/tv-ratings-sunday-golden-globes-up-from-last-year-once-upon-a-time-falls-happy-endings-revenge-dont-trust-the-b-hit-lows/165193/ TV By the Numbers - TV Ratings Sunday: 'Golden Globes' Up From Last Year, 'Once Upon a Time' Falls + 'Happy Endings', 'Revenge' & 'Don't Trust the B' Hit Lows (UPDATED)]</ref>

== Promotional images ==
<gallery>
File:A Test Before Trying promo 1.jpg|
File:A Test Before Trying promo 2.jpg|
File:A Test Before Trying promo 3.jpg|
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{season 24}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Test Before Trying, A}}

[[Category:2013]]
[[Category:Bart episodes]]