"There will be a practical portion" is not enough information to plan your interview. It could mean discussing a drawing, reviewing a sample record or completing a supervised task. Those are different situations.
The useful response is a clarification request, not a weekend spent guessing which machine you might encounter.
Confirm the format before the day
Ask the recruiter for the location, expected duration, permitted materials, clothing requirements and whether equipment will be involved. Ask what instruction and supervision are provided. Use the employer's established process for any accommodation request.
Do not bring tools or samples into a controlled workplace without permission. A clear arrival plan also helps you avoid confusing the office entrance with the assessment location.
Rehearse explanations using real examples
CareerOneStop's interview guide recommends practicing examples from education and work and preparing questions about the role. Here is our technical-learning version.
Choose one exercise and describe the assignment, your contribution, the feedback and what you changed. Keep the account short enough that the interviewer can ask follow-up questions. Practice with someone who can interrupt when a term is unclear.
Do not memorize a story so tightly that it no longer answers the question. A pause to understand the prompt is more useful than a polished answer to something else.
Name the edge of your experience
"I practiced measurement in a supervised lab, but I have not used that instrument" is clearer than a vague claim of familiarity. Explain what you know without implying it transfers automatically to unfamiliar equipment.
If a task is unclear or beyond your training, stop and ask the assessor. Do not improvise machine operation, energized work or a safety procedure to appear confident. This article provides interview preparation, not instructions for completing a technical test.
Ask how a beginner is supported
Find out who provides initial instruction, how readiness is assessed and what happens when a new employee encounters an unfamiliar task. Ask which duties belong to the advertised entry role rather than to experienced staff.
Write down any unanswered question after the interview. A promise of training is more useful when it has a person, process and scope attached to it.
Leave with an accurate account
Thank the interviewer, confirm the next step and retain your own notes without recording confidential test material. Do not treat a friendly conversation as a job offer.
Prepare your resume, organize training evidence, and revisit training versus credentials before presenting your qualifications.