The freedom to roam...

Do you have a Check-test soon? If so, here's some advice to help you get a better grade.

 

If this is your first Check test, the Supervising Examiner (SE) would class the test as an 'Educational'. You would not be given a grading at the end of it, but will make recommendations on any weaknesses you may have. An Educational test should be carried out after 6 months of qualifying.

 

You can opt for one of two ways to conduct your Check test.

• Role play, or;

• Using one of your current students

 

If you have any worries or you're unsure what the SE is looking for on a Check Test, don't be afraid to give him/her a call before the test. They usually have a 'surgery' on a Friday, when they're in their office. You'll find them really helpful, and put your mind at rest.

 

Role play

 

When you receive your invitation for the Check test, you would need to tick the box for Role play You should be sent details from the DSA as to what the topics will be. This will give you time to prepare for it. A Role play Check test is very similar to your Part 3 Test of teaching skills. You would be given two subjects to teach, with the SE playing the part of the learner at various stages of their development

 

Using one of your current students

 

If you choose to use one of your students, try to use a student driver that has had a few lessons but not at test standard. Your student should also respond well to your help, and with your Q A: A lot of students are reluctant to be a 'stooge' learner for a check test, but they usually agree if you offer to give a hour's free lesson.

 

If you can't supply a learner for the Check Test, you can use a qualified driver although you can't use another ADI. You'll need to allow at least an hour and half (preferably 2 hours) for the Check Test. Although the Check Test lasts for about an hour, you will need to allow time for your debrief at the end.

 

Meeting the SE

 

You will normally meet the SE at your local test centre. Try to be on time. The SE will ask you how many lessons your student has had, and the topic you will be covering in the lesson. When your student first meets the SE don't forget to introduce them. If you're hardly able to leave the loo because the first check test is scaring you to death then perhaps you'd best go for something easy to put across, that you know you don't have problems with. Try to avoid doing a manoeuvre though, I've been told that the SE's are tired of seeing them Reality is it shouldn't scare you as the examiner is there to help you and he/she can best help you, if they can see your skills under as near as normal conditions as possible. Aim high and go for it!

 

Having a plan

 

There are no short cuts. You need to supply a good lesson. Have a plan, and make your plan clear at the start. Discuss with your pupil what your plan is for the lesson. Ask if they've been doing any practice since you saw them last. Think about where you can go to best demonstrate and allow practice of the subject. Don't be frightened to drive to the area yourself and demonstrate what you want to see them doing. Keep in control of the situation. If something serious crops up don't be frightened to leave the intended plan and get onto the problem first or even abandon the original plan.

 

Q and A

 

Don't badger the pupil but keep up their attention by asking things like "What do you see ahead?" "Any problems behind?" Don't dry up. Even a seemingly dumb question may not be so.Keep the plans you had for the lesson in mind. Enjoy the lesson! Have a bit of fun but don't be rude or sexist. Aim to go in a circuit so any problems you encounter can be repeated and corrected. Make sure you spot and inform the pupil of any serious errors. If a serious error occurs, pull in as soon as practicable, discuss and try to get them corrected. Inform of all minor errors and if you haven't had time then tell your examiner at the end why you didn't have time to mention it.

 

Recap

 

Discuss whether the pupil has achieved their goal.

 

Don't be frightened to go over time to get the job done. At the end discuss with your pupil whether you achieved your goal. If not then explain why not. Recap. Emphasise the good points as well as the not so good points of the lesson. Ask the pupil what they thought of the lesson. Do THEY think the made the progress they wanted. If not, then what are they going to need to do next time?

 

Explain what your plans will be for the next session.

 

At the end of the test

 

When your examiner asks you a question about a situation that occurred after your Check Test, this is your chance to explain your reasons for what you did. He/she hasn't graded you yet so your answers can make a difference.

 

There's nothing new in what I've put here and can be found in any good instructor training manual so READ UP and don't just take me or any other instructor's advice as gospel.

 

What if I 'fail'? To be honest, you won't fail. It's not a pass or fail type of test. If you don't get a minimum of a grade 4 after your Check-test, then you will be asked to take another within a certain time limit.

 

These are:

• If you get a grade 3, that means that you're not teaching according to the Highway Code, and will be invited to re-take the Check-test with six months.

• If you get a grade 2 that means that you're teaching potentially dangerous manoeuvres and would be invited for another Check-Test within two months.

• If you're given a grade 1, you are teaching dangerous manoeuvres and would be invited to retake the Check-Test within a month.

 

If you're given a grade 1 after the third Check-Test, you will be formally told that you will be struck off the DSA register of ADI's. However you do have the right of appeal through the Department of Trade, which is the DSA's governing body.

 

So the bottom line is, if you're given a substandard grade (below 4) you need to take some refresher professional training. Good luck