A Mock Test
So what is a mock test. Well it is a driving lesson conducted under test
conditions. Your instructor taking the mock test will conduct it in the
same way as an examiner would, in an attempt to emulate the sense of
the occasion. For example you may get the instruction "at the
roundabout ahead take a right turn it’s the third exit", there would be
no further instruction to help you navigate the roundabout, such as
check your mirrors, signal or get over to the right. You will do at least
one reverse manoeuvre and approximately 10 minutes of independent
driving just like in the real test (click here to see video ). We
generally conduct the mock test from your chosen test centre using
one of the possible routes you may get, for added realism.
Why do a Mock Test?
The purpose of the mock test is to give the learner a insight into the
real test. It also can show them and their instructor how they may
perform under test conditions with the added pressure and limited
instructions. It has proved very useful in the past highlighting areas
that may need working on. A common fault that comes up time after
time is the tendency to rush things under pressure especially one of
the reversing manoeuvres, or the opposite may happen where the
learner becomes over cautious and hesitant.
The Mock Test sheet
On the Mock Test I use the same test report sheet (DL25A) as the
DSA examiner (see Below). Looking at the report sheet you can make
out the many catergories where faults can be logged against. You are
allowed upto 15 minor faults (16 would be a fail) but no serious or
dangerous faults.