My IAM Experience
Discussion
The usual way is to send off the test application form to IAM HQ who then contact the examiner who in turn contacts the associate to arrange a mutually convenient time to do the test
Our examiners also give the associate their contact number and/or email just in case the associate has an unexpected problem and cannot make the arranged time
I do not know how it works if fast track is done
Our examiners also give the associate their contact number and/or email just in case the associate has an unexpected problem and cannot make the arranged time
I do not know how it works if fast track is done
Hi Craikeybaby,
Glad the IAM sorted this in the end for you. Did you get an apology?
Good luck for the 25th! Regardless of the organisational c0ck up, I found the Examiner's feedback perhaps the most useful part of the whole thing: reassuring and useful to reinforce your good driving skills, as well as insightful to know what skills to work on next.
Have you decided whether you're going to do a 'commentary' during your test?
Glad the IAM sorted this in the end for you. Did you get an apology?
Good luck for the 25th! Regardless of the organisational c0ck up, I found the Examiner's feedback perhaps the most useful part of the whole thing: reassuring and useful to reinforce your good driving skills, as well as insightful to know what skills to work on next.
Have you decided whether you're going to do a 'commentary' during your test?
Yes, the IAM have apologised.
I'm not sure what to expect from the test, my plan was to discuss with the examiner what he wanted before the test started. I didn't really do much commentary driving during my training, although the examiner demonstrated it. I tend to find the constant talking distracting and struggle to get across everything I've observed.
I'm not sure what to expect from the test, my plan was to discuss with the examiner what he wanted before the test started. I didn't really do much commentary driving during my training, although the examiner demonstrated it. I tend to find the constant talking distracting and struggle to get across everything I've observed.
Craikeybaby said:
Yes, the IAM have apologised.
I'm not sure what to expect from the test, my plan was to discuss with the examiner what he wanted before the test started. I didn't really do much commentary driving during my training, although the examiner demonstrated it. I tend to find the constant talking distracting and struggle to get across everything I've observed.
Re commentary - you will never get across all you have observed unless your mouth can work as fast as your brain !!I'm not sure what to expect from the test, my plan was to discuss with the examiner what he wanted before the test started. I didn't really do much commentary driving during my training, although the examiner demonstrated it. I tend to find the constant talking distracting and struggle to get across everything I've observed.
Pick the most relevant points and mentioned them
What the examiner expects on test is your normal everyday driving - thats it - simple
If its not your normal driving then you are fooling yourself
Demonstrate as good a drive as you can. Show off your use of the system, be legal and safe, and make progress. Everything else will flow from there.
You will probably be asked to drive as if late for an appointment, but always safely and legally. You probably won't have to fuss about doing cockpit drill or manoeuvres, but you may.
Don't fret about commentary. You won't be expected to do it for the whole drive, and it is understood that it'll slightly reduce the standard of the drive whilst underway. There are guides on what makes good commentary, but fundamentally I would concentrate on things that pose a potential hazard or produce a behaviour (e.g. positioning), rather than every bit of paint. In doing this, also demonstrate that your observation covers the full visible distance as well as the imminent.
You will probably be asked to drive as if late for an appointment, but always safely and legally. You probably won't have to fuss about doing cockpit drill or manoeuvres, but you may.
Don't fret about commentary. You won't be expected to do it for the whole drive, and it is understood that it'll slightly reduce the standard of the drive whilst underway. There are guides on what makes good commentary, but fundamentally I would concentrate on things that pose a potential hazard or produce a behaviour (e.g. positioning), rather than every bit of paint. In doing this, also demonstrate that your observation covers the full visible distance as well as the imminent.
Edited by trashbat on Tuesday 20th August 11:07
trashbat said:
Demonstrate as good a drive as you can. Show off your use of the system, be legal and safe, and make progress. Everything else will flow from there.
... drive as if late for an appointment, but always safely and legally ...
Don't fret about commentary.
^ This is good advice.... drive as if late for an appointment, but always safely and legally ...
Don't fret about commentary.
If you can learn from the comfort of your sofa, then Mark Kendrick's Advanced RoadCraft DVD is good too. Mark Kendrick is both an ex-racer and a former police driving instructor too. He's also been an Examiner for RoSPA, so has an "examiner's eye view" that may be insightful pre-test.
The original Roadcraft DVD film footage might be showing its age, but the content's remains good and it's quite useful to hear the police commentary in the clips.
If you're interested in practising some commentary before the test, then Vonhosen's posted some useful tips here.
ETA how do I stop adverts from appearing in my post?!
Edited by SVS on Thursday 22 August 15:10
Had my test this morning, but failed 
The main reasons were hazard management and not enough shoulder checks. Most of the other things on the sheet were rated 2 with a few 1s so I'm not too far away. I'm going to wait a few months to get used to my new car, then have a few sessions with the local group and try for a test again towards the end of the year or early next year.
The main reasons were hazard management and not enough shoulder checks. Most of the other things on the sheet were rated 2 with a few 1s so I'm not too far away. I'm going to wait a few months to get used to my new car, then have a few sessions with the local group and try for a test again towards the end of the year or early next year.
Craikeybaby said:
Had my test this morning, but failed
The main reasons were hazard management and not enough shoulder checks. Most of the other things on the sheet were rated 2 with a few 1s so I'm not too far away. I'm going to wait a few months to get used to my new car, then have a few sessions with the local group and try for a test again towards the end of the year or early next year.
This was always my concern about intensive advanced courses - the driver does not have enough time for it to become their normal styleThe main reasons were hazard management and not enough shoulder checks. Most of the other things on the sheet were rated 2 with a few 1s so I'm not too far away. I'm going to wait a few months to get used to my new car, then have a few sessions with the local group and try for a test again towards the end of the year or early next year.
Great for a good start though but too expensive for what it is in my opinion
R0G said:
This was always my concern about intensive advanced courses - the driver does not have enough time for it to become their normal style
Great for a good start though but too expensive for what it is in my opinion
Pros & cons for both methods; I sometimes feel a bit uneasy about putting drivers through tests after intensive courses. On the other hand, I've experience of IAM groups whose whole ethos is "do it my way or you won't pass the test",Great for a good start though but too expensive for what it is in my opinion
It comes down to the individual & how they learn best, what their motivations are etc. Last week I did a full day with a young lady who had been given a day's advanced training as a Birthday present. She did not know there was such a thing as advanced tests. Even I was amazed by the changes in her driving over the day & I reckon if she decides to take one of the Roadcraft based tests she'll pass it no problem.
Hi Craikeybaby,
You're in good company! I took a couple of goes to pass.
However, my frustration at failing was useful, because it spurred me on to develop my riding. Sometimes failure and annoyance can provide useful energy. I've got a F1RST now.
It sounds like you've got a good plan. Don't worry what your local IAM group is like. Do worry what your individual Observer is like. Remember that you can always change Observer to ensure you get a good one; I did.
You're in good company! I took a couple of goes to pass.
However, my frustration at failing was useful, because it spurred me on to develop my riding. Sometimes failure and annoyance can provide useful energy. I've got a F1RST now.
It sounds like you've got a good plan. Don't worry what your local IAM group is like. Do worry what your individual Observer is like. Remember that you can always change Observer to ensure you get a good one; I did.
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