Car Theory Test

FreddieFrugal

I used an old cd theory test program and found it very useful, especially for practicing the hazard perception test. Also practiced the official one online. Most of it is common sense but there were a few things I didn't know beforehand.

I did brilliantly in the theory part and awfully on hazard - JUST squeezed a pass.

I hated the hazard part - had to or active for ages but I was getting ok scores until the day.

It's the whole 'click too much' and software could decide you're cheating, 'don't click enough' and you could miss the scoring window for the hazard, meaning you could click too soon.

I absolutely hated it, my fear was not passing because of the quirks of a stupid computer program, not because I couldn't spot hazards.

When I did my practical test 3 months later there were so many hazards on almost every part of the test there were weird things going on in the roads, examiner commented on how challenging it was at the end. Still passed - 2 years later no accidents, so obviously I am quite good and spotting hazards. Stupid machine

FreddieFrugal

Strider590 wrote: »

One has to question the validity of a theory test where learners can simply memorise answers to questions and then forget everything the second they pass.


Idiots can memorise text books, they do it all day long at universities up and down the country, but idiots cannot apply logic and reasoning

That's what the practical test is for.

What utter drivel you're speaking. I certainly did more than just memorise text books at university. You didn't get multiple choice. You had to immediately be able to use all the knowledge you had about several different subjects and form them into a rational essay response to the questions, taking on both sides of argument and coming to a logical conclusion. Not about memorising facts it's about using them.

With regard to the driving theory test, I didn't like it but it's a reasonable way of assessing basic Highway Code knowledge and common sense before you then prove that in action in your main test.

It may not be as you would like it to be but the UK still managed to produce one of the highest standards of general driving in the world. Obviously you get the occasional moron, but look at many other countries (Italy, Turkey, Morocco), compare the standard of driving there - with a Highway Code and list of 'enforced' driving laws that could probably fit on the back of a stamp.

We're very lucky to live in a country where the majority of the time people drive rationally, predictably and with consideration for other road users.

So don't be too quick to disregard the learning and testing system.

Strider590

IanRi wrote: »

That's what the practical test is for.

What utter drivel you're speaking. I certainly did more than just memorise text books at university. You didn't get multiple choice. You had to immediately be able to use all the knowledge you had about several different subjects and form them into a rational essay response to the questions, taking on both sides of argument and coming to a logical conclusion. Not about memorising facts it's about using them.

Oh really?

Why are the most stupid people I have ever known, all graduates?

I'm not tarring all with one brush, but you have to admit there are a lot of complete wasters who go to uni for as a "lifestyle" choice, cheat their way through and then come out expecting the world to give them a job.

If someone comes out of uni with a computer science degree and then gets a job in a school, working in IT support, you kind of expect them to know how to reinstall an OS or plug in a USB mouse. I have a friend, working as IT support in a local school, the above is the most recent recruit, gets paid nearly the same wage, is being groomed to take over management, is utterly clueless, hasn't learnt a thing in over 2 years and leaves my mate doing the job of 2 people while they swan around "having a laugh" with the other school staff.

If you went to uni and you worked hard, fair play... But you can't deny the existence of these idiots, in fact i'm sure you must have gone through times where they got on your nerves too.

I've worked from the age of 17, I did college 2 days a week, 9am til 9pm (unpaid on those days), at a cost of nearly £4000 of my own hard earned cash.

I don't tolerate idiots and I will make this very clear when they're in my face spouting utter nonsense, assuming that the louder they speak, the more correct they are, with this "i've been to uni, I know better than you" attitude.

Show me your (not YOU) capabilities, speak in a logical educated manner and i'm fine with that, but spout rubbish hiding behind a piece of paper, throwing childish tantrums when picked up on the nonsense your speaking and you need to get out of my face pretty quickly.

Intelligence is about curiosity, not arrogance. In fact, ignorance and arrogance are the ultimate level of stupidity.

FreddieFrugal

Of course I did. Especially as I went to Scotland where people got in for free.

I had exams where some people just stayed for the first 15 minutes where you weren't allowed to leave (of a three hour exam) then just walked out. Clearly only using uni as a free government funded ride and just went in to be registered on the exam so they got there grant money.

There are also some completely useless degrees out there. Like the guy on that Nick and Margaret benefits program who said he'd worked really hard for his media 'degree' and therefore was over qualified to work in a shop.




But this is all a bit off topic. I agree with your view about a piece if paper being meaningless without something real to back it up. But that's what the practical test and future learner driving is for. I hope they never bring in a stupid probation driving period after passing, it might not effect me directly. But I know that I passed as a very good and careful driver, had I been restricted in my car use purely down to the fact I had just passed I would have felt very unfairly treated and I'm sure many other new drivers would be too.

Strider590

Well exactly, a degree is Simpsonology is clearly just a time wasting exercise in the pursuit of a life of parties and alcohol and work avoidance.

owen_money

Strider590 wrote: »

Oh really?

I have a friend, working as IT support in a local school, the most recent recruit, gets paid nearly the same wage, is being groomed to take over management, is utterly clueless, hasn't learnt a thing in over 2 years and leaves my mate doing the job of 2 people while they swan around "having a laugh" with the other school staff.

.

Good job he's not bitter about it though

Prothet_of_Doom

IanRi wrote: »

There are also some completely useless degrees out there. Like the guy on that Nick and Margaret benefits program who said he'd worked really hard for his media 'degree' and therefore was over qualified to work in a shop.

I hope they never bring in a stupid probation driving period after passing, it might not effect me directly. But I know that I passed as a very good and careful driver, had I been restricted in my car use purely down to the fact I had just passed I would have felt very unfairly treated and I'm sure many other new drivers would be too.

On the first point : what they failed to teach was ambition. :rotfl:

On the second point : Having past my test in 1984, It would have been safer if there had been massive restrictions on my driving. A rev limiter that stopped the engine going above 3500 rpm might have been the best option.
Not driving at night, perhaps, except the only crash that I had was day time thing.
A second 'motorway' test would be good, although some people in parts of GB, might have a problem with distance from a motorway to practise with an instructor.

Mr_Mink

To get back to the online/cd-rom debate. I'd say, whilst the cd-rom is likely to be more thorough it may also be out of date. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed up the questions when they introduced the self navigation part of the test (no idea what it's actually called). An online resource will most likely be up to date.

I remember an ex using this site driving-test-success (dot) com (sorry, I'm a newbie so can't post links ;-) ) and this site seemed pretty thorough about the whole process.

FreddieFrugal

I did it 2 years ago so not changed, I used a 2004 dated theory test cd with hazard perception - was the same basic stuff as in test

powerful_Rogue

I just had to sit it again because I want to take my bike test and the majority of it was the same as when I first took it 10 years ago.

I bought a theory test app and a hazard perception test app from the Google play store (69p each) and was able to practice everytime I had a spare 5 minutes.