So.... I failed. I did 40mph in a 30mph zone (no signs, read the road wrong) and I left the test feeling incompetent Start of the ride I was told all of the route - to memorise. I asked if I would have an ear piece or if he would use turn signals to help me with the route but he said that I had to lead the route... considering I've only lived here a matter of weeks I've never been to these places and don't know the roads I was visibly shaking! I got majority 1's and 2's for the ride... and only made one wrong turn but it worked out as it took us to the right place. I got a grade 4 for observation (not reading the sign-less road right) and 4 for legality (40 in 30)... plus a grade 3, for signals... my rear left indicator blew during the ride!!! I got a 3 for mirrors/rear observation when I felt I checked my mirrors every 5secs ish and blind spot checked when I moved for the turns in the road - he was riding quite a long way back from me... Im not sure how he could tell. Maybe it's just an omen that I'm not ready for IAMs. I feel like an utter failure and that I was dangerous Left the test wanting to throw the towel in with advanced riding.
Chin up , practice makes perfect.You said yourself you didnt feel well prepared before the test. You have the basics so don't quit now.
Sorry to hear that, but don't let if put you off, count that one as a practice test, you now know what to work on more, so will be better prepared next time
Firstly, don't be too hard on yourself. I prefer to use mirrors and indicators for directions as after 38 years as a examiner I find that this system allows the ride to flow, and there is nothing worse than having someone bellowing in your ear at the wrong moment, and apart from which, trying to memorise a route is going to detract from your ability to concentate, and it prevents the examiner (to a degree) from amending the route. Many of the younger examiners want to see the indicator used for everything which is actually not in keeping with Roadcraft bearing in mind that the key word in advanced riding is "Consider" not "Do", whereas I like to see the indcator used where it will be beneficial to other road users and not given for the sake of being given. In respect of the speed limit, well... Can't do much about that, but had you been on a RoSPA test it might simply have knocked you from a Gold to a silver grade depending on the standard of the overal ride on the basis that nobody is perfect and if that was the only major mistake, then you look at the ride overall not as a ride of specifics as this can be covered in the debrief. You know the areas that you need to work on now. You cannot be that bad as the ride would have been terminated (which I have done on a number of occasions, one being a senior observer who thought he knew better), work on those key areas , relax and I have no doubt that a pass is there for the taking.
Forewarned is forearmed now for the retest. You can go into the next one more confident as you know what to expect.
First, bad luck, but try again and dont give up after the hard work you put in. It will feel a lot easier next time. As for TCs comments, I echo them, as far the test goes the examiner is not there, and I tell all my associates you only signal if someone can gain from it, IMO that's one of the fundamentals of an advanced rider/driver, you are not just doing things by numbers or following a script, you are showing a greater awareness of the situation around you and making decisions based on what you see, if there ain't no one to signal to, then you do not signal, it's pointless. Do not bury yourself and feel worthless, you made the effort and put yourself through it by choice, so stick at it and pass second time around.
Bad luck mate, but credit to you for trying, don't give up, at least you have an idea of what to expect next time. Passed mine some years ago, but did fail first attempt. Keep at it !
I'm likely to be given the same examiner for the next ride due to where I live... if he sticks to the same route I might be able to memorise it for a second time... but is this really how it's done? My observer wasn't very happy when I gave him a break down of the ride... the ride itself was on some really lovely (yet challenging) roads... just a shame I'm "grade 4" for observation and legality! Yes I'm beating myself up... and yes I'm reluctant to ride any more this weekend because of my grump. I didn't even feel this way after crashing.... or after getting in from terrible weather rides... is this normal?!
http://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-mechanisms.html#rep Don't beat yourself up and don't kick your dog either
Try and put things into perspective as I don't think your examiner has helped you. Nobody is perfect and nobody is capable of producing the "Perfect" ride. Anyone who says that they have given or seen the "perfect" ride is a liar. The examiner should have taken this into account and borne in mnind a number of factors - 1. You would have been nervous (natural when you are subjecting yourself for scrutiny) 2. His debrief should have been P B P (praise, bollock, praise) so that you at east left on a bit of a high. 3. The debrief should also be constructive as it then allows you to make your point of view because sometimes from the examiners position, the perspective can be a little different. 4. You should have been judged on your overall ability. Yes you made a couple of mistakes, but who doesn't. Even those of us who hold Police class 1 and instructor qualifications don't get it right every time. Learn to relax and ride on what you can see not what you know, which is why I advocate riding on unfamiliar roads because if you are riding on roads you know, then all you are doing is proving that you can memorise a route and gives a false indication of your overall riding ability. I wrote, ran and delivered the RoSPA diploma for advanced instructors and we used to do a lot of runs into Wales where the students were totally unfamiliar with the roads we were using (including myself) and you learnt more about someones riding standards then you ever will on popular or familiar roads. Once you get your report through, if there are any aspects you would like to discuss, you are more than welcome to drop me a line or give me a call if you think I may be able to give you a few pointers,
Ro gutted you failed but really don't beat yourself up about it... Put yourself out there and fair play, now you have the benchmark to build from. I haven't done it and doubt I would, if I did I very much doubt I'd pass... But still don't think this is a ultimate reflection on your ability.... All tests are set in a way you need to operate to pass. Not always how you will take it forward in the real world. Keep working on it and sure you will get there
Just catching up on stuff on here. Sorry to hear that you were unsuccessful. Don't chuck in the towel, consider it to be a personal challenge. I like to remain flexible with the system. The candidate is in front of me and may have a different view of things to me. I might ask them a question at the end of the test and ask their rationale for various different things they did. No right or wrong answer but it shows how they may/may not have assessed risk. I gave candidates the option of comms with a receive only ear piece, or take direction from me. If they are looking for my signal they may stare into their mirrors waiting for it. If I give direction via comms then I'll normally give it well in advance at a point that shouldn't distract them. But at least they get the choice. Former colleague is fellow examiner in our area for both IAM and RoSPA and we both apply the same criteria as to how we conduct tests. Signals really should be applied only when someone is going to gain advantage. Have you got a regular observer, or do you get chopped and changed? If you want to discuss any aspects of it I'm happy to help. Will PM my number.
