ADI Part 3 test tips and advice

The Part 3 exam is to test your ability to teach. The test lasts for one hour and is divided into two phases. Phase one assesses your ability to teach a novice or intermediate learner and phase two assesses your ability to teach learners with a much higher ability to drive. In phase one the examiner plays the part of a novice or intermediate learner and in the second phase he or she will play the part of a learner who is nearly at test standard. The examiner will choose one out of ten Pre Set Tests (PST). You can score from grade 1 to 6. A grade 4 or above must be scored in each phase in order to pass Part 3. Three attempts are permitted at Part 3. Failure of all 3 attempts will result in having to wait 2 years from the date you passed your Part 1 test before you can start again. Part 1, 2 and 3 will then have to be taken again. Below you will find some of the key areas to keep in mind when taking your Part 3 test.

The DSA ADI 1 document explains the rules that the examiner must follow for the Part 3 test. A read of this may give you some insight and some tips for your Part 3 test.

Once you have passed Part 2 and completed 40 hours of Part 3 training, you will become eligible to apply for a trainee licence. If granted the trainee licence will enable you to teach for a maximum of 6 months for pay. The experience you gain in these 6 months will help enormously towards your Part 3 test. The trainee licence is by no means essential. If you believe you are struggling with your Part 3 training or your trainer thinks that it will benefit you, it then may be in your interest to apply for one.

Take time to get to know the roads around the test centre. In particular the more complicated parts such as one way systems or complicated roundabouts. If you happen to use these in your Part 3 test then it will provide you a much better understanding of what is approaching.

As your test starts, the examiner will give you a 'word picture'. The word picture is the role that the examiner will be playing. For example, the examiner will play a learner with very little experience and the lesson of the day will be left and right turns. Obviously you will be nervous on your test and it may go in one ear and out the other. Listen to the word picture very carefully and if you do not quite understand, then ask to repeat.

After your word picture, good questions and answers to the examiner is essential. By thoroughly covering these, you may well be able to discover some mistakes the examiner will make even before you set off.

On the Part 3 drive, one of the most important parts of your training is your Part 2. If at any point the examiner does something that you yourself wouldn't have done in your Part 2, then it is not acceptable. The skill you gained on your Part 2 is by far the most important knowledge needed to pass Part 3. Your ultimate goal is for your pupil (the examiner) to drive with good control and as safely as you did when you passed your Part 2.

Keep control! The examiner at any given point will make error after error. it is very easy to let these errors escalate and before you know it all control is lost. As soon as you see an error, pull the examiner up on it. If the errors are coming in thick and fast then ask the examiner to pull over on the left, making sure it is a safe convenient and legal position. By doing this you can address the errors he or she has made, remedy them and you have regained control. Something else the examiner may try whilst making mistakes is asking you questions that really aren't relevant to the task at hand. Again, don't be afraid to step in and tell the examiner that you will address those questions later but for now all concentration must be given to the given task.

It is important to know your Pre Set Tests (PST) within reason. During your Part 3, the examiner has a vast array of mistakes and errors that he or she can make. The weather can play a part, if it's raining for example and even the time of day in regards to traffic. Studying your PST to a fine routine can lead to failure. A good trainer will teach you how to instruct and not follow a routine. You should be taught how to remain calm under pressure and keep in control. How to diagnose problems and faults with good questions and answers, spot faults on the move, analyse the fault so you can understand why the pupil has done this and explain the fault to the pupil, why it is incorrect or potentially dangerous and how it should be corrected. The faults should be remedied with clear instructions on every aspect and with the use of reference points if possible.

The examiner isn't interested in a set routine. He or she will be demonstrating to you that all your pupils will be different and will make entirely different and at times unexpected mistakes. Some will be very nervous and some will be far too confident. With this in mind, studying your PST to a routine simply will not work. Being prepared to change your course of action at any given time, identify, analyse and correct faults based on your Part 2 skills is essential.

The ADI Part 3 test
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