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ADI Check Test: Prepare now to avoid failure and improve your grade
You must prepare for your forthcoming ADI check test to boost your confidence, avoid failure and become a better Driving Instructor. You are limited to three tests, if you do not pass on the third attempt you will be removed from the ADI register subject to appeal.
There are three main areas which you should know about:
- Instructor Characteristics;
- Instructional Techniques;
- Fault Assessments.
Instructor Characteristics
A good instructor must be articulate and be able to pass on information in an easily understood manner without needlessly repeating him / herself. You should show enthusiasm by never missing an opportunity to give additional guidance, but not to the point of over controlling your pupil. Enthusiasm can also be shown by taking a keen interest in all that takes place during the lesson. Encouraging your pupil is part of the stock in trade of all teachers. Pupils need to know when they have done well. You should have an easy relaxed manner without being over familiar but maintaining a good rapport with your pupil. Patience is a virtue which is essential in driving instruction. You must be prepared to repeat a sequence of instruction over and over again without criticising your pupil's inability to master a particular skill. Don't be afraid of trying a different approach if it is clear your pupil is having difficulty learning. Be self confident and capable of passing on confidence to your pupil.
Instructional Techniques
This is the way in which you should structure a lesson to ensure there is an opportunity for your pupil to learn something. You must have a well defined lesson so your pupil is aware of the subject matter which you intend to teach and you expect your pupil to learn. Your lesson and teaching must be matched to the ability and experience of your pupil or it may go over your pupil's head and be wasted. You mustn't make your lesson too simple or the pupil may become disinterested. If your pupil is one you haven't instructed before you will need to find out their level of ability at the start of the lesson. At the beginning of the lesson you should go over the main points covered in the previous lesson to establish a base line for the current lesson. During the lesson make your instructions and directions in a clear way. Have regard for the road and traffic conditions and give your pupil sufficient time to be able to carry out your intended action or instruction. During the lesson you should ask your pupil questions which will help towards your pupil understanding the subject being taught. There is a need for your questions to be thought provoking rather than just testing your pupil's memory. You should also encourage your pupil to ask questions. Remember when you ask a question you should listen to the reply and if necessary correct any inaccuracies or misunderstandings. This is feedback which will help you to adjust the level of your instruction to meet the needs of your pupil. At the end of your lesson you should summarize the main points covered during the lesson. You should assess the achievement and weaknesses of your pupil and discuss these with your pupil.
Fault Assessment
You will need to be able to identify, analyse and assess your pupil's faults, if a remedy is to be found which will help your pupil to improve his / her ability. You must tell your pupil when they commit a fault. It is important that you know the reason why the fault was committed so that you can effectively rectify it. You should correct the fault as soon as possible, only delay the correction if it would be dangerous to do so. If you delay corrective action your pupil will only become an expert at repeating the fault. When it becomes necessary to use the dual controls you must tell your pupil that you have used them and why.
Plan your check test just as you would a normal lesson. Don't make the mistake of rehearsing it with your pupil beforehand, let the lesson flow as naturally as possible. You will have to mention to your pupil that you are taking a check test but there is no reason for them to be concerned. The offer of a free lesson usually brings a volunteer forward. On the day of the test pick a lesson that will be beneficial to your pupil, it will require them to practice previously taught skills along with the new ones you are going to teach. Pick a route which you know the pupil will be able to cope with reasonably well but be prepared to alter it if your pupil shows signs of deterioration of their usual performance level.Remember your instruction should always meet the needs of your pupil.
Do not try and take an easy option like so many instructors do. They attempt to fool the examiner that the pupil has never been shown the turn in the road exercise, when it is clear the pupil has been shown. Instructors do this because they believe the slower the car travels the easier it will be to control the pupil. Many instructors don't show any imagination. Pick a subject with some meat in it and demonstrate to the examiner how capable you are.
If you are feeling under confident, seek professional help from someone who knows what they are doing. No doubt there will be a Driving Instructor Trainer in your area. If all else fails you can enlist help from the following link.