Publications

Check Test Success
A practical guide to improving your ADI Check Test performance

Check Test Success: Foreword 

I have been a practising ADI for over thirty-six years, during that time I have been responsible directly or indirectly for training hundreds of ADIs and over thirty-five thousand learner drivers, covering all licence groups. The first year that check test grades were introduced, I achieved what I can only describe as a disappointing five.

Being a perfectionist, I set about improving my teaching ability and strive to maintain my grade six which I have achieved on every check test since.

In those early days there was very little material about what the Check Test contained. There was no complete guide to the test although several authors had made an attempt at it. Then I came across Check Test Success by Lynne Barrie.

Part of my build up to each check test is to seek out the best reading material. In my opinion, Lynne’s book is the very best complete guide to the check test that I have ever read.

It is laid out and written in a very modern, unique and articulate way, it’s simple to understand and follow and has been written by an author that has researched and knows her subject well. Not only is this book an excellent guide, it is an extremely good teaching and coaching aid. It will not only benefit the ADI, but their pupils as well.

This is a book that every self-respecting ADI who is out to improve their teaching methods or seeking a grade 6 should not be without. I thoroughly recommend it without hesitation.

Neil Peek
Fellow of the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving
President of the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council

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Check Test Success: Review by Mac McDade

The ADI Check Test has always been a bit of an enigma, until you have your first one. You then have that ‘Now I know what to expect for next time’ feeling. Then when ‘the next time’ comes around, it’s an enigma again.

This new book from Lynne Barrie, the author of the excellent ‘Pass Part 3 – A practical guide to passing your ADI Part 3 exam’, is intended to take away the mystery and provide the guidance needed to get you closer to that elusive grade 6. A tall order.

The book is A4 in size and spiral bound making it easy to use as a reference tool in-car. The text and graphics are easy on the eye and it is written in jargon free plain English. It starts off with a clear and concise appraisal of the check test, what it is, how and by whom it is conducted and what is expected of you. There are some very good tips on choosing the right pupil and what happens if you don’t have one and have to have a role-play check test. The question of which topic to teach is covered in detail and Lynne gives her own rating, from ‘unsuitable’ to ‘an excellent choice’, of 19 key lesson subjects. Useful notes are provided on what points should be considered when teaching each of these subject areas. Lynne then tries to answer one of life’s great secrets ‘What are the DSA looking for?’ The assessment criteria is pretty much that which is used for the Part 3 exam, with the main emphasis being on the Core Competencies: Fault Identification; Fault Analysis and Remedial Action. These areas and those of Instructional Technique, which are also assessed, are well covered. As in Lynne’s ‘Pass Part 3’ book there is a useful Fault Identification Chart, which provides you with exactly what to say when particular faults arise, and some valuable pointers on using Q & A. Lynne provides some wise words on building confidence, preparation and conduct on the day, including: positive attitude; appearance of yourself and your car; planning your lesson and timings. There is a detailed run through of each of the grades, 1-6 and E (Educational), from which a lot of what is expected of you can be read.

In the final chapter, before concluding, Lynne covers the Fleet Check Test, which is principally the same as that of the normal check test, except that you will be coaching a full licence holder. Lesson structure, performance assessment and coaching skills are all covered along with an interesting, but short, comparison of traditional instruction and coaching phrases used by a Fleet Trainer.

Summary
There are many books that touch on the subject of the Check Test but none which cover it as comprehensively as this. Lynne Barrie has yet again written a definitive guide on a subject that leaves most ADIs confounded and sceptical. After reading this book I honestly felt myself looking forward to my next Check Test. It also helped me realise where I have lacked in my passed tests. If you find the whole Check Test affair scary or if you just feel unsure of what to do, or if you want to boost your performance for your next check test, then buy this book. For ADIs and Fleet Trainers this book is a must. I only wish the SE (Supervising Examiner) was as easy to read as this book.