Move it

No comment

Changing position to improve your pupils’ visibility during the manoeuvre exercises is perfectly acceptable. Constantly moving from side to side to would be very distracting though, so please try to keep movement to a minimum.

Take note

By all means take notes to help your pupil. But bear in mind that if your pupil sees you rigorously note taking it might worry them and fill their head with negative thoughts - when actually they might be doing fine.

Last tip. At the end of the test listen carefully to the feedback so that you and your pupil can work together. But don’t be tempted to involve the examiner in discussion.

If you do have genuine concerns about the test speak to the local manager, or follow the complaints procedure.

Following the relaunch on 6 April initial indications look promising with a significant increase in the take up of ‘observer on test’. We’ll keep you updated in future editions of Despatch.

www.dsa.gov.uk Despatch Magazine 15

Take a back seat

Supervising examiners usually regard sitting behind the pupil as the least intrusive. But the best position for you is wherever it’s the most comfortable, so long as you can sit upright with the seatbelt correctly fitted.

Mirror, signal, manoeuvre?

Contrary to popular belief, you won’t have your candidate’s test terminated for naturally looking left, right and behind you. But try not to put your pupil off.

And be aware that overzealous nodding coupled with excessive eye contact with your pupil could be construed as some sort of pre-arranged code. In other words - cheating! Don’t be tempted. Prompting pupils by coughing, or nudging the back of the seat is a slippery road to test termination. Examiners do know when instruction is being added - even in another language!