Part 3 Myths

he ADI Part 3 test throws up many myths and stories that are simply not true. Dash driving tell you how it really is

Part 3 myths - the stuff of legends!

We have heard numerous accounts from trainees on our recovery courses who were told "no one passes first time" and "you might pass if the SE is in a good mood"

We've also heard, countless times, "you'll fail if you don't mention this on the briefing" and the age old "You must memorise the PST. The PST is the most important thing and you'll fail if you forget anything"

Worse than this, we've spoken to trainees who were told "You won't pass, you're not ready, but you should go for it anyway. You might get lucky, but at least you'll know what it's like"

These 'myths' are propagated by some companies, and they are completely untrue. Not only that, but they encourage a sense of failure and a negative frame of mind. ADI training should be fun and easy. Having a trainer tell you rubbish such as this does not add to the learning environment

Here's an irony . . . how do you feel that the SE role playing a learner would react on your Part 3 test if you told them "you're not ready for your test and you're not a safe driver, but go for it anyway. You never know . . . you might just pass!"

It is our firm belief that many of these unfounded myths are propagated by trainers to explain their own lack of skills in getting trainee's through Part 3. After all, it's easy to blame the SE . . .

There is no reason whatsoever to take this test without fully expecting to pass, and to take the test when you're not ready is simply incredible. You have 3 attempts only, so don't waste any of them. Many of those who failed at the 3rd attempt would now wish that they were fully prepared before taking the test

We can tell you that many people do pass at the first attempt, and there's no reason to hope that you 'get lucky'!

Having said that this is not a difficult test, you should be in no doubt about how well prepared you must be to pass. This is highlighted by the fact that for any given phase of any PST the SE can vary the type of pupil being played. The range of driver errors that can be simulated, and the characters that the SE can portray, render the common traditional approach of memorising the pre set tests almost completely useless

You should be trained to be a good instructor, as you would with us, and you'll have the flexibility to deal with anything that the SE throws at you. This is simply a reflection of the real world. No two pupils are the same in every respect.

We constantly hear stories from PDI’s who have failed saying that the SE’s are unrealistic in the way they act. The SE’s are role playing the part of learner drivers. They will only do what you tell them or allow them to do

Remember you are supposed to be in control. if you are not the SE will not crash the car, but in the real world a learner will

For a far more detailed look at ADI training and an in depth analysis of these skills, see our sister site at www.adit.me.uk