I just finished my Level 2 manual exam at the Pearson Vue in Liverpool, I believe I was their first candiate and thought I'd post my experiences.
On the whole it was a pleasurable enough experience, well as pleasurable as exams can be, but I do have a few minor niggles.
Firstly the terminal is placed smack in the centre of the desk and it's far too far forward. This causes a bit of a difficulty when checking your working paper, you have no choice but to put the sheet, to the side of the terminal. This makes life a little awkward as it's a bit uncomfortable having to dodge the screen in order to write. It would be much better if the terminal was set further back, there's plenty of room.
Secondly, you are only given one "wipe board" to do your workings on, albeit double sided. Personally I think this can cause a problem. If you fill the wipe board, you have to ask for a second but hand the first one in. Now imagine you've got time to check your answers and you need the workings from board 1, unfortunately the administrator wont give it back to you. I don't see the problem with having more than one board?
So my advice is to write small, if you can (I can't)
Thirdly, Pearson Vue's website is slightly misleading, in the notes to the exam they say you can bring your own calculator. This isn't right, I had to leave mine in my locker and use one i was given. You have to leave everything in your locker including glasses case, all your allowed to take into the exam is your ID and the pen, wipeboard and calculator.
The plus points, the whole thing ran smoothly, I was in a room on my own away from lots of people doing there driving theory test. So you can concentrate and it is a decent enough enviroment.
-- Edited by ADAS on Wednesday 8th of September 2010 12:40:09 PM
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Tony
Responses are intended as outline only. Formal advice should be sort from your Institutes Technical Department or a suitably qualified Accountant.
I made similar points after my exam. Regarding the terminal - this will probably because the centres are (I guess) primarily used for driving theory tests so don't need to be at the back. At least you weren't seen trying to lift up the terminal and move it yourself.
Calculator - I brought my own. I was asked if I wanted to use the one they had but I declined so was allowed to use it after they confirmed it was just a basic calculator (not programmable)
Wipe boards - I agree. Personally, at home when I'm doing tests I have several A4 pads (so I don't need to keep flipping pages) so this was particularly annoying for me.
A further point, more advice really for anyone not yet sat their exam - remember and replace the lid of the pen. These type of pens dry out very quickly. Or the one supplied to me did.
I wasn't in a room of my own I was sat in a room full of people clicking frantically away at their mouses. I was asked before I went into the exam if I wanted ear plugs.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
Good to hear it James. Out of curiosity, did anyone email/phone the ICB directly to express their concerns about the white boards or was this because of posts on this forum?
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
ICBUK wrote:More reason I guess for the ICB to have its own forum maybe? If it is easier to give feedback on forums.
It is a lot easier. An email to the ICB seems like a complaint. Posted on here it is more like a gripe. Also there may be things that concern a few people but they don't bother with but if they see someone else comment on a forum they may add to it.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
I've seen ICB posting comments in this forum so they must keep an eye on what is said here. I excpect they will pick up a lot of feedback that way (hello guys).
I sat my L2M exam at P/Vue in Harrogate 13 Sep. Invigilator asked me if I'd need the keyboard (I did) so the driving test exams must be all mouse-input.
I was given 2 wipe-clean boards and offered more if needed (didn't). One tip, roll up the sleeve on your right arm (assuming right-handed) or you could get ink on it from the wipe board.
I was also told I could not use my own calculator, they lent me one which was fine.
There wasn't much room on the desk to spread work out, felt cramped while doing workings out etc.
I managed, however, and left knowing I had passed, which was great. Later learned I got 100% so exam environment must have been good!
