Just got back from a two day course with the Driving Standards Agency at Cardington, and what an eye opener it has been.
I was there as a subject matter expert for the learner theory test, which is an area of the test I have been very critical of since its introduction in 1996. However, now I understand how the system works, not only has my opinion changed, but I have learnt an awful lot about the theory test, and providing I get the examination pass mark required I will be involved in writing many of the motorcycle questions myself
There were apparentley about 700 applicants for the two courses which were held over the past two or three weeks, of which 18 of us in total were invited to attend the course paid for by the DSA. My fellow students ranged from members of the Theory test unit at Nottingham, to DSA examiners, to driving instructors and ME :sniffle: the only motorcycle representative? ME! :dunno:
The course dealt with the history behind the theory test, how a question gets put into the data bank and then moved on to us looking at best practices on writing questions before sitting an exam this afternoon.
Did you know that it takes at least a year before a question will go live in the theory test? I didn't! The question is written, it is then trialled by at least 400 people voluntarily after their main theory test before being diagnosed, and a decision is made on whether to use it or not.
They use a discrimination factor of not less than 65% and not more than 99% to assess the question. What this means is that if less than 65% of people failed the question then it cannont be used for a number of reasons, or if 100% get it right, again it cannot be used as it will be too easy. It is a bit more involved but that is the general basis.
The writing of the questions is not as simple as it appears either. I have written Highway Code papers for years, but when you see the science (for want of a better word) it puts a whole different context on it, and only source material can be used, such as the Highway Code, the Motorcycle Manual and such like, official books obtainable by students.
So at the end of the two days, it was a very informative, enjoyable but demanding course, all I have to do now is hope that I get the pass mark required (which I have my doubts as my mind went blank for the first 3 questions :wank: ), but we will have to wait and see.
The accomodation at Cardington would put a lot of so called quality hotels to shame, and last night we even got waiter service in their dining room. Certainly changed since I was last their for my DAS instructor course in 97!
I was there as a subject matter expert for the learner theory test, which is an area of the test I have been very critical of since its introduction in 1996. However, now I understand how the system works, not only has my opinion changed, but I have learnt an awful lot about the theory test, and providing I get the examination pass mark required I will be involved in writing many of the motorcycle questions myself
There were apparentley about 700 applicants for the two courses which were held over the past two or three weeks, of which 18 of us in total were invited to attend the course paid for by the DSA. My fellow students ranged from members of the Theory test unit at Nottingham, to DSA examiners, to driving instructors and ME :sniffle: the only motorcycle representative? ME! :dunno:
The course dealt with the history behind the theory test, how a question gets put into the data bank and then moved on to us looking at best practices on writing questions before sitting an exam this afternoon.
Did you know that it takes at least a year before a question will go live in the theory test? I didn't! The question is written, it is then trialled by at least 400 people voluntarily after their main theory test before being diagnosed, and a decision is made on whether to use it or not.
They use a discrimination factor of not less than 65% and not more than 99% to assess the question. What this means is that if less than 65% of people failed the question then it cannont be used for a number of reasons, or if 100% get it right, again it cannot be used as it will be too easy. It is a bit more involved but that is the general basis.
The writing of the questions is not as simple as it appears either. I have written Highway Code papers for years, but when you see the science (for want of a better word) it puts a whole different context on it, and only source material can be used, such as the Highway Code, the Motorcycle Manual and such like, official books obtainable by students.
So at the end of the two days, it was a very informative, enjoyable but demanding course, all I have to do now is hope that I get the pass mark required (which I have my doubts as my mind went blank for the first 3 questions :wank: ), but we will have to wait and see.
The accomodation at Cardington would put a lot of so called quality hotels to shame, and last night we even got waiter service in their dining room. Certainly changed since I was last their for my DAS instructor course in 97!
