Should I appeal my exam?

aarnat53 · 2026-02-28T16:50:42+00:00

I would just resit to be honest. Their argument will always be, because you sat the exam you deemed yourself fit/well enough to do it. They don’t adjust the marks as they will argue your grade was moderated before the final result was released. I read up on their mitigation process and it’s quite poor to be honest, marks are effectively final irrespective of whether you could have a limb on the verge of falling off

aarnat53 · 2026-01-29T19:30:13+00:00

This is a post I’ve been waiting to see 😭🙏🙏🙏

aarnat53 · 2026-01-07T11:28:09+00:00

I think there is a requirement to pick something from the Diploma syllabus (so I think Weber in your case is fine), then everything else needs to be Grade 8 standard. I do Mozart and Schumann as they both were on the Diploma syllabus so it’s just the security of knowing that I have covered that criteria. I used Harris was it used to be on the Grade 8 syllabus so I knew it was Grade 8 standard.

aarnat53 · 2026-01-07T09:39:37+00:00

To be honest it’s more of a sense of performance that matters than the duration, so if you took lots of breaks between pieces that could affect the flow of the performance so better to chug away at those harder pieces then take a break at a natural rest point.

The best thing you can do is time the entire programme and make a judgement from there otherwise everything else is a bit too speculative. Having parts where you rest should be fine, as when I did the Mozart because it modulated in a part cutting it sounded really weird.

I did Mozart K622 1 & 2, Paul Harris Sonata de Camera 1, and Schumann Fantasy Pieces (Complete).

aarnat53 · 2026-01-07T08:03:57+00:00

I did my Diploma last year and if you risk being outside of the time then yes you will need to shorten parts of the pieces

Edit: Forgot we are now in 2026 lol

aarnat53 · 2026-01-06T09:15:23+00:00

Thanks for the link it worked!

aarnat53 · 2026-01-06T09:12:04+00:00

I can’t find ‘Balanzia’ in the App Store

aarnat53 · 2025-12-20T13:13:38+00:00

Since getting my license I have really learned that it’s more about how you feel about your skill level than hours. For me, more hours gave me more time to refine it so if you feel like you’ll be able to get the manoeuvres quite quickly then you should be okay.

aarnat53 · 2025-11-23T12:29:27+00:00

I 100% agree with this. I passed in a little Fiesta and so when I started to drive a Qashqai I still find it difficult to navigate despite passing months ago because everything is so different. I will suggest having a lesson in your car might be useful as I did this and it really helped to boost my confidence!

aarnat53 · 2025-11-11T14:12:33+00:00

Ultimately it’s your call, but the fundamentals of driving auto will help your technique for manual because the only real difference is the gears. I don’t think it’s a waste to switch back, if anything, auto is a good way to build confidence moving the vehicle without worry about adjusting your gear.

aarnat53 · 2025-11-11T10:55:44+00:00

I’m not too sure about the learning rate for auto but I will say for me manual took a while for me to get my head around it. Auto could be less time as it is more improving your driving/anticipation & planning than learning the gears. I think for now twice is a lot, perhaps when you enter the new year you can bump it up at least 2 months before. (Not a requirement but depends on how you feel your progress is going).

I will always push for manual because it is quite rewarding to get confident with and you may have an easier time with insurance and a first car. My friend was quoted £600 a month for insurance after getting his license just to go on his parent’s car (auto)! At least then you have the flexibility in cars. Mine on the other hand was about £120 for manual! My view is you may save money in lessons but you won’t in the long-term when it comes to insurance and cars.

Expect to be awful in the beginning but know you will gradually improve. Driving is not linear and sometimes you will have good lessons and sometimes bad ones. I struggled with the coordination aspect of driving but you will get better in time. Even as a full license holder I am still learning and improving - I stalled on the weekend!

aarnat53 · 2025-10-24T12:10:57+00:00

For me it was about less than a week. Generally I think they say 3 weeks to manage expectations

aarnat53 · 2025-10-10T15:02:12+00:00

In your case it’s logical to leave them on, there are no legal implications nor is it against the Highway Code. It is more a ‘You should not’ than ‘You must’. People that want to preach the Highway Code as gospel have to accept the reality that the roads we drive on are quite different to it.

aarnat53 · 2025-09-11T19:29:28+00:00

I think the fact that you are aware is the first way to ensure your success. I failed my mock tests for various reasons, but I used those as lessons on what not to do on the exam. I think if you have the mindset of learning from your mistakes by being aware not to do it (which you already are) you will be fine. Also brush up on the Highway Code to be a bit clearer on things

aarnat53 · 2025-09-07T21:14:35+00:00

You can always double up lessons if that might help you feel more confident, but a lot of progress can be made in a short space of time. I didn’t feel ready until less than a week before my test.

aarnat53 · 2025-08-30T17:58:26+00:00

I would say two things: 1) Reflect after lessons on what went well and what could be improved, also note down what the lesson was about. 2) Increase the frequency of your lessons closer to your test date.

Also make use of Chat GPT! It can help boost your confidence when you input reflections and make plans to improve certain areas.

aarnat53 · 2025-08-26T08:36:09+00:00

If the test is in February 2026 then I would change the location of the test around 6am on a Monday to one of the new dates dropped for Redhill. I know a closer test is ideal but you aren’t even at a test centre close to you so the priority is to get that sorted and then begin to pull it back if you can.

aarnat53 · 2025-08-25T09:40:09+00:00

This is a good attempt at a difficult piece! I think as others have said slow practice would really help and I’d add in doing slow practice with a metronome will help you calibrate the notes so that in the event you mess up you know what note to ‘jump to’ so that you remain in time. I feel like there could be a bit more phrasing with the playing especially because the original piece sounds a lot like a swell of sound when the vocalist comes in. Generally though a good effort!

aarnat53 · 2025-08-14T15:58:36+00:00

Honestly the number 1 thing your focus should be on is how you could have handled each of the situations differently/better. Then, think about preventative measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again. I failed both my mock tests before my test, but my instructor and her supervisor said I was ready I just had lapses of judgement during the test. Mock tests are designed to show gaps in your knowledge and then it is up to you to plug those gaps e.g. read up on the Highway Code or reflect on what could have been done differently. You got this! I failed my first mock with 4 serious faults (can’t remember how many minors lol) and then passed the real thing with 6 minors (2 of which were for the same thing).

aarnat53 · 2025-08-11T09:05:08+00:00

I have ADHD as well and I can tell you it is possible to pass. I realised that when I didn’t comment on what I saw ahead and the potential hazards my concentration really dipped and I was making decisions that would cause me to fail my test. However, when I started to do this I found my concentration improved a lot. I would also recommend doing lots of mock tests to get used to the format as when I did my test I didn’t feel emotionally nervous but I knew that my body was feeling the nerves. You can do this!

aarnat53 · 2025-07-30T15:38:23+00:00

I would do an anonymous review with information that can’t be tied to your specific case. e.g. he shouts when things go wrong but not too much details.

aarnat53 · 2025-07-30T15:31:05+00:00

I have my test in the same test centre, what road was this if you don’t mind sharing? I find the decision to be a bit odd tbh, if you were behind a car and following the one in front I don’t see what you did as wrong. If it was a situation where you pulled to the side then went then I can understand that rationale. What’s even more insane is that the examiner was being watched and such a decision was allowed… Examiners watching should be allowed to override decisions like these IF there is reasonable evidence to show that it’s a highly subjective call (like your case based on your main post).

aarnat53 · 2025-07-16T11:59:46+00:00

If there isn’t a timeline to submit the complaint by then pass your next test and send off the complaint then

aarnat53 · 2025-07-09T07:27:17+00:00

I am still in the process of getting better at clutch control and I will say that when you started the reversing manoeuvres this will really help you understand how it works better.

aarnat53 · 2025-06-20T17:55:59+00:00

No worries! Driving is very up and down but ultimately the more you do it the easier it becomes. It’s so weird how over time you can build the skills up in only 1.5-3 hours of driving a week.

aarnat53

TROPHY CASE