failed the 2 hand co-ordination test :( any tips?

[ladylou88]

I am absolutely gutted making it so far through, passing most of the tests and failing at the end. I know why I failed but I was just stupid and nervous. I was trying to complete the whole shape within like 10 seconds, and sacrificed badly on accuracy.
I have read alot of things on this forum but nowhere can I find how long people took on the 2 hand co-ordination tests, so if you see this please let me know. I was scared of going too slow as they say both accuracy and speed are important as eachother but the other people in the room were taking like 1 min per shape which I would have thought is way too slow?
Any tips?

Also I have looked everywhere online to buy one of the keyboard with levers that they use but it seems its impossible to buy for common people

 

[Token]

Do you have any hobbies where hand-eye co-ordination combined with fine motor skills are required?

Speed and accuracy are important in the test, but sacrificing accuracy for outright speed isn’t the right thing to do. If you’re hearing the bleep in the headphones, it’s about how quickly you react and bring that ball back under control, rather than outright rapidity of getting it to reach point B. Maybe you had too many excursions from inside the lines that you didn’t control sufficiently? Did you ask for and receive feedback?

I have no idea if there is a maximum expectation on time, so cannot comment on those you believe were taking a minute to complete each run. Concentrating on what you are doing is also a key part of the assessments. If you’re distracted by noticing what others are doing, or how long they are taking, that’s not a good thing either.

 

[Midlands5678]

10 seconds is way too fast. Did it jump out the lanes for you? Sometimes they aren’t calibrated that well.

It’s about keeping it in the lines and showing that you can recover smoothly and not panicking when you go out and get the loud tones in your ears.

I would say up to a minute is acceptable, I’m sure on average I took 30-60 seconds when I did them and I passed.

Don’t give up.

 

[L401CJF]

The practice round at the beginning doesn't end until you get it to the finish point. It's not scored, so take as long as you like getting used to it on the practice go by taking it back to the start before you hit the finish. When you're happy, complete the practice go.

I found it helped me a lot!

 

[ladylou88]

Do you have any hobbies where hand-eye co-ordination combined with fine motor skills are required?

Speed and accuracy are important in the test, but sacrificing accuracy for outright speed isn’t the right thing to do. If you’re hearing the bleep in the headphones, it’s about how quickly you react and bring that ball back under control, rather than outright rapidity of getting it to reach point B. Maybe you had too many excursions from inside the lines that you didn’t control sufficiently? Did you ask for and receive feedback?

I have no idea if there is a maximum expectation on time, so cannot comment on those you believe were taking a minute to complete each run. Concentrating on what you are doing is also a key part of the assessments. If you’re distracted by noticing what others are doing, or how long they are taking, that’s not a good thing either.

I only noticed them because I finished the test in 2 mins and sat there for 10 mins waiting for everyone else to finish, so I am assuming I tried to go way too fast. She told me the only feedback she gets for the test is the result and no further details. I understand where I went wrong and know I can do it the next time but I was hoping there was somewhere I could pay to do a mock psychometric or something

The practice round at the beginning doesn't end until you get it to the finish point. It's not scored, so take as long as you like getting used to it on the practice go by taking it back to the start before you hit the finish. When you're happy, complete the practice go.

I found it helped me a lot!

I was just worried about going too slow as they said accuracy is equally important, now that i know 30-60 seconds is ok I feel I can ace it

10 seconds is way too fast. Did it jump out the lanes for you? Sometimes they aren’t calibrated that well.

It’s about keeping it in the lines and showing that you can recover smoothly and not panicking when you go out and get the loud tones in your ears.

I would say up to a minute is acceptable, I’m sure on average I took 30-60 seconds when I did them and I passed.

Don’t give up.

Yep I was very inaccurate, thanks for your reply with how long it took, I feel less gutted and feel confident I can pass if I do it again

 

[Neatro]

I've not even done them yet (due to do them on Tuesday) and 10 seconds sounds WAY too fast. I think you heard speed and thought they meant go as quick as possible.

Its similar to most of the other tests you've done such as the GBT and TEA-OCC, they all said accuracy and speed but they all leant more on accuracy.

I think when they say speed they mean at a decent pace that feels comfortable, obviously don't take the piss. If the test is 10 minutes long and there's 10 shapes or laps you're looking at 1 minute per lap/shape at the most.

As others have said though I've heard the practice attempt isn't timed or scored so you can take as long as possible on that so long as you don't finish. That may help you out next time but being as you've already done it, I'm sure you'll smash it next time as you already know what to expect.

 

[Faff81]

The practice round at the beginning doesn't end until you get it to the finish point. It's not scored, so take as long as you like getting used to it on the practice go by taking it back to the start before you hit the finish. When you're happy, complete the practice go.

I found it helped me a lot!

this is exactly what I done. Best advice

 

[jay91]

I am absolutely gutted making it so far through, passing most of the tests and failing at the end. I know why I failed but I was just stupid and nervous. I was trying to complete the whole shape within like 10 seconds, and sacrificed badly on accuracy.
I have read alot of things on this forum but nowhere can I find how long people took on the 2 hand co-ordination tests, so if you see this please let me know. I was scared of going too slow as they say both accuracy and speed are important as eachother but the other people in the room were taking like 1 min per shape which I would have thought is way too slow?
Any tips?

Also I have looked everywhere online to buy one of the keyboard with levers that they use but it seems its impossible to buy for common people

Did you do your assessment today???

 

[Plodster]

You can buy practice material for this test
You need a lap top and a cheap double joystick unit
Traineetraindriverinfo.com

Accuracy and speed are relevant and use the practice time to familiarise with the sensitivity of the controls on the day

 

[ladylou88]

Did you do your assessment today???

My test was a few days ago I only found this site today

You can buy practice material for this test
You need a lap top and a cheap double joystick unit
Traineetraindriverinfo.com

I was looking at that but the screenshots are not the same shape as the test I did, I also do not have the keyboard that they used with the 2 levers so I am unsure how accurate this would be to the real thing

 

[Plodster]

My test was a few days ago I only found this site today


I was looking at that but the screenshots are not the same shape as the test I did, I also do not have the keyboard that they used with the 2 levers so I am unsure how accurate this would be to the real thing

They are pretty much the same
The final track on the practice is a flipped version of the one on the day if I remember correctly
It’s as close as you will get to the actual test but most importantly gives you the chance to practice practice practice
I used it last year and passed.

I purchased a cheap Nintendo type joystick that had two thumb joysticks on it worked a treat

 

[ladylou88]

They are pretty much the same
The final track on the practice is a flipped version of the one on the day if I remember correctly
It’s as close as you will get to the actual test but most importantly gives you the chance to practice practice practice
I used it last year and passed.

I purchased a cheap Nintendo type joystick that had two thumb joysticks on it worked a treat

You practiced it with a normal gaming controller?

 

[Plodster]

You practiced it with a normal gaming controller?

Yeah
One that had two thumb type joysticks on it
You can set it up with the download software and away you go

It at least allows you to practice moving the red dot/ball around a track
There are a number of practice levels on the down load and the final one I’m sure is a flipped version of the actual test so you still move the dot around the curved section and the V section etc

 

[AG1994]

As above, purchase the 2 hand coordination test and buy an old Xbox one controller from CEX, they’re USB and work straight away. One of the tests on the software is almost identical to the real one (CVT shape). If you carefully move the ball to the end and don’t go to the finish line, you can practise going backwards which is essentially the real test.

For many people today it is one of the easier tests due to growing up gaming using two joysticks, so if it’s not your forte I’d recommend practising until you’re genuinely good at it (so do all tests on the software, not just the CVT shape).

For reference everybody I know thought they did terribly on the test as they went slowly and left the lines a fair amount, especially on the final few tries as it seems many get worse towards the end. My examiner told me one of the measures is consistency, not just speed and accuracy - my interpretation is that means it is a measure of working under stress, amongst other things.

Also, the advice above about taking your time on the practise mode on the day is very valuable. Get used to how quickly the balls move and how it returns to the centre of the screen if you release your hands. Find a good position for your hands, if you’re holding the joysticks right at the tip your tiniest movements are going to cause big movements on the software, so if you hold them at the base (not intuitive) the test may be easier. The practise mode on the day does eventually throw up an error if you take too long, but that’s not a problem, they’ll come and reset it for you after asking if you understand the test and making you feel a pillock.

Driver Hand Coordination Exercise | Trainee Train Driver Info

traineetraindriverinfo.com

 

[Token]

Find a good position for your hands, if you’re holding the joysticks right at the tip your tiniest movements are going to cause big movements on the software, so if you hold them at the base (not intuitive) the test may be easier.

In my opinion holding the joysticks at the bottom is intuitive with the concept of fine motor control.

An analogy to that would be putting a long plank of wood through a fitted gap - holding the plank at the furthest end reduces the control you have over the end you need to fit into the slot. Far easier to align it by feeding it from the closest end to the slot first.

 

[ladylou88]

As above, purchase the 2 hand coordination test and buy an old Xbox one controller from CEX, they’re USB and work straight away. One of the tests on the software is almost identical to the real one (CVT shape). If you carefully move the ball to the end and don’t go to the finish line, you can practise going backwards which is essentially the real test.

For many people today it is one of the easier tests due to growing up gaming using two joysticks, so if it’s not your forte I’d recommend practising until you’re genuinely good at it (so do all tests on the software, not just the CVT shape).

For reference everybody I know thought they did terribly on the test as they went slowly and left the lines a fair amount, especially on the final few tries as it seems many get worse towards the end. My examiner told me one of the measures is consistency, not just speed and accuracy - my interpretation is that means it is a measure of working under stress, amongst other things.

Also, the advice above about taking your time on the practise mode on the day is very valuable. Get used to how quickly the balls move and how it returns to the centre of the screen if you release your hands. Find a good position for your hands, if you’re holding the joysticks right at the tip your tiniest movements are going to cause big movements on the software, so if you hold them at the base (not intuitive) the test may be easier. The practise mode on the day does eventually throw up an error if you take too long, but that’s not a problem, they’ll come and reset it for you after asking if you understand the test and making you feel a pillock.

Driver Hand Coordination Exercise | Trainee Train Driver Info

traineetraindriverinfo.com

I just downloaded this software however correct me if I am wrong but do the balls not return to their starting position if you let go of the sticks in the real test? Whereas on this you can slowly move the ball and let go of the sticks and the balls stay in position? Maybe I am wrong but thats just what a remember, however I did rush through the test so maybe I am remembering it wrong

Right now it feels like I have just wasted my money

 

[Aviator88]

I just downloaded this software however correct me if I am wrong but do the balls not return to their starting position if you let go of the sticks in the real test? Whereas on this you can slowly move the ball and let go of the sticks and the balls stay in position? Maybe I am wrong but thats just what a remember, however I did rush through the test so maybe I am remembering it wrong

Right now it feels like I have just wasted my money

You're correct in everything you say I'm afraid - in the real test the joysticks control position and in the downloadable version they control velocity!

In my humble opinion, your first reaction to your result was the correct one - slow down and take a deep breath next time and you'll be fine.

 

[StuM]

I just downloaded this software however correct me if I am wrong but do the balls not return to their starting position if you let go of the sticks in the real test? Whereas on this you can slowly move the ball and let go of the sticks and the balls stay in position? Maybe I am wrong but thats just what a remember, however I did rush through the test so maybe I am remembering it wrong

Right now it feels like I have just wasted my money

I also used this software which helped me pass and there is a setting where you can set the ball to kind of float and move around if you are too slow or let go of the joysticks. Again, it's not precisely like the test but it will help you get to know the shape and control of the ball as well as using 2 sticks at the same time if you're not used to it.

In the real test, as people have said... Hold the sticks further down for better control but also don't move them too much as the more you push the stick the faster the ball goes. If my memory is right, I think I barely moved the sticks at all and that was enough for me, especially on the angles and curves of the CVT.

Good luck for next time, hopefully it comes around quickly for you.

 

[Twotwo]

Bit of advice for next time.



Use the practice test to practice. I did this a few times by not going to the end.
When I did mines I did a quick flick whenever there was a straight line and then took a bit more time for the curved bit. If I ever did go out of the line i would immediately fix it.

 

[Diedinium]

The practice round at the beginning doesn't end until you get it to the finish point. It's not scored, so take as long as you like getting used to it on the practice go by taking it back to the start before you hit the finish. When you're happy, complete the practice go.

I found it helped me a lot!

I tried to do this when doing the practice before the test... after getting away with it for a few moments the test examiner tutted at me and pointed at me to go to the finish point and continue - although I'm not sure if it was them trying to stop me "cheating" and practicing extra or if they thought I was confused and didn't know to go onto the finish point.

Luckily this didn't effect me, I still passed... but yeah, I don't think this advice should be followed if the examiners are watching, they don't seem to like candidates finding a way to spend extra time practicing compared to the others.

 

[AG1994]

Right now it feels like I have just wasted my money

You clearly need to improve your 2 hand coordination, so why have you wasted your money? I used the software and aced the tests, as did many of my colleagues. If you have good 2 hand coordination you’ll be able to pass the real test and be able to do the practise software.

Luckily this didn't effect me, I still passed... but yeah, I don't think this advice should be followed if the examiners are watching, they don't seem to like candidates finding a way to spend extra time practicing compared to the others.

They shouldn’t be rushing you through any practise material, the software tells them when enough is enough and from experience it’s around 1 minute.

Ironically I think it’s more of a positive trait to be smart and use the practise time, but you’re not marked on that!

 

[Neatro]

I tried to do this when doing the practice before the test... after getting away with it for a few moments the test examiner tutted at me and pointed at me to go to the finish point and continue - although I'm not sure if it was them trying to stop me "cheating" and practicing extra or if they thought I was confused and didn't know to go onto the finish point.

Luckily this didn't effect me, I still passed... but yeah, I don't think this advice should be followed if the examiners are watching, they don't seem to like candidates finding a way to spend extra time practicing compared to the others.

I'd presume practice material is just that. Practice, obviously the software won't allow you to do it forever but how is working smarter than the other candidates a sign of cheating?

They could use that too, but if they're not then how is that bad for you. You practice more and you passed..

 

[Token]

I tried to do this when doing the practice before the test... after getting away with it for a few moments the test examiner tutted at me and pointed at me to go to the finish point and continue - although I'm not sure if it was them trying to stop me "cheating" and practicing extra or if they thought I was confused and didn't know to go onto the finish point.

Luckily this didn't effect me, I still passed... but yeah, I don't think this advice should be followed if the examiners are watching, they don't seem to like candidates finding a way to spend extra time practicing compared to the others.

When I did mine, we were explicitly told to only follow the practice test once, from A to B, and not to go back and forth with the ball. We were being watched by the assessor! So I would concur that anyone following the advice to go back and forth on the test run, would not be advisable.

 

[L401CJF]

Interesting to read the comments regarding the practice round. If they've clamped down on people doing it longer than intended, then fair enough, but it definitely wasn't an issue when I sat them a few years back!

Cheers for the info either way.

 

[AG1994]

Interesting to read the comments regarding the practice round. If they've clamped down on people doing it longer than intended, then fair enough, but it definitely wasn't an issue when I sat them a few years back!

Cheers for the info either way.

It’s not an issue now.

The explicit instruction is to take your time on the practise mode as once you finish it you start the test straight away. The software decides when you’re taking the mick and it prompts the assessor who then reads from a second script asking if you understand the test and that you’ll get one more opportunity to complete the practise and that is it. They then set up the test again. On the second practise after a certain time passes the practise ends suddenly and the first level of the real test starts after a 5 second timer on screen with “Test will begin in…” above it.

I sat the tests with trainee OPC assessors being examined by the senior assessors on their final test before being passed out to examine people by themselves, so one would like to assume they were following the rules to the letter!

 

[gshock]

I am absolutely gutted making it so far through, passing most of the tests and failing at the end. I know why I failed but I was just stupid and nervous. I was trying to complete the whole shape within like 10 seconds, and sacrificed badly on accuracy.
I have read alot of things on this forum but nowhere can I find how long people took on the 2 hand co-ordination tests, so if you see this please let me know. I was scared of going too slow as they say both accuracy and speed are important as eachother but the other people in the room were taking like 1 min per shape which I would have thought is way too slow?
Any tips?

Also I have looked everywhere online to buy one of the keyboard with levers that they use but it seems its impossible to buy for common people

I was exactly the same as you on my first attempt... went too fast first time... very gung ho... and blew it.

On my second (and obviously last chance) I went slower and I found you get a "feel" for the way the joysticks hold the "ball". If you take it easy(ish) and get a feel for it... I would describe it as the ball having a 'tensioned pull' which you can control with the joysticks and manoevre.

I felt I had gone much slower.. and passed the second time. At the end I discussed my results with the invigilator / test lady and allegedly I was still "quick" hahaha. But compared to the first time... much slower.

You are EXACTLY where I was. Gutted at getting so near. Just go slower next time but also 'don't crawl' too slow.

Oh... I had bought test packs that are supposed to replicate it, but found that their 'behaviour' didn't match the way that it does on the actual test. I found using two pencils in the pack given in advance quite helpful too.

If I was you I wouldn't be too disheartened. At least you passed the quick reveal photo thing and I personally took some relief in that.

Good luck.

 

[david0207]

Hi folks, a good read. Can I clarify that some would say best practice is to get an Xbox controller, buy the trainee train driver and hammer it? I take it the joystick movements are not inverted so moving right will move the dot to the right?

 

[Plodster]

Hi folks, a good read. Can I clarify that some would say best practice is to get an Xbox controller, buy the trainee train driver and hammer it? I take it the joystick movements are not inverted so moving right will move the dot to the right?

Worked for me
You can configure the settings for the controller in the software
You can then practice to your hearts content and will then just need to get a feel for the sensitivity in the practice session for the actual test

 

[NSEWonderer]

Wait is the test actually using a game controller or two joysticks on the left and right handside like below

Better example this video:

 

[CFRAIL]

Watching this thread with a sense of intrigue having also failed for being much too slow!