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The Guardian
10-08-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Driving examiners in Great Britain urged to offer ‘formal' or ‘chatty' tests
Having a mardy person sitting next to you in the car can be a distraction at the best of times, but it is all the worse when the grump is your driving examiner. In an effort to avoid additional 'potential anxiety' during tests and bolster pass rates among female candidates, a report commissioned by a government agency has suggested asking people taking a test whether they would like their examiner to be 'chatty' or 'formal'. The report by the transport research group TRL said men were found to be less affected by their examiner's demeanour, while women were more likely to notice and interpret it, and that this might prompt self-judgment and worry about how they were doing. Men are more likely than women to pass a driving test, according to records dating back to 2007, with the annual pass rate for male candidates ranging from 47% to 55%, compared with 41% to 48% for female candidates. The TRL study on the gender imbalance was commissioned by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which oversees driving tests in Great Britain. It found that people were intimidated when their examiner did not make any pleasantries. The research was based on interviews with learner drivers, people who had recently passed their test, instructors and examiners. Among the interviewees, one successful candidate said their examiner had been 'very down to business' with 'no pleasantries', which made them 'feel just a little bit more intimidated'. But an instructor said a 'really chatty examiner' could end up 'distracting the student'. Another instructor said having a conversation with a candidate could 'slightly distract' the learner when they wanted to be '100% concentrating'. In the report's recommendations about how to reduce 'potential inequalities around gender', it noted that examiners' communication approaches could be interpreted in various ways by different candidates. It said: 'Examiners could ask candidates at the beginning of the test what kind of communication ('formal', 'chatty') would put them in the best frame of mind for driving to the best of their ability. 'Such a change would enable examiners to remain focused on ability and outcomes but do so in such a way that does not introduce potential anxiety that is unrelated to driving competence in candidates.' Emma Bush, the managing director of AA Driving School, told the PA Media agency: 'It is probably asking a lot of examiners to act 'formal' or 'chatty' on demand. Candidates probably don't want a sergeant major nor a comedian examining them. 'What all candidates want is a reassuring voice and presence, combined with a fair and professional approach to the test.' The study found no evidence that the gender of examiners had a direct impact on the candidates' test experience. It noted that female candidates were more likely than their male counterparts to pass the driving theory test, which it attributed to women generally doing more preparation. A spokesperson for the DVSA said it was 'committed to equality, diversity and inclusion' and wanted all candidates to 'receive the highest level of customer experience'. They added: 'This is an important piece of research by TRL and we're now reviewing the considerations put forward to reduce inequality in driver testing in Great Britain, and help us further develop the guidance available to learner drivers as they prepare for their tests.' The average waiting time for a driving test in Great Britain as of the end of June was 22.3 weeks.
The Guardian
10-08-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Driving examiners in Great Britain urged to offer ‘formal' or ‘chatty' tests
Having a mardy person sitting next to you in the car can be a distraction at the best of times, but it is all the worse when the grump is your driving examiner. In an effort to avoid additional 'potential anxiety' during tests and boost pass rates of female candidates, a report commissioned by a government agency has suggested asking people taking a test if they would like their examiner to be 'chatty' or 'formal'. The report by the transport research group TRL said men were found to be less affected by their examiner's demeanour, while women were more likely to notice and interpret it, and that this might prompt 'self-judgment and worry about how they are doing'. Men are more likely than women to pass a driving test, according to records dating back to 2007, with the annual pass rate for male candidates ranging from 47% to 55%, while for female candidates it is 41%-48%. The TRL study on the gender imbalance, commissioned by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which oversees driving tests in Great Britain, found that people were intimidated when their examiner did not make any pleasantries. This was based on interviews with learner drivers, people who had recently passed their test, instructors and examiners. Among the interviewees, one successful candidate said their examiner had been 'very down to business' with 'no pleasantries', which made them 'feel just a little bit more intimidated'. But an instructor said a 'really chatty examiner' could end up 'distracting the student', while another instructor said having a conversation with a candidate could 'slightly distract' the learner when they 'want to be 100% concentrating'. In the report's recommendations about how to reduce 'potential inequalities around gender', it noted that examiners' communication approaches could be interpreted in various ways by different candidates. It said: 'Examiners could ask candidates at the beginning of the test what kind of communication ('formal', 'chatty') would put them in the best frame of mind for driving to the best of their ability. 'Such a change would enable examiners to remain focused on ability and outcomes but do so in such a way that does not introduce potential anxiety that is unrelated to driving competence in candidates.' Emma Bush, the managing director of AA Driving School, told the PA Media agency: 'It is probably asking a lot of examiners to act 'formal' or 'chatty' on demand. Candidates probably don't want a sergeant major nor a comedian examining them. 'What all candidates want is a reassuring voice and presence, combined with a fair and professional approach to the test.' The study found no evidence that the gender of examiners themselves had a direct impact on the candidates' test experience. It noted that female candidates were more likely than their male counterparts to pass the driving theory test, which it attributed to women generally doing more preparation. A spokesperson for the DVSA said it was 'committed to equality, diversity and inclusion' and wanted all candidates to 'receive the highest level of customer experience'. They added: 'This is an important piece of research by TRL and we're now reviewing the considerations put forward to reduce inequality in driver testing in Great Britain, and help us further develop the guidance available to learner drivers as they prepare for their tests.' The average waiting time for a driving test in Great Britain as of the end of June was 22.3 weeks.
Telegraph
10-08-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Make driving test pass rates gender equal, Labour told
Make driving test pass rates more gender equal, Labour has been told. A report commissioned by a Government agency suggested that candidates should be asked if they would like their examiner to be 'chatty' or 'formal' to boost female pass rates. Transport research group TRL, which proposed the measure, said it would avoid examiners creating 'potential anxiety'. Records dating back to 2007 show males are more likely to pass the test than females. The annual pass rate for males has ranged from 47-55 per cent in that time, while for females it is 41-48 per cent. The TRL study on the gender imbalance commissioned by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) found the performance of male candidates is less affected by their examiner. Researchers heard evidence that females may be more likely to notice and interpret an examiner's behaviour and demeanour, and this may prompt 'self-judgment and worry about how they are doing ', the study found. This was based on interviews with learner drivers, people who had recently passed the test, instructors and examiners. Among the interviewees, a successful candidate said their examiner was 'very down to business' with 'no pleasantries' which 'made me feel just a little bit more intimidated'. But an instructor said a 'really chatty examiner' could end up 'distracting the student', while an instructor said having a conversation with a candidate could 'slightly distract' the learner at a time they 'want to be 100 per cent concentrating'. In the report's recommendations about how to reduce 'potential inequalities around gender', it noted that examiners' communication approaches can be interpreted in various ways by different candidates. It went on: 'Examiners could ask candidates at the beginning of the test what kind of communication (eg formal, chatty) would put them in the best frame of mind for driving to the best of their ability. 'Such a change would enable examiners to remain focused on ability and outcomes but do so in such a way that does not introduce potential anxiety that is unrelated to driving competence in candidates.' 'Reassuring, fair and professional approach' Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: 'It is probably asking a lot of examiners to act 'formal' or 'chatty' on demand. 'Candidates probably don't want a sergeant major nor a comedian examining them. 'What all candidates want is a reassuring voice and presence, combined with a fair and professional approach to the test.' The study found no evidence that the gender of examiners themselves has a direct impact on the test experience of a candidate. It noted that female candidates are more likely than their male counterparts to pass the driving theory test, which it attributed to females generally doing more preparation. Researchers found that arranging subsequent attempts at the practical test involves more money and 'effort' than for the theory test. 'This imbalance could be addressed through, for example, increasing the price and effort required for the theory test', the report stated. Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said it is vital the test system gives 'everyone a fair opportunity to demonstrate their ability to drive, regardless of gender'. A DVSA spokesman said it is 'committed to equality, diversity and inclusion', and wants all candidates to 'receive the highest level of customer experience'. The average waiting time for a driving test in Britain as of the end of June was 22.3 weeks. The DVSA attributes the backlog to an increase in demand and some people booking their test much earlier than before. Officials hope an increase in the number of tests being conducted will bring waiting times down.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ICAEW releases June 2025 ACA exam results
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has released the results of the June 2025 ACA Professional Level exams, with a total of 7,950 candidates participating in the assessments. The pass rates across the board were notably strong, with the Business Strategy and Technology exam leading with an 86.1% success rate. Close behind were the Business Planning: Taxation and Financial Management subjects, with pass rates of 84.2% and 84.7% respectively. The Audit and Assurance exam also saw a significant majority of students passing, with an 81.5% success rate. The Business Planning: Insurance exam posed a greater challenge to candidates, with a pass rate of 73.5%. ICAEW Education and Training MD Will Holt said: "Congratulations to all ICAEW students who have successfully passed Professional Level exams this time around, and additionally to those who have been awarded one of our Subject Order of Merit prizes. 'We wish every one of our students success in their future studies and careers." Additionally, the Level 4 Accounting Technician end-point assessment results were disclosed. All 11 students who submitted their Portfolio and Reflective Statement passed, while the Role Simulation exam witnessed an 80% pass rate among 15 candidates. The ICAEW also recognised candidates who achieved the highest marks in each subject. In Audit and Assurance, Lara Kay Noden of London (Goldman Sachs International), Sophia Nabeel of Haywards Heath (Feist Hedgethorne Limited), and Adam Bolchover of Cheadle (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) jointly secured first place and were awarded the Watts prize. Amie Bletso of London (Lloyds Banking Group – Finance Graduate Scheme) attained first place in Business Planning: Banking. Ashleigh Hamilton of Dorchester (CB Reid Limited) earned first place and the Little prize in Business Planning: Taxation, with Yu Xuan Chng of Leeds (Forvis Mazars LLP) securing first place and the Railton prize in Business Strategy and Technology. Hui Lin Wong of Malaysia secured first place and the Spicer and Pegler prize in Financial Accounting and Reporting, while Jack Ramsbottom of Chester (RSM UK Audit LLP) obtained first place and the Howitt prize in Financial Management. Benjamin Davies of Ellesmere Port (Grant Thornton UK LLP) achieved first place and the Knox prize in Tax Compliance. Recently, The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) also released the pass rates for the June 2025 exam sitting. "ICAEW releases June 2025 ACA exam results " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
