Reaction test speed

[rorybreaker]

Hi Guys,

Just three quick questions re the reaction test.

1. On the practise tool I can keep up perfectly until it gets to the very fast bit at the end. I sat the reaction last year and got a borderline pass (without using the practise tool) but can not remember, in comparison to the practise tool, how fast does the real thing get?

2. Can not remember, in the real test, does it speed up and slow down or does it just gradually get faster all the way to the end in test 1? Again, after a year I forget.

3. Lastly on test 2 in the real thing, in peoples opinion, if comparing to the practise tool, what is the right type of speed they are looking for? Obviously they want speed and accuracy, but what would be an acceptable speed to stay constant at?

Thanks for your input and advise.

Rory

 

[Vicpaul]

The biggest factor in this test is to prove you don't panic.

for example when the test is at full chat you won't keep up. What they want to see is if you make a mistake you pause pick a colour/sound and restart instead of flapping and pressing things you shouldn't.

 

[Puremetal84]

I think it all comes down to you as an individual. I personally was able to keep up with it. I didn't come across a section that went crazily fast.
As has been said, its not panicking is the key.

 

[Beveridges]

1) The practice tool - when it gets to it's fastest - is nearly twice as fast as the real thing gets at its fastest!
Theres no way you have to keep up with the practice tool, and if you do, you've over practiced!

2) It speeds up and slows down and repeats that cycle about four times. Like the post above me says, the real test never goes crazy fast like the practice one. I was able to keep up with it. IIRC If you can keep up with the practice tool OK until it gets below about 750ms, you will find the real thing is slow in comparison.

3) I dont know what speed you have to go at in part two but it is nowhere near as fast as the practice tool!

 

[rorybreaker]

1) The practice tool - when it gets to it's fastest - is nearly twice as fast as the real thing gets at its fastest!
Theres no way you have to keep up with the practice tool, and if you do, you've over practiced!

2) It speeds up and slows down and repeats that cycle about four times. Like the post above me says, the real test never goes crazy fast like the practice one. I was able to keep up with it. IIRC If you can keep up with the practice tool OK until it gets below about 750ms, you will find the real thing is slow in comparison.

3) I dont know what speed you have to go at in part two but it is nowhere near as fast as the practice tool!

That's great cheers. Makes me feel better about it. I figure if I can keep up until around the 560 mark then I should be all good on the day. As for part two, I guess I will work up to a speed I am comfortable with a keep going until the end.

Thanks to the others guys for their advise as well. All very helpful.

 

[Beveridges]

If you can work up to 560 ms then chances are you are FAST. So on part 2 of the reactions test go at the fastest speed where you won't make mistakes, if you realise your hitting the wrong buttons on the day, lower your speed a bit.

 

[NI 271]

If you can work up to 560 ms then chances are you are FAST. So on part 2 of the reactions test go at the fastest speed where you won't make mistakes, if you realise your hitting the wrong buttons on the day, lower your speed a bit.

As one who made the mistake of simply trying to be more accurate instead of doing this, I cannot stress enough the importance of doing this.

I knew, KNEW that I'd failed long before the test even finished. Yet it turned out I hadn't failed at all, it was a borderline pass. It isn't as difficult as you think it should be, it's all about staying disciplined. I won't make that mistake again.

 

[rorybreaker]

If you can work up to 560 ms then chances are you are FAST. So on part 2 of the reactions test go at the fastest speed where you won't make mistakes, if you realise your hitting the wrong buttons on the day, lower your speed a bit.

That's great solid advise thank you. Makes me feel at ease that tiny bit more. All helps on the day. I am consistently keeping up to around 560 without much bother. Then it i stop as I know I can't keep up. On part 2 I am going to work up to a speed I am comfortable with without feeling like I'm going to potentially make a mistake and stick with that speed.

NI271, thank you for your advise. Last year I was in the exact same boat as you. When the test had finished I had a feeling I'd messed up. Got a board line pass. Admittedly I perhaps under estimated the reaction test slightly last year. Focused more on the other tests. This time I have the added advantage of being split into 2 weeks. Last week passed the 4 written tests and this coming week have the reaction and (fingers crossed) interview. Another point as well is that I hadn't found the practise tool when I got my borderline pass last year. My main concern now I think is that are my answers for the interview good enough!!! Lets hope so!!!

Thanks again for all the advise. Every little tip or piece of first hand advise helps.

Rory

 

[SND150]

Apologies if I am showing my ignorance but where are you getting access to a practice tool?

 

[Beveridges]

Run a few forum searches, there's a link to it somewhere.

It seems some people overestimate these tests and expect them to be mega hard, and expect the reactions test to go crazy fast, if they were that bad no one would pass them.

Statistics show that approx 40% of all applicants pass all the tests, most of the 60% who fail just turn up ill prepared.

 

[GB]

Run a few forum searches, there's a link to it somewhere.

It seems some people overestimate these tests and expect them to be mega hard, and expect the reactions test to go crazy fast, if they were that bad no one would pass them.

Statistics show that approx 40% of all applicants pass all the tests, most of the 60% who fail just turn up ill prepared.

Are these from the same school of statistics that show the BBC get £20 million in revenue from TV licensing per year?

 

[SND150]

Run a few forum searches, there's a link to it somewhere.

It seems some people overestimate these tests and expect them to be mega hard, and expect the reactions test to go crazy fast, if they were that bad no one would pass them.

Statistics show that approx 40% of all applicants pass all the tests, most of the 60% who fail just turn up ill prepared.

Thanks Beveridges for the info. I shall have a look and make sure I prepare.

 

[Vicpaul]

I've taken the test three times in the real world and always had good pass on the reactions. I have never kept up so would like to see these practice ones as well as know the defining criteria as to what constitutes a good pass

 

[Informe]

Not much to add to the given advice, especially as you've done it before but the biggest issue I had was finding a comfortable position for my feet.

I ended up holding my feet above the pedals with shaky legs after a while. The wrong shoes mean it's hard to feel when you are resting on the pedals or depressing them so I don't think socks are a bad option, however if I had to face the test again I would rest my feet on the floor, beside, but touching the apparatus. That way you know where you are and the extra time taken to move your feet will not be enough to make a difference imo. All the best.

 

[tinstaafl]

I have even less to add, other than don't spend too much time practicing and just take it easy. The only other thing I'd say was that when I did it, I made sure I only used my left hand (thumb to be specific) for the button on the bottom left. Can't remember which button that was, maybe low tone. The point is, you can go fast enough with just your right hand and it stops those strange moments where you stop to decide which hand to use for a particular button!