How to Ace the Theory Test – The Multiple Choice Questions

Tina Playle - 2021-12-06
How to Ace the Theory Test – The Multiple Choice Questions img

Straight off the bat, it will be unlikely that you will have a wide knowledge of road safety. So when it comes to taking your theory test, it’s best to prepare yourself as much as you can, so you can avoid taking it again (and paying that pesky £30 again).

How the multiple-choice questions work

The theory test is broken into two parts; the multiple-choice section and hazard perception section. You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions.  Prior to the test, you’ll get instructions about how the test works and have the chance to do some practice questions. You’ll be sat in front of a screen and a question and several answers will appear on it. You have to select the one that is right. Some questions will give you a short story which you will then have to answer several questions on. These are usually based on a real life situation that you could encounter. You can also ‘flag’ any questions you find difficult to answer and you want to come back to later. You can also go back to any questions you have previously answered to change them. You don’t have to use the full 57 minutes, if you are satisfied with your answer and want to move on, you can. You can choose to have up to a three minute break before starting the hazard perception part of the test.

How to prepare for the multiple-choice questions

1) Read a book Just like a test you’ve had at college or school, you need to revise. One of the most common ways to revise is to flick through the highway code or theory guide. There are a lot of books that specialise in theory tests but here are a couple we recommend:

There’s also DVD packages which also feature mock tests. A best seller is the Driving Success learning packs.  

2) Get Driving   By getting behind the wheel and applying the information you’ve learnt in your books to real life, you may increase your chances of remembering it. Use your new found knowledge of the highway code and take in the street signs and road markings.

3) Take a practice test (once, twice or 20 times)  There are many ways that you can take mock tests in order to prepare yourself for the upcoming process. There are apps and even an official free mock theory test on the official government  website, you can even ask your instructor if you can borrow their resources. This is a fantastic way to prepare, as it makes you familiar with the types of questions and the format of the test.

Final words of advice

Make sure you get to the test centre 30 minutes before the start of your test, with your provisional licence. If you forget your licence, you won’t be able to take the test! If you get stuck on questions, flag them, move on and come back to them later. If you really can’t remember an answer to a question, just try your best to use your common sense and pick the most suitable option. We wish you the best of luck if you have an upcoming theory test. Follow us on social media to stay tuned for our advice on the hazard perception part of the test and more tips for learner drivers. InsureLearnerDriver's Facebook Page | Twitter Page | Instagram