Why is the Subject One Test So Difficult?
3 Answers
Subject One covers policies, laws and regulations, as well as traffic rules, which can be challenging for students unfamiliar with these regulations. Below are some tips for the Subject One test: 1. Remember three sets of numbers: "261", "145", and "520". These represent visibility of 200 meters, speed limit of 60 km/h, and distance of 100 meters; visibility of 100 meters, speed limit of 40 km/h, and distance of 50 meters; and visibility of 50 meters, speed limit of 20 km/h, and exiting the highway as soon as possible. 2. Right-of-way rules: Turning vehicles must yield to straight-moving vehicles; at intersections without traffic signals, yield to vehicles coming from the right; right-turning vehicles must yield to left-turning vehicles.
Having just passed Subject 1 of the driving test, I found the questions genuinely challenging. Firstly, the content was extensive, covering various traffic signs, regulations, and emergency handling measures. For instance, speed limit questions on highways differ by lane, making them easy to confuse. Secondly, there were many trick questions where options often differed by just a few words, such as 'slow deceleration' and 'rapid deceleration,' which look similar but have entirely different meanings. While reviewing practice questions these past few days, I noticed most mistakes in my error log were due to overlooking details in the question stems. Moreover, exam nerves made my hands shake when clicking options on the screen, fearing point deductions for wrong answers. My advice is to tackle the material chapter by chapter during preparation rather than rushing through the entire question bank, focusing especially on high-frequency difficult topics like point-deduction and fine-related questions.
As a veteran driving instructor, I find students' biggest headache is the fragmentation of knowledge. The legal provisions required for Subject 1 are scattered throughout various sections of the Road Traffic Law Implementation Regulations. Beginners without practical experience struggle with rote memorization. For example, overtaking rules involve different restrictions for curves, slopes, tunnels, etc. - memorizing numbers without contextual understanding is ineffective. I often teach students to use scenario association techniques, turning prohibitive markings and warning signs into rhymes. I also recommend they observe real road conditions from the passenger seat. Before the test, they must score above 95 in at least five mock exams - mindset matters more than knowledge.
