Slight bump in the Knowledge road
I took my London Taxi Knowledge Map Test a while back and managed to mess it up and fail it. Don’t underestimate how much you need to know. I have been keeping notes of recent tests that had been taken and checked all of them out. I had spent my time really learning my runs and I did over 100 mock map tests. I felt well prepared, but on the day my brain turned to mush on some things. I know nerves play a part and I was fairly anxious. Even the beta blockers I now take didn’t stop that! 
I know I have been rushing through this and also tried to get my map test before the price went up. I actually thought I could get through and then start to get myself organised for appearances. I was prepared to fail my first appearance and then use the 90 days that the appearances are running at to get really ready for my second appearance.
So now I have had to have a change of plan. I really need to get through the map test this time and then hope to be able to get my first appearance nailed too! I have decided to type all my points up with additional notes so I can use flash cards for learning them. This is very time consuming but I should have this done soon. While there were points asked in my test that I had not pointed before, there were some I knew but could not locate them properly and then there were some I had been to and could not remember at all. I have nearly 6000 points to enter and I need to be able to revise them more easily than reading back through my books. I have put them in different categories and post codes so I can study specific groups.
One thing that it is difficult to practice is using the same maps that are used up at PCO Towers. They do take a few moments of getting used to as they are more like Ordnance Survey Maps.
Here are the runs that I was asked and the points that I can remember.
Run 1 – Belmore Street(no more South Bank Uni) to Red Lion Square
Points Cochrane Theatre, Conway House, Square Pig Bar, Southampton Place, Princeton St
Run 2 – Bethnal Green BR Station to Jamaica Road
Points Cathay House, Angel PH, Drummond Road, Albion St, Time & Talent Comm Centre
Run 3 – Petherton Road to Monument Way
Points Aberdeen Road, Highbury Estate, Beresford Road, Taverner Square
Run 4 – Dover House Road to Brompton Square
Points Brompton Oratory, V&A Museum, Egerton House Hotel, Yeomans Row, Cottage Pl
Run 5 – Barnes Bridge Station to Bromyard Avenue
Points Bulls Head PH, Sun Inn PH, Lonsdale Road, Teal Yard, Esporta W4, The Promenade
Thankfully I knew all the runs once somebody asked about Belmore Street as the starting point on the first run. Who knew it had changed? So why did I fail? Somehow I forgot to use Dunbridge and Vallance Streets when leaving Bethnal Green BR Station and took Brady St to Whitechapel Road and tried to run right! As you probably all know that is impossible to do so a big fail on that run. That cost me 8% of my marks which would of just got me a pass. Ultimately it was not scoring enough on the points and roads that cost me, hence why I will be really studying them before I take my next test at the end of July.
Hey, sorry to hear that you faild the map test, it was a hard test as I think my cop took it the same day as you. Although he passed, he only just scrapped through with all those pubs that were asked.
Anyway, moving on, you really should consider using some software to help you revise the points. There is a free programme loads of people use called mnemosyne. It’s a flash card programme that learns and tests you as you go. However, I use the POINT PARTNER software from Wizann. It basicly does the same, but allows you to test yourself on individual things like stations, hospitals, etc.
I do about 250-300 a day which takes about 45 mins.
atb
Hi Sparky, where did you get mnemosyne from?
Sorry to hear the result but sometimes not quite achieving can be helpful. I know I;ve cocked up many times and always managed to get there in the end. There is a emminent quote from a famous neuro surgeon that says ‘if youre going to fail make sure you fail better next time.’
I am miles behind you in the knowledge and find this a really helpful site. I enjoy all the learning and finding the thousands of miles of backstreets but can anyone tell me is it me or do bus drivers drive like arrogant morons? Every time I end up near them they either flash hoot or like the other day tried to crush me between two busses!
Found working the runs at night to avoid the busses can be interesting to. Saw two trannies having a fight at a bus stop over a can of cider (probably bus drivers!!!)
Also Green lanes lots of closed streets due to building work and new hotel London Highbury think it was the Penbury before.
Keep going everyone
Mark
hey mate sorry to hear that, hope the best for u next time for ur map test, and also i just discovered your website today , i’m finding it really helpful.
Hi there, sorry to hear that you faild your map test.
What i have noticed from your blog is: rush, rush and one more time rush. Rush never helps tho, i remember you said you have done 11 runs in 1 day (11 runs from Knowledge Point means 11 runs plus 11+ 88 points to remember – if you haven’t spotted them properly, you can actually remember them, can you?).
Rush is the worst enemy.
Good luck next time.
Matt
Another thing is: Knowledge Point blank maps they use (bike copies) are absolutelly crap, they simply to small…
hi sparky
interested in the MNEMOSYNE programme, have just downloaded it, did you enter all the points yourself ???
cheers
I am thinking about doing the knowledge & whats on here is really good. Have been testing myself with the east end runs at the mo & will be looking to book an appointment at the PCO. Keep up the good work guys 7 hope you are all doing well.
Rob
I am thinking about doing the knowledge & whats on here is really good. Have been testing myself with the east end runs at the mo & will be looking to book an appointment at the PCO. Keep up the good work guys & hope you are all doing well.
Rob
I agree that the maps could be better. Especially in the west end you have no room to mark anything.
Good Luck
Hi Matt,
I was rushing at times and it did cost me. There are no shortcuts in the Knowledge. Find a pace that works for you and it will stick in your head a bit better.
Good Luck
Hiya, I am also interested in the MNEMOSYNE project, I have downloasded it but where would I get the points from?????