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Tips for Passing Your Forklift Theory Test

Passing your forklift theory test is absolutely essential to you becoming a fully-trained, certified forklift operator. Much like when learning how to drive a car, passing your forklift theory test will ensure that you understand the safety precautions and safe practices needed to be able to operate a forklift in a way which will keep fellow workers protected from harm. It will also help to ensure that either the forklift itself or the load you’re carrying doesn’t become damaged.

With that aside, it can be quite a daunting task to have to undertake, but like most exams, it’s something of a necessary evil – if you want to be a forklift operator, then you must first have to do the theory test. We understand how nerve-racking the whole process can be, so we’ve presented you with a few hints and tips to help pass your forklift theory test.

Keep revising

Like with any exam, studying for what could lie ahead will give you the best possible chance of passing the test. There are plenty of ways in which you can do this, even if your life is relatively busy. Perhaps ask a friend to help you study on your lunch break or use the bus journey to work to read up on something you’re perhaps struggling to remember or get your head around.

However, we understand that life can often make studying, and your focus on it, rather difficult. Whether you work full time or have a family to take care of, it can be rather challenging to find the time to get some revision in. Although, there are a few things you can try in order to fit studying into a busy schedule.

How to fit revision into busy everyday life

  • Try different ways of studying and pick the easiest, most simple method for you, once you’ve done that, it should be quicker for you to pick things up.
  • Make a rough schedule with outlined times for when you plan to get some studying in – getting into a routine with this will also make it more likely that you’ll stick to the plan you’ve set out.
  • It might seem counterintuitive, but find some time to rest your brain and put down the revision books.
  • Ask someone for support, whether you need someone to ask you practice questions, or if you need a relative to watch the children for a couple of hours while you study, if you need the help, then ask for it.
  • Only think positively – once it’s over and you’ve passed, then you’ll never have to do it again.

Stay calm and focused

Staying calm will help you to make more informed decisions on the big day. If you come across a question you don’t know the answer to, then don’t panic. Just give it your best shot and use common sense where it’s appropriate to do so, just don’t leave anything blank.

It will also help to simply take your time and read the question a couple of times over in your head before putting an answer down. This will help you to fully understand the question and what it is they’re asking for. It’s also worth leaving yourself five minutes at the end of the test to go back and check your answers, just for peace of mind.

Practice breathing exercises

This might sound a little strange, but this will actually help to keep you calm. If your breathing becomes quicker or even laboured, then you’ll be taking in less oxygen which could cause you to become distracted or unfocused. If this happens, then you may well find yourself answering questions without really thinking about it, which could cause you to get them wrong.

Instead, if you find yourself starting to become stressed, anxious or slightly panicky, then take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat this process until you start to feel more calm and together. Once you feel better, then continue to answer the questions, but still take your time.

Have a decent meal beforehand

It’s always been advised that if you’re going to be sitting an exam, that you eat food that’s good for the brain. Not only this, but will also fill you up, ensuring you don’t get hungry throughout the course of the exam. Feeling hungry could be a distraction for you, but it could also mean that you become tired or lethargic due to having an empty stomach – not what you want when you’re in the middle of an exam.

It’s also important that you’re staying hydrated, so drink plenty of water to keep you alert and focused throughout. Some people have even advised that you drink green tea before an exam, although it really is down to personal preference.

Foods to eat before your test

There are a number of foods that are recommended for consumption before an exam, for breakfast you could try eating:

  • Eggs
  • Peanut butter on brown toast
  • Bananas
  • Blueberries

If your exam is in the afternoon, and you’ve already had a healthy, nutritious breakfast, then you could try eating the following for lunch:

  • Oily fish
  • Chicken
  • Salad
  • Dark leafy greens
  • Peanut butter sandwiches, made with brown bread
  • A side of fresh fruit

Foods to avoid before your test

Just as there are some foods you should eat before an exam, there are a number of different foods and beverages you should steer clear from before your test, including:

  • Chocolate
  • Sweets
  • White bread
  • Rice
  • Potatoes
  • Fast food of any kind
  • Turkey
  • Fizzy drinks
  • Energy drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine

Good luck!

Charnwood Lift Trucks are proud to be able to provide customers with high-calibre material handling equipment, including a variety of different forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, pallet trucks and more. Choose from a wide range of equipment that have been safety and quality checked, so you’ll always have peace of mind that your forklift operators will be safe behind the wheel of one of our machines every single time. For more information about how we can help you today, get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team today – we’re always on hand to help.

Forklift Exam