TLDR;
This video provides a comprehensive guide on how to tackle the topographical skills assessment, focusing on the book-based questions. It covers the types of questions to expect, which sections of the book are most important, and step-by-step strategies for finding the correct answers quickly and efficiently. The video also highlights the importance of practicing route planning questions and offers tips for identifying locations relative to Central London.
- Focus on root planning questions first (75 marks)
- Learn how to quickly navigate the index pages
- Understand the direction questions relative to Central London
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces a mock test based on the topographical test book, focusing on how to answer the 17 marks worth of questions that come directly from the book. The presenter encourages viewers to watch the entire video to understand how to effectively find answers. The presenter also briefly introduces their training centre, highlighting their competitive rates and unlimited packages, and encourages viewers to visit their website or YouTube channel for more information.
Important Pages in the Book [2:53]
The presenter introduces the topographical test book and highlights the important pages for the exam. The index pages, particularly those covering Motorway tunnels and railway signs (underground and overground), are crucial for identifying nearby stations. The presenter emphasises the importance of the colours used in the map and the page with general information. The presenter notes that while the maps themselves are more relevant to the route planning section, the index pages are vital for answering the initial questions. These index pages span roughly 230-250 pages, requiring candidates to be quick at finding information.
Question 1: Finding Grid Reference and Page Number for a Square [5:13]
The presenter demonstrates how to answer a typical question: finding the grid reference and page number for a specific square (CT sw019). The presenter shows how to navigate the index, using alphabetical order to quickly locate the "squares" section. The presenter emphasises the need to be both quick and patient, carefully scanning the page to find the exact square (CT sw019). Once found, the presenter identifies the grid reference (63 CB 113), stressing that the key is to understand the method rather than memorising answers.
Question 2: Finding Grid Reference and Page Number for Mitcham [8:17]
The presenter tackles another question, this time finding the grid reference and page number for "Mitcham". Again, the presenter uses the index, demonstrating how to efficiently navigate to the "M" section. The presenter emphasises the importance of knowing the alphabet to quickly locate the correct page. Once "Mitcham" is found, the presenter identifies the grid reference (69 hb133).
Questions 3 & 4: Finding Grid References for Watford General and Ealing Hospitals [10:47]
The presenter explains how to find the grid references for Watford General Hospital and Ealing Hospital using the index pages. The presenter navigates to the "W" section to find Watford General Hospital, locating it on page 421 with a grid reference of 15 x 27. Next, the presenter searches for Ealing Hospital under the "E" section, finding it with a grid reference of 46 f a 86.
Questions 5 & 6: Finding Grid References for Virginia Water Rail and Custom House DLR [14:11]
The presenter demonstrates how to find railway stations within the index, specifically Virginia Water Rail. The presenter navigates to the "V" section, finds Virginia Water station, and identifies its grid reference as 71 a 148 on page 418. The presenter then locates Custom House DLR under the "C" section, finding its grid reference as 45 kce 93 on page 293.
Question 7: Determining Direction from Central London (Red Hill) [17:08]
The presenter explains how to answer questions about directions from Central London. The presenter explains the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and the intermediate directions (Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest). The presenter then demonstrates how to apply this knowledge to a question about Red Hill. The presenter locates Red Hill in the index (page 384), then goes to page 207 to find Red Hill on the map relative to Central London, determining that it is South of Central London.
Question 8: Determining Direction from Central London (Chalk) [23:11]
The presenter continues to explain how to answer questions about directions from Central London, this time focusing on the location of Chalk. The presenter locates Chalk in the index, finding it on page 278. The presenter then refers to page 123 to determine Chalk's direction from Central London, concluding that it is Southeast.
Questions 9, 10 & 11: Practice Questions and Motorway Junctions [25:10]
The presenter poses a practice question for viewers to answer in the comments: determining the direction of "aborts Langley" from Central London. The presenter then transitions to questions about motorway junctions, explaining how to use the index to find a location and then identify the nearest motorway junction on pages 166-167. The presenter demonstrates this with a question about finding the closest junction on the M25 to Weasley, determining that Junction 10 is the closest. The presenter poses another question for viewers: identifying the final motorway to "hand well".
Question 12: Identifying Motorways Crossing the M25 [29:59]
The presenter explains how to identify which motorways cross the M25 on pages 166-167. The presenter uses a pen to illustrate what it means for a motorway to "cross" another. The presenter identifies M1, M11, M23, M3, M4 and M40 as motorways that cross the M25. The presenter notes that questions may have more than one correct answer.
Questions 13 & 14: Identifying Neighbouring Counties of Greater London [32:30]
The presenter explains how to identify the counties neighbouring Greater London using the map on page 207. The presenter identifies Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire as the neighbouring counties. The presenter then poses a question for viewers to answer in the comments: identifying the neighbouring counties of Greater London from a list of options.
Question 15: Finding Locations Starting with Numbers or "The" [33:53]
The presenter addresses the tricky case of finding locations that start with numbers, such as "7/7 Memorial". The presenter reveals that these locations are listed at the top of the second index page. The presenter also explains that if a location starts with "The" (e.g., "The London Road"), you should ignore "The" and look for the location under the letter "L".
Question 16: Planning the Most Direct Route Between M25 Junctions [35:40]
The presenter explains how to determine which pages to use to plan the most direct route between two junctions on the M25. The presenter uses the example of travelling from Junction 10 to Junction 13. The presenter advises starting by identifying the pages that include the starting and ending junctions (in this case, pages 170 and 126). The presenter then advises checking the intervening pages to see if the M25 is present, including those pages in the route. The presenter poses a question for viewers to answer in the comments: identifying the pages needed to travel from Junction 2 of the M40 to Junction 6 of the M4.
Question 17: Identifying the Closest Station to a Location [41:11]
The presenter explains how to identify the closest station to a given location. The presenter emphasises the importance of learning the symbols for different types of stations (National Rail, Elizabeth Line, DLR, Overground, Underground) on the first page of the book. The presenter then demonstrates the process using the example of Ealing Common. The presenter locates Ealing Common in the index (page 87, reference 45 PA). The presenter then goes to page 87 and uses the grid reference (45 PA) to pinpoint Ealing Common on the map. Finally, the presenter identifies the closest station to Ealing Common as Ealing Common Underground Station. The presenter poses a question for viewers to answer in the comments: identifying the nearest station to White Chapel.
Conclusion [45:47]
The presenter concludes by encouraging viewers to practice and utilise the mock tests available on their website. The presenter reiterates that the key is to understand how to find the answers rather than memorising them. The presenter thanks viewers for watching and encourages them to subscribe to the channel.
