Passed in Dun L! 3rd Time Lucky
Woohooo! I'm 35, I was petrified of learning to drive put it off for years, have been in two bad car accidents as a child, and here we are, didn't let the nerves get the better of me today 🥳
My top advice is to get the drive flow routes online and do the 7 routes in the 7 days leading up to the test. It made me very familiar with all the possible big junctions etc and it was all fresh in my mind. I didn't grow up around here and feel for my two previous tests myself and my partner were aimlessly driving around different roads and it was taking a long time and I was getting fatigued. Know the roads, know the theory, constant mirror checking and nail your maneuvers and you can manage any difficult situations that arise on the day.
I also think doing the test in summer helps, quieter roads, lovely weather and you can practice late in the evening and still have daylight for practicing manouvers. In my previous test I was practicing in the rain and dark (I work late hours).
My final nugget of wisdom, I made a mistake today and thought I failed but I kept driving to my best ability and stayed calm, don't let mistakes psyche you out, might only be a grade 2 mark so continue as you normally would and just ignore the tester, pretend you're alone in the car and focus on the road.