Odai you're obviously apprehensive about your forthcoming test
so SPEAK TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR!
I think I actually read somewhere that during the test you
append the word "exam" to your callsign on initial calls. Is that not
he case?
No! The "Exam" callsign is only allocated to CAA Staff Examiners and it
is very unlikely you will be tested by one of these as they mainly do
initial CPL and IR tests - If your Examiner is a Staff Examiner they will brief
you whether to use their personal Exam callsign or what you usually use.
The "Student" prefix (eg Student G-ABCD) is used for the initial call to an
ATC unit by a
solo student pilot. On your test you are
not solo and you
expect, at the end, to record the flight as PICUS rather than DUAL(Pu/t).
One tip I was given when I did my skills test was that when making radio contact with ATC or seeking an information service I should identify myself as:
"G-XXXX student pilot on skills test"
All those I spoke to on the radio that day were very helpful.
ATC do not, necessarily, know what is involved in a skill test and may end
up being too helpful. eg: "G-ABCD you said your next turning point was
the Severn Bridge. You are 4 miles South of track. Suggest you turn
North 10deg" Just what a pilot wants post-PPL, but not on a
Skills Test - No opportunity for you to demonstrate to Examiner that you
knew you were off track and knew how to make the appropriate
correction - and Radar assistance is not allowed in a PPL test.
The FAA Oral Test video posted by benjaavpilot is excellent. You are very
unlikely to be quized at such length, or in such depth, but you should
know your planing and aircraft (including POH and Documents) as well as
that candidate - at least until you pass.
Remember it is you being tested, not your school, nor your instructor.
So if, for example, you are asked why you use 6USG for fuel consumption.
"Because that is what I was told to use" is not a good answer. "The POH
states 5.4USG for the power setting I intend to use - however that figure
is based on a factory new aircraft, properly leaned and flown by a test
pilot - so I am rounding up to 6USG to take that in to account" is a much
better answer.
Good Luck and enjoy.
If you have other questions - don't post until you also have the answers
FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR