GFT - presume you are referring to the JAR Skills Test? There, pedantry over.
I did the Skills Test a few weeks ago, so it is relatively fresh in my mind...some tips:
You do not need to be perfect during the test, as ever you should aim to do your best but do not get bummed out if stuff goes a little awry. The examiner needs to be confident that you are safe, not perfect.
It is a tricky judgement call re splitting the test; it is very draining but don't forget that if you do split the test you will be tested on the basics i.e. getting up and down safely every time you take another part of the test. My view was that this increased the chances of making a prat of yourself!
Very helpful quote from my examiner: "agree with me what you intend to do e.g. what height you will be cruising at and what heading you are steering...if you want to change what you are doing then fine, anything can be changed as long as we agree it beforehand"
Many a time I have heard it said that the examiner makes their mind up about you in the first few minutes of the test! There are some neat airmanship actions which might impress, ask you instructors to show you some of these.
One minor point from a post above: I am not sure about asking the examiner to take the controls if you are tired, it was drilled into me that the examiner is not allowed to touch the controls of the aircraft at any time unless flight safety was at risk or they needed to intervene as part of the conduct of the test e.g. pulling the power for a PFL. I'm not sure if feeling knackered is an excuse for the examiner to take over.
Good Luck! :-)
[This message has been edited by Bluebeard (edited 16 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Bluebeard (edited 16 May 2001).]