I think we all agree with you, but it s not only in the UK, it 's everywhere in Europe. The FAA has a better system, they let privat enterprises to run written tests(I should say computerized). you go in an office, you sign in and you start the questions on a computer (yes a computer, wooow!!).you receive a printed certificate with you score right after and you pay the company by check or cash.is that not sweet?