These days, there are multiple CDL training programs available, and it’s often hard to decide which one to choose. Here are a few pointers to help you make an informed decision.
What makes a good CDL program?
- 1
Question variety
The more questions you have access to, the more practice you will get. A program with over 1,000 questions will provide you with countless hours of practice.
- 2
Question quality
It’s important to look at what kind of questions the program offers. Is it good quality material? Quality over quantity should be the goal. If you’re practicing with questions that are too easy, you won’t learn much. You should be looking at a program that provides questions that are at or above the difficulty level you will face on the real exam. Are the questions realistic enough? You should always try to get questions and answers that are as close to the real test questions as possible. This will maximize your chances of passing the real exam.
- 3
Orderly presentation
It’s very important to present the information in a way that makes sense and is easy to follow. The program should be easy to navigate and the questions should be presented in a logical order. Ideally, questions should be split into digestible practice tests, and further into sections relative to the knowledge exams/endorsements the applicant needs.
- 4
Detailed explanations
A good practice test program should give you detailed instructions on how to get the correct answers. This will help you focus on the right aspect of the question, and most importantly, understand why you got the wrong answer.
- 5
Exam Simulators
Some programs offer exam simulators. These programs simulate the real CDL test and give you a score at the end of the exam. An exam simulator is a great tool that will help you understand how the CDL test works, and how you should approach it.
- 6
Company reputation and overall trustworthiness
The company that makes the program is just as important as the program itself. Reputable companies will make sure that their programs are up to date and aligned with the latest CDL test standards. Does the program offer a clearly visible email address and phone number? Is there an “About us” page with any information about who’s behind the program? All of these are good signs. You should always be careful about who you trust with your personal information. It’s a red flag if the contact information is hidden or hard to find.
- 7
Instructional design and convenience
Is the program well-designed? How easy is it to use? Here’s what makes one study program more convenient than another:
- A program that lets you access your practice tests from anywhere, any time.
- A program that offers a variety of study aids, such as flashcards, hints, etc.
- Easy-to-use interface that is user-friendly.
- If it’s an online program, does it offer a mobile app?
- Does the program provide access to the official CDL manual?
- 8
State-specific practice tests
Even though most U.S. states use the same federal regulations as a baseline, a good online practice test program should give you access to state-specific practice tests. There are some states that have extra endorsements and regulations that you’ll have to study for. A program that offers state-specific practice tests will help you prepare for any extra tests that you might have to take.
- 9
Customer support
Does the program offer a customer support service? What kind of support do they offer? If you have any issues or questions, you should be able to get in touch with the company and get an answer.
- q
Price
This is the most obvious criteria. Check out the price of the program. You get what you pay for, so you should always look for programs that offer a lot for the price.
- w
Reviews from past customers
Some programs are better than others. The best thing you can do is check out reviews from other people who have used the program you’re thinking of getting. This is another good indicator of quality. Check out the reviews from students who have used the program. Do they say good things about it?
- e
Word-of-mouth
Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool. If your friends have used a particular program and they recommend it, you should consider it.
- r
Reliability
Does the program offer a money-back guarantee? This indicates that the company is confident in their product and they want you to try it out with no risk attached. Basically, they’re saying -- “We know you’ll like what you see, so you can try it for free, and if you’re not satisfied, you’ll get your money back.” This is a good sign.
There are many good CDL training programs online, and there are also many bad ones. Always do your research before you make any decision. Keep all of these points in mind, and you’ll be able to find the best CDL practice test program that’s right for you.
