Farnborough vs Wood Green (London)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric Farnborough Wood Green (London)
Overall Pass Rate 58.3% 46.8%
Male Pass Rate 60.8% 49.3%
Female Pass Rate 55.6% 43.1%
Tests Conducted 8,041 10,797
Years of Data 15 11

Pass Rate Trends

30% 36% 42% 48% 54% 60% 2008 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2022 2024 2013: 34.2% 2014: 34.8% 2015: 37.5% 2016: 39.7% 2017: 38.5% 2018: 39.6% 2019: 41.5% 2021: 45.9% 2022: 44.2% 2023: 43.3% 2024: 46.8% 2008: 49.7% 2009: 49.3% 2011: 53.7% 2012: 50.5% 2013: 53.3% 2014: 54.0% 2015: 55.2% 2016: 54.3% 2017: 58.4% 2018: 54.0% 2019: 51.4% 2021: 57.2% 2022: 55.8% 2023: 58.4% 2024: 58.3%
Farnborough Wood Green (London)

Farnborough vs Wood Green

Choosing between Farnborough and Wood Green for your practical driving test? This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. With a 11.5 percentage point gap between them, there is a meaningful difference in pass rates.

Farnborough has a pass rate of 58.3% from 8,041 tests, while Wood Green sits at 46.8% from 10,797 tests in the latest financial year.

Detailed Analysis

Pass rates: Farnborough leads with the higher pass rate. This is a substantial gap that suggests genuinely different testing conditions or candidate profiles.

Test volume: Wood Green is the busier centre with 10,797 tests per year, compared to 8,041 at Farnborough. Both centres have comparable volumes.

Trends: Farnborough has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 2.5 percentage points, while Wood Green has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 2.6 percentage points.

Gender comparison: At Farnborough, the male pass rate is 60.8% and female is 55.6%. At Wood Green, it's 49.3% male and 43.1% female.

Our Verdict

On pass rate alone, Farnborough has the edge at 58.3% compared to Wood Green's 46.8%. However, pass rates reflect candidate cohorts as much as test difficulty. If you've done most of your lessons near Wood Green, the familiarity with local roads may outweigh the statistical difference.

Whichever centre you choose, thorough preparation is the single biggest factor in your result. Practice until you're consistently confident, book when you feel ready, and arrive early on the day.

Booking Tips

When choosing between these centres, consider the following practical factors:

  • Availability: Wood Green is the busier centre (10,797 vs 8,041 tests/year). Farnborough may have more available slots.
  • Best months: Farnborough's highest pass rate month is May (61.8%). Wood Green peaks in Oct (50.6%).
  • Practice area: Book at the centre whose surrounding roads you've practised on most. Route familiarity consistently matters more than pass rate statistics.
  • Cancellation checking: If your preferred centre has a long wait, consider using a cancellation checking service. Both centres may have short-notice openings that aren't visible when you first book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the higher pass rate, Farnborough or Wood Green?

Farnborough has the higher pass rate at 58.3%, compared to 46.8% at Wood Green. This is a 11.5 percentage point difference.

Which centre is busier?

Wood Green conducts more tests (10,797 vs 8,041 per year). The quieter centre may offer more flexible booking times.

Are these pass rates trending up or down?

Farnborough has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 2.5 percentage points. Wood Green has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 2.6 percentage points. Check each centre's individual page for the full historical chart.

Should I choose a centre based on pass rate alone?

No. Pass rates reflect the overall candidate pool, not test difficulty. A centre with a lower pass rate may have more first-time or nervous candidates. Your own preparation, familiarity with the roads, and comfort level on test day are far more important than a few percentage points of difference.