Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - Super

Five one-lap time trials are all that remains in Gran Turismo 6's 25 License Tests. The Super License is yours if you clear all five tests. As one would imagine, you aren't going to be handed a Super License. You can't buy a license. You have to EARN them, and you certainly need to earn your license in this one. How will you take on the five Super License tests? Gold is something I can't help you get. That's up to you. The finale of this series of posts regarding License Tests is coming up here on "John's Race Space!"

--- Gran Turismo 6 License Tests ---

The dreaded License Tests- at least in the minds of those who loathe License Tests. I guess since GT5 seemed too loose, the importance of License Tests returned. The formula is different here in GT6. Rather than take License Tests as you please, you have to unlock these tests to be able to advance further into the game and access more features. You have to unlock license tests by going through the various official races. You must acquire enough Stars and clear certain races or championships to be able to qualify for gaining a License.

Each License consists of five tests. You need to clear each test with Bronze or higher to receive your license. Try to go for all-Gold if you can. If you Gold each of the license tests in a set, you will earn a bonus car.

If you have PlayStation Network friends, their trails can be animated so you can compare your best time to your friends' best times. This will help you to see what lines they took and how fast they took on the course. They may also annoy you, because what person wants to feel like they are slower than his/her PSN friends?

GT6 License Tests: The Series.

This section will be edited once blog posts on each set of license tests will be added. Here is the series as slated:

• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National B
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National A
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International B
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International A
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - Super (YOU ARE HERE)

Each of the above links will be edited as posts for each one is complete.

--- Gran Turismo 6 Licenses: Super ---

^ Everything you learned from previous tests all culminate into five one-lap time trials. Clear all five, and you'll have your Super License.

All five of the tests here are one-lap time trials. You need to utilize all of your racing skill to properly navigate each race track. All five tests take place under Standing Start conditions, so as important as properly navigating each course is, getting a good launch off the Start/Finish line is equally important. Make the most of each test to post the best times for each.

S-1: 1-Lap Time Trial - Apricot Hill Raceway.

Car: 2012 Toyota 86 GT
Course: Apricot Hill Raceway
Start: Standing Start

Your mount in this test is the Toyota 86 GT. This car is a joint effort of Toyota and Subaru. It is a boxer-powered sports car with serious inspiration from the classic Toyota AE86. This modern hachi-roku is yours to take around Apricot Hill Raceway- a very technical, rather short Grand Prix-type racing course. Do your best to weave your way around the lefts and rights of Apricot Hill Raceway. How you handle the first half of the course can make a big difference in how your final lap times end up. Be careful also at the sharp corner at the backstretch and the super-slow chicane.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 1:48.000
• SILVER: 1:50.000
• BRONZE: 1:55.000

S-2: 1-Lap Time Trial - Willow Springs International Raceway - Big Willow.

Car: 2011 Alfa Romeo T23 Stradale
Course: Willow Springs International Raceway - Big Willow
Start: Standing Start

Its simplicity will make you think this is going to be an easy drive around Willow Springs' "Big Willow" layout. Take it TOO lightly, however, and reality will bite you like a snake. So in other words... get serious about this one. This course has too many sections that are too easy to overshoot or misjudge. Fall into these traps, and you're going to fail again and again here. This test also takes place under dark conditions. Don't let Willow Springs' simplicity make you think you can waltz your way cleanly around this course. There are too many pitfalls which will lull you into a sense that you can complete this course much easier than what this course really says to you. Do not relax your guard at all for this test.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 1:27.800
• SILVER: 1:29.500
• BRONZE: 1:33.000

S-3: 1-Lap Time Trial - Silverstone The Stowe Circuit.

Car: 2012 KTM X-BOW R
Course: Silverstone The Stowe Circuit
Start: Standing Start

The Stowe Circuit of Silverstone will be your testing ground for this License Test. Your car is the 2012 KTM X-BOW R. This car is like a two-seat go-kart the way it gets up to speed and handles like a dream. The course is mostly flat all the way around. Use your judgment to find each apex and adjust your speed accordingly for each corner. Don't push this car too far to where you start understeering in the corners or induce a spin. Victory will be yours if you manage to handle both the car and the track properly.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 57.300
• SILVER: 58.500
• BRONZE: 1:04.000

S-4: 1-Lap Time Trial - Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit.

Car: 2011 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
Course: Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit
Start: Standing Start

While Brands Hatch is rather short, there are plenty of corners and sections that will throw you for a loop. There are so many bits to Brands Hatch that can make you a little bit crazy trying to race the course. You'll be racing the certifiably insane Lamborghini Aventador for this License Test. Despite its incredible performance, it will be tough trying to properly wrestle this Italian supercar around a track like the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit. Having raced the Aventador in a few IA-level races in my personal GT6 experience, it can be difficult to properly make good use of its capabilities in a race. Remember that since this is a powerful mid-engine car with four-wheel drive, you will not have such an easy time driving this car properly on such a short track. Once you find the right balance of performance and handling to take on this course properly, you will start to deliver a good enough lap time that will give you passing credit. Be sure to nail the first corner, the hairpin, and all of the Grand Prix portion of Brands Hatch to stand a chance.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 1:34.500
• SILVER: 1:36.000
• BRONZE: 1:39.000

S-5: 1-Lap Time Trial - Ascari Full Track.

Car: 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Course: Ascari Full Track
Start: Standing Start

This one is going to drive you mad. While I do respect the Bugatti Veyron, this French supercar is perhaps the most overrated supercar today. You are asked in this challenge to race this insanely fast and powerful supercar around the entire Ascari circuit in Spain. Piloting this car is not fun at all. It has serious understeer and sometimes can't brake hard enough to save its life. Here's the best way I'll put it- racing the Bugatti Veyron is like trying to drive a drag racing car with the brakes of a train. Considering this heavy car has 4WD, one would probably think it's inexcusable for a car of this level of performance to perform so poorly on a challenging race track. The best advice I'd recommend is to change your controller settings- namely the controller steering sensitivity. The game even recommends you turn on TCS for this test. Once you get the hang of its performance capabilities, try racing the course more aggressively to try to improve your lap times. Whatever the case, you're going to be here for a while, especially if going for Gold. Enjoy the ride until you finally get it right.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 2:14.000
• SILVER: 2:16.000
• BRONZE: 2:20.000


You now have all of the licenses if you are able to clear all of the Super License tests. Congratulations on a job well done!





Thank all of you for reading my posts regarding the License Tests of Gran Turismo 6. All I want to do is offer something to racing game fans. I do so with love and passion. I am not posting this for myself- I do this all for you. PLEASE- if you enjoy my online work, Subscribe and Follow my blog(s) if you enjoy my work. Don't just come and go- let me know you care. Let me know that my work actually means something. So please Subscribe and Follow if you haven't done so already. Thank you for reading!

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Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International A

The International A license validates you as world-class talent. You've worked hard enough to get to go for this license. It's about time you cash in and become greater than you've ever been in Gran Turismo 6. Or do you want your GT6 racing legacy to fall short? This post on "John's Race Space" is a look at the IA-License tests. Remember- I can't help you get Gold, but I can give you an idea of what kind of trouble you are about to get into. Buckle up. It's time to go for a ride.

--- Gran Turismo 6 License Tests ---

The dreaded License Tests- at least in the minds of those who loathe License Tests. I guess since GT5 seemed too loose, the importance of License Tests returned. The formula is different here in GT6. Rather than take License Tests as you please, you have to unlock these tests to be able to advance further into the game and access more features. You have to unlock license tests by going through the various official races. You must acquire enough Stars and clear certain races or championships to be able to qualify for gaining a License.

Each License consists of five tests. You need to clear each test with Bronze or higher to receive your license. Try to go for all-Gold if you can. If you Gold each of the license tests in a set, you will earn a bonus car.

If you have PlayStation Network friends, their trails can be animated so you can compare your best time to your friends' best times. This will help you to see what lines they took and how fast they took on the course. They may also annoy you, because what person wants to feel like they are slower than his/her PSN friends?

GT6 License Tests: The Series.

This section will be edited once blog posts on each set of license tests will be added. Here is the series as slated:

• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National B
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National A
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International B
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International A (YOU ARE HERE)
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - Super

Each of the above links will be edited as posts for each one is complete.

--- Gran Turismo 6 Licenses: International A ---

^ Rain or shine, a Gran Turismo racer is ready for any challenge thrown his/her way. The tests will be tougher, so you'd better be ready if you want to avoid being just another back marker.

Hope you're ready for this one. Even faster cars and even tougher challenges await you. You are not going to be a Gran Turismo champion if you don't learn these skills now. Make the most of your time in these License Tests to enhance your skills that extra bit.

IA-1: Cone Slalom 2.

Car: 2002 Honda NSX Type R
Course: Special Stage Route X
Start: Standing Start

This is the same slalom course from the International B license. Only this time, you are in a much more powerful car. Try to keep this NSX under control as you weave through this slalom course. Remember that the NSX is a mid-engine car with rear-wheel drive. Because of this, you need to have much better car control than what you had with the Volkswagen Scirocco from the previous Cone Slalom. This test is about car control with an agile and powerful sports car.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 17.800
• SILVER: 18.500
• BRONZE: 23.000

IA-2: Turning While Braking.

Car: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C7)
Course: Ascari Full Track
Start: Rolling Start at 85 mph

Try out the latest Corvette on the formidable Ascari Full Track. You will be using the back stretch of Ascari Full Track. What awaits you here is a brief kink followed by a sharp right, a tricky chicane, and a banked left-hand corner leading to the Finish area. Be very careful in the chicane as there is not much separation between driving a perfect line and not hitting a cone. Drive carefully and precisely if you want to score a decent time in this one. Thankfully, the Corvette can handle it. Can you?

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 22.800
• SILVER: 23.500
• BRONZE: 27.000

IA-3: Dealing with Extreme Inclines.

Car: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG
Course: Matterhorn Dristelen
Start: Rolling Start at 99 mph

Each of the Matterhorn courses feature some brutal elevation changes. The undulating roads will push an ill-prepared car (or an ill-talented driver) to insanity. The roads are also rather narrow. In other words, these Matterhorn courses can be thought of like a Swedish version of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, only each course being MUCH shorter in length for each course. Learn to properly take on courses with vast differences in elevation changes by taking on this License Test. You have yourself a luxury sports car to take around some tricky roads. The sharp left and the sections after are tough. You need to brake hard into the somewhat blind left-hand corner, then use your judgment to go uphill and try to power out of the section without hitting the outside wall or knocking out a cone either going uphill or upon exit. This test is more tricky than difficult.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 22.000
• SILVER: 22.800
• BRONZE: 25.500

IA-4: Driving in the Wet 1.

Car: 2012 Nissan GT-R Black Edition
Course: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Start: Rolling Start at 81 mph

Racing a course under wet conditions means you must contend with poor visibility from the rain as well as a lack of traction. This is one of two tests that tests your ability to navigate a course under wet conditions. For this one, you will be racing the middle section of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps under wet conditions. This section includes the section from heading into the second hairpin to the finish line of the similar test at Spa-Francorchamps with the Civic Type-R. On your side is that you have a four-wheel drive car that makes great power and is quite fast. It won't be easy trying to clear this course with this car, though. Make the most of this car's capabilities while also properly navigating this course in the wet. Remember to try to find the best line around the course and drive this course as differently as you would if it were dry. Also remember that you don't have lots of traction to work with in keeping the car stable or properly driving the section. Be extremely careful here. If you have to, drive defensively rather than try to hot dog this section. When you're ready to take on the course more aggressively, employ different driving strategies to post a better lap time. It also helps to drive from any view besides the Interior view to see the road better.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 38.500
• SILVER: 40.000
• BRONZE: 44.000

IA-5: Driving in the Wet 2.

Car: 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia
Course: Suzuka Circuit
Start: Rolling Start at 78 mph

You will be asked to clear the Esses of the eastern portion of Suzuka Circuit in the wet. You must do so racing a Ferrari 458 Italia. Unlike the previous test, you don't have the luxury of 4WD traction to help you complete this course. You are in a fast, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive exotic car trying to clear this test. You can afford to be more aggressive since you have such a car to work with. However, the risk-reward is much greater if you manage to properly race this car without fail. Take some of the same precautionary measures from the other wet driving test if you need to.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 29.500
• SILVER: 32.000
• BRONZE: 36.000


You are now ready for the International A races! Only one license remains- the Super License!





Only one more set of license tests await- the Super License! Be sure to check out my Super License post when it is uploaded. Thank you for reading!

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Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International B

Your talent says contender. Your license says pretender. Here's a novel idea- get a better license! International license holders in Gran Turismo shown that they have arrived on the scene and are not to be messed with. Do you want to carry that swagger, or are you okay being just another wasted opportunity? Let's get that International B license!

--- Gran Turismo 6 License Tests ---

The dreaded License Tests- at least in the minds of those who loathe License Tests. I guess since GT5 seemed too loose, the importance of License Tests returned. The formula is different here in GT6. Rather than take License Tests as you please, you have to unlock these tests to be able to advance further into the game and access more features. You have to unlock license tests by going through the various official races. You must acquire enough Stars and clear certain races or championships to be able to qualify for gaining a License.

Each License consists of five tests. You need to clear each test with Bronze or higher to receive your license. Try to go for all-Gold if you can. If you Gold each of the license tests in a set, you will earn a bonus car.

If you have PlayStation Network friends, their trails can be animated so you can compare your best time to your friends' best times. This will help you to see what lines they took and how fast they took on the course. They may also annoy you, because what person wants to feel like they are slower than his/her PSN friends?

GT6 License Tests: The Series.

This section will be edited once blog posts on each set of license tests will be added. Here is the series as slated:

• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National B
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National A
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International B (YOU ARE HERE)
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International A
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - Super

Each of the above links will be edited as posts for each one is complete.

--- Gran Turismo 6 Licenses: International B ---

^ Push your skills even further as you prepare to take on the International B races. One of those International B-license skills is to learn off-road driving.

If you want to show you've arrived in the world of Gran Turismo, get into the International license swing. These five challenges await you if you want to earn your International B license:

IB-1: Cone Slalom.

Car: 2010 Volkswagen Scirocco R
Course: Special Stage Route X
Start: Standing Start

You will return to Special Stage Route X for this License Test. This time, you will be asked to clear a slalom course. A line of cones and barriers are placed on either side of the road. There are ten of these lines in total. Your job is to weave through the line of cones and barriers without hitting any of them. You must also try to go around each section of cones while keeping up a consistent speed. The moment you hit a single cone or any barrier, your run will be foul. Try to clear the course in the quickest time possible for the best results.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 19.000
• SILVER: 20.500
• BRONZE: 24.000

IB-2: Taking on Chicanes at High Speed.

Car: 2012 Fisker Karma Ecosport
Course: Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit
Start: Rolling Start at 116 mph

You will be racing Australia's Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit- better known as Bathurst. Halfway down Conrod Straight, you must negotiate a fast-approaching kink leading into a slow chicane. Your car is the distinctive 2012 Fisker Karma Ecosport. You don't really need to brake heading into the kink, but you certainly need to brake hard when taking on the chicane. Sufficient braking into the section followed by carrying good speed exiting the chicane will lead to solid times.

[FUN FACT] Did you know that this chicane section didn't exist long ago? Conrod Straight used to be just one really long straight much like how Le Mans used to have one really long straight until that straight was broken up by chicanes.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 17.800
• SILVER: 18.500
• BRONZE: 22.000

IB-3: Consecutive Corners 2.

Car: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500
Course: Willow Springs International Raceway - Big Willow
Start: Rolling Start at 88 mph

It can be too easy to overshoot the corners at any Willow Springs track, let alone this one on Big Willow. If you don't want to keep re-doing this test, try to keep your Mustang on the road as much as possible while finding a great line through the corners. The corners for you to negotiate make up about the middle portion of Willow Springs' "Big Willow" circuit. There are about three corners that make up this test, and various elevation changes will throw your car off-balance. The first corner is a double-apex corner in which you will need to adjust your speed accordingly to avoid going off-course. The second and third corners have to be taken carefully without digging too deep into either one- because cones are there to remind you just how deep you can REALLY go into those corners. Get it together, and you'll post a decent time for the section.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 18.000
• SILVER: 19.000
• BRONZE: 22.000

IB-4: Combined Corners 2.

Car: 2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Course: Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit
Start: Rolling Start at 102 mph

Get ready to wrestle with a powerful British supercar on a challenging British race track. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is yours to take around Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit in this License Test. You will be asked to clear a set of corners after going around the Indy part of the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit. The corners will come fast, so you will need to adjust accordingly to avoid throwing your Aston Martin off the road. Find a solid line and be careful not to overshoot any corner here. As usual, watch out for the cones!

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 28.500
• SILVER: 29.500
• BRONZE: 34.000

IB-5: Driving in the Dirt.

Car: 2005 Subaru IMPREZA Sedan WRX STi spec C Type RA
Course: Toscana
Start: Rolling Start at 61 mph

This is the only License Test in GT6 which has you racing off-road. Dealing with off-road conditions means you will not have as much traction as you would on a tarmac course. The loose off-road conditions means you will be able to push your car much harder than you probably would on a regular tarmac course. So you will be sliding hard into the corners. What you need to do is take advantage of the slippery off-road conditions to post a great lap time. No better car to do so with than a Subaru. The name of this Subaru is long, but its performance is what matters. You will be going down the high-speed backstretch of Toscana leading into two jumps and a few high-speed corners. Try to regain control of your Subaru after clearing the second jump. Afterwards, try to drift the car into the corners cleanly to post a solid time. There is no out of bounds here since this is an off-road course, but you do need to avoid hitting the barriers on either side of the course. Now go make it happen.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 31.000
• SILVER: 32.500
• BRONZE: 36.000


Getting the IB-License shows that you've arrived. Now work your way up to unlock the International A license tests.





You have your International B license! Now go for your International A license. Keep racin' hard and thank you for reading!

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Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National A

The next set of Gran Turismo 6 license tests involves the National A license. Here, you will be given five tests to enhance your skills and prepare you for the next set of races. Faster cars and tougher challenges await you. So use this opportunity to enhance your skills a bit further in preparation for the upcoming challenges. Getting Gold is your job. All I'm here to do is bring light to each of the different license tests. Get ready for your look at GT6's License Tests on the National A level. This is "John's Race Space"... welcome to another post of mine!

--- Gran Turismo 6 License Tests ---

The dreaded License Tests- at least in the minds of those who loathe License Tests. I guess since GT5 seemed too loose, the importance of License Tests returned. The formula is different here in GT6. Rather than take License Tests as you please, you have to unlock these tests to be able to advance further into the game and access more features. You have to unlock license tests by going through the various official races. You must acquire enough Stars and clear certain races or championships to be able to qualify for gaining a License.

Each License consists of five tests. You need to clear each test with Bronze or higher to receive your license. Try to go for all-Gold if you can. If you Gold each of the license tests in a set, you will earn a bonus car.

If you have PlayStation Network friends, their trails can be animated so you can compare your best time to your friends' best times. This will help you to see what lines they took and how fast they took on the course. They may also annoy you, because what person wants to feel like they are slower than his/her PSN friends?

GT6 License Tests: The Series.

This section will be edited once blog posts on each set of license tests will be added. Here is the series as slated:

• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National B
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National A (YOU ARE HERE)
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International B
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International A
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - Super

Each of the above links will be edited as posts for each one is complete.

--- Gran Turismo 6 Licenses: National A ---

^ More advanced techniques, such as racing at night, are featured among the National B license tests.

Try your hand at these more challenging tests with faster cars and tougher challenges.

A-1: Full Braking Into a Corner.

Car: 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Course: Apricot Hill Raceway
Start: Rolling Start at 92 mph

Take this Mustang through a hard-braking zone around Apricot Hill Raceway. Hard braking into a corner will allow you to properly set yourself up for the next section ahead. You will need to slow the car down considerably to take on a very sharp corner, then be able to power out of that corner to complete the course. Try to do just that as you go down the backstretch and into the viciously sharp hairpin towards the end. Getting up to speed is simple- slowing down your Mustang to take on the next section is another entirely different matter.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 17.800
• SILVER: 19.000
• BRONZE: 22.000

A-2: Approaching a Semi-Blind Corner.

Car: 2011 Lotus Elise
Course: Brands Hatch Indy
Start: Rolling Start at 72 mph

If a corner is blind, you are unable to track the actual apex of the corner. You basically have to guess where the very inside of the corner is as you head into that corner. That is what you need to do here. The first corner of Brands Hatch trips me up almost all the time. Thankfully, this test happens as you clear the first corner. All you have to do is handle the first hairpin of this course. You'll need to brake quite hard and hug the inside as you progress through the corner. A strong exit out of this section will give you ample speed to cross the Finish section with a great time.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 14.500
• SILVER: 15.200
• BRONZE: 18.000

A-3: Consecutive Corners 1.

Car: 2008 Honda CIVIC TYPE-R
Course: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Start: Rolling Start at 91 mph

The legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium is your track for this License Test. You will be taking on a portion of the middle section of Spa-Francorchamps. This test begins on the corner after the second hairpin. Watch out for the cones as you go through the corner. Don't swing the Civic Type R too far outside or dig too deep to where you hit a cone. Of course... if you hit a cone, your run will be foul and disqualified. Car control is important here.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 17.000
• SILVER: 17.800
• BRONZE: 21.000

A-4: Combined Corners 1.

Car: 2012 Subaru BRZ S
Course: Twin Ring Motegi Road Course
Start: Rolling Start at 82 mph

A Subaru BRZ S awaits you, and so does the second hairpin section of Twin Ring Motegi's road course. Because Twin Ring Motegi's road course configurations are mostly flat, you will not have the luxury of elevation to give you a speed boost or give you any clues on where to brake. You do need to brake pretty hard in the first part of the corner while going full speed upon exit.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 16.800
• SILVER: 17.500
• BRONZE: 21.000

A-5: Driving the Track at Night.

Car: Mazda Roadster Touring Car
Course: Apricot Hill Raceway
Start: Rolling Start at 76 mph

If you think racing a track at night is no big thing, think again! Racing at night yields a great challenge- namely the darkness. It is critical to learn how to race a track shrouded in darkness. Especially for endurance races, you will have to learn to take on courses that go into darkness. One of the biggest challenges of night racing is to try to find the apexes of corners when it is too dark to see where you are going. Not all tracks have sufficient lighting to help you see around corners. On the other hand, you are thankful to be on a permanent racing course with a good deal of lighting. This is the first License Test featuring a race car. Since it is a racing car, its performance is far greater than a road-going car. Try to properly make the most of this car's performance while trying to properly navigate this road course at night. You will be racing the first section of Apricot Hill from the Start/Finish line to near the first Intermediate. That means you will be taking on the twisty and undulating portions of Apricot Hill with ample darkness around the area. The most lighting you will see is on the Start/Finish straight. After that, there is minimal to moderate lighting in each of the corners. If you need to, switch to the Roof view to get a better angle of the track.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 31.000
• SILVER: 32.000
• BRONZE: 35.000


Once you get your National A license, push your skills to the limit and try to unlock the International B license. You can now access some more features in GT6 now that you have your National A license.





There are more posts forthcoming regarding the license tests of Gran Turismo 6. Up next is the International licenses, especially the International B license tests. Stay with "John's Race Space" for more! Thank you for reading!

"Like" me on Facebook, Follow JRS, Follow me on Bloglovin', and/or Contact Me via E-Mail!
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Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National B

You are a GT6 Novice looking to go further. How do you do so? Get your National B license! The first five of of 25 license tests will test many basic abilities needed to become a star driver. Your journey on the license front begins with your National B license. I can't help you get Gold- that's YOUR job. All I can do is introduce you to the individual tests. The National B license tests are coming up! Welcome to "John's Race Space!"

--- Gran Turismo 6 License Tests ---

The dreaded License Tests- at least in the minds of those who loathe License Tests. I guess since GT5 seemed too loose, the importance of License Tests returned. The formula is different here in GT6. Rather than take License Tests as you please, you have to unlock these tests to be able to advance further into the game and access more features. You have to unlock license tests by going through the various official races. You must acquire enough Stars and clear certain races or championships to be able to qualify for gaining a License.

Each License consists of five tests. You need to clear each test with Bronze or higher to receive your license. Try to go for all-Gold if you can. If you Gold each of the license tests in a set, you will earn a bonus car.

If you have PlayStation Network friends, their trails can be animated so you can compare your best time to your friends' best times. This will help you to see what lines they took and how fast they took on the course. They may also annoy you, because what person wants to feel like they are slower than his/her PSN friends?

GT6 License Tests: The Series.

This section will be edited once all blog posts on each License Test set are all completed. Here is the series as slated:

• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National B (YOU ARE HERE)
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - National A
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International B
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - International A
• Gran Turismo 6 License Tests - Super

Each of the above links will be edited as posts for each one is complete.

--- Gran Turismo 6 Licenses: National B ---

^ Learn the basics of car control with the National B license tests. Skills learned here will help you in future license tests.

The first of the licenses tests your basic ability to operate a car under performance driving conditions. The cars are none too powerful, and the tests themselves are none too challenging. It shouldn't be difficult to get even one Gold for any license test.

B-1: Full Acceleration and Braking.

Car: 2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 T Sport
Course: Special Stage Route X
Start: Standing Start

If you can't clear this simple test, you simply are not cut out for Gran Turismo racing. Take this low-powered car down a straight path, then brake hard into the Finish zone. Try to find the proper area in which to begin braking hard. The test is complete when the car comes to a complete stop in the Finish zone. Hit the walls hard or run into cones, your run will be foul, and you will be disqualified immediately.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 33.000
• SILVER: 34.000
• BRONZE: 35.000

B-2: Basic Cornering.

Car: 2010 Mazda DEMIO SPORT
Course: Apricot Hill
Start: Standing Start

This next test practices your ability to maneuver a car properly around a set of corners. You will be doing so around the sweeping left-hand corner leading to the backstretch of Apricot Hill Raceway. Try to keep a consistent speed throughout and attack the very inside of the corner without going out of bounds. You should also try not to use too much steering input to where your speed suffers. Find the perfect balance, and you'll land a solid time.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 20.500
• SILVER: 21.000
• BRONZE: 23.000

B-3: High-Speed Cornering.

Car: 2008 Renault Megane R.S.
Course: Silverstone National Circuit
Start: Rolling Start at 65 mph

You will be asked to clear Copse- the high-speed first corner on around the famed Silverstone Circuit. The corner comes suddenly, and trying to get as much speed as possible to clear it will be a challenge. This test is more of a reflex test, if anything. Adjust your speed and find the proper racing line. Your mount is the 2008 Renault Megane R.S. Clear this corner as efficiently as you can. By the way, this is the first rolling start License Test. So don't worry about trying to launch off the line properly to shave off seconds.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 15.800
• SILVER: 16.800
• BRONZE: 20.000

B-4: Taking on an S-Bend or Esses.

Car: 2013 Ford Focus ST
Course: Twin Ring Motegi Road Course
Start: Rolling Start at 65 mph

Taking on esses will push your abilities of keeping a car on the road while also properly navigating such corners. You will need to demonstrate your ability to take on esses by clearing two corners of the Twin Ring Motegi road course. After going through the tunnel, you will be faced with a sharp left and a somewhat sharp right. Twin Ring Motegi's road course has very little elevation change, so building up speed with help from elevation won't do you much justice here. Find the best possible line to go into the Finish gate with a great time.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 15.800
• SILVER: 16.500
• BRONZE: 19.000

B-5: Negotiating an Inner City Track.

Car: 2010 Peugeot RCZ
Course: London
Start: Rolling Start at 63 mph

A course run on city streets or public country roads offers a greater challenge than proper race tracks. Most temporary street courses feature concrete barriers on either side of the road, making it difficult for you to see around the bend or to throw off your perception of the road. You will be driving on the streets of London in your handsome Peugeot. Try to find the best line around this course while not being intimidated by the walls. You will begin after the super-sharp first corner of the London street course and will be racing mostly the first half of London.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 20.500
• SILVER: 21.500
• BRONZE: 25.000


That will do it. Enjoy your B-License if you are able to successfully clear each challenge!





This post is just one in a series of posts lined up regarding the License Tests of GT6. Stay tuned to JRS for more in the series! Thank you for reading!

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Gran Turismo 5 License Tests - Super

Super License tests have always been difficult. Gran Turismo 5's Super License is no different. The National and International Licenses required you to drive in a high-performance manner. In this final series of tests, you must now apply those skills in one-lap races around ten tracks. You are given ten different cars to go against several others. Do you have what it takes to beat out all the other cars to finish in first place? No lessons learned here- it's all about applying your skills to racing situations. Get on it!

This series of tests only concerns the Super License tests for GT5. Welcome to "John's Gran Turismo Space" and the finale of this set of License Test-themed posts for GT5!

--- License Tests ---

^ Apply your National and International license skills in the Super License tests to show your mastery of Gran Turismo racing.

The final ten license events are none other than the Super License tests. The Super License since Gran Turismo 2 has involved one-lap runs around some of Gran Turismo's toughest tracks. Gran Turismo 5's Super License involves one-lap races around ten different tracks. All the while, you are given certain cars meant to test the limits of both you and your mastery of driving. If your car fully leaves the course at any time or if you make heavy contact into a wall or other cars, your run will be foul. So try to clear each test keeping the car in one piece. If you can clear all ten license tests, you will have earned the highest license in Gran Turismo 5.

Simply completing each test earns you experience points. To make the most experience points, try to go for the best possible time you can muster in each test. Experience points mean everything because you will be unable to access later licenses. If you are just getting experience points on License Tests alone, then it is safe to say that "just getting by" no longer results in your continued progress up the ranks. You now have to exemplify yourself by getting at least silver in tests just to move forward. There's nothing wrong with Bronze, but you have to try for Silver or Gold to progress better in the License Test zone.

This is a Gran Turismo where going right into racing may not be a bad idea, if just to help your chances of getting more experience.

--- Super License Tests ---

(REMEMBER: Your A-Spec or B-Spec level must be at Level 15 to qualify for taking Super License tests.)

Super License tests are all one-lap runs. To qualify for a prize, you must finish in a qualifying position. Try to go for Gold in all ten tests.

S-1: Applied Overtaking - Monza.

Car: 2007 Ferrari F430 Scuderia
Course: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Opponent Cars: 15 cars

Your first challenge is to take your beautiful Ferrari F430 Scuderia around the high-speed Monza Circuit. For a track that has existed since the 1920s, you will be going full song around a classic track like Monza. The track features three chicanes and a handful of corners that will catch you out if you aren't paying attention. The front chicane and Ascari (the chicane after the backstretch) are usually the toughest sections of this course. This Ferrari is very athletic and will not disappoint performance-wise. Most of the other cars are primarily high-end sports cars and exotics.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 3rd
• BRONZE: 7th

S-2: Applied Overtaking - Trial Mountain Circuit.

Car: 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S
Course: Trial Mountain Circuit
Opponent Cars: 11 cars

From one Italian beauty to another, you must use your Maserati GranTurismo S to tackle the tricky Trial Mountain Circuit. Many of the corners are blind with many different elevation changes. This is a technical course with characteristics of a street course. And if you expect to get at least Bronze, you'd better drive fast enough and smart enough to finish high.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 2nd
• BRONZE: 5th

S-3: Applied Overtaking - Nürburgring GP.

Car: 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Course: Nürburgring GP/F
Opponent Cars: 11 cars

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will be your mount as you take on the Nürburgring Grand Prix course. The Nürburgring has always been known as a track that is difficult to master no matter what configuration you are racing. You will be given a handful of difficult corners and tricky sections in this test. You will be tested severely and rigorously here. Just take it easy and drive as hard as you can to finish in a respectable position.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 3rd
• BRONZE: 7th

S-4: Applied Overtaking - Tokyo Route 246.

Car: 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 Race Car
Course: Tokyo Route 246
Opponent Cars: 7 cars

You are going to love racing the Ferrari 330 P4. This absolutely beautiful classic race car will be yours to take around the modern streets of Tokyo. It will be the most expensive car you will race in GT5's License Tests since this car retails for 20M Credits in GT5. Tokyo R246 is a high-speed street course based on a bus route around Japan (hence the "Route" namesake of Tokyo Route 246). Even though this track is a high-speed course, you are racing a vintage car around a street course. Older cars are tougher to handle than most modern cars. Having said this, you need to be careful not to push the Ferrari 330 P4 too hard. You are going to struggle trying to go fast here without getting too overaggressive.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 2nd
• BRONZE: 5th

S-5: Applied Overtaking - Laguna Seca Raceway.

Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Course: Laguna Seca Raceway
Opponent Cars: 11 cars

American power is yours to harness as you wrestle this Camaro SS 2010 around Laguna Seca Raceway. Don't lose focus as you take on this track's tricky corners. This track has too many decisive sections for this course to be taken lightly. The biggest mistake you can make in trying to pass the other 11 cars is to treat this course like it is a cakewalk. Be vigilant at all times and don't squander on any passing opportunities.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 3rd
• BRONZE: 5th

S-6: Applied Overtaking - Madrid City Course.

Car: 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 Bertone Prototype CN.0706
Course: Circuito de Madrid
Opponent Cars: 11 cars

Another trip around Madrid in another Lamborghini, but this one is much more modest than the previous Lambo you used around Madrid. And instead of racing two parts of Circuito de Madrid, you will be racing the full course against a handful of cars in a one-lap race. The thing to remember about Madrid is that the course is a bit of a combination of GT4's Opera Paris and GT4's Seoul Central. The streets are somewhat narrow all the way around. However, it has many of the kind of sweeping and long corners of some other street courses. Take this course carefully. A word of warning- if you are using the interior view around this course, your view will be obstructed with the spoilers on the rear windshield. Keep this in mind if you race from the interior view.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 3rd
• BRONZE: 5th

S-7: Applied Overtaking - Top Gear Test Track.

Car: 2010 Jaguar XKR Coupe
Course: Top Gear Test Track
Opponent Cars: 11 cars

Take on the Top Gear Test Track in a one-lap affair. You will be using the 2010 Jaguar XKR Coupe going up against 11 other cars. Be sure not to run over any cones or tire barriers. Since this track is on an airfield, you will not have much in the way of elevation changes. So you can run flat out without needing any assistance from the environment around you. Just drive carefully and precisely to get at least Bronze. Work a little harder to get Silver or even Gold.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 3rd
• BRONZE: 5th

S-8: Applied Overtaking - Suzuka Circuit.

Car: 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Course: Suzuka Circuit
Opponent Cars: 11 cars

In this license test, demonstrate your ability to tackle the technical turns around Suzuka. Your car is the gorgeous Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Use this Italian beauty on this Japanese Formula 1 circuit precisely. Attack carefully. There are many key areas that must be navigated properly, such as the Esses, Degner, Spoon Curve, and the dreaded Casio Triangle. Play a little rough to gain some edge in your lap around Suzuka.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 2nd
• BRONZE: 5th

S-9: Applied Overtaking - Circuit de la Sarthe.

Car: 2010 Lexus LFA
Course: Circuit de la Sarthe 2009
Opponent Cars: 15 cars

A car that costs over $350 US Dollars is yours to race around Circuit de la Sarthe. This is the Lexus LFA- a front-engined supercar with rear-wheel drive. Circuit de la Sarthe is over 8.5 miles long, so you have plenty of time to pass cars. Despite its long length, you have to do so while keeping your focus in the corners. Use the first half of the course to engage in slipstream battle. The second half of Circuit de la Sarthe is more technical, yet still very fast. Leave the course or make heavy impact, and you will fail. Expect to spend at least 3.5 minutes trying to clear this course with a great finish.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 3rd
• BRONZE: 7th

S-10: Applied Overtaking - Special Stage Route 5.

Car: 2010 McLaren MP4-12C
Course: Special Stage Route 5
Opponent Cars: 11 cars

The Super License final is the only one held at night. The darkness of night along with the fact you're racing on city streets makes this test a difficult one. Your car can certainly take it on. Meet the gorgeous McLaren MP4-12C. It boasts great acceleration and gets up to a very decent top speed for a car of its class.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 2nd
• BRONZE: 5th


You should have every license now that you've gotten your share of advice from me!





This concludes the series on GT5's license tests. You may go back and try to better your performance in the other licenses, or you can simply get back to racing. It is all up to you. But at least now, you have had yourself a great deal of racing. Be proud of your accomplishments and use these experiences to help make yourself a better driver in Gran Turismo 5. Thank you for reading!

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Gran Turismo 5 License Tests - International

GT5's International License tests are up in this post. All you've tackled in the National License tests will be enhanced as you progress towards the International Licenses. You will race more kinds of cars ranging from sports cars to race cars. More importantly, you must demonstrate your ability to take on these more intense tests and pass them to the best of your ability.

This blog post only concerns the International license tests for GT5. Remember- licenses are NOT required to compete in any race in Gran Turismo 5. You are purely racing these tests to enhance your racing skill. Welcome to "John's Gran Turismo Space" and another set of License Test-themed posts!

--- License Tests ---

^ You will need to enhance your National License skills to make your International License skills impressive.

As any GT veteran would know, the International License tests require you to further enhance your skills by racing more powerful cars and taking on more intense challenges. All of the basic skills you've learned previously will all be enhanced heading into this series of tests. You must practice hard enough to eventually clear each of the License Tests handed to you in this series of tests. What you will read about here are the International License tests and how to pass them. I will NOT be teaching you how to get Gold. Basically, you must first learn how to clear each test. It will be up to you to get Silver or Gold. Learn to pass the tests for Bronze, then do what you did for Bronze more efficiently to get Silver or even Gold. Be sure to be at the proper level to take on each of the license tests. When you reach the final events of each International license test, you will be taking part in two-lap races rather than the regular one-lap races of the National License tests.

Simply completing each test earns you experience points. To make the most experience points, try to go for the best possible time you can muster in each test. Experience points mean everything because you will be unable to access later licenses. If you are just getting experience points on License Tests alone, then it is safe to say that "just getting by" no longer results in your continued progress up the ranks. You now have to exemplify yourself by getting at least silver in tests just to move forward. There's nothing wrong with Bronze, but you have to try for Silver or Gold to progress better in the License Test zone.

This is a Gran Turismo where going right into racing may not be a bad idea, if just to help your chances of getting more experience. You are mostly doing these license tests basically to enhance your driving skill. No single race in Gran Turismo requires you to have a license. In a way, this is a good thing because the License Tests feel more like a school rather than a requirement for racing. Even if just for money and experience, make the most of your time in the License Test department.

--- International C License Tests ---

(REMEMBER: Your A-Spec or B-Spec level must be at Level 6 to qualify for taking International C-License tests.)

The International C license tests will introduce you to some very fast cars. In addition, you will be taking these more advanced machines through a series of tests that are every bit as advanced as the cars you will be driving.

IC-1: 1000m Stopping Challenge.

Car: 2009 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
Course: Top Gear Test Course
Start: Standing Start

Get ready to fly, and that's what your Aston Martin can do (not literally, of course). Accelerate hard in this heavy car as you will be sending this car for a 1000-meter run. It is a heavy car in weight and in horsepower. Make good use of both its weight and power, but more importantly- stop this car in the Finish zone without taking out any cones in the process. If you even nudge a cone, your run will be foul.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 26.700
• SILVER: 27.000
• BRONZE: 28.500

IC-2: Hard Braking and Exiting a Corner After a Downhill Straight.

Car: 2008 BMW M5
Course: Trial Mountain Circuit
Start: Rolling Start at 91 mph

Trial Mountain will hear the roar of your 2008 BMW M5 reverberate through the forest of Trial Mountain. You must pilot your beastly BMW out of the second tunnel, down the backstretch of Trial Mountain, and then take on the corner after the backstretch. Dig deep inside (using the yellow painted area) within the corner to get a little extra edge.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 16.200
• SILVER: 16.700
• BRONZE: 19.000

IC-3: Taking a Tight Double Hairpin.

Car: 2008 Nissan Fairlady Z (Z34)
Course: Road Course - Indy
Start: Rolling Start at 63 mph

This is the first-ever Gran Turismo test on a "roval." A roval is an oval with a road course, usually a road course that physically uses the oval. Gran Turismo 4 had you race Twin Ring Motegi, which has an oval but doesn't physically use the oval at any point. Here, you will be using the same road course around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as raced by Formula 1. The section used will be the backstretch of the Indy road course. This backstretch is followed by a hard left corner and two hairpins. It will be tough to generate enough speed to power through this section because both hairpin corners are deceptively tight. Try to find a line that will help you clear the corners fast while also having enough speed and power to clear both hairpins to deliver a solid time. This one is a gut-wrencher.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 26.300
• SILVER: 26.500
• BRONZE: 28.500

IC-4: Early Braking When Driving Downhill on Dirt.

Car: 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR
Course: Eiger Nordwand G Trail
Start: Standing Start

When going downhill at speed, you will be pushing some serious speed as you decline. You will experience all of this (and then some) in your Lancer Evolution IX. The key to passing this test is in keeping control of your car as it goes downhill. You need to brake properly to avoid going head-on into the outside wall in either sharp corner to this course. Gold should not be too difficult here.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 27.000
• SILVER: 28.000
• BRONZE: 32.000

IC-5: High-Speed Cornering on the Rome City Course.

Car: 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe
Course: Rome Circuit
Start: Rolling Start at 79 mph

The streets of Rome are calling. You will be driving the 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe around the backstretch of Rome Circuit. You must negotiate a quick chicane (that looks like a simple kink from the track map) that will determine whether or not you receive passing credit. In addition, this backstretch gradually bends to the right, so you will need to keep a steady line while braking hard enough to take on the chicane. Be brave, but also smart.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 18.500
• SILVER: 19.000
• BRONZE: 21.000

IC-6: Blind Corners in the Woodlands.

Car: 2002 Nissan Silvia Spec-R Aero (S15)
Course: Deep Forest Raceway
Start: Rolling Start at 56 mph

One of the most beautiful Japanese cars of all time (at least to me) is what you will be racing in this test- the Nissan Silvia Spec-R Aero. The course for this test utilizes the first two tunnels of Deep Forest. Along the way, you must weave your way around a set of corners. They will be blind with the undulating roads, so you will need to properly judge your distance and keep a consistent line to deliver the best time.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 11.200
• SILVER: 11.500
• BRONZE: 13.500

IC-7: Consecutive Corners With Different Bank Angles on Dirt.

Car: 2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STi
Course: Toscana
Start: Rolling Start at 74 mph

For the first time in the license tests, you will be racing on the Toscana rally course. It was the course featured in demos with time changing. The demo consisted of afternoon eventually becoming sunset, and from sunset to night. It will be broad daylight for this test with the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STi. You will be gathering a good amount of speed before winding your way into the W-like series of corners. Don't try to drive with too much finesse here. You want to slide the car out in the corners while not being too overaggressive. You also want to keep the car stable while sideways. Precise control will give you passing credit.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 20.000
• SILVER: 21.000
• BRONZE: 25.000

IC-8: Traversing Monza Circuit's Notorious Lesmo Corner.

Car: 2006 Alfa Romeo Brera Sky Window 3.2 jTS Q4
Course: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Start: Rolling Start at 57 mph

Italian track with Italian power. This challenge tests your ability to negotiate Lesmo Corner. You really need to be careful here because it can be too easy to overshoot either corner and go off into the gravel. The first corner dips downward when you take on that corner. Use the inside curbing if you have to. Both corners require hard braking. Keep your front-wheel drive Alfa Romeo stable throughout the duration of the test while also cautiously attacking both corners.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 21.300
• SILVER: 22.000
• BRONZE: 25.000

IC-9: Using Late Braking to Overtake.

Car: 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6)
Course: Fuji Speedway F
Start: Rolling Start at 84 mph

Late braking into a corner is an aggressive tactic to pull off passes. You will need to rely on this technique to succeed with great results. Your car is a Corvette C6 (the game says a C5), and it is another test around Fuji Speedway F. Rather than the front stretch, you will be racing down the backstretch of Fuji Speedway F. You should be able to pass the first two cars easily. The real key is in passing the leading car. Pulling a late braking move here should be easy. However, care is required in trying to exit this brutally sharp chicane. You could say that this test is easy to pull late braking, but difficult to get out of the chicane with the lead. You may as well try the test again for Gold if you fail to escape the chicane cleanly.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 2nd
• BRONZE: 3rd

IC-10: Rome City Course 2-Lap Challenge.

Car: 1976 Ferrari 512BB
Course: Rome Circuit

One lap isn't enough. You will be given two laps to pass 11 other cars in your 1976 Ferrari 512BB. Your beautiful '70s Berlinetta Boxer is a handful to drive. An old car on a track like Rome Circuit should be very challenging. If you're an skillful driver, you will have already made it to (or eventually will) get 3rd Place by the time you reach the backstretch on Lap 1. The remaining two cars will be at the chicane after the backstretch. Try to keep pace with the leading cars and attack carefully to get Gold. Remember to avoid heavy contact with either walls or other cars. Otherwise, your run will be foul.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 3rd
• BRONZE: 7th




The next batch of tests are coming up. Get your Level up to Level 9 to take in the Level IB tests. Click "Read More" if you are not reading the full post and would like to continue reading.

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Gran Turismo 5 License Tests - National

Licenses are not required to compete in any race for Gran Turismo 5. However, you can learn to enhance your racing skill by taking part in these tests. This blog post features advice on how to pass each one (you're on your own for Gold). This post only concerns the National License tests. Experience the world of Gran Turismo 5 while taking on some interesting challenges.

Welcome to "John's Gran Turismo Space" and another set of License Test-themed posts!

--- License Tests ---

^ Basic operation of a car and basic racing skills are both demonstrated in the first set of License Tests.

The National-level license tests have always been simple driving tasks designed to challenge and enhance your driving skills. This is no different in GT5. The new level system requires you to be of a certain level to take on certain tests. Don't worry about this until you reach the National-A tests, which require you to be at Level 3. Every other license test will be available at every three levels.

Simply completing each test earns you experience points. To make the most experience points, try to go for the best possible time you can muster in each test. Experience points mean everything because you will be unable to access later licenses. If you are just getting experience points on License Tests alone, then it is safe to say that "just getting by" no longer results in your continued progress up the ranks. You now have to exemplify yourself by getting at least silver in tests just to move forward. There's nothing wrong with Bronze, but you have to try for Silver or Gold to progress better in the License Test zone.

This is a Gran Turismo where going right into racing may not be a bad idea, if just to help your chances of getting more experience. You are mostly doing these license tests basically to enhance your driving skill. No single race in Gran Turismo requires you to have a license. In a way, this is a good thing because the License Tests feel more like a school rather than a requirement for racing. Even if just for money and experience, make the most of your time in the License Test department.

--- National B License Tests ---

Start your Gran Turismo experience by taking on the B-License tests. These are simple tests that educate you on the basics of operating and driving a car in Gran Turismo 5.

B-1: 200m Stopping Challenge.

Car: 2007 Toyota Vitz RS 1.5
Course: Top Gear Test Course
Start: Standing Start

Remember on Test Course that you had markers on the track and on signs telling you how many meters ahead you are? Well, welcome to the Top Gear Test Track- an airfield course! You now have to judge your distance and make a choice on the fly on when to brake. This will be tough for Gran Turismo veterans (like myself). But as us veterans know, you have to take baby steps. You will eventually learn when to brake when you take control of the Toyota Vitz you are given for this test.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 13.300
• SILVER: 13.600
• BRONZE: 15.000

B-2: Steering.

Car: 2006 Alfa Romeo 147 Ti 2.0 TWIN SPARK
Course: Tokyo Route 246
Start: Standing Start

Practice your ability to steer through a corner by taking on the carousel at Tokyo R246 (the northwestern part of the track). Because this is a front-wheel drive car, you will need to delicately balance turning while accelerating. The car will more than likely be tough to turn since the car is doing two duties at the same time using the front wheels. This should be an easy test to get even a Bronze. Practice a little harder to get Silver or better.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 22.200
• SILVER: 22.600
• BRONZE: 25.000

B-3: "Out-in-Out" - The Most Basic Cornering Line.

Car: 2007 Suzuki Swift Sport
Course: Deep Forest Raceway
Start: Standing Start

By now, if you've played a number of Gran Turismo games, this one should be no stranger to you. You are given the first corner of Deep Forest Raceway, and your car is the Suzuki Swift Sport. Be sure to use the Driving Line to help you navigate the car while also help you plan your attack on the course.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 26.300
• SILVER: 26.500
• BRONZE: 28.500

B-4: Braking Into a Corner.

Car: 2008 Honda Civic Type R
Course: Autumn Ring
Start: Rolling Start at 60 mph

Autumn Ring is one of my least favorite tracks in Gran Turismo. You're racing one of my reasons why in this test. Your Civic Type-R must clear the first corner of Autumn Ring effectively. Be careful negotiating this hairpin corner. Clear this corner and power out with efficiency to deliver a solid time. You are driving a front-wheel drive car, so be mindful of FWD characteristics as you take on this corner.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 13.800
• SILVER: 14.000
• BRONZE: 16.000

B-5: Basic Cornering Theory - Slow In, Fast Out.

Car: 2007 Peugeot 207 GTi
Course: Tsukuba Circuit
Start: Rolling Start at 50 mph

Demonstrate your ability to navigate the super-slow hairpin at Tsukuba. To do this, you will need to use the Peugeot 207 GTi effectively to clear this test. You will begin passing under the Dunlop Bridge and must weave your car to the left followed by another left. As you approach the hairpin, the radius sharpens and then loosens. Try to find the best possible line to attack the corner while delivering a strong exit.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 18.900
• SILVER: 19.500
• BRONZE: 21.000

B-6: Exiting From a Looping Corner.

Car: 2008 Renault RenaultSport Megane Renault Sport
Course: Nürburgring GP/F
Start: Rolling Start at 70 mph

The Nürburgring will be a course you will have to race a number of times in this game. I am not just talking about any course that utilizes the Nordschleife, you know. You will be asked to take on the second hairpin of the Grand Prix course. Thankfully, this one is less brutal than the first hairpin. This corner still needs a sufficient amount of care in navigating properly.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 14.600
• SILVER: 15.200
• BRONZE: 17.500

B-7: High-Speed Driving Lines and Throttle Control.

Car: 2005 Volkswagen Golf V GTi
Course: Autumn Ring
Start: Rolling Start at 48 mph

Take on the more complicated portions of Autumn Ring in a 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTi. You will be asked to take on the roads between the Autumn Ring hairpin and around the Start/Finish line of the Autumn Ring Mini course. The course you are running is almost like a street course the way the roads look. Of course, this is not like most typical city courses where almost all corners are blind and blocked off by barriers. Find the proper line for each section and attack accordingly.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 19.000
• SILVER: 20.000
• BRONZE: 23.500

B-8: Finding a Line Through an S Bend.

Car: 2006 Honda S2000
Course: High Speed Ring
Start: Rolling Start at 77 mph

When racing a track that has an S-bend to it, you will have to try to carve the best line through the S-bend to effectively clear it. That is your task with this test. The Honda S2000 has always been a joyous car to use in almost any game it is featured in, and it is no different a joy in this game. Don't enjoy the sights of High-Speed Ring for too long- you have some corners to tackle! Don't swing the car out too wide to where it is tough to recover. Just take it easy and try to power your way through the corners with a great racing line.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 21.000
• SILVER: 21.600
• BRONZE: 25.000

B-9: Overtaking Using Slipstreams.

Car: 2007 Mazda RX-8 Type S
Course: Fuji Speedway F
Start: Rolling Start at 71 mph

For the first time ever in Gran Turismo history, you are involved in a license test that involves other cars being on the track in competition. You are using the front stretch of Fuji for this license test. Three cars are in your way. Your job is to overtake all of them using drafting techniques. Do not try to whack into the cars too hard or anything. Make as many clean overtakes as possible to get the best possible result.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 2nd
• BRONZE: 3rd

B-10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 1-Lap Battle.

Car: 2010 Honda CR-Z
Course: Superspeedway - Indianapolis

This is the first time in Gran Turismo history that a license test involves a race. You are engaged in a one-lap battle around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A Honda CR-Z is obviously the last car you'd want to take around a high-speed course like Indy. Then again, neither is your competition. You must finish in a qualifying position to receive credit. Use slipstream techniques and carefully navigate through traffic to get the highest-possible result.

LICENSE POSITIONS:
• GOLD: 1st
• SILVER: 3rd
• BRONZE: 9th




That's all for the B-License. up next, the National A! Click "Read More" if you are not reading the full post.

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Tourist Trophy License Tests

(UPDATED: March 19, 2012)

The ride of your life involves getting picking up some licenses. Four licenses are available for you to acquire with the Tourist Trophy License School. Getting these licenses pertains to your ability to competitively ride a motorcycle across a number of challenges. There are forty license tests in all. This resourceful blog post features some of my own commentary and info on how to take on each of the forty license tests.

Welcome to Tourist Trophy License School.

LATEST UPDATE(S)/REVISION(S):

MAR 19 2012 - updated look of post

--- Tourist Trophy Licenses at a Glance ---

^ Being taken for a ride by License Tests? Perhaps my insight can help you!

With four licenses to pick up, they represent your only chance of even being eligible to compete in any number of championships or any number of bikes. You must demonstrate mastery of skill in operating and riding a motorcycle to become any professional in the game.

Riding a motorcycle features skills much different from driving a car. You are able to ride harder and deeper into corners on a motorcycle. Unlike cars, though, you can take a nasty spill that will have you flying off of your motorcycle. So make sure to hold on tight while smoothly making your moves on your motorcycle. Motorcycles get even more unstable in certain sections than cars. You need to be absolutely careful trying to maneuver a motorcycle around race tracks. The license tests you have to take part in demonstrate many aspects of how to operate and race a motorcycle.

You have four licenses to pick up: Novice, Junior, Expert, and Super. Each level demonstrates varying levels of difficulty both in operating motorcycles and in competitively racing motorcycles. The Graduation Tests for each class of competition are all one-lap Time Trials. The Novice and Junior classes demonstrate unique abilities to use in your racing. You have a dashed line on the track to let you know the preferred line. Blue means you accelerate, red means you brake, and gray means you let off the throttle. A gradient in the colors means you should apply a little throttle or a little brake depending on the colors. Once you reach the Expert Class, this dashed line will be vanished, and it will be up to you to find the preferred line for each course. The Super Class is all one-lap Time Trials. Here, your concentration and ability to ride a motorcycle while demonstrating all previously-learned skills will equal the difference between pass and fail.

License tests feature standing starts and rolling starts. Getting a good launch in a standing start can make a big difference in shaving a few extra seconds off of your license time. Engage the throttle on a rolling start. I will let you know which tests feature rolling starts. The launch speed is an estimate of how fast your bike is going when you cross the finish line. All speeds are indicated in miles per hour, so if you are more accustomed to kilometers per hour, you'll have to (sadly) do a conversion.

Important Riding Notes.

Here are a few things to take note of as you do license tests...

• You need to tuck down when doing license tests. This will help cut down wind resistance at speed. Just hold down the button you've set to tuck down to ride through the wind better while riding at full speed. Don't try to tuck down in cornering, because this hampers your handling ability trying to lean into the turns.

• Hitting any off-track objects, such as cones or turn markers, results in an automatic disqualification.

• Any time you fall off of your bike, you will be disqualified. Try to clear each task while still on your bike.

• When both tires leave the track, you are not automatically disqualified unless you are off the road for half of a second. Make sure to quickly get back on the road if you are off-course as you get off.


One last note... Tourist Trophy remains the ONLY Polyphony Digital-made racing game where I have gone All-Silver for all license tests. As of this post, I have 20 Golds and 20 Silvers. Most of the tests shouldn't be too difficult to get even Bronze. As long as you have decent understanding of how to handle a bike in the game along with proper racing technique, you should do just fine getting even Bronze. The most important thing to practice is staying on your motorcycle and controlling it.

--- Tourist Trophy License Tests: Novice Class ---

Basic understanding of handling and operating a motorcycle are featured here in the Novice Class. You will learn the basics of competitively riding a motorcycle. You will also learn how to properly control your motorcycle through ten different tests. Your ability to properly use a motorcycle is what you will be tested on for the most part.

(FUN FACT) Tourist Trophy's Novice class is the ONLY set of license tests I've reached that legendary milestone of All-Gold. As of this blog post, this is the first (and sadly) ONLY set of license tests in any Polyphony Digital game I have accomplished All-Gold.


--- NOVICE TESTS ---
N-1: Braking Basics 1
N-2: Braking Basics 2
N-3: Riding Basics 1 (Circles)
N-4: Riding Basics 2 (Circles)
N-5: Slalom 1
N-6: Cornering Basics 1 (Braking to Lean-In)
N-7: Cornering Basics 2
N-8: Cornering Basics 3
N-9: High-Speed Cornering
N-10: Novice Class Graduation Test

N-1: Braking Basics 1.

"Come to a complete stop within the specified area."

Motorcy,c,le: 2005 Yamaha Grand Majesty 250
Course: Test Course (500m strip)
Start: Standing Start

You're not ready for superbikes! Practice your acceleration and braking by utilizing your first two-wheeled rocket: a Yamaha scooter. The Grand Majesty 250 is a peppy scooter that gets up to speed fairly well. Get up to speed (tuck down if you have to) and start braking either as you approach the 450 meter mark or just past the 450m mark. If you need guidance, pay attention to the dashed line on the road and plan your attack there. Gold shouldn't be too difficult to attain.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 28.270
• SILVER: 29.630
• BRONZE: 32.300

N-2: Braking Basics 2.

"Come to a complete stop within the fixed area. Be careful of the rise in speed compared to the previous test."

Motorcycle: 2005 Honda CBR600RR (J)
Course: Test Course (500m strip)
Start: Standing Start

You will be riding a supersport (also called middleweight) motorcycle here. The same skills you learned in the previous test will come in handy here. Remember that you are attempting the same test in N-1, but on a faster motorcycle. If you are any Gran Turismo veteran, you know that faster machines require quicker stop times. Use the dashed line to help you realize when to brake.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 19.900
• SILVER: 20.010
• BRONZE: 22.800

N-3: Riding Basics 1 (Circles).

"Ride around the circle 3 times as fast as possible. The test will demonstrate how the racing line is affected by acceleration."

Motorcycle: Suzuki Skywave 250 SS
Course: Circle Course
Start: Standing Start

This is your first test where you will need to do some handling. The Skywave 250 SS from Suzuki is your ride for this course. You will be asked to complete three laps around a circle track 100 feet in radius. To do so, you must keep a consistent top speed all the way around. Adjust throttle input as you lean hard into the corners on your Suzuki. If you leave the course either by hitting the outside cones or with both wheels leaving the race track, you will be disqualified. Try to keep your bike as far inside as much as possible without going off course. If you need a little extra speed, then as you cross the finish line for the final lap, instead of dig inside, try to go straight ahead without hitting any outside cones. A speed of about 36 mph is just right to maintain. You may reach 37 or 38 mph in your run, but keep it between 36 mph or 37 mph. At the start, be careful not to lean too far while trying to get up to speed.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 39.120
• SILVER: 40.800
• BRONZE: 44.400

N-4: Riding Basics 2 (Circles).

"Ride around the circle 3 times agaim, this time using a more powerful bike."

Motorcycle: 2005 Yamaha XJR1300
Course: Circle Course
Start: Standing Start

From a standing start, you must perform the same task in N3, but on a faster motorcycle. The XJR1300 is your motorcycle for this test. Since you are riding a faster motorcycle than the weakling Suzuki scooter, you obviously realize you can go for higher top speeds. The difficulty is greater, though, as you try to maintain a solid speed for the entirety of the run. A speed of about 40 mph is a good speed to maintain and not exceed. Remember- when getting up to speed, don't lean too far, because you will fall off of your bike if you lean too far trying to get up to speed.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 37.870
• SILVER: 39.010
• BRONZE: 42.400

N-5: Slalom 1.

"Synchronize rhythmic on/off acceleration with the shifting of your weight."

Motorcycle: 2005 Yamaha TMAX
Course: Fuji Speedway '90s
Start: Standing Start

One of the coolest things about riding a motorcycle is razor-sharp handling while leaning hard. Practice maintaining a decent speed in this slalom test. Yamaha power has been bestowed to you in the form of the Yamaha TMAX scooter. You know you can go only so fast, so don't worry about trying to go too fast to try to complete the slalom run. It is possible to take this course at full throttle without needing to do any braking. Better have a good racing line if you plan on doing this, though.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 19.050
• SILVER: 19.970
• BRONZE: 21.200

N-6: Cornering Basics 1 (Braking to Lean-In).

"Reduce your speed significantly at the entrance of the corner. Use accel/rear brake to adjust if you enter a corner too hot."

Motorcycle: 2005 Yamaha XJR1300
Course: Twin Ring Motegi - Road Course
Start: Rolling Start at 81 mph

This is your first true handling test. It is also the first Rolling Start test. You are asked to clear the hairpin corner leading to the Start/Finish line of the East Short Course portion of Twin Ring Motegi's road course. The Twin Ring Motegi course is used as the Grand Prix site for World Superbike and MotoGP. This test is the first Rolling Start test, so you do not have to get a proper launch off the line. Just follow the dashed line and carve this corner like a jack-o-lantern as best as you can. You need to brake hard while leaning hard into the corner. Let off the throttle mid-turn, then twist the grip, and rocket down the straight to complete the test.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 15.130
• SILVER: 16.090
• BRONZE: 17.500

N-7: Cornering Basics 2.

"Learn rhythmic cornering and racing lines by going through a series of corners."

Motorcycle: 2005 Triumph Sprint ST
Course: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Start: Rolling Start at 43 mph

The British stallion you will ride is the Sprint ST from Triumph. It is your task to navigate three corners ranging from after the Andretti Hairpin to heading into the high-speed part of the track. Laguna Seca delivers some deceptive corners to you. And if you're not ready, you will pay dearly. Do some hard braking mid-turn for all three corners to keep the bike stable. Pay attention to the dashed line to get some ideas on how to maneuver properly around this course. Be smooth with it to land the best times.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 32.600
• SILVER: 34.080
• BRONZE: 37.100

N-8: Cornering Basics 3.

"Try to get your bike upright when you need to brake hard. Your bike will lose balance if you brake hard during cornering."

Motorcycle: 1989 Honda VFR400R
Course: El Capitan
Start: Rolling Start at 48 mph

Even though El Capitan can not be raced on against three other riders, you are still given one hefty challenge to power this 1980s Honda motorcycle around the tricky El Capitan course. El Capitan is a course from Gran Turismo 4 with vicious elevation changes. It is an exercise in car control where only the finest will come through with victory. Thankfully, you will not have to take on the elevation changes here. You are asked to clear a very long left-hand hairpin. You will go far outside when approaching the corner. The dashed line suggests you let off the throttle halfway through the corner, then brake moderately followed by twisting the throttle. Develop a smooth line exiting the corner while leaning just right to clear the corners properly. Be careful not to lean too far to where you increase your chances of flying off your motorcycle. Stability at speed is an absolute must around El Capitan.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 24.543
• SILVER: 24.620
• BRONZE: 28.100

N-9: High-Speed Cornering.

"Try mastering cornering at ultra fast speeds."

Motorcycle: 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600
Course: High-Speed Ring
Start: Rolling Start at 50 mph

High-Speed Ring is a nice challenge for motorcycles as it is for cars. Take on the first two corners of High-Speed Ring in this test in a fast Suzuki supersport bike. Make sure you are at full throttle because the test begins immediately after you start/restart the test. Half of the first corner can be taken at full speed until you have to do some hard braking and some hard leaning. You will need to brake hard as you exit the first corner, but get the Suzuki back up to speed to take on the second corner. Brake hard into the second corner and try to get a good launch to clear the Finish gate at a blistering speed.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 35.420
• SILVER: 37.000
• BRONZE: 40.200

N-10: Novice Class Graduation.

"Run the Autumn Ring (Mini) in a one lap Time Trial."

Motorcycle: 2005 Yamaha TMAX
Course: Autumn Ring Mini
Start: Rolling Start at 43 mph

You will receive your Novice license if you can complete one lap around Autumn Ring Mini on a Yamaha TMAX. Autumn Ring Mini is considered a great race track for racing vintage motorcycles and scooters. Its simplistic nature makes it a great course to test your motorcycle riding skills. The critical corners to Autumn Ring Mini are the very first hairpin and all the corners at the eastern ends of the circuit. A healthy amount of leaning is needed to clear this course properly. It takes some practice to get Gold here, but it can be done. Just be smooth all around the course. Watch your lines and try to develop a good angle.

LICENSE TIMES:
• GOLD: 46.460
• SILVER: 48.370
• BRONZE: 52.600


That concludes the Novice license! You may either try to earn some new bikes or go for your Junior license. It's up to you.





Speaking of the Junior License, make sure you are reading the full blog post to see my other license test commentaries. This Jump Break is provided for performance purposes.

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