PIP assessment optional tests

I recently had a PIP face to face assessment with Capita.

The assessor explained that there were 2 optional assessments at the end of the meeting, and if I declined to take part, it would not be held against me.

The optional tests were :-
1. Eyesight. Similar to an optician test of reading a board of letters, with each line lower being of diminishing height.
2. Physio movements. A series of very easy and undemanding movements.

I consented to the test, but am wondering if these are truly optional, what is their purpose ?

Hello David,

Many thanks for your reply and the link.

It makes sense, but of course if the little eye-test is truly "optional", then what happens to those who decline the test ?

In my case, and i was not making any attempt to get points under 'Reading'; the assessor has written on the report under observations that I "undertook the distance vision test without spectacles or contact lenses and scored 6/9".
Then, in the actual Reading activity page, reported "vision test shows that vision is within adequate range of vision".

My advice to others would be, if this is a relevant issue for you, then consider declining the test (I don't know the consequences), and if you take it, make a point of doing so one eye at a time (worst eye first if they're different) and initially without spectacles - so you're forcing the situation where you have at least shown your worst result, even if that is not what the assessor records (audio recording ?).


Then, in the assessor's report regarding musculoskeletal system, it is reported :-
1. normal range of movement .. . and normal power;
2. normal grip . .
3. normal . . . . .
4. normal . . ..

I'm going to be cynical here. These types of movement "tests", conducted in the most minimal way that mine was, and reported using phrases similar to above, is at best, misleading, and in my case does not match up with the words being spoken on the recording of the assessment - but that's another story.
I'm sure many readers will be able to identify with what i'm implying.

If I ever have another face to face assessment, i'll be declining optional tests.

Kind regards,
Panda