Treading in here with some trepidation and obviously from perspective of a course provider.
This is a sport of individuals - and frankly long may it remain so; even if it does cause the odd ruckus on here
. Always dangerous to generalise and not as helpful as perhaps intended if anyone gives their view as gospel ( and I count myself as liable to be guilty of that as anyone ).
Running courses/ assessments, the most common feature of candidates is nerves. As with shooting generally, taking the DSC1 is about confidence from many perspectives. If its any help, we'ved had experienced firearms professionals - police and military - say the shooting test 'was the most nerve wracking 9 rounds I've ever shot... and on the friendliest range'. So it hits everyone.
In many ways a 'clean sheet' is much easier to coach than someone with a bit of experience. Numerous times the first time of firing a fullbore rifle has been on the coaching session the day before the test. I don't have a record of any of those subsequently failing the shooting test. But as Peter points out, the actual test day doesnt give the scope to do that.
All levels of shooters often express the fervent wish they had booked some prior coaching/practice session for the shooting - whilst they are doing the test! We have several set offers and advertise that we can set up specific courses for people - all with very low take up. The majority of take up comes from people after their Level 1.
The DSC1 is a foundation qualification and input from any of the reputable training/ assessment outfits will more than likely see you right. This is your first time, it's their gazillionth - there should be the trust built that they will be trying all out to help you do your best.
But with the best will in the world, it is very hard for providers to help candidates with the confidence/ stress issue in advance of the course.
If an individual feels particular concern over any area and discussion with their course/ assessment provider is not really helping to alleviate the worry - for that individual - then I think taking extra coaching/ experience can be useful. But not at risk of over doing things or detracting from basic graft of getting to grips with the syllabus. I would recommend trying in the first instance to sort things via chosen centre - simply because that a. gets you used to the people who'll be with you on the day and b. ensures continuity - there can be differences of opinion/ perspective amongst providers
.
But if additional experience/ tuition feels like a good idea for you personally, then I recommend it wholeheartedly; as much as a confidence boost as any other factor - but not on basis that it should be seen as essentially the only way to success.
Not as an advertising sop for us or anyone else in the field, but because I do think it would help a lot of people; I do try and ask people doing their L1 to post on here how it went for them - not XXX Ltd are great guys, Andy is the funniest man alive and hardly fat at all etc - but from their experience - what worked study wise, what the main concerns were, what concerns turned out to be of no consequence, what they'd do differently looking back etc. Only really works immediately after the event with fresh memory - but most are recovering I suspect!
Good luck with whatever you choose in any event.