GARY BOGGS wrote:
As an instructor,one of my favorite tricks is to set the altimeter
about 800ft low before the student gets in.


LOL! I do that too. Our field elevation is about 500 MSL and before the
student gets in, I'll set it to -500 MSL.

Getting back to examiner distractions and/or other things. My students
have reported among the following:
- miss-setting the altimeter as per above before flight when the
applicant is not looking
- purposely failing to lock the canopy (easy to do in a 2-33, more
difficult in other aircraft).
- suggesting chasing distant or downwind thermals.
- raising/lowering the gear while the examiners says "look at that
airplane over there".
- blocking the spoiler handle with his knee.
- suggesting a much longer downwind.

You get the picture.

Tony V