Greater Anglia Vacancies -Trainee Mainline Driver

[monkeyskillz]

Thanks for that I will certainly have a look at the forums. I’m the same I worry about stuff like that, always thinking how much I would love a job like this and if I fail just one part that’s it got to wait 6 months to apply again. Not a good way to think though. A few people have said you can either do it or you can’t, what do you actually mean by that? Are you talking about the course in general? Or certain tests or assessments? Thanks

Not having done a trainee train driver course myself I was only talking about the assessments. Like I say everyone’s different so maybe others can practice really hard at the material and get much better at them before the actual assessments but personally I don’t think most people will make major gains from practice and it is a bit of you can do them or you can’t. For me I was just more relaxed and in my own opinion performed better because of that.
I would add that you need to make sure you understand what you are being asked to do in each assessment and if you’re unsure ask the assessor on the day to clarify.

 

[Craig Stephens]

I was at the assessment day yesterday in Stratford, I was there to do the DFFT only, as I had already passed the others with SWR 6 weeks ago.

Thankfully I passed. I was asked to arrive at 12:00 as I didn’t need to be there all day, and was told that nine people were supposed to show up to complete the tests. One chap had dyslexia so was asked to come back with medical proof as he would get longer for each test, two people didn’t show up at all, and there were two people left waiting to hear there TOC test results as I was leaving, so not sure if they passed but hopefully they did.

I was told I would be contacted Monday regarding a date for an MMI, fingers crossed it is not as a lengthy wait as SWR.

When I was speaking to the GA chap he told me they are looking at second assessment days in June as they require people for Cambridge, unfortunately he also mentioned that Stortford does not require any more bodies for now.

Regarding the “Live chat”: It worked in Safari for me, if you can’t click on the chat box once you have clicked on the button then try zooming your page out, looks to me that there is a issue with the chat box resolution settings.

 

[monkeyskillz]

I was at the assessment day yesterday in Stratford, I was there to do the DFFT only, as I had already passed the others with SWR 6 weeks ago.

Thankfully I passed. I was asked to arrive at 12:00 as I didn’t need to be there all day, and was told that nine people were supposed to show up to complete the tests. One chap had dyslexia so was asked to come back with medical proof as he would get longer for each test, two people didn’t show up at all, and there were two people left waiting to hear there TOC test results as I was leaving, so not sure if they passed but hopefully they did.

I was told I would be contacted Monday regarding a date for an MMI, fingers crossed it is not as a lengthy wait as SWR.

When I was speaking to the GA chap he told me they are looking at second assessment days in June as they require people for Cambridge, unfortunately he also mentioned that Stortford does not require any more bodies for now.

Regarding the “Live chat”: It worked in Safari for me, if you can’t click on the chat box once you have clicked on the button then try zooming your page out, looks to me that there is a issue with the chat box resolution settings.

I don’t suppose he mentioned anything about Liverpool St?

 

[Craig Stephens]

I don’t suppose he mentioned anything about Liverpool St?

Not sure as I don’t live close enough to apply there so it didn’t come up in conversation, only Bishops Stortford and Cambridge.

Sorry.

 

[monkeyskillz]

Not sure as I don’t live close enough to apply there so it didn’t come up in conversation, only Bishops Stortford and Cambridge.

Sorry.

No worries

 

[OneLowban]

Thanks for that I will certainly have a look at the forums. I’m the same I worry about stuff like that, always thinking how much I would love a job like this and if I fail just one part that’s it got to wait 6 months to apply again. Not a good way to think though. A few people have said you can either do it or you can’t, what do you actually mean by that? Are you talking about the course in general? Or certain tests or assessments? Thanks

Just for the assessments. I meant it as most people I think could turn up on the day with no prior knowledge, fully understand what needs to be done on the test, and pass. Although as has been said everyone is different and it’s whatever works for you at the end of the day.

Have a look at the forum and use the search bar, also have a look a this thread where @Theooboy was kind enough to share practice material he paid for in posts #22 and #24.
Group Bourdon is known as the ‘dots’ test and as was said print the pages out if you can and practice.

I was at the assessment day yesterday in Stratford, I was there to do the DFFT only, as I had already passed the others with SWR 6 weeks ago.

Thankfully I passed. I was asked to arrive at 12:00 as I didn’t need to be there all day, and was told that nine people were supposed to show up to complete the tests. One chap had dyslexia so was asked to come back with medical proof as he would get longer for each test, two people didn’t show up at all, and there were two people left waiting to hear there TOC test results as I was leaving, so not sure if they passed but hopefully they did.

I was told I would be contacted Monday regarding a date for an MMI, fingers crossed it is not as a lengthy wait as SWR.

When I was speaking to the GA chap he told me they are looking at second assessment days in June as they require people for Cambridge, unfortunately he also mentioned that Stortford does not require any more bodies for now.

Regarding the “Live chat”: It worked in Safari for me, if you can’t click on the chat box once you have clicked on the button then try zooming your page out, looks to me that there is a issue with the chat box resolution settings.

Well done for passing, hopefully you hear back ASAP.

 

[Lee Saunders]

Lee when is your assessment?

He just said he will be in touch in a couple of months. Apparently it’s in Stratford

 

[Lee Saunders]

Ah right cool!

Apart from the Group Bourdon I didn’t have a clue, was kind of surprised at how many tests there actually were.

That’s the only test I would say would be good to practice really (on paper).

To be honest I’d almost go as far as saying you can either do the tests or you can’t, for the most part and for lack of a better explanation.

Most of the practice material they send isn’t amazing nor is it actually how the test will really go, it’s just to get you thinking in that mindset. As long as you go in there, fully understand what needs to be done and ask if you’re unsure, you should be fine.

If/when the time comes have a search on here for anything that might help you though, everyone is different.

For the love of this forum please just remember *SYMBOLS ONLY* on the phone book test.

Do you mean the group bourdon test is only symbols? I thought it was dots? Then again it is five pages worth so it could be both.

 

[Timpg]

Do you mean the group bourdon test is only symbols? I thought it was dots? Then again it is five pages worth so it could be both.

Group bourden test is groups of dotes. The telephone book test is searching in telephone directory searching for matching symbols

 

[OneLowban]

Do you mean the group bourdon test is only symbols? I thought it was dots? Then again it is five pages worth so it could be both.

The Group Bourdon is a dots tests as there are rows of groups of dots, 3, 4 and 5 and you have to put a line through all of the groups of 4, speed and accuracy are important.

The phone book tests is a phone book that has loads of companies and phone numbers that are completely irrelevant, ignore them completely. Each phone number has 2 symbols next to it, star and a square for example, some will have a pair of the same symbol, two stars for example, these two stars need to be circled, and that is all.

Too many people get confused thinking they need to look at the phone numbers or company or circle the whole thing etc. But no it is literally a game of circle the pairs of symbols and that is all.

Have a look at the thread I linked above, it should help with understanding.

 

[Lee Saunders]

The Group Bourdon is a dots tests as there are rows of groups of dots, 3, 4 and 5 and you have to put a line through all of the groups of 4, speed and accuracy are important.

The phone book tests is a phone book that has loads of companies and phone numbers that are completely irrelevant, ignore them completely. Each phone number has 2 symbols next to it, star and a square for example, some will have a pair of the same symbol, two stars for example, these two stars need to be circled, and that is all.

Too many people get confused thinking they need to look at the phone numbers or company or circle the whole thing etc. But no it is literally a game of circle the pairs of symbols and that is all.

Have a look at the thread I linked above, it should help with understanding.

Thanks for that I’ll have a look.

 

[OneLowban]

Thanks for that I’ll have a look.

No worries. I haven’t had a look at the download myself, it should cover the assessments, but anything you’re not sure of just come back and ask here.

 

[Spacegirl]

The Group Bourdon is a dots tests as there are rows of groups of dots, 3, 4 and 5 and you have to put a line through all of the groups of 4, speed and accuracy are important.

The phone book tests is a phone book that has loads of companies and phone numbers that are completely irrelevant, ignore them completely. Each phone number has 2 symbols next to it, star and a square for example, some will have a pair of the same symbol, two stars for example, these two stars need to be circled, and that is all.

Too many people get confused thinking they need to look at the phone numbers or company or circle the whole thing etc. But no it is literally a game of circle the pairs of symbols and that is all.

Have a look at the thread I linked above, it should help with understanding.

I just wanted to confirm
Obviously you check the number too and the symbol right? Doesn’t the symbol have to be with the right number? It’s not just about the symbol it’s the number matching it too right?

 

[OneLowban]

I just wanted to confirm
Obviously you check the number too and the symbol right? Doesn’t the symbol have to be with the right number? It’s not just about the symbol it’s the number matching it too right?

Negative.

1. Look at the page as if there is only symbols on it.

2. Circle the pairs.

 

[Lee Saunders]

No worries. I haven’t had a look at the download myself, it should cover the assessments, but anything you’re not sure of just come back and ask here.

Appreciate that thanks. I’ve done my SJT first assessment and will be going to Stratford assessment centre once I get the call. Do you know what the assessments are for that part? They haven’t told me yet. If so have you got the practice link for them? TIA

 

[OneLowban]

Appreciate that thanks. I’ve done my SJT first assessment and will be going to Stratford assessment centre once I get the call. Do you know what the assessments are for that part? They haven’t told me yet. If so have you got the practice link for them? TIA

I’m not 100% sure to be honest as I did my whole assessment process at ARL.

Stage 1 there I had, from what I remember:

- Group Bourdon test
- Phonebook test
- High and low tones counting test
- Driver fault finding test
- Another SJT (ARL specific I think)
..can’t remember anything else.

Perhaps @Craig Stephens will know the exact tests for GA?

 

[Lee Saunders]

I’m not 100% sure to be honest as I did my whole assessment process at ARL.

Stage 1 there I had, from what I remember:

- Group Bourdon test
- Phonebook test
- High and low tones counting test
- Driver fault finding test
- Another SJT (ARL specific I think)
..can’t remember anything else.

Perhaps @Craig Stephens will know the exact tests for GA?

Ok thanks mate, at least I’ve got a rough idea what to expect.

 

[Spacegirl]

Negative.

1. Look at the page as if there is only symbols on it.

2. Circle the pairs.

Ok thanks a lot for the info

 

[OneLowban]

Ok thanks mate, at least I’ve got a rough idea what to expect.

Ok thanks a lot for the info

No problem!

The ‘symbols only’ counts for when you do the counting tones at the same time too.

 

[ratbag]

What are the Stage 1 and Stage 2 tests for GA, or could somebody highlight me a topic, where this is discussed in detail?

 

[Roy Gill]

I’m not 100% sure to be honest as I did my whole assessment process at ARL.

Stage 1 there I had, from what I remember:

- Group Bourdon test
- Phonebook test
- High and low tones counting test
- Driver fault finding test
- Another SJT (ARL specific I think)
..can’t remember anything else.

Perhaps @Craig Stephens will know the exact tests for GA?

Onelowban I've been following every word you have typed and I would like to say a Huge thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Can I ask you please do they do tests based on numeracy, verbal reasoning, inductive reasoning and so on? because it's been a long time since i was at school and being completely honest most of the practice tests i've been doing on numeracy have completely blown my mind and i'm now worried that i wont meet the requirements.

Can i please ask you your honest opinion and any advice you can share

would really appreciate it please.

 

[OneLowban]

Onelowban I've been following every word you have typed and I would like to say a Huge thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Can I ask you please do they do tests based on numeracy, verbal reasoning, inductive reasoning and so on? because it's been a long time since i was at school and being completely honest most of the practice tests i've been doing on numeracy have completely blown my mind and i'm now worried that i wont meet the requirements.

Can i please ask you your honest opinion and any advice you can share

would really appreciate it please.

Hi, no problem glad to help where I can.

On my journey I didn’t do any reasoning tests, only the situational judgement test, so you should be good there!

I’ve found most companies do a situational judgement test online first, I did an extra one at the HQ with Arriva.

Have you applied for this GA role?

 

[B Boy 82]

Good morning all. I have been looking for a link for material on the group bourdon test. Can anyone help with a link or practice material please?

 

[Twotwo]

Good morning all. I have been looking for a link for material on the group bourdon test. Can anyone help with a link or practice material please?

Check on the sticky thread.

 

[DepotDosser]

Has anyone actually attended an assessment day for this yet?

I was told in the online chat I passed the SJT and they will get back to me, but not sure if this is going to be days, weeks or months away yet?

 

[Termy]

Has anyone actually attended an assessment day for this yet?

I was told in the online chat I passed the SJT and they will get back to me, but not sure if this is going to be days, weeks or months away yet?

Railway recruitment is an extremely slow process, so I wouldn't hold your breath. My estimation would be a few months yet.

 

[Roy Gill]

Hi, no problem glad to help where I can.

On my journey I didn’t do any reasoning tests, only the situational judgement test, so you should be good there!

I’ve found most companies do a situational judgement test online first, I did an extra one at the HQ with Arriva.

Have you applied for this GA role?

Hi onelowban

Yes I have, it's going to be one of those once in a life time chances, been wanting it for a few years but kept missing any adverts.

It's really good to hear from someone that has already made it and has started their journey already, I started to read your thread about your journey so far.

I see you said you were Cambridge I'm interested in Cambridge Stortford or Norwich basically I would except any depo, I'm used to travelling to work ibcurrenly travel 65 miles each way so a little less would be a nice change.

I've signed up to a 6mth licence with jobprep and I'll work through their example.

But yes please continue to share your knowledge your input is helping so many.

 

[Lee Saunders]

Do you need a DBS/CRB check once the course is complete for this does anyone know? And if so how much do they cost? TIA

 

[DepotDosser]

Railway recruitment is an extremely slow process, so I wouldn't hold your breath. My estimation would be a few months yet.

Thanks mate. Was just unsure as some were certain they were going or have been to Stratford. I will just kick back and hope for the best then!

 

[Twotwo]

Thanks mate. Was just unsure as some were certain they were going or have been to Stratford. I will just kick back and hope for the best then!

Someone posted yday that they attended an assessment last week but that seems to be the only one.