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Assessments & Medicals discussion
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Yes mate, I thought I had done terrible at it but obviously made the standard I think it’s a more quality over quantity approach. Not selecting items that definitely wasn’t there and getting the majority of them.
Cheers man, confident in the rest with all the revision I did but this. Wanted this job since I was like 8 and applied when I finally turned 21 with the minimum age, time will tell I guess, praying to put the green gwr uniform on one day aha.
Fingers crossed for you mate, I’m positive you’ll get there man! I done the exact same after every assessment and interview over analysed everything and feared the worst. Even done it with my medical convinced I was going to fail, now I’m just waiting on a start date thankfully.
Thank you, all the best
I recently attended the assessment day so thought it might be helpful to provide some feedback.
First of all, it is very well organised by Northern and they do their best to put you at ease with a very relaxed atmosphere. After initial introductions everyone is split into smaller groups for a group task. I wont give too much detail about it except its a puzzle with lots of clues to decipher. Its a 20mins task and pretty tricky. Our team would have finished it with another minute but I dont necessarily think they were looking at the task being completed but more how you worked as a team.
The second task was watching a short clip from the cab of a train. One of the assessment staff were giving instructions on a lego block you had to build whilst observing what was going on on the screen and answering questions. Very difficult.
The final task was watching a 30 minute clip from the cab of a train where you had to count how many green signals, yellow signals, red signals, speed changes there were. A real test of your concentration.
I thought I had done poor on all three tasks. They are the kind of tests where you have no clue how you have done but I didnt feel confident.
I was therefore surprised when I was one of the handful of candidates invited to stay back from the interviews in the afternoon. Before the interview we were given two scenarios, each having three actions which we had to prioritise.
For the interview, sgain, I was made to feel at ease at the beginning. I was asked to give some information about me and my background. We then ran through the two scenarios and I had to explain how I had prioritised the actions. The Train Manager explained what he would have done. I dont necessarily think they were expecting you to get the right order, but looking at how you were thinking and came up with your order.
I was then asked a couple of further questions - 'tell me a time when...'. I thought I babbled a load of rubbish but tried to highlight the safety and procedure experience I have.
Overall, I was delighted/surprised to get through to the afternoon and didnt really have any clue on how, overall, I had done. But cant say I was overly confident. So I was delighted when later that evening I was told I had passed the interview and it is now onto the pyschometric assessment. I believe after that, if passed, its a medical and then a job offer. No further interview I dont believe.
All in all, I am absolutely chuffed. Ive been trying for maybe 15 years and this was my final attempt at becoming a driver. Still a long way to go - apparently only around 63% pass the pyschometric assessment so Ive some studying to do to make sure I am prepared.
First of all, it is very well organised by Northern and they do their best to put you at ease with a very relaxed atmosphere. After initial introductions everyone is split into smaller groups for a group task. I wont give too much detail about it except its a puzzle with lots of clues to decipher. Its a 20mins task and pretty tricky. Our team would have finished it with another minute but I dont necessarily think they were looking at the task being completed but more how you worked as a team.
The second task was watching a short clip from the cab of a train. One of the assessment staff were giving instructions on a lego block you had to build whilst observing what was going on on the screen and answering questions. Very difficult.
The final task was watching a 30 minute clip from the cab of a train where you had to count how many green signals, yellow signals, red signals, speed changes there were. A real test of your concentration.
I thought I had done poor on all three tasks. They are the kind of tests where you have no clue how you have done but I didnt feel confident.
I was therefore surprised when I was one of the handful of candidates invited to stay back from the interviews in the afternoon. Before the interview we were given two scenarios, each having three actions which we had to prioritise.
For the interview, sgain, I was made to feel at ease at the beginning. I was asked to give some information about me and my background. We then ran through the two scenarios and I had to explain how I had prioritised the actions. The Train Manager explained what he would have done. I dont necessarily think they were expecting you to get the right order, but looking at how you were thinking and came up with your order.
I was then asked a couple of further questions - 'tell me a time when...'. I thought I babbled a load of rubbish but tried to highlight the safety and procedure experience I have.
Overall, I was delighted/surprised to get through to the afternoon and didnt really have any clue on how, overall, I had done. But cant say I was overly confident. So I was delighted when later that evening I was told I had passed the interview and it is now onto the pyschometric assessment. I believe after that, if passed, its a medical and then a job offer. No further interview I dont believe.
All in all, I am absolutely chuffed. Ive been trying for maybe 15 years and this was my final attempt at becoming a driver. Still a long way to go - apparently only around 63% pass the pyschometric assessment so Ive some studying to do to make sure I am prepared.
Northrail127
Member
Great post. Thanks for posting the information, really helpful for anyone getting to the assessment day (which I hope I will someday).
Having already passed my psychometric test at an enhanced level. The assessment day you completed and some of the tasks they had you doing will put you in good stead to give your best go at the psychometric.
As for the psychometric. Use the information provided by Northern, study it and practice as much as you can. There is a lot of resources on the forum. I found the group bourdon software in this forum (just search it) was very helpful.
Good luck with the rest of the process
Having already passed my psychometric test at an enhanced level. The assessment day you completed and some of the tasks they had you doing will put you in good stead to give your best go at the psychometric.
As for the psychometric. Use the information provided by Northern, study it and practice as much as you can. There is a lot of resources on the forum. I found the group bourdon software in this forum (just search it) was very helpful.
Good luck with the rest of the process
Calmed my nerves big time lol, did the tests yesterday. Worried about that one and the 2 hand coordination as the damn ball kept glitching out the lines / teleporting from the tiniest movement, didn’t let it fluster me though and got it back in lines quickly each time
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Did anyone feel like the ball kept jumping out the lines in the coordination test? I’d do minuscule movements and sometimes it would move a little and sometimes it would jump out the path. Worried now as majority of the 10 attempts I went out the lines
Sherb19
Member
Hi. I had exactly the same fear. I went really quick and kept on falling out of the lines but only very briefly. I didnt panic and returned quickly. Never managed to complete a circuit without an error and passed.
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Thank you for your reply. So frustrating there’s no guidelines for what’s a pass and not, very secretive
Hi,
I have an assessment day booked at OPC Watford. I have already sat my assessments with another TOC so I believe I'm only sitting the MMI. The email says 8:30-17:00. Has anyone been OPC for a part assessment? Was you required to wait till the end of the day for later parts of the assessments?
Thanks
I have an assessment day booked at OPC Watford. I have already sat my assessments with another TOC so I believe I'm only sitting the MMI. The email says 8:30-17:00. Has anyone been OPC for a part assessment? Was you required to wait till the end of the day for later parts of the assessments?
Thanks
TR68
Member
I did my OPC testing through a TOC which used CBI. I applied to another TOC later down the line who used MMI. I got my invite which stated a full day.
When I arrived they put my name through the database that confirmed I only needed to do the MMI. They explained the rules about it knocking out my CBI etc which I already knew. There was myself and one other candidate for MMI only and about 6 or so for all the tests.
They took myself and the other candidate off separately for the MMI and we left when we were done (about 10am).
Ahh okay. I was just wondering if I should expect to hang around all day as other applicants sat their assessments until it was MMI time for everyone still left! Did you sit it at OPC Watford? If so, how was the experience if you don't mind me asking?
TR68
Member
Yes. Watford. They’re great and will help make you feel at ease. Good luck with the MMI
thejedtrain
Member
Hi all,
I’ve recently applied for a trainee train driver role and passed the first online assessment (personality test, SJT).
The second step is the last online assessment before in person, but wanted a bit of guidance please. It is:
Visual Search Exercise
Magnificent 7 Situational Judgement Test
Now, with the revision with the visual search exercise, it is the exercise with the square and the dots in a pattern in the corner, along with the letters, but what is getting me is the Magnificent 7 SJT. The original SJT was about safety, now I know I haven’t done the test yet, but the practice material is nothing to do with safety, or the railway, it’s about a range of things and the answers are all quite similar.
Any tips please; would be grateful!
I’ve recently applied for a trainee train driver role and passed the first online assessment (personality test, SJT).
The second step is the last online assessment before in person, but wanted a bit of guidance please. It is:
Visual Search Exercise
Magnificent 7 Situational Judgement Test
Now, with the revision with the visual search exercise, it is the exercise with the square and the dots in a pattern in the corner, along with the letters, but what is getting me is the Magnificent 7 SJT. The original SJT was about safety, now I know I haven’t done the test yet, but the practice material is nothing to do with safety, or the railway, it’s about a range of things and the answers are all quite similar.
Any tips please; would be grateful!
Thank you!
nolypops83
Member
You can’t second guess the SJT, just answer honestly and hope for the best. Dont know about the VSE sorry.
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Congratulations and thanks for such a helpful post! Loads of people (me included) have been wondering what the assessment day would be like. Actually sounds like a lot of fun!
Good luck with the psychometrics. Once you've passed that you'll go in to a talent pool usually but I know Northern have advertised course start dates on some of their recent adverts. Which depot are you going for?== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I just did mine a few weeks ago and the ball flew across the screen at one point so I think the glitches are there to test you. I managed to get round all of them without any beeps but that could be just down to faulty headphones
the joysticks are really sensitive. I did spend a few minutes on the practice round getting a feel for it as someone on here suggested.
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reckless40
Member
Good afternoon. I am writing this post to confirm if the assessments for driver, particularly Thameslink trains will have the following tests
Tests are my biggest weakness and I plan to knock these all out the park, but I just need confirmation they will all be there. Hope to hear back from anyone soon
- Group Bourdon Test: This test assesses concentration and vigilance.
- TEA-OCC: This test evaluates cognitive performance and attention to detail.
- TRP 1 & 2: These tests assess perception and reaction time.
- WAFV: This test evaluates vigilance and reaction time.
- ATAVT (Traffic Perception Test): This test assesses your ability to perceive information quickly and accurately, similar to driving.
- 2 Hand Coordination: This test measures your ability to coordinate your hands and eyes.
- SJE (Situational Judgement Test): This test presents you with real-life work situations and asks you to choose the best response.
- MMI (Maturity Mindset Indicator): This test assesses your attitude and motivation.
Tests are my biggest weakness and I plan to knock these all out the park, but I just need confirmation they will all be there. Hope to hear back from anyone soon
Not certain where you’ve got the definitions of the test abbreviations, but SJE isn’t a test it’s Situation Judgement Excercise, the MMI is multi modal interview, it’s used across different industries not just rail. Although with the age reduction for drivers, maybe maturity mindset could be an interesting version
reckless40
Member
Thank you so much. And it was from an AI answer..
Is the MMI before or after the DI?
Is the MMI before or after the DI?
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I did wonder what an “inspector (passenger host)” was
AI is powerful but as demonstrated isn’t exactly helpful all the time. You may find ongoing conversations about GTR’s driver recruitment helpful to inform what may be involved in the process.
JDAWC
Member
Hi all,
I’ve been practicing the ATAVT test (the one that flashes up traffic images really really quickly and you have to state what you saw from multiple choice).
I’ve been getting around 60-70% accuracy pretty consistently.
I know the response to this will most likely be ‘nobody knows’. But is this a good score? Being in the dark is driving me up the wall!
Any help/clarification would be greatly appreciated.
I’ve been practicing the ATAVT test (the one that flashes up traffic images really really quickly and you have to state what you saw from multiple choice).
I’ve been getting around 60-70% accuracy pretty consistently.
I know the response to this will most likely be ‘nobody knows’. But is this a good score? Being in the dark is driving me up the wall!
Any help/clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Personally keep away from AI if using it for the assessment advice, speak to the TOC and rely on the practice materials sent out. There’s no need spending £££ on how to become rubbish.
As for when the MMI done, it’s normally done at stage 2 after computer tests. But the TOC can swap the process around.
Prepare for the MMI, don’t go looking for the ‘right’ answer on AI, the MMI is about what you’ve done, if you’re not being honest or have created an untrue story, it will fall apart quickly. Read the practice, practice the STAR model and remain calm/clear.
reckless40
Member
Got it! thank you!
nolypops83
Member
No one gets given their score after the assessments, its either pass or fail, so there's no way to tell if this is good or bad. Just remember Roy Walker and only "say what you see." Don't guess. I'm showing my age with that reference!
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Daft question - what do I wear for a medical? I presume something with a sleeve I can roll up for the blood pressure test. Anything else I need to consider, other than bring my current glasses/contacts and any medication I'm taking?
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Did mine last week and really Just wear what’s comfortable there’s no dress code or anything.No one gets given their score after the assessments, its either pass or fail, so there's no way to tell if this is good or bad. Just remember Roy Walker and only "say what you see." Don't guess. I'm showing my age with that reference!
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Daft question - what do I wear for a medical? I presume something with a sleeve I can roll up for the blood pressure test. Anything else I need to consider, other than bring my current glasses/contacts and any medication I'm taking?
You’ll have to take your top off for the ECG, roll it up for the stethoscope to check your lungs and as you mentioned roll your sleeve up for the blood pressure test so just wear stuff that makes that easy.
Oh and if you get in there and need the loo just tell the nurse that and they’ll do the drug test straight away!