CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Unobrow]

The OPC will have the results of anyone who has previously taken the psychometrics. You’ll probably still have to attend but they’ll tell you which (if any) you need to redo on the day.

 

[KSC]

Afternoon all I am about to take the spatial test can I ask is it stuff like the cubes patterns etc that is asked of and is there a pass mark required to go through to the next round. This is my first time attempting anything within this sector.

Thank you in advance

 

[Azzer88]

Afternoon all I am about to take the spatial test can I ask is it stuff like the cubes patterns etc that is asked of and is there a pass mark required to go through to the next round. This is my first time attempting anything within this sector.

Thank you in advance

No one will know what the pass rate is. And yes all shapes and rotation of shapes etc gives you a little practice 4 questions of simple ones to the test. 20 ish questions I think in 20 mins.

 

[James101185]

It’s a tough one knowing whether to go for quality or quantity! Good

For those of you who have been in the cross country recruitment process before. Do you know what comes after the online SHL test?

I had a mini teams interview 15-20 mins with 2 managers before being invited to complete psychometric tests. All those tests were done in one day in Manchester not over 2 days. Then I had a formal interview after that.

 

[davedma]

I personally found the practice tests online harder than the actual test. Can't really recommend anything other than practice. Personally I found the interview portion the hardest.

I'm happy to share my experience on the picture test. I needed two attempts. It was the only psychometric test I failed. Did plenty of reading around the topic and saw the advice over and over about never marking things you think you saw. I took that advice and to be honest I think it made me too cautious.

Like everyone who fails something in this game, I didn't get any feedback but I did buy some software which mimicked the test after I failed and turns out I was pretty bad at it.

Lots and lots of practice and 8 months later, I went again and got through. So I think the advice to not select things you think you saw is sound but ultimately I believe the answer will be wrong if you miss stuff as well.

Like the dot test, there is ways to practice this and parting company with £30-40 for the software is worth it. Some people will naturally be good at it, I was not and had to work at it.

In hindsight should I have practiced harder to avoid the first fail? Yes. Should I have got the software beforehand? Yes - but easy to say now. Everyone is different.

Best of luck with it all.

What software did you use and could you point me towards it if possible please?
I bought the how to become a train driver tests from amazon but found them not to very helpful as it Always shows you the same pictures in the same order so you end up literally knowing the answers before even seeing the picture

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No one will know what the pass rate is. And yes all shapes and rotation of shapes etc gives you a little practice 4 questions of simple ones to the test. 20 ish questions I think in 20 mins.

I’ve just done this and the first is all answering questions about yourself and how you would react in certain situations, I think it’s the same as the Avanti one if you did that a couple of years back.

The second is the shapes and cubes flattened out that you select which one matches to the image above and the objects rotated. 21 questions in 15 minutes

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Ok thanks. Fingers crossed I make it through the selection process. It’s been a long wait for Avanti these last 2 years

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jun 2025 ==

Has anyone here included a cover letter with their application for this? I have one as part of my CV, but I didn’t upload a separate one as part of the application because there was nowhere for it to be uploaded.

Just worried I’ve missed this now and will get the auto rejection.

I have it attached to my cv and have now done the first 2 tests, like you I didn’t see anywhere to upload it

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What was the ‘assessment’ section about?

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What was the ‘assessment’ section about?

Assessment section is all answering questions about yourself and what you would do in certain situations

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==

Just the last few!?

We all get different random questions. Someone I work with described totally different questions to what I had

 

[Reactor Scram]

What software did you use and could you point me towards it if possible please?
I bought the how to become a train driver tests from amazon but found them not to very helpful as it Always shows you the same pictures in the same order so you end up literally knowing the answers before even seeing the picture

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==


I’ve just done this and the first is all answering questions about yourself and how you would react in certain situations, I think it’s the same as the Avanti one if you did that a couple of years back.

The second is the shapes and cubes flattened out that you select which one matches to the image above and the objects rotated. 21 questions in 15 minutes

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==


I have it attached to my cv and have now done the first 2 tests, like you I didn’t see anywhere to upload it

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==


Assessment section is all answering questions about yourself and what you would do in certain situations

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==


We all get different random questions. Someone I work with described totally different questions to what I had

https://traineetraindriverinfo.com/product/atavt-perception-test/?attribute_operating-system=Mac&attribute_delivery-format=Download

 

[davedma]

https://traineetraindriverinfo.com/product/atavt-perception-test/?attribute_operating-system=Mac&attribute_delivery-format=Download

Thank You
may I ask how this compares to the actual test and does this show random pictures or the same pictures every time?

 

[Carl98k]

Thank You
may I ask how this compares to the actual test and does this show random pictures or the same pictures every time?

You get plenty of practice material if invited to the tests. Just remember they’re testing your ability there and then, not what you’ve practiced. The last thing you want to do is start training and struggle because you’ve passed due practising the test. The course is very intense. You don’t have to take my advice though.

 

[Reactor Scram]

Thank You
may I ask how this compares to the actual test and does this show random pictures or the same pictures every time?

Sure - happy to help.

The "practice mode" of this software has limited number of images and you'll get to know them the more you do it. In "practice mode" you can see your answers against the correct answers.

In "test mode" there is a bigger range of images for you to do and naturally the more you do the more you see the same images but when you're marked by the software you can't see where you went wrong, it just gives you a score so you're forced to practice until you get good scores.

This software is very similar to the actual psychometric test. Having failed this test first time, I can attribute second time success to much practice using this software as a tool.

Good luck when you get to it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jun 2025 ==

Sure - happy to help.

The "practice mode" of this software has limited number of images and you'll get to know them the more you do it. In "practice mode" you can see your answers against the correct answers.

In "test mode" there is a bigger range of images for you to do and naturally the more you do the more you see the same images but when you're marked by the software you can't see where you went wrong, it just gives you a score so you're forced to practice until you get good scores.

This software is very similar to the actual psychometric test. Having failed this test first time, I can attribute second time success to much practice using this software as a tool.

Good luck when you get to it.

I will add that the practice material supplied by the company is helpful but the software mimicks the test as you'd do on the day - I.e. on a computer with the image disappearing from the screen.

The practice from the company relies on a friend removing the printed paper from your vision swiftly. The software also gives you the traffic situation. The company gives you a something like a busy kitchen.

Best of luck.

 

[LouMel]

Hi. To those who have completed the online tests, do you have to do them in the same sitting or can you complete them at different times? Thanks and good luck all!

 

[timmy827]

Hi. To those who have completed the online tests, do you have to do them in the same sitting or can you complete them at different times? Thanks and good luck all!

Think you can complete them at different times. I did them both together though so not totally certain.

 

[davedma]

Sure - happy to help.

The "practice mode" of this software has limited number of images and you'll get to know them the more you do it. In "practice mode" you can see your answers against the correct answers.

In "test mode" there is a bigger range of images for you to do and naturally the more you do the more you see the same images but when you're marked by the software you can't see where you went wrong, it just gives you a score so you're forced to practice until you get good scores.

This software is very similar to the actual psychometric test. Having failed this test first time, I can attribute second time success to much practice using this software as a tool.

Good luck when you get to it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jun 2025 ==


I will add that the practice material supplied by the company is helpful but the software mimicks the test as you'd do on the day - I.e. on a computer with the image disappearing from the screen.

The practice from the company relies on a friend removing the printed paper from your vision swiftly. The software also gives you the traffic situation. The company gives you a something like a busy kitchen.

Best of luck.

Thank you both that helps a lot.
I previously paid for the how to become a train driver tests and have not found them greatly helpful as every time you run the test the pictures are always the same and in the same order

 

[LouMel]

Think you can complete them at different times. I did them both together though so not totally certain.

Thank you!

 

[timmy827]

Assessment deadline closed yesterday. Are we expecting to find anything out soon? From what I can tell, railway recruitment is glacial so it could be a while!

 

[JH-OB]

Assessment deadline closed yesterday. Are we expecting to find anything out soon? From what I can tell, railway recruitment is glacial so it could be a while!

I’d only expect to hear anything when they are ready to move you onto the next stage, which in my experience is industry standard. Anything earlier than that is a bonus

 

[sktt25]

Has anyone received a call about the September course? I have heard they've decided what depots are on it and I have also heard of an internal that has been notified of their date(Sept 7) but just wondered if anyone on the thread has received a call or heard anything?

 

[softquaser]

Has anyone received a call about the September course? I have heard they've decided what depots are on it and I have also heard of an internal that has been notified of their date(Sept 7) but just wondered if anyone on the thread has received a call or heard anything?

I've only heard through the previous comments that September was full.

Assessment deadline closed yesterday. Are we expecting to find anything out soon? From what I can tell, railway recruitment is glacial so it could be a while!

Yes. When I completed them back in October 2023 I dont remember hear anything until February 2024. I cant event remember if they sent me a courtesy email to confirm it I was successful or not

 

[TG1096]

Has anyone received a call about the September course? I have heard they've decided what depots are on it and I have also heard of an internal that has been notified of their date(Sept 7) but just wondered if anyone on the thread has received a call or heard anything?

I emailed last week and got a response advising Sept course is now full in which they focused on intake for Midlands/Northern depots as that was the requirements.
Next course is January & hoping to look to include some South West depots.

 

[KSC]

I emailed last week and got a response advising Sept course is now full in which they focused on intake for Midlands/Northern depots as that was the requirements.
Next course is January & hoping to look to include some South West depots.

Can I ask who you emailed so I can also chase up I initially got an email to complete the assessment I then had a second email telling me they had extended the date to the Sunday.
Do you think due to this extension I missed out on Septembers course I thought maybe best to use a few more practice days to practice the spatial as it’s my first time applying but have not heard nothing back also…

 

[softquaser]

Can I ask who you emailed so I can also chase up I initially got an email to complete the assessment I then had a second email telling me they had extended the date to the Sunday.
Do you think due to this extension I missed out on Septembers course I thought maybe best to use a few more practice days to practice the spatial as it’s my first time applying but have not heard nothing back also…

The courses that have been mentioned are for those who are in the talent pool already. This thread was previously for those who applied in 2023, so a number of us were successful and just awaiting course dates.

The online assessment you are referring to is the first assessment in the long process.

 

[JH-OB]

Can I ask who you emailed so I can also chase up I initially got an email to complete the assessment I then had a second email telling me they had extended the date to the Sunday.
Do you think due to this extension I missed out on Septembers course I thought maybe best to use a few more practice days to practice the spatial as it’s my first time applying but have not heard nothing back also…

Just to help you manage expectations, driver recruitment is extremely slow. You have 2 days of assessments and a Driver Manager Interview. I doubt you’ll get all that done before Sept 2026, unless XC rush people through

 

[tiptoptaff]

Just to help you manage expectations, driver recruitment is extremely slow. You have 2 days of assessments and a Driver Manager Interview. I doubt you’ll get all that done before Sept 2026, unless XC rush people through

I'd imagine you could realistically be done by September 2026

September 2025, however...

 

[JH-OB]

I'd imagine you could realistically be done by September 2026

September 2025, however...

I’m already done, and in the talent pool. I was just trying to help the new applicants manage their expectations of when they’ll be done.

 

[tiptoptaff]

I’m already done, and in the talent pool. I was just trying to help the new applicants manage their expectations of when they’ll be done.

Think you've missed the point.

 

[TG1096]

Can I ask who you emailed so I can also chase up I initially got an email to complete the assessment I then had a second email telling me they had extended the date to the Sunday.
Do you think due to this extension I missed out on Septembers course I thought maybe best to use a few more practice days to practice the spatial as it’s my first time applying but have not heard nothing back also…

It sounds like you're still at initial online assessment stage? If they've extended the time for you, then I would wait until you've done it and you should hear back once the deadline has passed.
Hope the following info helps, this was my experience but may not be the same for everyone as can vary depending on depot and if they do it slightly differently.
Once you've passed your initial online assessments/Manager interview/invited for psychometric tests/MMI & passed.
Someone should hopefully be in touch with you at each point but I can't say for certain as it took some time before I had any contact with someone once I passed it all.
As others have said, there are quite a few of us who have passed and been in the talent pool waiting since 2023/2024 so I wouldn't worry about not getting on the Sept course as it can take some time with the whole process.
September course is now full, so next course is due Jan 2026, depends on which depots they need at that time.
Hope that helps a little but just be aware it can take some time once you've passed it all depending on which depots they need at the time and where you're sat in the talent pool depending on scores. I did also see the adverts they recently put up, some of them advised of a year 26/27 start so be aware they may not take on straight away, depends which location they need at that time. There may already be a pool of people waiting from previous years.

 

[callumreecepl]

Anyone heard anything back since the assessments closing date on 22nd?

 

[sabanda]

Not a word - application is still showing as 'pending' in green on the Arriva careers site.

 

[bair26]

Yup still pending here as of today.

 

[Ridetherails]

Edited: Wrong thread sorry

 

[KSC]

Yup still pending here as of today.

Where do you go to see pending status all I did was do a special ability test and assessment I have not heard nothing back or didn’t get an email to say anything else