Apologies I cannot reliably comment as I went for an Operative position on the tools so the formality was much lower.
Good luck.
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Assessments & Medicals discussion
- Thread starter Horizon22
- Start date
Good luck.
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RailUK Forums
Thank you.
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Thanks!
Hello all. Reference the medical. What sort of things are asked reference previous medications and mental health. A few months ago I was on a low dose of antidepressants / anxieties for a work related incident but have moved well past it and am not on medication at all now.
Am just worried they look really deep into this sort of stuff and something minor could be a fail so to speak. Any advice would be appreciated.
Am just worried they look really deep into this sort of stuff and something minor could be a fail so to speak. Any advice would be appreciated.
Georgiahope1
Member
They go through a medical Questionnaire and from memory they do ask about your mental health and whether you have been on any medications, I said no to this so can't comment what would happen if you say yes. But I would think if everything is ok now and you are no longer on medication it would just be conversation explaining this and they may ask some deeper questions but I wouldn't worry, all they will want to know is that you are ok now and fit to work.
thanks for helping with what to expect. yeah was just a tough time but everything got sorted, is all just a memory now so imagine that'll be fine
Georgiahope1
Member
No worries, yes it is more chilled out than what I expected it to be, think they are more concerned about you passing the drugs, eyes, ears and ECG tests!
If that's the case I have no concerns at all and cannot wait to get on the rails
Hi All,
Depot: St Philips Marsh, Bristol
I’ve recently passed my SJT and assuming (as I’ve had no reply) error checking task, and wanted to find out what OPC Tests can I expect to sit for this role and TOC?
Also, on the job ad, which closed 15/09/2025, they did mention course materials will be sent in advance prior to the assessment day, and that candidates who are successful from the recruitment process will go into the 2026/27 talent pool.
Does anyone know, based on past experience/working knowledge the test preparation time given to candidates?
Of course, I appreciate it’s too early to receive any response from the recruitment team, but I just want to be as prepared as possible to achieve the best outcome.
Many thanks all,
Josie
Depot: St Philips Marsh, Bristol
I’ve recently passed my SJT and assuming (as I’ve had no reply) error checking task, and wanted to find out what OPC Tests can I expect to sit for this role and TOC?
Also, on the job ad, which closed 15/09/2025, they did mention course materials will be sent in advance prior to the assessment day, and that candidates who are successful from the recruitment process will go into the 2026/27 talent pool.
Does anyone know, based on past experience/working knowledge the test preparation time given to candidates?
Of course, I appreciate it’s too early to receive any response from the recruitment team, but I just want to be as prepared as possible to achieve the best outcome.
Many thanks all,
Josie
Reactor Scram
Member
I've applied to this as well.
I sat and passed psychometrics with another company. If it's not exactly the same, I imagine it won't be far off.
1st test centre visit:
1. Group Bourdon (dots)
2. Comprehension test - read info, retain it then complete questions on the text.
3. Reasoning - a set of rules and apply them to the task. Aka cables and dials.
4. Listening to and counting beeps whilst looking for info in a directory. Aka test of everyday attention.
2nd test centre visit:
1. 30 mins on the computer watching the square flash - vigilance test.
2. Picture memory test on computer.
3. 2 hand control test on computer.
4. MMI
Hopefully you progress. Happy to help, if I can. Good luck.
I sat and passed psychometrics with another company. If it's not exactly the same, I imagine it won't be far off.
1st test centre visit:
1. Group Bourdon (dots)
2. Comprehension test - read info, retain it then complete questions on the text.
3. Reasoning - a set of rules and apply them to the task. Aka cables and dials.
4. Listening to and counting beeps whilst looking for info in a directory. Aka test of everyday attention.
2nd test centre visit:
1. 30 mins on the computer watching the square flash - vigilance test.
2. Picture memory test on computer.
3. 2 hand control test on computer.
4. MMI
Hopefully you progress. Happy to help, if I can. Good luck.
So long story short is I work in a stressful job and at the time a few months ago I was in a place where I just wanted to look for something else so saw a conductor role so applied. I have an assessment day now and have read that you can only do two of these days and if you do not pass then you are affectively barred for life? Problem is having looked into it a bit more recently I am not sure I want the job and to leave my current role. Was just wondering where I would stand if I was to be offered a job but in the end decided to decline the offer? of course I need to pass the assessment day first and it was for a talent pool rather than a vacancy anyway but I am currently caught in two minds. Thanks.
Trainset33
Member
- Joined
- 15 May 2019
- Messages
- 57
Can anyone shed some light on the Trp1b test please? Or rather, the new version? I’m aware that the Glop test is no more. Is it something to do with the train braking system now? Similar format to the Glop test but obviously a different passage and questions? Is it the same level of difficulty as Glop, or marginally easier/ harder? Thanks in advance.
Hi - I can confirm it is relating to the train braking system but having never sat the test when it was the passage about ‘Glop’ I have no comparison. I would imagine it’s a very similar level of difficulty and length of passage to keep things fair though ? It’s still multiple choice questions.
Trainlady71
Member
I hope this helps someone …
Yesterday I took the XC psychometric testing in Manchester, I was a quite nervous as I had no idea what to expect!
I’m going to try and break the day down into really simple terms so it helps to understand what was involved.
On arrival all applicants waited in a boardroom and filled a form in. We all had time to chat and it felt really casual, the staff were lovely, professional and made us feel at ease.
We were then taken to the paper exam room where we did the
Step 1. 4 Dots test (x5)
Step 2. Directory, tones, directly with tones test. (3 parts)
Step 3. Read/listen to an article and answer multiple choice questions.
We then had a break, found out who had passed, those who failed sadly went home.
The computer tests were next, we moved to a computer room.
Step 1. Stare at the square box and click when black ! For 30 mins
Step 2. The 1 second images that you have to say what you’ve seen.
Step 3. The hand/eye co-ordination
Then another break to see who’d passed and who’d failed.
Then the situation judgement test, followed by the very in-depth MMI, I had no idea that this would be the hardest interview ever!
If I could do anything different, I’d just lightly familiarise myself with the tests, I don’t think any amount of practice will help. The practice materials sent to me was more than ample. However I would spend far more time learning more and prepping for the MMI (interview) which is the final part and is a minimum of an hour.
I’m sure I only just scraped through but I passed
Hope this helps someone
Yesterday I took the XC psychometric testing in Manchester, I was a quite nervous as I had no idea what to expect!
I’m going to try and break the day down into really simple terms so it helps to understand what was involved.
On arrival all applicants waited in a boardroom and filled a form in. We all had time to chat and it felt really casual, the staff were lovely, professional and made us feel at ease.
We were then taken to the paper exam room where we did the
Step 1. 4 Dots test (x5)
Step 2. Directory, tones, directly with tones test. (3 parts)
Step 3. Read/listen to an article and answer multiple choice questions.
We then had a break, found out who had passed, those who failed sadly went home.
The computer tests were next, we moved to a computer room.
Step 1. Stare at the square box and click when black ! For 30 mins
Step 2. The 1 second images that you have to say what you’ve seen.
Step 3. The hand/eye co-ordination
Then another break to see who’d passed and who’d failed.
Then the situation judgement test, followed by the very in-depth MMI, I had no idea that this would be the hardest interview ever!
If I could do anything different, I’d just lightly familiarise myself with the tests, I don’t think any amount of practice will help. The practice materials sent to me was more than ample. However I would spend far more time learning more and prepping for the MMI (interview) which is the final part and is a minimum of an hour.
I’m sure I only just scraped through but I passed
Hope this helps someone
kelstertgo@gma
Member
Congratulations and well done, what do you think would help with the mmi?
Trainlady71
Member
I guess more knowledge on how in depth the answers should be, the STAR method was definitely required. Having never attended a corporate interview this was way out of my league. However luckily I did scrape through !!
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I think I managed around 7-8 lines with hopefully perfect accuracy.
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Thank you it definitely was a long old day !
northernmonky
New Member
Hi
About 2 seconds at most , I sat this Friday and got through everything and got the job offer
Hi everyone
I wonder if I could ask those who were successful at MMI a few questions?
I didn’t meet the standard on two topics - how you deal with an emergency situation and a task you do that’s similar to the train driver role.
What types of situations did successful candidates pick for these topics ? I’m not looking for detailed answers , just a general idea of what topics you thought would be good and were able to tie in all the relevant stuff like situational awareness, following rules and procedures, safety etc. The topics I picked were a car accident I was involved in , and a procedure at my current workplace where I do a repetitive task for a long period of time. MY failed MMI was almost a year ago now and in the absence of feedback I haven’t been able to stop going over it in my head. I thought I did enough and said enough for a pass, it was a real shock to be told I was unsuccessful after getting to MMI stage. It was a tough 90 minute interview.
I recently heard a DTM at the company I applied for tell my colleague who was going through the process that ‘ they have never heard of a candidate not passing the MMI ‘ . This has further added to my thoughts of where did i go wrong where hundreds of other candidates have been successful.
While being aware that this is a public forum I’m happy for anyone to DM me , I’m aware that sharing too much information on answers / topics publicly is a sensitive subject etc
This is more just to give someone who was unsuccessful some form of peace of mind and an idea of where he went wrong.
Thanks to anyone who replies
I wonder if I could ask those who were successful at MMI a few questions?
I didn’t meet the standard on two topics - how you deal with an emergency situation and a task you do that’s similar to the train driver role.
What types of situations did successful candidates pick for these topics ? I’m not looking for detailed answers , just a general idea of what topics you thought would be good and were able to tie in all the relevant stuff like situational awareness, following rules and procedures, safety etc. The topics I picked were a car accident I was involved in , and a procedure at my current workplace where I do a repetitive task for a long period of time. MY failed MMI was almost a year ago now and in the absence of feedback I haven’t been able to stop going over it in my head. I thought I did enough and said enough for a pass, it was a real shock to be told I was unsuccessful after getting to MMI stage. It was a tough 90 minute interview.
I recently heard a DTM at the company I applied for tell my colleague who was going through the process that ‘ they have never heard of a candidate not passing the MMI ‘ . This has further added to my thoughts of where did i go wrong where hundreds of other candidates have been successful.
While being aware that this is a public forum I’m happy for anyone to DM me , I’m aware that sharing too much information on answers / topics publicly is a sensitive subject etc
This is more just to give someone who was unsuccessful some form of peace of mind and an idea of where he went wrong.
Thanks to anyone who replies
Last edited:
Sorry that you didn't pass.
I had those two questions, and I used an example where an elderly man collapsed on the street while I was waiting for a friend, and I was the first one to call for an ambulance and take charge of the situation. For the other one, I used an example where I had to drive a car back from southern Spain to the UK on my own, and elaborated on preparations for this, and the journey itself.
Look at the RSSB website for the documents on non technical skills. There's a list of the top ten for drivers and then a spreadsheet about good and practice for these skills. I think this gives a good overview of what to aim at in your examples.
In my MMI I picked taking my wife and two daughters to hospital for readmission after birth and for a similar task I picked processing housing application forms while working from home (repetitive task, looking at screen/background for minute changes, responsibility and consequences of making mistakes)
I didn’t get ask, and I don’t think there’s any benefit to mentioning that. Of course you are going to be in a suboptimal mental state after going through that.
Trainlady71
Member
I’ve passed the MMI, and I’m currently waiting for a date for the DMI
Can anyone tell me how different the MMI is from the DMI, thank you
Can anyone tell me how different the MMI is from the DMI, thank you
I would say the MMI is more intense, in the sense that they require more detail in the answers you give. The DMI felt a lot more relaxed in my opinion and it threw me off a bit at first as I was still in MMI mode! That said, the DMI I would say is very much like a standard job interview - they’ll ask what you know about the company and why you want the job - there were a few competency based questions in there, some of which were similar to the MMI questions but they didn’t really ask any follow-up questions on them, they just took notes and moved on. They give a fair bit of info about expectations for the job, training requirements etc and so it was very much a 2 way conversation most of the way through.
Matty123xo
New Member
Hi all, I’m after some clarity. I first sat the MTR assessments back in 2018 but failed. I’ve just done the GWR Stage 1 assessments – passed three but failed one. The feedback I got was that, because of the rule change (the 7/12 policy), I can’t apply ever again. Is that correct? It feels a bit unfair, especially as I also couldn’t carry over my previously passed tests because they were too old.
Am I right in thinking that means I can’t apply for trainee train driver roles anywhere now, and I should start looking at other career options? Gutted if that’s the case.
Am I right in thinking that means I can’t apply for trainee train driver roles anywhere now, and I should start looking at other career options? Gutted if that’s the case.
Baz86
Member
This is correct. You can only take the tests twice regardless of outcome of each.
Matty123xo
New Member
Thanks