Assessments & Medicals discussion

[RS1225]

So I had my 2nd assessment day yesterday. Managed to pass the computerised tests (although was sure i hadn't!) and went onto the Dreaded MMI.
I had obviously prepped for it, with alot of advice I had gleaned from these forums. Although the questions weren't exactly as I thought they would be they were similar and I had some, what I thought, were good examples.
So into the interview, I am asked the question, and I start to explain my answer thinking about the STAR method, but before I can even get to finish, the interruptions started. I couldnt help but start to think is this because I am not answering correctly, as some advice on here says if they ask lots of questions you are not giving them what they want, but I hadn't finished!! I tried to remain calm, answer the questions and got to the end.
Really worried as there were so many interruptions, I haven't done well, but I really dont know what I would do differently.
Just have to wait the 7 to 10 days I suppose

The same happened to me when I did my MMI this summer, it actually went on for about two hours which was shocking and just really daunting. But, I managed to pass! Sometimes I think they want to rattle you by asking the same questions over and over to really ensure you have the qualities they need, so try to not worry and I hope you receive a positive response

 

[BigEasy]

I'm curious as to how six questions can take one hour, let alone three. How can anyone have so much to talk about? I thought they wanted answers to be fairly concise?

 

[Trev5678]

So I had my 2nd assessment day yesterday. Managed to pass the computerised tests (although was sure i hadn't!) and went onto the Dreaded MMI.
I had obviously prepped for it, with alot of advice I had gleaned from these forums. Although the questions weren't exactly as I thought they would be they were similar and I had some, what I thought, were good examples.
So into the interview, I am asked the question, and I start to explain my answer thinking about the STAR method, but before I can even get to finish, the interruptions started. I couldnt help but start to think is this because I am not answering correctly, as some advice on here says if they ask lots of questions you are not giving them what they want, but I hadn't finished!! I tried to remain calm, answer the questions and got to the end.
Really worried as there were so many interruptions, I haven't done well, but I really dont know what I would do differently.
Just have to wait the 7 to 10 days I suppose

I literally had the exact same. My second and last attempt at mine last week and it was way more intense than my 1st which had no interruptions and i failed on one question.
Anyway, i left last week thinking jesus you ask for the star method and i was on situation and im being interrupted asking what would you do though.
I felt it was a lot more of an interrogation and i left feeling less like i passed than the first attempt. Anyway i passed it!

So i think as long as you kept calm and answered the questions i do feel like that interruption is part of the process
Good luck

 

[marcy]

I'm curious as to how six questions can take one hour, let alone three. How can anyone have so much to talk about? I thought they wanted answers to be fairly concise?

You and me both !!! I have done a good few interviews in my time including presentations and never came close to the length or complexity of my MMI
My interviewer came across quite nervous himself , and took many long pauses throughout the interview to consult his guidance notes

 

[RileyDog2018]

I literally had the exact same. My second and last attempt at mine last week and it was way more intense than my 1st which had no interruptions and i failed on one question.
Anyway, i left last week thinking jesus you ask for the star method and i was on situation and im being interrupted asking what would you do though.
I felt it was a lot more of an interrogation and i left feeling less like i passed than the first attempt. Anyway i passed it!

So i think as long as you kept calm and answered the questions i do feel like that interruption is part of the process
Good luck

Well that has made me feel a little bit more optimistic! for a positive outcome for me too.

 

[Plodster]

I'm curious as to how six questions can take one hour, let alone three. How can anyone have so much to talk about? I thought they wanted answers to be fairly concise?

You are given the 6 questions (examples on this forum) to answer on a piece of paper before the MMI and you write your answer on the sheet maybe only a couple of lines to a paragraph so a summary or précis

You also complete a Situational Judgement Test before the interview
This is not a pass fail but generates or suggests additional questions for use by the interviewer during the MMI

During the MMI interview you discuss your answer to each question and expand in as much detail as possible explaining what happened how it happened what you did. What decisions did you make? How did you make them? Who did you communicate with? How did you communicate? How did you feel? Etc etc etc

By the time you have added that meat to the bones and then been asked additional/ probing questions it’s easy for each question to take several minutes

The MMI is testing your skills and ability for the role and is looking for evidence of the Non Technical Skills required by train drivers.

The DMI is more of a traditional job interview with a few MMI type questions.

 

[kinkywinpat]

Anyone applied for GTR, I can guide you on the questions to expect at DMI and also has anyone gotten the offer to start at cricklewood ?

 

[tim9]

Hi all, what’s the timeframe from getting an email that you are out of the talent pool/

Hi all, what’s the timeframe from getting an email that you are out of the talent pool/reserve list, doing medical and

 

[Tommy1414]

That’s the question I didn’t meet the standard on , I spoke about a surgical operation where a task I do is very repetitive, but I have to maintain concentration as the operation can take 4 - 5 hours. Spoke about it in my DMI and the managers liked it, passed the DMI, so thought safe to discuss at MMI. But no I didn’t meet the standard and no feedback given

With regards to appeal , I wrote old fashioned letters to the lead recruitment assessor, the head of HR, the head of talent, but they won’t let me have another attempt as I sat it before 7th dec 2024.
You were in 3 hours ? I thought I was bad at 90 minutes, the other 2 candidates were only in 30-40 minutes and said it was like a casual unpressured chat, that’s where I feel the MMI is very unfair, it all depends who you get to interview you on the day , you either get a laid back casual interview, or the hardest interview you have ever done. I too feel very cheated out of a career I have always wanted

I passed mine and it felt like a unpressured chat, got prompted about my answers a bit but felt very pretty laid back.

 

[marcy]

I passed mine and it felt like a unpressured chat, got prompted about my answers a bit but felt very pretty laid back.

I only wish that could have been my experience

 

[jaybon92]

Do you get to choose the dates for these assessments? As I do really odd shifts it could affect me

 

[erer245]

Do you get to choose the dates for these assessments? As I do really odd shifts it could affect me

Depends what TOC you're with, stage 1 I had like 8 options of dates to choose from, stage 2 was 2 dates and my DMI was 1 day but 4 times in that day to choose from.

 

[azzarazza]

Has anyone got any experience of OPC tests done via Teams? I have SCAAT, RAAT and Ticket checking coming up. Practice material says to print off but unsure if the real thing will be done online as email states video call in exam conditions? This is for a conductor's role.

Anyone able to help? I'm also wondering if the paid OPC practice is worth it over the free material sent by the TOC?

 

[Burrowl]

Hi team,

Trainee Train driver process in New Zealand


Which tests are involved? I couldn't find any internet resources on this. I took the test myself in Wellington many years ago.
The first bit seems to be a bit different, seems like alternative tests including mazes and stuff from the Vienna testsystem.
then there is the Vienna test system 2hand, atavt & wafv like here.

How can I practice for the New Zealand test?


Thanks ,

 

[Pintman]

Hi team,

Trainee Train driver process in New Zealand


Which tests are involved? I couldn't find any internet resources on this. I took the test myself in Wellington many years ago.
The first bit seems to be a bit different, seems like alternative tests including mazes and stuff from the Vienna testsystem.
then there is the Vienna test system 2hand, atavt & wafv like here.

How can I practice for the New Zealand test?


Thanks ,

You might be better off asking on a NZ rail forum

 

[A100]

Hi, I applied for trainee Train Driver with GTR last year, I reached the Assessments stage this year April but unfortunately failed the Fault Finding test, I found the Fault finding one of my strong points when going through the practice material, however when I took the assessment I realised the practice material was a simplified version of the actual assessment, I completed 6 of the 15 questions during the assessment and realised I was missing a part to the answers so went back to correct the answers and it cost me time, I knew I had failed only answering 6 questions. Any tips with the fault finding would be much appreciated, also I’m worried now to go for this position again having used one of chances already.

 

[md81]

You might be better off asking on a NZ rail forum

out of interest, do any uk TOC have mutual travel agreements for Australia and New Zealand staff? Or any international swap deals?

 

[Horizon22]

out of interest, do any uk TOC have mutual travel agreements for Australia and New Zealand staff? Or any international swap deals?

Nothing I am aware of.

 

[Rico86]

I got my DMI this Friday. Any advice what to expect? and would you say it was similar to the MMI? It's for Paddington depot

Hi @AndyH2025 I hope your interview went well on Friday. I also have my DMI coming up for Paddington. Have you got any tips or comments please? Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Oct 2025 ==

Anyone else waiting for an offer from GWR for Paddington? I passed my DMI back in June…

@Ddaggs, congrats on passing your DMI, have you got any tips please? as I also have my DMI for GWR in November. Thank you

 

[srirraj]

Hi all,

I recently had an OPC online assessment with GTS (EL) and passed everything except the VSE. they sent me an email with my results and stated after it said

“Your online test results will remain valid for 6 months. During this time you will not be able to reapply for the trainee train driver role at GTS. However, you are welcome to apply for other positions within GTS.”

I have recently applied for c2c and was wondering if my application will be postponed because I have failed the VSE with GTS.

Does anyone know if this is the case? Do I have to wait 6 months to apply for a different TOC? Are one of my lives lost because GTS is enhanced? Or do c2c do things differently and may consider my application?

Thanks in advance

Hi I got an email from GTS to complete online assessment, can you please explain to me , how many assessments you done in online and what are those assessments? Is it including VSE ?

Hi all,

I recently had an OPC online assessment with GTS (EL) and passed everything except the VSE. they sent me an email with my results and stated after it said

“Your online test results will remain valid for 6 months. During this time you will not be able to reapply for the trainee train driver role at GTS. However, you are welcome to apply for other positions within GTS.”

I have recently applied for c2c and was wondering if my application will be postponed because I have failed the VSE with GTS.

Does anyone know if this is the case? Do I have to wait 6 months to apply for a different TOC? Are one of my lives lost because GTS is enhanced? Or do c2c do things differently and may consider my application?

Thanks in advance

Hi I got an email from GTS to complete online assessment, can you please explain to me , how many assessments you done in online and what are those assessments? Is it including VSE ?

 

[Tigerstripe]

Hi,

I failed on my cables and dials test (TRP2) earlier this year with GWR and I have a few questions about the instructions as I can’t remember it specifically. I just want to practice as much as I can so I can hopefully pass it next time.

There was 4 dials, (heat, air, power & light) and there was 4 colour groups from light blue to dark blue with numbers.

For anyone that’s done the test, did you have to put the dials in order of colour i.e if light blue was high priority - put that first and dark blue as least priority?
If two dials were in the same colour segment, refer to the number the dial is pointing at i.e for the highest number as first priority?

P.S I appreciate that they’ll be many different tests and the instructions in mine might be different to somebody else’s but I’m just interested to know.

Pretty sure you've got that right - prioritise the colours then sort by numbers if the same

 

[Burrowl]

You might be better off asking on a NZ rail forum

Sure. Have you got any links to any? I couldn't find one.

 

[will1989]

Hi,

I failed on my cables and dials test (TRP2) earlier this year with GWR and I have a few questions about the instructions as I can’t remember it specifically. I just want to practice as much as I can so I can hopefully pass it next time.

There was 4 dials, (heat, air, power & light) and there was 4 colour groups from light blue to dark blue with numbers.

For anyone that’s done the test, did you have to put the dials in order of colour i.e if light blue was high priority - put that first and dark blue as least priority?
If two dials were in the same colour segment, refer to the number the dial is pointing at i.e for the highest number as first priority?

P.S I appreciate that they’ll be many different tests and the instructions in mine might be different to somebody else’s but I’m just interested to know.

I sat this this week so I'm still unsure if I passed (and to what standard) but I would say asking the assessor if you're not sure is the best piece of advice I can give. I wasn't sure on a part of this exercise and when they explained it, it made lots more sense. As the colours are always in the same order you don't really need to look at the colours, just work from left to right, bearing in mind that the segment size will change on each dial.

 

[stucol123]

Hi all

looking for a bit of advice regarding the next stage of my process , i have passed the paper tests & the DMI interview . I have my computer tests coming up in a couple of weeks at atrium court . I was wondering if the MMI interview is still a part of the recruitment process or has it been removed ? Does it happen on the day of the computer tests ? Or do you come back again if you pass the computer assessments ? seen a few differing posts so just looking for clarification so i can prepare accurately , thanks in advance

 

[Pintman]

The MMI is still part of the process, the day it's on will depend on the TOC you're applying to

 

[stucol123]

cheers

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2025 ==

The MMI is still part of the process, the day it's on will depend on the TOC you're applying to

The MMI is still part of the process, the day it's on will depend on the TOC you're applying to

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Oct 2025 ==

Does anyone have any MMI interview questions i can practice ?

 

[kiteyoung]

I took the driver test in September 2025 and failed one of the sections, so I have to wait till September 2026 to reapply. But this week I received an invitation from another train company (I applied to ages ago) for enhanced standard online testing. It said "we know all your previous assessments."

So I emailed the OPC for clarification if I could take the online test and the guy online had no idea what was going on. I think he was an intern, because he had no clue about the 1 year wait between tests. Do I just ignore the invite to test? I've been emailed a code and password already.

 

[kinkywinpat]

I took the driver test in September 2025 and failed one of the sections, so I have to wait till September 2026 to reapply. But this week I received an invitation from another train company (I applied to ages ago) for enhanced standard online testing. It said "we know all your previous assessments."

So I emailed the OPC for clarification if I could take the online test and the guy online had no idea what was going on. I think he was an intern, because he had no clue about the 1 year wait between tests. Do I just ignore the invite to test? I've been emailed a code and password already.

I think it meant that you will wait for one year for the same company you failed , you can still go for another train operating company within that one year.

cheers

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2025 ==




== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Oct 2025 ==

Does anyone have any MMI interview questions i can practice ?

Type MMI question in the search button and it will come up

 

[Harlequinuk]

Hi all. So i passed my assesment day for platform staff with South Eastern. just waiting for a medical. What sort of timescale till i hear of a date? Received the congrats email a month ago.

 

[MJH1990]

Quick one, looking for any advice.

Ive just received an email to do my online assessments for trainee conductor with TPE. (Station Numerical Test & Customer Service Situations).

I’ve had a quick look and I can buy a practice test on OPC’s website for the Station Numerical Test which I plan to do tonight as the deadline is tomorrow at 4.30pm.

Any other advice for these online assessments would be massively appreciated.

Thanks in advance.