When did you get the practice materials as mine is in a few weeks and I haven't received anything yet. I don't even know what tests I am meant to be doing
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West Midlands Trains (inc. LNWR) - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter Limerickboyo
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RailUK Forums
It was either 7 or 10 days before which should be plenty of time, they explain all the tests thoroughly before on the day too but just try and get a bit of practice in when they send the materials and there is also stuff in some forums on here too
the tests you do at stage 1 are:Group Bourdon
Test of everyday Attention- Occupational
Trainability for Rules and procedures Part 1
Trainability for Rules and procedures Part 2
dtr1989
Member
I’m retaking two tests next week for Stage Two - the joystick one and the two tone colour one (grey and black squares).
Am I right in thinking that they can’t really be practised? It’s more about attention/focus/concentration?
Am I right in thinking that they can’t really be practised? It’s more about attention/focus/concentration?
Trains1309
New Member
Hi, does anyone know if you fail a test at Stage 2 you remain in the talent pool for a year before you can resit or do you need to reapply when they recruit the next cohort? Thanks
S-Car-Go
Member
- Joined
- 19 Mar 2019
- Messages
- 253
In my experience (bearing in mind 6 years ago), I also had to take a pay cut when I joined. Apprentice/trainee salary was fixed approx for the first 34 weeks at 28k. Then increased to year 1 salary of 46k.
A year after that, a 5k raise to year 2 salary, and a year after that another 5k raise to year 3 salary. I would say there's been a 15% adjustment since, hard fought through industrial action by ASLEF post-covid.
maf
Member
Out of curiosity, did anyone pass the initial application that had already passed psychometrics with another TOC?
Hi everyone,
I got an email advising I have made it to stage 2. Howeverrr it says “STAGE 2 might not take place for a while, however as soon as we have any further news, we shall be in touch.” Has anyone else that made it to stage 2 also had something advising the same?
I got an email advising I have made it to stage 2. Howeverrr it says “STAGE 2 might not take place for a while, however as soon as we have any further news, we shall be in touch.” Has anyone else that made it to stage 2 also had something advising the same?
Yeah but I had an email very quickly to say when stage 2 was. In fact I had stage 2 just Tuesday!
Neatro
Member
You won't progress to a talent pool until you pass all the tests and the interviews.
If you fail a test, you have to wait a year and apply again.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Theoretically they can be practiced but not officially.
For the joystick one, you could like I did, play console games that require two different joystick inputs (for me it was driving/flying games)
And for the black box you could either create your own or watch videos that test your reaction times and tap a surface when you spot the thing they're reacting to.
Congratulations on passing stage 1! It was harder! Honestly the first test was easy, staring at the grey square as it flashed and then hit the button when it turns black. It doesn't turn a different shade of grey. So it goes from grey to black. Every once in a while, look around the screen so you don't fatigue in watching it. Don't hover your hand over the button either as your hand will fatigue too, just rest it next to the button.Also ^ what does stage 2 include
Nice
Second test was the Atavt 1 sec clip of a street with the 5 potential items in. This was tricky. Some of the images I had been practicing had come on during the test. They're both on youtube: One is by Schuhfried called ATAVT Adaptive Tachistoscopic Traffic Perception Test (This is the best one) and the other calle Train Driver Perception Test. The second you will need increase the speed by 2 cause it doesn't last on the screen anywhere near as long in the test. I recommend sitting back from the screen for this one, so you can take it all in.
The final computer test was the 2 hand joystick. Believe me when i say they are VERY SENSITIVE. If you go out the line, come back in as quick as possible. Take your time when you are able to practice before hand. It's the same route 10 times from A to B.
At this point we were all made to wait outside to find out if we had passed. Out of the 5 of us, only 1 failed. If you pass you stay for the MMI. Then you get called back in to do a SJT which is not a pass or fail test. You also get given a form to fill in with your answers for your MMI interview. These have 6 questions on. So fill it in with your experiences, you can find the 6 on the forum, they might not be the same but certainly similar. You will be constantly interrupted during your interview with questions like "How did that make you feel," "What would you have done if your colleagues questioned your role." So yeah just prepare for them interrupting you as you might lose flow.
They said you'll hear within 7-10 days. I heard back 24 hours later that I had passed and my DMI interview is scheduled for Tuesday. So if you need anymore help, feel free to ask. Oh and one more thing, the center is not where google maps says it is. Search for Gail's coffee shop, it's literally next door to that.
HH24
Member
Well done on the pass and good luck next week! I applied for Coventry back in October too, but haven't heard anything since the online sift 
. Shall have to keep remaining patient and hopeful!
. Shall have to keep remaining patient and hopeful!Thank you, that's surprising that you didn't get through the sift? Wonder if too many applied for Coventry?Well done on the pass and good luck next week! I applied for Coventry back in October too, but haven't heard anything since the online sift
HH24
Member
I passed the online sift and got the email about being put in the talent pool for stage 1 OPC back in mid-December. Haven't heard anything since.
Still waiting to hear too! Taking ages! Wonder when the DMI will be
Hi mate, I had the exact same email but I got another email four days later inviting me to stage 2 which I did on Friday.
I made it to the MMI, just waiting for the outcome
Well done! How did you find it?! And good luck keeping my fingers crossed for you:
Had notification today that I passed so that's all the assessments done, just got to wait for the DMI now.
Stage 2 was pretty tough mate but if you practice as much as you can, as with anything you'll be better prepared for the day itself. I used the RailPrep website stuff and found their ATAVT and WAVF practice to be pretty good and accurate.
Well done mate that’s super exciting and good luck ! Yeah that rail prep website and all the paid tests have been super helpful I keep going over them everyday in the run up to the stage 2 just mainly nervous for the MMI but just going to hope for the best lol. Let us know how your DMI goes when you eventually get it it.
! Yeah that rail prep website and all the paid tests have been super helpful I keep going over them everyday in the run up to the stage 2 just mainly nervous for the MMI but just going to hope for the best lol. Let us know how your DMI goes when you eventually get it it.nickki3
New Member
hey guys really hope someone can do me massive favour here, does anyone have the original job advertisement for the Shrewsbury depot from this advert? thanks a lot
Drivingtales
Member
Hiya,
Just hoping to find someone who has fairly recently Sat the MMI? Just looking for some insite into what its like, how do I prepare? Practice material ive been sent isnt helpful.
Hopefully someone can help
Just hoping to find someone who has fairly recently Sat the MMI? Just looking for some insite into what its like, how do I prepare? Practice material ive been sent isnt helpful.
Hopefully someone can help
I have recently applied for the traniee train driver position at crewe..I have now been notified that I will soon take the opc sift tests.
I am aware that there are many people that fail at this stage.
I am determined to pass or do the best I can..is there any resources I can use to practice? .many thanks
I am aware that there are many people that fail at this stage.
I am determined to pass or do the best I can..is there any resources I can use to practice? .many thanks
Speedbird100
Member
- Joined
- 9 Mar 2019
- Messages
- 42
Relax.
Take your time.
Give real examples of what’s mentioned in the MMI threads on here for the Q’s.
Use STAR answering method, be specific….no need for waffling!
Good luck
Take your time.
Give real examples of what’s mentioned in the MMI threads on here for the Q’s.
Use STAR answering method, be specific….no need for waffling!
Good luck
Trains101
Member
Hi all, anyone here who applied for trainee driver role end of 2025. I was told I will get a email with the online tests in Jan or Feb but nothing as of yet. Has anyone received anything?
tadhg1999
Member
Hi all! I had an email today inviting me to the group OPC stage 1 testing! I’m going in the first week of March. Anyone else? I believe it’s from my Coventry application. I’m excited though unsure what to expect! Does anyone have insight on what tests are included? I saw above that test materials are usually sent a week in advance but I’d like to get a head start if I can. Thanks!
If you do some searching on here mate you'll find all the tests that are done for stage 1 and stage 2.
Stage 1 will be:
- Attention-based (group bourdon and Tea-Occ)
- Trainability (TRP1 and TRP2)
All the best.
SoT390
Member
Hi, I applied for Crewe depot and have had an email about an OPC online sift taking place soon and that it'll be sent out in due course. Does anyone know what sort of assessment this online sift consists of? Many thanks