GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[JJBH]

I just been to OPC assessment day and failed one test before MMI - i was told i cannot do the test until another year... is that with just GWR or all TOC's, as i have a few applications in a few other toc's?

What was unusual - that one person who was in the group for assessment passed all test before with another toc so only an MMI was require by them, however we all had to do the SJT and MMI form in the beginning so that they can do the MMI for her at the start.

this kind of is unfair right? as it threw us all off the tests.

U have to wait the 1 year before u can redo the test. That’s with every TOC

 

[Mins]

U have to wait the 1 year before u can redo the test. That’s with every TOC

okay thanks

 

[Pintman]

I just been to OPC assessment day and failed one test before MMI - i was told i cannot do the test until another year... is that with just GWR or all TOC's, as i have a few applications in a few other toc's?

What was unusual - that one person who was in the group for assessment passed all test before with another toc so only an MMI was require by them, however we all had to do the SJT and MMI form in the beginning so that they can do the MMI for her at the start.

this kind of is unfair right? as it threw us all off the tests.

There's no set order for the process, did you say anything about that to the assessor?

 

[DMckduck]

I just been to OPC assessment day and failed one test before MMI - i was told i cannot do the test until another year... is that with just GWR or all TOC's, as i have a few applications in a few other toc's?

What was unusual - that one person who was in the group for assessment passed all test before with another toc so only an MMI was require by them, however we all had to do the SJT and MMI form in the beginning so that they can do the MMI for her at the start.

this kind of is unfair right? as it threw us all off the tests.

Unsure how it would throw everyone off the tests? These assessment days are what they are, you do what is asked for you when it is requested.

Unfortunately if you haven't passed on the day, you may feel aggrieved or let down by the process, but nothing unfair or unjust has occured.

 

[Mins]

There's no set order for the process, did you say anything about that to the assessor?

nah i didnt mention it as it didnt bother me, just others where saying as they been to few centers before (my first time)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2026 ==

Unsure how it would throw everyone off the tests? These assessment days are what they are, you do what is asked for you when it is requested.

Unfortunately if you haven't passed on the day, you may feel aggrieved or let down by the process, but nothing unfair or unjust has occured.

yeh i understand, to be honest i thought i wouldn't make it this far in the first place... was great learning experience and the staff were helpful and great feedback recieved.

 

[Spincity]

I just been to OPC assessment day and failed one test before MMI - i was told i cannot do the test until another year... is that with just GWR or all TOC's, as i have a few applications in a few other toc's?

What was unusual - that one person who was in the group for assessment passed all test before with another toc so only an MMI was require by them, however we all had to do the SJT and MMI form in the beginning so that they can do the MMI for her at the start.

this kind of is unfair right? as it threw us all off the tests.

So you found that because the assessment was done in a different order threw you off and was unfair. Can I suggest that the train driver job can change at short notice, you’re given curve balls, you have to respond to the unexpected. If you failed because this threw you off, can I suggest the job isn’t for you.

 

[kapek]

Hi, just looked back at my emails for the timeline. After the assessment day I got the email like yours to say I had completed it and would be contacted to book a DMI. I got that email later the same day and booked the DMI for about 3 weeks later. I guess it depends on the urgency and the availability for the depot you’ve applied to.

DMI went well thanks.

I've literally just got the invite to the interview, so I'm absolutely buzzing for it haha, must've manifested that
Thanks for the info as well

 

[Brenfield]

hi All, I've just been invited to do an assessment day at Swindon and received the practice materials book. Looking through the examples they seem slightly different that what other people have described. Do GWR do their own internal testing thats different from the OPC tests? I just want to make sure I'm practicing on the right examples.

 

[Foel1]

Had an email this morning saying I’ve completed first stage of the assessment. Waiting for stage two. Only went to the assessment centre on Tuesday in Swindon and they said we would hear in 10-14 days so quick turn around

 

[Pabl007]

hi All, I've just been invited to do an assessment day at Swindon and received the practice materials book. Looking through the examples they seem slightly different that what other people have described. Do GWR do their own internal testing thats different from the OPC tests? I just want to make sure I'm practicing on the right examples.

Hi,

The practice materials are similar and require the same skill sets but not not (deliberately I think) exactly the same. They are very helpful and worth doing and redoing. Good luck.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2026 ==

I've literally just got the invite to the interview, so I'm absolutely buzzing for it haha, must've manifested that
Thanks for the info as well

Congrats and good luck

 

[Mins]

So you found that because the assessment was done in a different order threw you off and was unfair. Can I suggest that the train driver job can change at short notice, you’re given curve balls, you have to respond to the unexpected. If you failed because this threw you off, can I suggest the job isn’t for you.

To be honest i took it as it was as i never been to an assessment center - just the others who been to many centers stated this.. but its all good, i wasn't far off, just a blip in one test at the end.. i will go again

 

[Brenfield]

Hi,

The practice materials are similar and require the same skill sets but not not (deliberately I think) exactly the same. They are very helpful and worth doing and redoing. Good luck.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2026 ==


Congrats and good luck

thanks, that's reassuring. Its my first time doing the assessments and i don't want to end up failing by practicing the wrong things.

 

[BA11Eagle]

I must say, having been on this thread since its early becomings (must be around February 2024 time) the comments made by people in response to some of the questions asked or comments made about assessment centres/interviews etc are horrendous!

Some people are not on the railway already, they haven’t done this application process before or with the new driving age being reduced to 18, never gone through something as serious as this?

If you’re going to slam people for the questions asked, save it, don’t message, don’t comment (I completely understand the opinion of some) but ultimately we’re all on this forum thread (or have used this thread) for support in the application process.

Will those being like this be the same during the training process with their colleagues? What are you going to do if you need assistance on the course? Keep quiet and figure it out yourself although you may be wrong? I’m sure GWR would prefer your communication skills were better than what is clearly being shown here!

 

[Pintman]

I must say, having been on this thread since its early becomings (must be around February 2024 time) the comments made by people in response to some of the questions asked or comments made about assessment centres/interviews etc are horrendous!

Some people are not on the railway already, they haven’t done this application process before or with the new driving age being reduced to 18, never gone through something as serious as this?

If you’re going to slam people for the questions asked, save it, don’t message, don’t comment (I completely understand the opinion of some) but ultimately we’re all on this forum thread (or have used this thread) for support in the application process.

Will those being like this be the same during the training process with their colleagues? What are you going to do if you need assistance on the course? Keep quiet and figure it out yourself although you may be wrong? I’m sure GWR would prefer your communication skills were better than what is clearly being shown here!

Is there anyone in particular you're calling out here?

 

[BA11Eagle]

thanks, that's reassuring. Its my first time doing the assessments and i don't want to end up failing by practicing the wrong things.

Couldn’t agree more with the response you received.

There are plenty of things online you can do to help with the group bourdon - I bought a word search book and timed myself working through them looking for a certain letter!

The picture test you can do online somewhere I believe also!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2026 ==

Is there anyone in particular you're calling out here?

Not at all! It would just be nice for people to either be supportive or even just advise someone that if searching for X, Y & Z, there are other places on this forum to go.

I would just worry about working with people who seem to respond to questions re a programme so abruptly and defensively!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2026 ==

Couldn’t agree more with the response you received.

There are plenty of things online you can do to help with the group bourdon - I bought a word search book and timed myself working through them looking for a certain letter!

The picture test you can do online somewhere I believe also!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2026 ==


Not at all! It would just be nice for people to either be supportive or even just advise someone that if searching for X, Y & Z, there are other places on this forum to go.

I would just worry about working with people who seem to respond to questions re a programme so abruptly and defensively!

I should add to the end of this, by no means do I actually believe I’d worry about working with this as the frustration from reading these comments come from thinking that in person and in a training course, individuals would be helpful!

It’s just the application stages

 

[Pabl007]

thanks, that's reassuring. Its my first time doing the assessments and i don't want to end up failing by practicing the wrong things.

There are quite a few possible tests but you won’t do them all so practice each one in case. The one i think you are guaranteed to do is the bourdon (dot) test. I got some books and practiced this daily. Accuracy over speed but important to be fairly swift. I did mine all in 1 day and if you passed, the MMI at the end so I had to prepare for all possible. Best advice I can give is to practice a few each day until you feel confident. Best of luck.

 

[traineeyh]

I just been to OPC assessment day and failed one test before MMI - i was told i cannot do the test until another year... is that with just GWR or all TOC's, as i have a few applications in a few other toc's?

What was unusual - that one person who was in the group for assessment passed all test before with another toc so only an MMI was require by them, however we all had to do the SJT and MMI form in the beginning so that they can do the MMI for her at the start.

this kind of is unfair right? as it threw us all off the tests.

unfortunately, it will be all TOCs

 

[benpaulbaker]

Hi, anyone waiting in the talent pool for GWR Paddington for the Heathrow line?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Feb 2026 ==


Had one a couple weeks ago and passed,

1)Tell me a time when you’ve had a disagreement with your manger?

2) Tell me a time when you’ve had to go out your way to help a customer?

3) How do you deal with repetitive tasks?

And a couple more questions I can’t remember, but also a genuine chat and remember to know a lot about the company and why you acc want to be a train driver

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Feb 2026 ==

Anyone waiting on a start date for Paddington Heathrow line?

I passed my DMI so I'm now in the talent pool for GWR Par station.
They said when a job opens they call you for medical and sort a start date for training, and the pool is ranked in order of preference from the tests and interviews.

My question... Is there any way of knowing where you sit in the order of folk in the talent pool?

If you're top or 2nd it's highly likely you'll get back call for medical and job offer in the 2 years that you're in the pool, but if further down the list, say 10th, chances of ever getting a call in the 2 years are very slim, so probably worth looking elsewhere.

 

[traineeyh]

I passed my DMI so I'm now in the talent pool for GWR Par station.
They said when a job opens they call you for medical and sort a start date for training, and the pool is ranked in order of preference from the tests and interviews.

My question... Is there any way of knowing where you sit in the order of folk in the talent pool?

If you're top or 2nd it's highly likely you'll get back call for medical and job offer in the 2 years that you're in the pool, but if further down the list, say 10th, chances of ever getting a call in the 2 years are very slim, so probably worth looking elsewhere.

Really…. Wow surprised to hear that. I was told in the interview that there is a course starting in may and another one a couple months after that.

Maybe where in different talent pools, as mines for the Heathrow line.

Could it be that?

 

[WillPlym]

I passed my DMI so I'm now in the talent pool for GWR Par station.
They said when a job opens they call you for medical and sort a start date for training, and the pool is ranked in order of preference from the tests and interviews.

My question... Is there any way of knowing where you sit in the order of folk in the talent pool?

If you're top or 2nd it's highly likely you'll get back call for medical and job offer in the 2 years that you're in the pool, but if further down the list, say 10th, chances of ever getting a call in the 2 years are very slim, so probably worth looking elsewhere.

I was told the same at my DMI. You are graded on the tests and interviews and then ranked in the pool based on your scores with the top of the pool being selected first.

Can only hope I scored high enough as I don’t think we will no where we sit/scored.

 

[I2026]

As someone in a talent pool with another TOC (and I believe scored highly) I also wonder about placings, and order. What does it actually look like on paper, a spreadsheet or a list on the wall? And how does that work when you have multiple depot applications in? I am awaiting MMI which is generally allocated once training date is offered, its the final step along with medical. I think I am in for a long wait as you can't get any information out of recruitment.

 

[benpaulbaker]

As someone in a talent pool with another TOC (and I believe scored highly) I also wonder about placings, and order. What does it actually look like on paper, a spreadsheet or a list on the wall? And how does that work when you have multiple depot applications in? I am awaiting MMI which is generally allocated once training date is offered, its the final step along with medical. I think I am in for a long wait as you can't get any information out of recruitment.

Is that a second MMI? I had one after the psychometric tests. I thought that now the DMI was done, you were through, and its literally just the medical to pass when offered a start date? Maybe your TOC works differenty?

 

[Reactor Scram]

As someone in a talent pool with another TOC (and I believe scored highly) I also wonder about placings, and order. What does it actually look like on paper, a spreadsheet or a list on the wall? And how does that work when you have multiple depot applications in? I am awaiting MMI which is generally allocated once training date is offered, its the final step along with medical. I think I am in for a long wait as you can't get any information out of recruitment.

I did MMI over a year ago with another TOC. Still waiting for a medical and start. I did DMI first and MMI was the last bit.

Looks like each company has their own way.

Don't know how you can know if your scores were high. Pass / fail on psychometrics and then DMI is scored against others.

 

[benpaulbaker]

I did MMI over a year ago with another TOC. Still waiting for a medical and start. I did DMI first and MMI was the last bit.

Looks like each company has their own way.

Don't know how you can know if your scores were high. Pass / fail on psychometrics and then DMI is scored against others.

The psychometric is scored and that score recorded, but we are only told if we passed/failed. The guy running the assessment day I did in Plymouth said that some TOCs require higher scores than others to "pass" and the TOC can see your actual score but we only get told pass/fail.

I agree though, not sure how how anyone can know how well they did vs the rest of the field, or where they sit in the mix.

 

[BA11Eagle]

At my GWR DMI I was told that the talent pool ISN’T ranked, so conflicting information out there

 

[EZ2636]

Is there a definitive answer regarding how long you can remain in a talent pool?

 

[benpaulbaker]

At my GWR DMI I was told that the talent pool ISN’T ranked, so conflicting information out there

At the end of my DMI when they asked if I had any questions, I specifically asked "if I am successful today and make the talent pool of however many people, how do you decide who to first offer any positions to"?
That was the reply I was given. They must have some order of preference.

 

[Hugo3000]

As someone in a talent pool with another TOC (and I believe scored highly) I also wonder about placings, and order. What does it actually look like on paper, a spreadsheet or a list on the wall? And how does that work when you have multiple depot applications in? I am awaiting MMI which is generally allocated once training date is offered, its the final step along with medical. I think I am in for a long wait as you can't get any information out of recruitment.

Are you sure you're in the talent pool if you haven't passed your MMI? Seems unlikely to be honest as the MMI forms part of the psychometric tests which have to be completed in order to get a job offer!

With regards to how they decide who gets a job first and who goes in a talent pool, it seems to vary not only by different TOCS, but also different depots. Some will use DMI/psych scoring whilst some will use notice periods or any other variety of factors.

 

[RobotBen91]

The talent pool is not ranked based on scores. When you pass the DMI you're at the back of the queue and move forward as people at the front start. A friend of a friend passed everything, heard nothing for 3 years then got given a start date out of nowhere so it totally depends how many people retire in that period at the depot you applied for. I did my DMI for Exeter. I was told 2026 or 27.

 

[officewalla]

I was told by the hiring manager at my company when I enquired about progress on my application that the selection for a training place is done blind and all that is seen at this stage of the process is the scores on the doors. If you are an internal candidate then you jump the queue but still get pulled out in scores order. On my course the average time for a external candidate in the pool was about 2 years and for an internal candidate it was less than 6 months and the internal trainees on my course were inferior in almost every way to the external candidates.; take what you will away from this observation! Of course the scores are used and the DMI is very much an interview to see if you are a good fit at the depot for which you are applying nothing more and nothing less.