Assessments & Medicals discussion

[TFL_Rocks]

Hi ,

I recently applied for a trainee driver position.

Just wanted to get more information on the test which I have to complete.

The test is the M7 Situational Judgement Test – 60 mins

Also says

If you are successful on the M7 you may then only have to sit/re-sit certain elements of the face-to-face testing for the Avanti enhanced standard, for example, you may be asked to sit/re-sit the Group Bourdon and CBI Interview.

Never quite understood this part?

Any help will be appreciated from anyone who has been through these tests or knows someone who has.


Many thanks

 

[Unobrow]

Hi ,

I recently applied for a trainee driver position.

Just wanted to get more information on the test which I have to complete.

The test is the M7 Situational Judgement Test – 60 mins

Also says

If you are successful on the M7 you may then only have to sit/re-sit certain elements of the face-to-face testing for the Avanti enhanced standard, for example, you may be asked to sit/re-sit the Group Bourdon and CBI Interview.

Never quite understood this part?

Any help will be appreciated from anyone who has been through these tests or knows someone who has.


Many thanks

Basically, if you’ve sat the phsycometrics before and passed, but some are not to Avanti pass marks standards, you would have to resit those tests again to try and achieve their required pass marks. If you’ve never sat them, then you’ll be doing them all anyway.

 

[freddie93]

Has anyone attended the DMI & assessment day for northern? Mine is next week just looking for any tips advice. Psychometric day has already been passed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==

Thanks in advance

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==

Hi,

Passed my DMI in October, got the call for the medical and the conditional offer around middle of January and approx a week later got my formal offer and start date for the course. It really seems to vary from TOC to TOC and also depot dependant on demand and availability.

Hi, congrats! Which TOC as this? Just looking for advice on DMI day as mine is next week, thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==

Not something you can really prepare for in terms of the tasks. Treat the whole day is one big interview, stand out, be friendly and listen to people in the group tasks. Don’t sit back and let other people do the task. The group task is more about how you work with others not getting the correct answer (no one ever gets it).

Lego test I found the hardest. Try not to overthink and do the best you can. I didn’t answer every question correctly but still passed.

And the 3rd task if you can’t sit through a 30min video and count signals and the colours you shouldn’t be a train driver haha.

Thanks for the response. Would you mind sending me a PM?

 

[mld]

Has anyone attended the DMI & assessment day for northern? Mine is next week just looking for any tips advice. Psychometric day has already been passed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==

Thanks in advance

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==


Hi, congrats! Which TOC as this? Just looking for advice on DMI day as mine is next week, thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==


Thanks for the response. Would you mind sending me a PM?

Has anyone attended the DMI & assessment day for northern? Mine is next week just looking for any tips advice. Psychometric day has already been passed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==

Thanks in advance

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==


Hi, congrats! Which TOC as this? Just looking for advice on DMI day as mine is next week, thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==


Thanks for the response. Would you mind sending me a PM?

Have you read the northern thread? There’s loads of info about the assessment day on there

 

[freddie93]

Have you read the northern thread? There’s loads of info about the assessment day on there

I have for the psychometric and MMI day which I have already passed, but struggling to find any information on the DMI & assessment day. It seems like there is not a lot of information on this section at all

 

[mld]

I have for the psychometric and MMI day which I have already passed, but struggling to find any information on the DMI & assessment day. It seems like there is not a lot of information on this section at all

There’s loads of information about the assessment day and Dmi, I know I did a big post on it and someone else wrote paragraphs about their experience.

 

[rjs450]

Passed my DMI with GTR and I'm now in the trainee driver talent pool for Brighton! I know these things can take a while but does anybody have any recent experience on potential wait times for a start date?

 

[Burrowl]

Hello,

Can I find out if anyone else has failed the verbal communication component of the multi-modal interview? Just in case we can swap experiences/ knowledge.

Thanks,

 

[Purplerain77]

Passed my DMI with GTR and I'm now in the trainee driver talent pool for Brighton! I know these things can take a while but does anybody have any recent experience on potential wait times for a start date?

Hey! I’m currently going through this process for GTR (thameslink specifically) got my stage 2 at the opc soon and kinda curious about how the days gonna go and what’s involved, how the MMI was. How was yours?

 

[RDJW18]

Hi guys,

Just after people’s opinion. I’ve been offered two assessment centres for trainee driver with two different TOCs. One this month and one next month. Obviously I’m aware I cannot do both.

One TOC does the tests over one day where the other does it over two days. In your opinion what do you reckon is the better option ?

 

[rjs450]

Hey! I’m currently going through this process for GTR (thameslink specifically) got my stage 2 at the opc soon and kinda curious about how the days gonna go and what’s involved, how the MMI was. How was yours?

I've taken the MMI twice as I failed first time round and the best advice I can give is practice as much as you can. If you look through the forum you'll find plenty of questions they might ask you and you can prepare for them. They ask plenty of probing questions during the interview and try put you under a bit of pressure but if you talk clearly and slowly you'll be fine.

 

[Purplerain77]

I've taken the MMI twice as I failed first time round and the best advice I can give is practice as much as you can. If you look through the forum you'll find plenty of questions they might ask you and you can prepare for them. They ask plenty of probing questions during the interview and try put you under a bit of pressure but if you talk clearly and slowly you'll be fine.

Thank you!

 

[Juleshb]

Im through to the next step for northern rail which is to complete an online assessment through the Maki platform.
There will be 3 activities:
cognitive aptitude by doing a perceptual speed test (12 mins).

Personality traits - resilience (8 mins).
Safety - 8 mins

Has anyone done them (any heads up with what they entail) and is there anything you can do to practice?

 

[md81]

I've taken the MMI twice as I failed first time round and the best advice I can give is practice as much as you can. If you look through the forum you'll find plenty of questions they might ask you and you can prepare for them. They ask plenty of probing questions during the interview and try put you under a bit of pressure but if you talk clearly and slowly you'll be fine.

what was your error first time? I recently failed my MMI, dont want to make the same mistakes.

 

[Brickz]

Hi guys,

Just after people’s opinion. I’ve been offered two assessment centres for trainee driver with two different TOCs. One this month and one next month. Obviously I’m aware I cannot do both.

One TOC does the tests over one day where the other does it over two days. In your opinion what do you reckon is the better option ?

Personally I'd say agree to do both for now as if you pass all the tests this month you can email the OPC via the email link regarding the toc for next month saying you've passed them which they will check to confirm and if all is good you'll skip the OPC testing for the 2nd toc and continue straight to next stage.

 

[Jools619]

Im through to the next step for northern rail which is to complete an online assessment through the Maki platform.
There will be 3 activities:
cognitive aptitude by doing a perceptual speed test (12 mins).

Personality traits - resilience (8 mins).
Safety - 8 mins

Has anyone done them (any heads up with what they entail) and is there anything you can do to practice?

I have also recieved the link to take the Maki Test for Northern Rail.
How did you find out that the three activities you mentioned (Cognitive aptitude, Personality traits & Safety) will be on the test?
Just wondering as my inivitation email from Northern only really includes the link to test.

I found this site useful https://www.how2become.com/careers/train-driver/

 

[freddie93]

Congrats on passing your psychometrics and MMI

It appears I've done the process the other way around, I've passed the selection day (DMI and assessments) but have my psychometrics and MMI still to come.

Can't seem to PM yet annoyingly.

Hey Patrick, just wondering if you received my PM. Not sure if it’s managed to send!

 

[Juleshb]

I have also recieved the link to take the Maki Test for Northern Rail.
How did you find out that the three activities you mentioned (Cognitive aptitude, Personality traits & Safety) will be on the test?
Just wondering as my inivitation email from Northern only really includes the link to test.

I found this site useful https://www.how2become.com/careers/train-driver/

I clicked into the link and started the process. It tells you a couple of pages in once you've created and account

 

[Jack The Lad]

Just had a date come through for the medical next week! Still really nervous about the BMI but everything else is tip top! Will update when I get my results.

 

[aw123]

Ive just reveived an invitation for the first stage task based assesment. Any inside knowledge would be good c

 

[StuartWatt]

Hi guys,
Can anyone point me in the direction of learning material for the Northern Rail Online assessment? Need to do mine by the 17th, but wanted to see if there are any websites or discussions I can look up?
Cheers
Stu.

 

[freddie93]

Hi guys,
Can anyone point me in the direction of learning material for the Northern Rail Online assessment? Need to do mine by the 17th, but wanted to see if there are any websites or discussions I can look up?
Cheers
Stu.

I wouldn’t say there’s much material to go at to be honest, certainly not at this stage. One assessment is perceptual speed, think there’s about 15 questions to answer in 8 minutes. Then there are two personality trait tests, so what would you do in a certain scenario and you chose most likely and least likely out of 4 options. It’s also timed but I can’t remember the time or amount of questions, sorry!

 

[Miltsey!]

Just had a date come through for the medical next week! Still really nervous about the BMI but everything else is tip top! Will update when I get my results.

My BMI was high - it just meant that they carry out other steps. They don’t rely solely on your BMI but if it is over a certain figure the will add in additional assessments/considerations. I still successfully passed. Good luck!

 

[Jack The Lad]

My BMI was high - it just meant that they carry out other steps. They don’t rely solely on your BMI but if it is over a certain figure the will add in additional assessments/considerations. I still successfully passed. Good luck!

Hi mate, really appreciate this as it makes me feel much more at ease! Am I right in thinking that the additional tests are checking if your arms move freely, you can bend down etc. I also have Medigold as my assessor so hopefully no issues on the day! Congratulations on passing yourself!

 

[Miltsey!]

Hi mate, really appreciate this as it makes me feel much more at ease! Am I right in thinking that the additional tests are checking if your arms move freely, you can bend down etc. I also have Medigold as my assessor so hopefully no issues on the day! Congratulations on passing yourself!

Thank you! Mobility etc is monitored throughout (even down to getting you to take shoes off/on - getting up onto the table for the ECG etc). Mine was with Medigold. For me, they measured my neck due to my higher BMI - at that point I was told that everything was fine and she didn’t have to carry out the other checks. I was really worried about the medical due to my BMI but I really feel like they look at the whole picture. Easier said than done but try not to worry about it - if only due to it being something you can’t change by next week!

 

[VLxKX]

I just had my DMI with GTR rail and after the interview they started talking to me about pay and Rosta and do I have any holidays booked is that a good thing or do they ask every one they interview?

Hi, which depot was it and would you mind sharing how it went pls? I’m waiting to book mine.

 

[HogwartsExpres]

Hello I have my medical in may for my job as a trainee train driver what should I expect in my medical when will I find out if I’ve passed and is there a limit on how much hearing or eye sight loss can this make you fail thanks in advance

 

[Psalms3418]

Passed my DMI with GTR and I'm now in the trainee driver talent pool for Brighton! I know these things can take a while but does anybody have any recent experience on potential wait times for a start date?

Congratulations!
How did they let you know that you had passed? Was it by phone call or email?

GTR tend to run a fair few courses throughout the year from what I’ve heard, but getting a course date will be dependent on which franchise and the needs of the depot etc

Best of luck to you!

 

[TrainEnthusia]

I recently attend the test centre and completed the 3 computer test, but hadn't done the paper ones yet. I passed the computer ones, then got an email saying my assessments were complete and to wait for a interview next.

Are the paper tests sometimes not needed then?

 

[NSEWonderer]

I recently attend the test centre and completed the 3 computer test, but hadn't done the paper ones yet. I passed the computer ones, then got an email saying my assessments were complete and to wait for a interview next.

Are the paper tests sometimes not needed then?

Probably a generic email, you'll definitely get pulled in for the paper ones at some point.