Assessments & Medicals discussion

[GrooveLine]

Yes and no as ultimately even if you've passed your MMI via a toc/foc then apply for another they can see ask you to re-take any of the assessments especially is your pass mark doesn’t reach whatever their minimum pass mark is. If you do both a CBI and MMI whichever was the most recent you done is will be the valid score and the previous one becomes invalid if that makes sence?

Yes that does make sense. So basically I personally need to totally smash my first MMI and be all-TOC-worthy.

It's funny the mist cleared later for me that psychometric is about our psychological behaviour. I found a book about Emotional Intelligence and realised that the MMI and DMI is a lot to do with measuring (amongst other things) Emotional Intelligence and whether one has star competencies (ability to go above and beyond etc) and also the wonderful fact that we can improve our Non Technical Skills by experiences and challenging ourselves. End of novel.

 

[Twin82]

Got it. Do you know if it’s 4 days or 5 days?

 

[TheBuffalo]

Hi, Im registered sight impaired and can only see out of one eye. Are there any jobs I could do on the railway? (Not driver obviously and I'm guessing not guard either)

 

[RobotBen91]

Hi, Im registered sight impaired and can only see out of one eye. Are there any jobs I could do on the railway? (Not driver obviously and I'm guessing not guard either)

Not sure what the rule is but worth checking with recruitment. If you can see perfectly well out of the other eye it might be fine.

 

[BigEasy]

That’s a good point you mentioned there bud. Any idea what the other TOC’s work life is like? As you mentioned, GTR operate on a 4 day on, 3 day off basis, having Sundays off. I know a couple of drivers who work at the Victoria and Selhurst depots respectively. Sure that’s what they said. Would be nice to know what arrangement the other TOC’s have.

GTR drivers work an average of 35 hours a week over four days, so you effectively get 9 days off in 21. But you could be rostered on for 7 consecutive days and are expected to work one in three Sundays.

 

[Twin82]

three

Oh dear. The latter is what I currently do as a bus driver. Would the be company or depot dependent?

 

[TheBuffalo]

Not sure what the rule is but worth checking with recruitment. If you can see perfectly well out of the other eye it might be fine.

I was just wondering in general. With glasses it's not perfect so I know I can't do any safety critical stuff, just curious which roles don't need 20/20 vision haha

 

[Jovis]

Hey guys,
I have been reading that usually if you fail part of the tests when you are in OPC assesment center they send you home mid day, I was doing my stage 1 and they didn't send anybody home they told us we will get our results later (i was doing this for Arriva), in my stage 2 invite again it lists all the computer tests +trp1b trp2 and MMI I was wondering will they send people who fail home this time or everybody will get a chance to do MMI because I would imagine to do MMI will take a lot of time and to have all 10/12 people interview will be long? I was doing my testing in Watford,London anybody knows?

 

[GrooveLine]

Hey guys,
I have been reading that usually if you fail part of the tests when you are in OPC assesment center they send you home mid day, I was doing my stage 1 and they didn't send anybody home they told us we will get our results later (i was doing this for Arriva), in my stage 2 invite again it lists all the computer tests +trp1b trp2 and MMI I was wondering will they send people who fail home this time or everybody will get a chance to do MMI because I would imagine to do MMI will take a lot of time and to have all 10/12 people interview will be long? I was doing my testing in Watford,London anybody knows?

When I did the assessment for Southeastern Trainee train shunter role,.they did stage one and two in one hit, except for the MMI. They did the paper tests in the morning, then those who didnt pass were sent home. Then the computer tests in the afternoon and then we got our feedback shortly after, and those that didnt pass went home. The rest stayed behind to talk about dates for DMI (which SE did before MMI). Hope that helps.

It sounds like it works differently with timing of feedback, if they separate the two sets of tests maybe. Hope that helps.

 

[itsmejuniior]

Hey guys,
I have been reading that usually if you fail part of the tests when you are in OPC assesment center they send you home mid day, I was doing my stage 1 and they didn't send anybody home they told us we will get our results later (i was doing this for Arriva), in my stage 2 invite again it lists all the computer tests +trp1b trp2 and MMI I was wondering will they send people who fail home this time or everybody will get a chance to do MMI because I would imagine to do MMI will take a lot of time and to have all 10/12 people interview will be long? I was doing my testing in Watford,London anybody knows?

If you don't pass the assessments you get sent home without a chance to do the MMI. You only get that opportunity if you pass the tests

 

[A ASHRAF]

Hello everyone,
I'm posting here for the first time, so hopefully it's in the appropriate place.

After my trainee train driver assessment day with GTR, I received an email informing me that I had passed! We completed all of the tests on the day of the assessment, beginning with the dots test and concluding with the online assessments. We didn't complete the MMI that day, but we did finish our brief responses to the six questions.
The email I received congratulated me on passing and stated that the Driver Manager Interview is the next step, and they would get in touch with me once they have scheduled it with a nearby depot.
Has anyone else experienced this before?
Regards in advance!

 

[Cclee93]

Has anyone got any information about the assessment day for jobs within control?
I might have a spot on the next assessment day for a customer controller and have no idea what to expect and no idea how I can prepare for it (if that’s even possible)

Thanks!

 

[BigEasy]

Hello everyone,
I'm posting here for the first time, so hopefully it's in the appropriate place.

After my trainee train driver assessment day with GTR, I received an email informing me that I had passed! We completed all of the tests on the day of the assessment, beginning with the dots test and concluding with the online assessments. We didn't complete the MMI that day, but we did finish our brief responses to the six questions.
The email I received congratulated me on passing and stated that the Driver Manager Interview is the next step, and they would get in touch with me once they have scheduled it with a nearby depot.
Has anyone else experienced this before?
Regards in advance!

Yes, GTR often do the DMI before the MMI.

 

[ad00am]

Hi all,

Regarding medicals for train drivers, I wondered if anyone had any experience of being unable to meet the vision requirements and instead having to obtain a derogation to the standards.

In my case my prescription is -4.5 (SPH) myopia with an additional -3.25 (CYL) for an astigmatism. I'm assuming both will be considered as part of the -8.0 myopia limit.

The legislation states:

'Derogations may be authorised in exceptional cases and after having obtained the opinion of an eye specialist; the recognised doctor then takes the decision’.

Many thanks

 

[Covnarcom]

Hi all,

Just had a medical today for a train dispatcher role at Greater Anglia and I was classed “temporarily unfit” due to my blood pressure (the clinician didn’t say what it was - just that it was a bit high). This makes sense to me as I’ve just recently come off BP meds due to some nasty side effects and I’m in the middle of a medication review, so at present I’m technically not being treated - hence the high blood pressure.

I’ve been told I’ll be passed fit if I provide them with 4 days’ worth of blood pressure readings but I don’t know what number they’re looking for. Is having the readings enough for them? Does anyone know what numbers they consider “unfit”?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[whitby26]

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?

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?

How did you get on ?

 

[RobotBen91]

Just had an email from GWR saying all 2026/27 positions have been filled but my application remains active in the reserve list. Looks like its going to be a very very very long wait for those of us in Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance.

 

[lee1234]

Apologies in advance if this question has been answered elsewhere on the forum.

For the ATAVT Perception Test, how large is the image that is flashed up, and how long does it stay on the screen?

For example is it a full screen image, is it half the size of a screen, is it there for 1 second or 2 seconds etc.

I'd like to prepare for an upcoming test and I want to make sure I'm using street images which are about the same size as they will be at the assessment centre. There is no point me showing myself images for 5 seconds if they only appear for 2.

Many thanks

 

[Purplerain77]

How did you get on ?

Really good! Passed them all, out of the 10 there apparently only 2 passed the MMI including me. Just waiting on a date for DMI, should be soon apparently.

The MMI was the most relaxed thing I’ve ever done. It was more a conversation about my examples and lots was asked about them that they kept saying this is just my curiosity!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 May 2026 ==

Apologies in advance if this question has been answered elsewhere on the forum.

For the ATAVT Perception Test, how large is the image that is flashed up, and how long does it stay on the screen?

For example is it a full screen image, is it half the size of a screen, is it there for 1 second or 2 seconds etc.

I'd like to prepare for an upcoming test and I want to make sure I'm using street images which are about the same size as they will be at the assessment centre. There is no point me showing myself images for 5 seconds if they only appear for 2.

Many thanks

Hi, I did this last week. The images as I can remember were pretty much full screen. As for the time they are up for I’d say 0.5 of a second. Maybe a tad longer like a second, not long at all though.

 

[whitby26]

Really good! Passed them all, out of the 10 there apparently only 2 passed the MMI including me. Just waiting on a date for DMI, should be soon apparently.

The MMI was the most relaxed thing I’ve ever done. It was more a conversation about my examples and lots was asked about them that they kept saying this is just my curiosity!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 May 2026 ==


Hi, I did this last week. The images as I can remember were pretty much full screen. As for the time they are up for I’d say 0.5 of a second. Maybe a tad longer like a second, not long at all though.

Waiting for my DMI as well been 2 months so far

 

[Jovis]

Really good! Passed them all, out of the 10 there apparently only 2 passed the MMI including me. Just waiting on a date for DMI, should be soon apparently.

The MMI was the most relaxed thing I’ve ever done. It was more a conversation about my examples and lots was asked about them that they kept saying this is just my curiosity!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 May 2026 ==


Hi, I did this last week. The images as I can remember were pretty much full screen. As for the time they are up for I’d say 0.5 of a second. Maybe a tad longer like a second, not long at all though.

Hey was MMI the 6 questions?

1. Give an example of a time which demonstrates you can be relied upon to do a job well, even when in the face of difficulties?

2. Give an example of a time when you had to do a task where it was important to not make a mistake

3. Give an example of a time you have been required to follow strict rules and procedures?

4. Describe a situation where you have had to take control of a pressurised or emergency situation?

5. Give an example of a situation where you have had to really preserve to learn or achieve something?

6. Give an example of a task you have undertaken that you think is similar to a task within the train driver role?

These are the ones I found on the forum apparently asked most frequent just double checking?

 

[Purplerain77]

Waiting for my DMI as well been 2 months so far

Wow, what company and depot did you apply for?

 

[whitby26]

Wow, what company and depot did you apply for?

GTR on the phone they said at albuns or Cricklewood

 

[Purplerain77]

GTR on the phone they said at albuns or Cricklewood

Ah okay, same with me GTR specifically Thameslink for Orpington

 

[SmugStarlord]

Hi everyone, im new on here, so bar le with me. I have my first assessment center booked in next month with GWR for trainee train driver. Ive been practicing with the materials they sent me plus I got a book off amazon from how2become. Ive also read on here there are some pinned practice stuff for the computer assessments but havent found then yet.
What I would like to ask is, once (and if) i pass the assessments, what comes next? Nerves are setting in a bit, more because this is a dream career for me, Regardless of the benefits

 

[BarneyGumble]

Hey guys,

I get a lot of varied answers about the length of the MMI, the average answer seems to be an hour but I've seen some as low as 30 mins whereas I recently spoke to a SWR driver who said his MMI was over 3 hours!

Does the length vary based on how much information you present first hand or is it really just dictated by the TOC? So if you are incredibly thorough with your answers they won't feel the need to press for more and thus you get a shorter interview? Or will they probe just for the sake of unnerving you?

My second question is I was under the assumption GWR was at the national standard instead of enhanced. But I've seen one post here at some point stating GWR's MMI is at the enhanced standard..

I'm hoping everything goes well since my MMI is later this month with GWR. But I have to admit the process is certainly coming across as quite mysterious at the moment.

 

[rz8xy]

Hey guys,

I get a lot of varied answers about the length of the MMI, the average answer seems to be an hour but I've seen some as low as 30 mins whereas I recently spoke to a SWR driver who said his MMI was over 3 hours!

Does the length vary based on how much information you present first hand or is it really just dictated by the TOC? So if you are incredibly thorough with your answers they won't feel the need to press for more and thus you get a shorter interview? Or will they probe just for the sake of unnerving you?

My second question is I was under the assumption GWR was at the national standard instead of enhanced. But I've seen one post here at some point stating GWR's MMI is at the enhanced standard..

I'm hoping everything goes well since my MMI is later this month with GWR. But I have to admit the process is certainly coming across as quite mysterious at the moment.

Mine was with a different toc, I was in and out in 40 mins, chatted about the answers i wrote down for the 6 questions and asked couple of 'how would you feel if' type of questions. Was very relaxed and was more of a chat back and fore, I actually really enjoyed mine.

 

[BarneyGumble]

Mine was with a different toc, I was in and out in 40 mins, chatted about the answers i wrote down for the 6 questions and asked couple of 'how would you feel if' type of questions. Was very relaxed and was more of a chat back and fore, I actually really enjoyed mine.

I'm hoping you passed! I'm cautiously optimistic because my current role is a train guard and I feel I can go in with a good structure. I just need to maintain my composure and make sure I keep a good pace with my answers.

 

[Unobrow]

Hi everyone, im new on here, so bar le with me. I have my first assessment center booked in next month with GWR for trainee train driver. Ive been practicing with the materials they sent me plus I got a book off amazon from how2become. Ive also read on here there are some pinned practice stuff for the computer assessments but havent found then yet.
What I would like to ask is, once (and if) i pass the assessments, what comes next? Nerves are setting in a bit, more because this is a dream career for me, Regardless of the benefits

See here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/read-before-posting-jobs-careers-forum-guidelines.219781/

 

[Str1k3r]

Good afternoon!

I was invited to do first part of psychometric tests on 15 of May. On that day they said will do:
-Ishihara Colour vision;
-Group Bourdon dot test
-Tea Occ test
-Trp1b and Trp2

The past few days I prepared myself how much I could(doing tests daily using the official booklet they send me, prep materials from Railprep and even chatgpt to create more trp1b model tests with passages). For the group bourdon test I usually finish about 15 - 17 lines per sheet and on good days I did over 20 lines(multiple sheets). Tea Occ l used materials from RailPrep because they have an app there where I have to count the lower tones and also I printed a phone book where I was looking for information while counting tones. Trp2 I feel pretty confident as the materials I used had easy tests. My main concern is about Trp1b as I know myself I always was pretty sht about learning stuff and keep information in head.....how hard is trp1b? How big is the passage? How much time do I have to study the passage? And about the questions?