Assessments & Medicals discussion

[rz8xy]

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.

Yes all good thanks, I officially start in July

 

[Drivingtales]

I have very recently passed psychometric tests to enhanced with WMT. I failed my DMI though.
I have now applied for Chiltern, they are asking me to go OPC to do VSE test.

If I was to fail the VSE, would this cancel out all my other tests that I have already passed? Group bourbon, Tea-occ, MMI etc
I dont want to jepodise my enhanced passes if you catch my drift.

 

[HeelBurton]

I have very recently passed psychometric tests to enhanced with WMT. I failed my DMI though.
I have now applied for Chiltern, they are asking me to go OPC to do VSE test.

If I was to fail the VSE, would this cancel out all my other tests that I have already passed? Group bourbon, Tea-occ, MMI etc
I dont want to jepodise my enhanced passes if you catch my drift.

Doesn’t cancel

 

[Drivingtales]

Doesn’t cancel

Ok... but im guessing if I fail the VSE, I couldnt apply for TOCs that use VSE, but i could apply foe those that dont require it.

Anyone have an idea of which TOCS dont use VSE test??

 

[electricdreams]

‎

 

[Reactor Scram]

Good afternoon all,

Would anyone who's attended RCG psychometrics in recent months be willing to share the MMI questions they were asked, please, either here or by DM?

I feel as prepared as I can be for the computerised and written tests, but the MMI is worrying me. I've prepared STAR examples to the most common questions I've seen via searching this forum, and believe I have the Non Technical Skills they're looking for regardless, but I'm just worried about getting that across if I'm blindsided by the questions and struggle to think of examples on the spot.

Ultimately I'll get on with it and adapt on the day, but I don't see the harm in using my time wisely to revise as accurately as possible.

Cheers

When I was applying for driver jobs I did a lot of research into the MMI and how it works. The questions are set by RSSB and are standard across every interview but the wording can vary slightly. They haven't changed since the MMI was introduced in 2013. I collated the following questions from posts on this forum, elsewhere on the internet and my own experience of sitting two MMIs:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Question about rules and procedures

Describe a time when you had to follow rules and procedures.

When have you previously had to follow strict rules to complete a process?

Tell me about a time you've had to follow rules or step-by-step procedures to complete a task.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Question about tenacity and persistence

Describe a time you have been on a training course over 2 weeks.

Give an example of where you had to persevere whilst learning.

Describe a time when you’ve had to work hard to achieve something.

Tell me about a time when you have had to work hard and persevere to learn something new
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 Question about a role similar to train driver/working alone

Describe a role you have previously done similar to a train driver.

Describe a time you completed a task similar to a task a train driver does.

Tell me about a task or job you have undertaken that shares similarities with the train driver role.

Describe a role which you think is similar to a train driver.

Describe a time when you have worked for long periods of time alone.

Tell me about a time where you've had to work for long periods of time alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 Question about working to a high standard

Give an example of a situation where it was important that you did not make a mistake.

Describe a time when you have worked to a very high standard.

Tell me about a time you had to do something where it was very important not to make a mistake.

Describe a time you had to maintain a high standard of work while under pressure
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 Question about an emergency

Describe a time you have handled an emergency situation.

Describe a time where you've been involved in an emergency or unexpected situation.

Give an example of a time when you have had to deal with an emergency, either in or outside work.

Tell me about a time you had to deal with an emergency.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 Question about difficult situations

Describe a time you had to complete a task in the face of difficulty.

Describe a time when you have solved a difficult problem.

Give an example of a time you gave good service whilst experiencing difficulty.

Tell me about a time when you had to overcome significant difficulties to complete something.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the driver manager interview it's more like a normal job interview and they could ask you anything but the MMI is highly structured and they'll always ask you a question from each of those six topics. The follow up probing or hypothetical questions you're asked are based on your answers to the situational judgement test carried out before the MMI (not to be confused with any SJT they may give you as part of your application before you get to the official RSSB/OPC assessments). I believe the results of the SJT affect the way your MMI answers are scored but I have no proof of that.

From the GWR thread.

 

[electricdreams]

‎

 

[UTV1982]

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!

Hi, did you ever find an answer for this? As I feel I'm going to be in the same situation as you.

 

[Pablo 45]

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.

Hello Grooveline

Hope you are well. Which depot did you applied for? Are you in the course already? Or currently training or already working? Thanks

 

[GrooveLine]

Hello Grooveline

Hope you are well. Which depot did you applied for? Are you in the course already? Or currently training or already working? Thanks

Hello Pablo45

Im well thank you. I applied for a Shunter role with Southeastern. I didnt get the post. But I did get lots of train driving assessments done which has been useful for another application I have pending.

 

[Covnarcom]

Hi, did you ever find an answer for this? As I feel I'm going to be in the same situation as you.

I got a message from someone saying preferably below 130-140 for systolic pressure.

 

[Spyder01]

A good friend of mine is applying for a trainee driver job. He has a diagnosis of ADHD and can choose whether to take medication or not. I appreciate that any prescribed drug needs clearing with occupational health, but is there any knowledge of drivers being allowed/disallowed to drive if prescribed these drugs? Any guidance or knowledge appreciated

 

[RiverDon]

This is just a comment and not meant as a judgement but train driving probably isn't the best career for someone if they have problems with concentration and/or need lots of stimulation. Just googling a list of symptoms gives literally the opposite of a list of skills needed to be a successful train driver:

Symptoms of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

• Inattention in situations where concentration is needed
• Frequently overlooks details or makes careless mistakes
• Often has difficulty maintaining focus on one task or activity
• Often appears not to be listening when spoken to, including when there is no obvious distraction
• Frequently does not finish following instructions or fails to complete tasks
• Often struggles to organise tasks and activities, fails to meet deadlines
• Is frequently reluctant to engage in tasks which require sustained attention
• Frequently loses items required for tasks and activities and struggles to keep belongings in order
• Is frequently easily distracted by extraneous stimuli, including thoughts
• Often forgets daily activities or is forgetful while completing them

 

[Darandio]

This is just a comment and not meant as a judgement but train driving probably isn't the best career for someone if they have problems with concentration and/or need lots of stimulation. Just googling a list of symptoms gives literally the opposite of a list of skills needed to be a successful train driver:

That's why medication exists to ease those symptoms and medical professionals are there during the recruitment process to assess suitability.

And yes you absolutely did pass judgement.

 

[RiverDon]

I knew somebody wouldn't like it! I stand by it, train driving isn't the right job for someone who cannot concentrate for long periods of time.

 

[Busboy]

Does anyone have any info on what they ask you and how to go about making the best impression, I’ve passed my assessments with SWR and just waiting on the call to come in for interviews, so any help will be appreciated.

 

[Jack The Lad]

Hi, did you ever find an answer for this? As I feel I'm going to be in the same situation as you.

Hi Both,

I was recently worried about this as I take blood pressure medication as a young hypertensive. With Medication my reading on the day was 148/86 and this was passed fine, I think he mentioned if it was 150/90 or higher for either Systolic or Diastolic it would be flagged for review with BP home readings to be provided, but I passed all fine and now start in 2 weeks time.

Generally seems to be fairly receptive to readings and understanding if you take medication, but I would imagine for a home reading they would want around/below the 150/90 mark resting, deep breaths and sitting still for a time all help lower BP ahead of a home reading.

Best of luck to you both!

 

[Twin82]

Hello, I have a question. If you've passed the test centre assessment at enhanced standard and wanted to apply to other TOC’s, do you need to prove you already passed the assessments? Do you still have to sit the online assessment or do you go straight to the interview stage?

 

[Jovis]

Hello, I have a question. If you've passed the test centre assessment at enhanced standard and wanted to apply to other TOC’s, do you need to prove you already passed the assessments? Do you still have to sit the online assessment or do you go straight to the interview stage?

You will still need to sit online sift assesments but you may skip OPC assesment if your scores are good enough.

 

[Twin82]

You will still need to sit online sift assesments but you may skip OPC assesment if your scores are good enough.

Thanks for replying. Just apply as normal?

 

[AndrewJC]

Hi all,

I’ve got my OPC assessment day on the 28th of May. I’m revising and going through the practise material that I’ve been given. When you’re doing the AART at the assessment day, I was curious to find out the duration of time the image stays on the screen before disappearing. The practise material I have, the image literally flashes on and off the screen in less than a second and I’m finding it almost impossible to pass.

Any advice is also welcome. Thank you.

 

[bruebunny]

Hi all,

I’ve got my OPC assessment day on the 28th of May. I’m revising and going through the practise material that I’ve been given. When you’re doing the AART at the assessment day, I was curious to find out the duration of time the image stays on the screen before disappearing. The practise material I have, the image literally flashes on and off the screen in less than a second and I’m finding it almost impossible to pass.

Any advice is also welcome. Thank you.

That's pretty accurate to how it is in the real tests, honestly. It's not enough time to take everything in, you just have to kinda go with your gut and try and remember as much as you can in the flash.

 

[lee1234]

I think this is a promotional video from the company that makes the AVAVT test equipment and it might help you get an idea of what to expect in terms of timing.

ATAVT Adaptive Tachistoscopic Traffic Perception Test (Vienna Test System)

I've been told practicing with random google maps street views can help too. Start with 2-3 seconds, get your accuracy up, and then get quicker over time.

 

[marcho]

Hi all. I have accepted a conditional offer for a signaller position, and am due to start late June. Any idea of how long it takes for the company to reach out to get the medical arranged, and is the drugs and alcohol test completed at the same time. I have to travel for work in the second week of June and I'm trying to preempt any conflicts of dates.

 

[RyanMD]

Hi all. I have accepted a conditional offer for a signaller position, and am due to start late June. Any idea of how long it takes for the company to reach out to get the medical arranged, and is the drugs and alcohol test completed at the same time. I have to travel for work in the second week of June and I'm trying to preempt any conflicts of dates.

I had this issue mate and I just reached out to HR and told them. They sorted my medical pretty quick and yeah drugs/alcohol test was done same time

 

[Massen]

Today I completed my psychometric assessment, which I’m really really really happy about.

Just lying here wondering to myself what happens next?

Does the TOC I applied for offer me a job based on this? Are there further assessments, interviews or whatever else? Do I apply for other TOCs and let them know I passed the assessments in my application?

Might seem like a daft line of enquiry but I’m just curious what happens next or what I should do next.

My current assumption is that I’d be asked for some form of final interview with the TOC I applied for but as it took 6 weeks to receive my initial online assessment results I’m not looking forward to another tense wait.

Cheers

 

[Purplerain77]

Have you done the in person psychometric assessments? Only asking as it seems with your final statement that the online one was the last thing you did.

Assuming no, your next stage is being offered to attend more assessments in person. These could be over 2 different days or 1 whole day depending on the TOC. There are 2 types of assessments paper and computer, there is a whole thread on here about them and specific ones to different TOCs too. You’d need to pass all of these to continue to what is called the MMI. This is one of 2 interviews you’ll complete if successful.

In regards to these assessments, you only have 3 attempts ever. If you fail them once you wait a year and can attempt them again. If the second attempt isn’t successful then you wait 5 years. Also the MMI interview is included within these psychometric assessments so if you fail this then you still have to wait a year.

Your final stage if all goes well will be an interview with the driver manager of your chosen depot. Before a job offer is made pending medical results.

Sometimes TOCs do the MMI and DMI (driver manager interview) the other way round but it all works the same you still do both.

Hope that helps, happy to answer more questions

 

[Massen]

Have you done the in person psychometric assessments?

yeah, thats what I completed today

 

[Purplerain77]

yeah, thats what I completed today

Ah okay, I did a longer reply added onto this. Sorry if most of it is what you already know. If you’ve passed your psychometric paper and computer assessments then it’ll be the 2 interviews next, of course only the 1 if you’ve already done one with your assessments

 

[Massen]

Ah okay, I did a longer reply added onto this. Sorry if most of it is what you already know. If you’ve passed your psychometric paper and computer assessments then it’ll be the 2 interviews next, of course only the 1 if you’ve already done one with your assessments

No worries, I just read it and thank you for the reply.

I had the multimodal interview today after the assessment so I guess it’s just one more to go for me then.