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Assessments & Medicals discussion

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
214
Location
Wandsworth Road
is this the norm for GTR (southern)? Invited to assessment day in march which was for psychometric tests & computer tests. Come the afternoon the computers weren’t working so not all tests completed, however the test’s examiner said that because the computers aren’t workin, if you pass the tests done in the morning, you’ll be brought back to do the computer tests another day. If you haven’t passed the tests then you have to apply again in 12months. I failed one of the tests and my experience with the Southern process wasn’t professional in my view.
From what you wrote, there nothing wrong in what the examiner said. As you are required to do the computerised test, it would make sense for them to let you sit it another day. Some depots have different days for the paper and computer tests. Sorry to hear that you didn’t pass. Why wasn’t your experience a pleasant one?
 
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Amos390

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2025
Messages
681
Location
Nottingham
Hi, not sure if this has been asked in the past, however what is the railway’s view on people who wear glasses becoming drivers. I am mostly expecting this to be all good, however there is a part of me that questions that, so I figured this is a good place to answer that. As a teen who wears (pretty strong) glasses 24/7 and who also wants to be a driver in the future, I would appreciate any response given.

TIA
 

Class2ldn

Established Member
Joined
25 Feb 2011
Messages
1,400
You'll have a medical and they will test your sight, as long as it meets the minimum you're fine.
You'll always have to carry 2 pairs once youre in the job in case they get broken , lost etc.
 

whitby26

Member
Joined
20 Jan 2026
Messages
90
Location
iver
is this the norm for GTR (southern)? Invited to assessment day in march which was for psychometric tests & computer tests. Come the afternoon the computers weren’t working so not all tests completed, however the test’s examiner said that because the computers aren’t workin, if you pass the tests done in the morning, you’ll be brought back to do the computer tests another day. If you haven’t passed the tests then you have to apply again in 12months. I failed one of the tests and my experience with the Southern process wasn’t professional in my view.
The computers belong to the OPC not GTR.
 

Bebbster

New Member
Joined
11 Jun 2026
Messages
1
Location
Crewe
Ive got a psychometric test soon and I am asking how people tackled the Tea Occ test the part with the telephone directory. What information was asked at the start of the test and how best to tackle it. Any help would be appreciated.
 

James_Toast11

New Member
Joined
15 Jun 2026
Messages
1
Location
Hampshire
Hello all,

A good friend recommended this site for some advice.
I have been invited to attend an assessment in Southampton for the position of commercial guard.

What can I expect on the day?

I have 3 years experience bus driving, I feel some of this can be relevant to the role. Would anyone else agree with this?
As I understand there is a SCAAT and RAAT test, are there any others I should be aware of?
Any practise material you can recommend?

Over the moon about this opportunity and just looking for success!

Thanks in advance
 

SoT390

Member
Joined
13 Dec 2024
Messages
13
Location
Staffordshire
Hi,
For the MMI when they ask you about being on a training course for over 2 weeks is it acceptable to use learning to drive as an example? Or is this a bad example considering almost everyone has learnt to drive
 

typicalalex1

Member
Joined
4 Jun 2023
Messages
43
Location
Kent
Hi,
For the MMI when they ask you about being on a training course for over 2 weeks is it acceptable to use learning to drive as an example? Or is this a bad example considering almost everyone has learnt to drive
The wording probably differs slightly depending on which company you are applying for, but for me, it was worded like "Give an example of a situation where you have had to really preserve to learn or achieve something".
But all variations I have seen give you a choice between a course/learning something or greatest achievement. I also couldn't give an example of a 2 week course so I used an achievement instead.
 
Joined
13 Jul 2023
Messages
28
Location
Manchester
The wording probably differs slightly depending on which company you are applying for, but for me, it was worded like "Give an example of a situation where you have had to really preserve to learn or achieve something".
But all variations I have seen give you a choice between a course/learning something or greatest achievement. I also couldn't give an example of a 2 week course so I used an achievement instead.
In my experience it had to be something fairly recent too, so in the last year or two. Nothing older than that was accepted.
 

Jonmanunited

Member
Joined
26 May 2026
Messages
15
Location
Bletchley
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.
I have just passed sift with WMT, next stage is the OPC, any advice?!
 

BenStubb66

New Member
Joined
6 Dec 2022
Messages
3
Location
Southampton
Thanks for replying! I have some practice test that I did but the ball makes noise when is about 75% out and some tests make noise when ball touches the edges. Both tests manage not the get the whole ball out just touching the edges.

In the real test was making noise when? At the edges or ball was 100% out?

Thank you again!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


Yes, each of them have colors of importance.....you have to order them by the importance of the color and if on 2 dials have same color you have to use the number thats on the dial....now it depends if closer to 0 is most important or close to 100. Have to listen to the instruction very clearly as it will get confusing from the middle of the test

So does each 4 dials have the same coloured segments in the same order? Is the priority done by the 4 segment colours (eg - 1st - Black, 2nd - White, 3rd - Grey, 4th - Dark Grey) or are they done left to right? Also, are the dials only 180° or 360°?

Any help would be much appreciated!
 

SmugStarlord

Member
Joined
11 May 2026
Messages
54
Location
Twyford
So does each 4 dials have the same coloured segments in the same order? Is the priority done by the 4 segment colours (eg - 1st - Black, 2nd - White, 3rd - Grey, 4th - Dark Grey) or are they done left to right? Also, are the dials only 180° or 360°?

Any help would be much appreciated!
When I did mine, dials were 180 degrees.
Same sort of colours, but we're labelled differently. You'll be given the 4 labels (mine were lights, power and I cant remember the other 2 off the top of my head).
You Will also have 4 or 5 practice questions to do before hand before you will do the main part of it.
Don't stress it too much, I found it one of the better assessments. Practicing helps. Good luck
 

jennburns64

New Member
Joined
19 Jun 2026
Messages
1
Location
dundee
I’m going to atrium court on 24th June for my first assessment day.
Worked through the booklet etc trying to research as much as possible.
Anyone have any advice/tips or what to expect on the day?
 

BenStubb66

New Member
Joined
6 Dec 2022
Messages
3
Location
Southampton
Just sat a Stage 1 assessment with GA. Absolutely brutal but pleased to say I passed. Was incredible to see how many candidates were unprepared. 11 started om assessment, 4 passed.
How was the TRP1b in the end? Was it similar to the practice material sent? Easier / Harder? I’ve been using Ai to create some but it’s hard to gauge the difficulty. Congratulations on passing!
 

mwest123

Member
Joined
15 Apr 2020
Messages
42
Location
Colchester
Got sent a link to complete a miniSCAAT and RAAT test for a shunter role with GTR.

If I were to fail, does this count towards a ‘life’?

Thanks
 

Steve V

New Member
Joined
11 Dec 2025
Messages
4
Location
Shenfield, Essex
After completing day one assessment at OPC Watford I received an email saying I didn't meet required criteria, after requesting a call to get some feedback I received a call today, I passed all the tests I took on the day but failed on speed for group bourdon, I passed on accuracy.

Absolutely gutted to ne honest, feels close. Question is, do these test count toward other train driver applications goin forward?

Thanks all.
 

whitby26

Member
Joined
20 Jan 2026
Messages
90
Location
iver
In the future you will only need to retake the group bourdon test if you passed all the rest, grab a practice book off Amazon they are good for practicing
 

Steve V

New Member
Joined
11 Dec 2025
Messages
4
Location
Shenfield, Essex
In the future you will only need to retake the group bourdon test if you passed all the rest, grab a practice book off Amazon they are good for practicing
Thanks, they confirmed i passed for accuracy, I had sort of trained myself to slow down a touch as really believed that accuracy was much more important, on the day I still felt like I had completed a good amount through each call of "change" . Feels horrible knowing I passed all the other tests!
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
214
Location
Wandsworth Road
Thanks, they confirmed i passed for accuracy, I had sort of trained myself to slow down a touch as really believed that accuracy was much more important, on the day I still felt like I had completed a good amount through each call of "change" . Feels horrible knowing I passed all the other tests!
Sorry to hear mate. Unfortunately that fail would trigger a 1 year cooldown and 1 of your 3 strikes.
 

whitby26

Member
Joined
20 Jan 2026
Messages
90
Location
iver
I have recently passed the mmi and have a dmi coming up for GTR. Does anybody have any advice on how to approach the dmi? Will I be asked similar questions? Thanks!
How was the DMI ? Any advise I have mine with GTR soon

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

How was the DMI ? Any advise I have mine with GTR soon
Haven’t had mine yet it’s next week
 
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Steve V

New Member
Joined
11 Dec 2025
Messages
4
Location
Shenfield, Essex
Interesting to hear, how many lines down the sheet did you get? I was at around 12/13 I believe max, and again prioritised accuracy
Think there was 4 calls of change if I remember rightly I completed at least one page every time and into a few lines of the next page before change was called again. Feels super harsh!
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
Think there was 4 calls of change if I remember rightly I completed at least one page every time and into a few lines of the next page before change was called again. Feels super harsh!
Did you not change the table when they said change and continued doing the same table?
 

Waterlooville

On Moderation
Joined
19 May 2026
Messages
61
Location
Lambeth, London
Yes that sounds odd, in mine it started at the bottom of 1 page and then spread out across A4 so it wasn't even. For each table, which has around 25 columns, how far down did you get each time?
 

trainnewbie25

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2026
Messages
39
Location
Glasgow
Think there was 4 calls of change if I remember rightly I completed at least one page every time and into a few lines of the next page before change was called again. Feels super harsh!
What in the Bourdon test u completed a page and into the next every 2 minutes?
 

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