GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[translucent88]

Firstly how have you done two applications with GWR - the system only allows one, so presume you have created more than one account to be able to do that?

Also when you say you did 45 error checking questions, you only get 10 minutes and the error checking takes time, even once you have adapted to the process of cross referencing all the info and using the key system. 45 in 10 minutes works out at 1 every 10 seconds or so which is pretty much impossible - unless you mean a different test? For reference I got to around 16/17 and that was working fast.

Hi, thanks for your message. I applied for both the New Cross Gate and the London - Paddington jobs within maybe two weeks of each other. They are both showing on my First Careers account.

I am certain that I managed to get to at least 40 with the error checking. At the top of the screen you normally get a horizontal line of small clear squares indicating how many questions you completed (they arent numbered) but the line was essentially all the way across my screen by the end. I could be completely wrong here.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jul 2026 ==

Thanks, yes your test sounded like it might have been simpler, the answers for these looked like a) No error b) Error with batch code only c) Error with batch code and carrier d) Error with batch code, carrier and priority

The priority was a totally separate key where you had to cross reference a code against a table.

I understand the attention to detail side. I've been driving high performance police cars at over twice the motorway speed limit for some time so spotting a high vis isn't something I feel would be an issue, close quarter spreadsheet cross checking and numbers amongst tables feels like more of a test of ability to recognise fine numerical detail as opposed to raising your observation on a rail track.

Yes I am at the point of being allocated a start date elsewhere, medical and MMI this month and should be starting later this year,

Hi, mine was different to this. I had 5 options. 4 of them were one of the errors from the table and the final was “there are no errors”. So you had to tick a box for each error that you spotted. I had calculated 12 seconds per question but some of them threw me off (it was the same issue with the key)

 

[Waterlooville]

I never noticed a line - not saying you haven't done that number either buy the way, just that I wonder how many are correct? I found a lot of errors in some and a few had none, I went for accuracy over speed which is what has always served me well previously (bourdon for example). Guess we will both find out soon enough although I am not serious about GWR anyway.

I tried to apply for Paddington and Oxford but it stopped me saying only one application allowed. Again as per my post on SWR thread, different rules for different people - no accountability.

 

[IndegoMouse]

Mine was the same as your however thought I had done it wrong when I read Waterlooville comment, your has put my mind at rest!

Hi, thanks for your message. I applied for both the New Cross Gate and the London - Paddington jobs within maybe two weeks of each other. They are both showing on my First Careers account.

I am certain that I managed to get to at least 40 with the error checking. At the top of the screen you normally get a horizontal line of small clear squares indicating how many questions you completed (they arent numbered) but the line was essentially all the way across my screen by the end. I could be completely wrong here.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jul 2026 ==


Hi, mine was different to this. I had 5 options. 4 of them were one of the errors from the table and the final was “there are no errors”. So you had to tick a box for each error that you spotted. I had calculated 12 seconds per question but some of them threw me off (it was the same issue with the key)

 

[Waterlooville]

Hi, thanks for your message. I applied for both the New Cross Gate and the London - Paddington jobs within maybe two weeks of each other. They are both showing on my First Careers account.

I am certain that I managed to get to at least 40 with the error checking. At the top of the screen you normally get a horizontal line of small clear squares indicating how many questions you completed (they arent numbered) but the line was essentially all the way across my screen by the end. I could be completely wrong here.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jul 2026 ==


Hi, mine was different to this. I had 5 options. 4 of them were one of the errors from the table and the final was “there are no errors”. So you had to tick a box for each error that you spotted. I had calculated 12 seconds per question but some of them threw me off (it was the same issue with the key)

Sounds like the same test, mine possibly had 5 answers too. I can't actually remember. Well we will all find out at some point I guess, if you got that many done I would say you are def through, sounds like I didn't do well at all only doing around 17 after all. I couldn't have gone any faster.

 

[Twin82]

Sounds like the same test, mine possibly had 5 answers too. I can't actually remember. Well we will all find out at some point I guess, if you got that many done I would say you are def through, sounds like I didn't do well at all only doing around 17 after all. I couldn't have gone any faster.

Providing he didn’t make any mistakes

 

[onetrack]

Providing he didn’t make any mistakes

I did about 17-20 too. I went over every answer before moving on to the next. 30 seconds per answer is decent. There were multiple lines to check on each question. Hopefully we’ll find out in the next couple of weeks!

 

[Waterlooville]

I did about 17-20 too. I went over every answer before moving on to the next. 30 seconds per answer is decent. There were multiple lines to check on each question. Hopefully we’ll find out in the next couple of weeks!

Yes I did similar and would say 30 secs per answer wasa about right, some maybe 25 secs. There were some where it looked like there were no mistakes but one digit or letter was wrong, they were very subtle.

 

[Twin82]

Yes I did similar and would say 30 secs per answer wasa about right, some maybe 25 secs. There were some where it looked like there were no mistakes but one digit or letter was wrong, they were very subt

Oh dear. Looks like I’ll be waiting on a rejection email. Lol. I remember saying at least 2 didn’t have errors in to, but from what you’re saying there were subtle errors that are easily overlooked.

Is the error checking for gwr identical to the one swr uses?

 

[onetrack]

Yes I did similar and would say 30 secs per answer wasa about right, some maybe 25 secs. There were some where it looked like there were no mistakes but one digit or letter was wrong, they were very subtle.

That’s right. Some had mistakes on all lines! Also, I don’t know if it was just me, but I had to scroll down just to see the line to check, it wasn’t all visible on the computer screen.

 

[coasting8816]

Just got an email saying I didn't pass the error checking test unfortunately. Disappointed as I really don't think I could have done any better - I went for accuracy rather than speed so perhaps I didn't get that balance right.

Plus I imagine there was a huge number of applicants and the bar was set quite high.

Onto the next one and good luck to everyone else.

 

[IndegoMouse]

Oh dear. Looks like I’ll be waiting on a rejection email. Lol. I remember saying at least 2 didn’t have errors in to, but from what you’re saying there were subtle errors that are easily overlooked.

Is the error checking for gwr identical to the one swr uses?

I recall at least 2 with no mistakes too

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jul 2026 ==

Just got an email saying I didn't pass the error checking test unfortunately. Disappointed as I really don't think I could have done any better - I went for accuracy rather than speed so perhaps I didn't get that balance right.

Plus I imagine there was a huge number of applicants and the bar was set quite high.

Onto the next one and good luck to everyone else.

sorry to hear that but at least some of us will be put out our missery over the coming days then!

 

[onetrack]

I’ve just had an email saying I was unsuccessful. Soul destroying.

 

[IndegoMouse]

I’ve just had an email saying I was unsuccessful. Soul destroying.

Is this your first applciation? I got all the way to DMI with a differnt toc but didnt put enough work in to pass! It was my first application and I had no idea how hard it was to get to DMI as got through all assessments fairly easily and was told by a good friend the DMI was just a formality and I had the job! I will not make this mistake again.

I am currently waiting on a date for DMI with another TOC which I have worked incredibly hard for!

My advice would be not to give up and keep trying but start doing practice tests online. I found Spatial reasoning a really good way to train your brain.

 

[onetrack]

Is this your first applciation? I got all the way to DMI with a differnt toc but didnt put enough work in to pass! It was my first application and I had no idea how hard it was to get to DMI as got through all assessments fairly easily and was told by a good friend the DMI was just a formality and I had the job! I will not make this mistake again.

I am currently waiting on a date for DMI with another TOC which I have worked incredibly hard for!

My advice would be not to give up and keep trying but start doing practice tests online. I found Spatial reasoning a really good way to train your brain.

That’s right, first go. I was aware of the competition for the role, but thought I did enough to get through this stage. Obviously didn’t hit the number. 6 months is a long time, I’ve been waiting since September just for this role to pop up.

 

[IndegoMouse]

Just got an email saying I didn't pass the error checking test unfortunately. Disappointed as I really don't think I could have done any better - I went for accuracy rather than speed so perhaps I didn't get that balance right.

Plus I imagine there was a huge number of applicants and the bar was set quite high.

Onto the next one and good luck to everyone else.

what depot had you gone for?

 

[Waterlooville]

Oh dear. Looks like I’ll be waiting on a rejection email. Lol. I remember saying at least 2 didn’t have errors in to, but from what you’re saying there were subtle errors that are easily overlooked.

Is the error checking for gwr identical to the one swr uses?

No totally different test. The SWR is images of 4 dials, and within each dial there is "gauge" to showing a numerical error. You need to then work out from the image what the priority is in terms of errors, and come up with an answer. There is also then a secondary part where if two areas are shown the same number you then need to prioritise in order of colour - so you have to then understand the colour priority on top of the dial priority. It is a test that is very hard to articulate, you have to see it.

There are no repeated columns of digits or figures to cross reference, it is images of dials with a numerical value and a colour priority order.

 

[Waterlooville]

And I have not had an email FWIW re GWR.

 

[Waterlooville]

The dials test can be illustrated here although the actual test was different to this - concept is the same though:

Dials For Train Drivers | Trainee Train Driver Info

traineetraindriverinfo.com

 

[Brenfield]

Is this your first applciation? I got all the way to DMI with a differnt toc but didnt put enough work in to pass! It was my first application and I had no idea how hard it was to get to DMI as got through all assessments fairly easily and was told by a good friend the DMI was just a formality and I had the job! I will not make this mistake again.

I am currently waiting on a date for DMI with another TOC which I have worked incredibly hard for!

My advice would be not to give up and keep trying but start doing practice tests online. I found Spatial reasoning a really good way to train your brain.

Hi, i'm sorry you didn't get though on the first go but glad you're back at the DMI stage.
I've got my first DMI coming up in a couple of weeks and was wondering if you'd mind sharing what caused you to fail the first one? if you know the reason of course, I'm anxious to avoid as may pit falls as i can.

 

[coasting8816]

what depot had you gone for?

Paddington. I'd imagine it gets quite a lot of applicants

 

[Jimwow1987]

Hi all, I passed my medical on Tuesday and have been given a start date in November at Paddington, so I’m very excited to get started. I understand the first four months of training will be in Reading and just wanted to ask if accommodation is provided during that period as I live roughly two hours away. Also, at what stage will I be asked to provide my references? Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi mate, congratulations, can I ask when you first applied for the job? I just passed my DMI at Paddington and I’m in the Talent Pool

 

[translucent88]

Did my first stage assessment today in Watford. Tests included tea-occ, m7sjt, dfft and group bourdon. I feel as if i did well in all apart from the SJT. Some of the answers for the scenarios threw me off because they were so similar. Hoping to get an email on how I did in about 7-10 days. Will keep everyone updated

 

[IndegoMouse]

Did my first stage assessment today in Watford. Tests included tea-occ, m7sjt, dfft and group bourdon. I feel as if i did well in all apart from the SJT. Some of the answers for the scenarios threw me off because they were so similar. Hoping to get an email on how I did in about 7-10 days. Will keep everyone updated

When did you first apply?

 

[traineeyh]

Hi mate, congratulations, can I ask when you first applied for the job? I just passed my DMI at Paddington and I’m in the Talent Pool

End of October 2025, but I did my assessments with a different TOC. Only had to do the online assessment and DMI.

Congrats on passing your DMI…

 

[WMC]

Anybody else who has applied for Trainee Train Driver role at Plymouth depot heard back after the Error Checking test? Thanks a lot.

 

[onetrack]

Anybody else who has applied for Trainee Train Driver role at Plymouth depot heard back after the Error Checking test? Thanks a lot.

Yes I did. I failed the error checking test. If you haven’t heard back, I’d imagine you’re in with a good shot of the next stage!

 

[IndegoMouse]

Yes I did. I failed the error checking test. If you haven’t heard back, I’d imagine you’re in with a good shot of the next stage!

When did you hear back? I applied for Oxford and have heard nothing yet

 

[v16ull]

Hi, i passed my stage 1 last month. First piece of advice, use and prepare with the practice papers you've been sent. I did an hour or 2 most nights. I also brought a book of amazon called "how2become" as it contained practice questions and assessments youll come across on the day. In happy to DM you a link if needed. You can find other practice materials in the forums also. I booked a hotel the night before, which helped massively. I was able to get up feeling refreshed, instead of worrying incase I was going to be late or there were train delays on the day, as thats how I was going to get there.
Dont over think and try to be relaxed. Once you do the first couple of assessments, you shouldn't feel so nervous. There are usually a couple of practice questions before you start each main assessment. Also, dont be afraid to ask the invigilator to repeat themselves to make sure you heard what you need to do and ask questions if you need to also. Be proud of reaching this stage regardless as alot of candidates dont make it this far.
Let me know how you get on and good luck. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask away.

Thank you, I too have an assessment day on Tuesday at Watford and am very nervous

 

[RobotBen91]

Firstly how have you done two applications with GWR - the system only allows one, so presume you have created more than one account to be able to do that?

Also when you say you did 45 error checking questions, you only get 10 minutes and the error checking takes time, even once you have adapted to the process of cross referencing all the info and using the key system. 45 in 10 minutes works out at 1 every 10 seconds or so which is pretty much impossible - unless you mean a different test? For reference I got to around 16/17 and that was working fast.

It does allow you to apply for more than one. I'm in the talent pool for Exeter mainline but ive since applied for a depot driver position as we all got an email to say there won't be any positions for mainline in the near future. I used the same account. It saved me entering my education and working history again.

 

[vc99]

Hi, i'm sorry you didn't get though on the first go but glad you're back at the DMI stage.
I've got my first DMI coming up in a couple of weeks and was wondering if you'd mind sharing what caused you to fail the first one? if you know the reason of course, I'm anxious to avoid as may pit falls as i can.

Hey. What depot you in for?