Assessments & Medicals discussion

[JP66725]

Hi all

Before I attempt the online assessment for train cleaning at ScotRail can anyone tell me what to expect please?

From what I understand they have adjusted the assessment to make it easier from the last time I tried over 6 years ago

Any help would be good

Thank you

 

[will1989]

That’s great you found a way and adapted quickly to it.

With my invigilator they seemed maybe not as helpful as I’ve seen fellow members on here mention theirs. Although i did ask for them to give a slight better brief on it but the day was already behind after a fellow applicant had issues uploading their personal documents but none the less none of the above was to blame with me not being able to pass.

But on ours there were 4 dials where we had to prioritise Heat, Oil, lights and Air i believe so I don’t know if that rings a bell in your version of the TRP 2.

I done mine through SWR

Yeah that sounds like the same test actually. I remember clarifying something like are they always in the same order so the oil category was always the left-most of the dial, which they were which helped me to prioritise the right things. I'd also say regardless of if they're running behind or if you feel like you're inconveniencing the invigilator make sure you're 100% on what's being asked of you first, it's probably quite a transferable skill too as if you're in the driving cab you'll need to know 100% what the signaller is asking of you before you do it. Best of luck next time, there's loads of good advice/tips on here if you use the search function and trawl previous posts.

 

[IndegoMouse]

Does anybody know if those with dyslexia are entitled to extra time on the driver psychometrics? Thanks

You can request reasonable adjustments but unsure what that would look like. I would ask you TOC in the first instance

 

[jakechamberlai]

Yeah that sounds like the same test actually. I remember clarifying something like are they always in the same order so the oil category was always the left-most of the dial, which they were which helped me to prioritise the right things. I'd also say regardless of if they're running behind or if you feel like you're inconveniencing the invigilator make sure you're 100% on what's being asked of you first, it's probably quite a transferable skill too as if you're in the driving cab you'll need to know 100% what the signaller is asking of you before you do it. Best of luck next time, there's loads of good advice/tips on here if you use the search function and trawl previous posts.

Yeah that sounds identical to each others. The main thing that got me was the different colour/shades and the number that was hovering within the gauge but the numbers were all different throughout every question which was probably distracting me more than prioritising the 4 (Oil, Heat, Lights, Air)

Which TOC are you doing yours with and what stage are you currently at? Apology if you’ve already stated this in previous message. I’ve ready numerous messages on this forum from fellow users.

 

[Horizon22]

Hi all

Before I attempt the online assessment for train cleaning at ScotRail can anyone tell me what to expect please?

From what I understand they have adjusted the assessment to make it easier from the last time I tried over 6 years ago

Any help would be good

Thank you

It would be hard to know without stating what they are testing for - is there any insight in any correspondence you have had?

You are normally given a practice around before the real thing online. It could be verbal and numerical reasoning or a Situational Judgment Test (SJT) or a range of other things.

 

[bobbydazzler14]

Hello,

I am due to undergo my stage 2 with FRL which consist of:

TRP1b
TRP2
VSE
WAFV , ATAVT , 2 hand computerised test
MMI

I would appreciate if anyone could give advice that would aid me

Thanks,

 

[Waterlooville]

Re TRP2 or dials test, the 4 dials and colours are only half the test and nobody is mentioning the secondary priority check. If one or more dials are equal (which happens on most questions as you progress) you then have to use the numerical dial within the dial to further prioritise which of the equal dials needs to come first. Sometimes this can be 2 or 3 equal readings where you need to then also judge the numbers in combination with the dials, so it is a key part of the test. To make it harder you prioritise the lower numbers first NOT the higher numbers. I found pretty much all assessments to be very easy, this one however was a proper test and needs some pretty serious competence to get right.

 

[bobbydazzler14]

Re TRP2 or dials test, the 4 dials and colours are only half the test and nobody is mentioning the secondary priority check. If one or more dials are equal (which happens on most questions as you progress) you then have to use the numerical dial within the dial to further prioritise which of the equal dials needs to come first. Sometimes this can be 2 or 3 equal readings where you need to then also judge the numbers in combination with the dials, so it is a key part of the test. To make it harder you prioritise the lower numbers first NOT the higher numbers. I found pretty much all assessments to be very easy, this one however was a proper test and needs some pretty serious competence to get right.

Thank you very much! Did you end up passing?

 

[Waterlooville]

Thank you very much! Did you end up passing?

Yes I start training in a couple of months

 

[bobbydazzler14]

Yes I start training in a couple of months

So how long did recruitment take from the mmi to dmi etc

 

[railhead150]

Hi. Does anybody have any info on the computer tests used by Northern for driver positions? I believe they now use them to determine if an application makes it through the sift

 

[AM92]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone could provide some information who may have experience within the industry.

I’ve been offered a position with network rail as an off track operative after a successful interview, however after conducting my medical I failed the colourblind test due to being red-green deficient.

I couldn’t get a definitive answer from the occupational practitioner, so I’m just wondering if this would prevent me from being offered the role as an off track operative ?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks all.

 

[345_ashwood]

Hello,

I am due to undergo my stage 2 with FRL which consist of:

TRP1b
TRP2
VSE
WAFV , ATAVT , 2 hand computerised test
MMI

I would appreciate if anyone could give advice that would aid me

Thanks,

Evening,

I was interested to know if you found any material regarding these tests that you don't mind sharing please ?

Thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jul 2026 ==

Re TRP2 or dials test, the 4 dials and colours are only half the test and nobody is mentioning the secondary priority check. If one or more dials are equal (which happens on most questions as you progress) you then have to use the numerical dial within the dial to further prioritise which of the equal dials needs to come first. Sometimes this can be 2 or 3 equal readings where you need to then also judge the numbers in combination with the dials, so it is a key part of the test. To make it harder you prioritise the lower numbers first NOT the higher numbers. I found pretty much all assessments to be very easy, this one however was a proper test and needs some pretty serious competence to get right.

Thanks for this information, much appreciated.

Do you by any chance know of any websites that provide training for the tests mentioned above regarding FRL please ?

If you have the time, are you able to breakdown exactly what I should expect for each test. The stuff Ive seen seems to be inconsistent with what I read on this forum.

Thanks

 

[SmugStarlord]

Evening,

I was interested to know if you found any material regarding these tests that you don't mind sharing please ?

Thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jul 2026 ==



Thanks for this information, much appreciated.

Do you by any chance know of any websites that provide training for the tests mentioned above regarding FRL please ?

If you have the time, are you able to breakdown exactly what I should expect for each test. The stuff Ive seen seems to be inconsistent with what I read on this forum.

Thanks

Websites no, however, i found the "how2become: train driver tests" book from amazon really helpful. Its full of practice assessments you'll sit on the day

 

[Waterlooville]

So how long did recruitment take from the mmi to dmi etc

End of Oct applied, 2 seperate days of assessments in Sept then DMI start of Dec so all that within around 6 weeks. Then a 7 month wait for MMI. 12 months for whole process which is exceptionally quick, its only as SWR had a large drive over the last few months. Usually it would take years.

 

[bobbydazzler14]

End of Oct applied, 2 seperate days of assessments in Sept then DMI start of Dec so all that within around 6 weeks. Then a 7 month wait for MMI. 12 months for whole process which is exceptionally quick, its only as SWR had a large drive over the last few months. Usually it would take years.

Perhaps my one will be quicker as we will be doing the MMI same day as the final assessments. If I was to pass I’d just be waiting however long for the DMI

 

[Purplerain77]

I was in the same situation as bobbydazzler, did my MMI with stage 2. So my timeline looks like this with TL

Applied December 25, online sift was in the days following, stage 1 6th march 26, stage 2 28th April 26, DMI 28th June and got told I was successful later that day. Now waiting for a training date but it’s likely to be November-January.

So gap for me was 2 months between MMI and DMI

 

[bobbydazzler14]

I was in the same situation as bobbydazzler, did my MMI with stage 2. So my timeline looks like this with TL

Applied December 25, online sift was in the days following, stage 1 6th march 26, stage 2 28th April 26, DMI 28th June and got told I was successful later that day. Now waiting for a training date but it’s likely to be November-January.

So gap for me was 2 months between MMI and DMI

Was the DMI scheduled for a while or did you only find out much closer to the date? I also didn’t know the gap between being successful and training is that long. When do you get your medical done?

 

[Purplerain77]

Was the DMI scheduled for a while or did you only find out much closer to the date? I also didn’t know the gap between being successful and training is that long. When do you get your medical done?

My depot manager was booked up for a month after so after being told is passed stage 2 I was told to wait. Got an email about 2 weeks prior to the DMI to book it. I could have had it earlier but was working.

Thameslink are known for taking a while for training, depends on the TOC on the chances of being offered a space then and there. I’m at the top of my talent pool so just waiting for the next available allocation for my depot. Medical will be done once I get training confirmed, I’ve been told will be no later than 2/3 months before. For me the next chance is November and will find out about my situation this month. If no spaces then it’ll go to January

 

[bobbydazzler14]

Thanks for your help and fingers crossed there is a spot for you in November.

Do you have any idea of what made you pass the MMI and stand out during the DMI?

 

[Purplerain77]

Thanks for your help and fingers crossed there is a spot for you in November.

Do you have any idea of what made you pass the MMI and stand out during the DMI?

No problem! I wish you all the luck in your journey too.

I’m not sure on what exactly got me through as I did however I do feel that my job did help with thinking of in depth examples. I’d say definitely focus on thinking of something that could link to safety, following rules, customer service etc, even if it’s nothing safety related.
Briefly I used a situation where not following procedure was easy and most people did but as I did, I showed that something going wrong I’m prepared for.
Always use star where you can and at the end make sure you say how it made you feel and what you learned from it (this doesn’t necessarily mean anything negative)

With the MMI they will most likely stop you between every sentence and ask more questions but try not to let that throw you off, you can still build a star answer. DMI is more relaxed and more about the business and my suitably as a person in my experience so I just did the same as my DMI but was more myself

 

[Islineclear3_1]

What is the Railway's position on an employee with safety-critical duties who suffered sudden permanent hearing loss in 1 ear? They have worked on the railway for a number of years but currently signed off sick. They are coming to see me as part of their treatment and rehabilitation. Will the railway provide them with suitable alternative employment?

This is a sensitive issue so a PM would be fine

 

[Bletchleyite]

What is the Railway's position on an employee with safety-critical duties who suffered sudden permanent hearing loss in 1 ear? They have worked on the railway for a number of years but currently signed off sick. They are coming to see me as part of their treatment and rehabilitation. Will the railway provide them with suitable alternative employment?

This is a sensitive issue so a PM would be fine

I don't know how the rules apply to this in terms of their existing role, but I do know personally of someone who was a guard (and hadn't been one for all that long, only a couple of years) and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an absolute no no in terms of safety critical roles, and he was looked after very well, he was given a non safety critical station role and is still in it now so far as I know.

 

[bunnahabhain]

What is the Railway's position on an employee with safety-critical duties who suffered sudden permanent hearing loss in 1 ear? They have worked on the railway for a number of years but currently signed off sick. They are coming to see me as part of their treatment and rehabilitation. Will the railway provide them with suitable alternative employment?

This is a sensitive issue so a PM would be fine

Send me a DM.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Send me a DM.

Cheers, I have DM'd

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Aug 2026 ==

What is the Railway's position on an employee with safety-critical duties who suffered sudden permanent hearing loss in 1 ear? They have worked on the railway for a number of years but currently signed off sick. They are coming to see me as part of their treatment and rehabilitation. Will the railway provide them with suitable alternative employment?

This is a sensitive issue so a PM would be fine

I need to put this question out again as @bunnahabhain wasn't able to give me a definitive answer (thanks again).

If there is anyone here who works on the medical/occupational side of NR who can give me an answer/advice, I'd be very grateful. If finding suitable alternative employment "is" the answer, then that's fine.

 

[newbiewannabe]

hi all, i need advice. I had a heart attack back in may 4 days before my medical. Occupational health have said they need results of an exercise tolerance test before I can proceed. My gp and cardiologist say it’s down to occupational health to arrange it. Has anyone here had a similar experience as I’m not in a financial position to do it privately. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[AAC]

Hi. Does anybody have any info on the computer tests used by Northern for driver positions? I believe they now use them to determine if an application makes it through the sift

They assess your perceptual speed & accuracy, safety, and resilience.

I think answers are marked either correct, partially correct or incorrect and a final score is generated indicating a pass or fail.

For safety and resilience they use scenario based questions a bit like situational judgement tests.

The perceptual questions (as an example) might show you a series of characters and you quickly and accurately have to select from a range options which is the matching one.

 

[jakechamberlai]

Hi,

I failed on my cables and dials test (TRP2) earlier this year with Northern and I have a few questions about the instructions as I can’t remember it specifically. I just want to practice as much as I can so I can hopefully pass it next time.

There was 4 dials, (heat, air, power & light) and there was 4 colour groups from light blue to dark blue with numbers.

For anyone that’s done the test, did you have to put the dials in order of colour i.e if light blue was high priority - put that first and dark blue as least priority?
If two dials were in the same colour segment, refer to the number the dial is pointing at i.e for the highest number as first priority?

P.S I appreciate that they’ll be many different tests and the instructions in mine might be different to somebody else’s but I’m just interested to know.

Thanks

Hi @TJC3,

I hope this reaches you seeing as you posted this a couple of years back.

I also had this issue. I failed this part after passing the assessments on the build up to this.

This seems identical to my assessment where I struggled getting my head around. Have you yet got yourself back in with another attempt yet?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2026 ==

TRP2 was the dial test right?

Websites no, however, i found the "how2become: train driver tests" book from amazon really helpful. Its full of practice assessments you'll sit on the day

Does the how2become books have helpful ways and demonstrations on the TRP 2 assessments?

 

[SmugStarlord]

Hi @TJC3,

I hope this reaches you seeing as you posted this a couple of years back.

I also had this issue. I failed this part after passing the assessments on the build up to this.

This seems identical to my assessment where I struggled getting my head around. Have you yet got yourself back in with another attempt yet?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2026 ==




Does the how2become books have helpful ways and demonstrations on the TRP 2 assessments?

If its the dial test then yes, it covered it quite a bit

 

[ramsy12]

Hi, can anyone who had DFFT test recently confirm if it is computer or paper test??? Appreciate your response.