Hello Everyone
I sat my OPC tests for Chiltern the other day and rather frustratingly failed the WAVF (grey box test). It took me by surprise to be honest as I could have sworn I did well at this. Out of the three computer tests at the time I thought this one was the easiest. I know that my clumsy hand accidentally pressed the button on one occasion when repositioning, but I didn't think one accidental activation would be enough for a fail. I am certain that I got all of the occasions that the box turned black so maybe either I wasn't quick enough to press the button or fell asleep without realising! Maybe someone could shed some light to help me for if I get another go?
Whilst on the subject of failing, will I have to reapply for a TOC in the future to get another go or would Chiltern put me through again in 6 months time? I am guessing another application?
To help others my experience of the day was as follows:
Part one
Started off with Bourdon dots test. I found this pretty easy to be honest. I had practised 1 set of 5 sheets each day over the past week or two so felt pretty relaxed. Compared to any computer version of the test or the ones that I printed at home the OPC sheets seemed a bit clearer and easier to identify the 4 dots. I had previously heard about this on this forum so I can concur that this is the case. I think on average I completed around 11 lines on each test.
I think the next part was a memory test whereby you are given an A4 bit of paper with a passage of writing on. I won't go into exact detail, but mine was about a mechanical system on a train. The invigilators play an audio reading of this A4 bit of paper and then give you either 5 or 7 mins (cannot remember) to read and make notes if you wish. The timer starts after the audio reading so you get another couple of minutes whilst this happens. Personally, I found the audio annoying and distracting and would rather have had more time to read, but I guess everyone learns differently. The passage is pretty lengthy and in a lot of detail. Pick out the bits you think may turn into questions e.g. figures, names of components, locations and procedures. I remember thinking bloody hell there is a lot of detail in this, how on earth am I supposed to remember? After the time is up the invigilator takes away the A4 passage and any notes you have made. They make you wait a few minutes before allowing you 7 minutes to answer 18 questions. I had plenty of time left over which I used to go over the questions again. Although I was pretty nervous due to the level of detail I didn't find the questions very challenging and think I got most of them correct.
The next test was the telephone directory test. Compared to the practice materials I had on this I found this pretty straightforward. You have an A3 page of telephone numbers (mine was for plumbers) You need to circle each plumber which has 2 of the same symbols next to it. E.g. 2 circles, 2 squares etc. If the symbols are different ignore and move on. Compared to the How to Become (H2B) practice materials where you have to look up a spanner, cocktail glass etc and then find the correct area code, the OPC is much easier as the whole page is the trade you are looking for so you just need to concentrate on the symbols next to each one.
The next test was the counting tones test with a mixture of high and low tones. The theory is that you are in a lift with a broken panel and each low tone represents a floor change. Ignore the high tones and only count the low tones. The first tone will always be a low tone. Again this test was pretty simple to be honest, trust your instinct as you can start doubting yourself. You hear 5 sets of tones and the longest is around 20 seconds. Some are pretty short so really not difficult.
You then combine the above two tests, although it is much easier than it sounds. They remove the high tones so all you need to do is work through the directory marking the trades with double symbols whilst counting a tone. Again when practicing with H2B I had to do all this whilst filtering out the high tones so it was much more challenging so I was pleasantly surprised.
The final test of part 1 is the cables and dials test. Personally, I found this the most difficult from part one. The invigilator on the day read out the instructions which were pretty lengthy to be honest and threw me a little. The practice materials I had used were beneficial, but a bit easier than the actual test. The OPC also include numbers on the scale and a lot of the sectors will show the same colour and you have to prioritise the lowest number first. Once you get your head around it, it isn't that difficult, but I think I felt the pressure a bit as it was different to what I expected it to be. Whilst completing every now and then I had a mind fart and had to reset myself. I only completed 31 out of 50 in the 7mins you get but passed with no issues.
Part Two
After a break, you head back into the room and you have a special keyboard and laptop set up at your desk. The first test is the WAVF (Vigilance test - Grey Box test) which ended up being my downfall. Over a period of 30mins you have to look at the screen and click a green button every time the box changes to black. The grey box repeatedly flashes on the screen and every now and then will change to black. I have to say again compared to the H2B practice test the normal grey box is a darker shade of grey so it is easy throughout the test to think it is black certainly as fatigue kicks in. Trust your instincts though as it is very clear when it goes black, but you do have long periods where it remains grey. I won't go on too much about this as I failed it as specified above so wouldn't want to give out any bad advice.
The next part was the perception test. A traffic scene flicks on your screen for 1 second (crazily short time) you then need to select what it showed e.g. pedestrians, motor vehicles, peddle bikes, traffic lights etc I have to say this felt pretty hard. After you have done a few the images start blending into one and you start doubting what you saw. I remember thinking a pedestrian crossing was seen so that must mean a road sign etc.
The final part of part two is the 2 hand coordination test. I have to say I found this the most horrible experience of the day. I know a couple of people that have failed due to being too slow and so I felt the pressure to do it as quickly as possible. The controls are hypersensitive and despite playing some PS4 games in my time, felt really unnatural. The left stick controls left and right whereas the right controls up and down. You need to move a red ball from one end of a circuit to another. The circuits are pretty similar to the practice materials they send out where you need to do it with a pen in each hand. If I am honest I was convinced I had failed this part of the test. I tried to go way too quickly and constantly touched the line causing it to beep. I think you have about 10 circuits to complete and I definitely got better as I went along, but on every circuit, I had multiple beeps and one I went massively out of the circuit! I also finished about 1-2 minutes before the other 2 in the room.
After the series of computer tests, you have to wait outside whilst they look at the results. As above I was convinced I had failed the coordination test so it was no surprise when they called me in for feedback. To my amazement, I passed the coordination test and perception and failed the WAVF which I was convinced I had done well on.
So to conclude out of the 4 people that started the day, only 2 I believe went through to the MMI. One of the candidates didn't sit part one though due to previously passing this.
Anyway sorry for the long essay, but I hope some of you will find it useful. I found this forum exceptionally helpful with the process and I am just really frustrated that it seems to have come to an end for me for now anyway.
All the best
Rog
