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Assessments & Medicals discussion

kuksjan03

New Member
Joined
9 Sep 2026
Messages
2
Location
London
Hey guys just wanted to say I passed stage 2 OPC! It was a crazy day I had to do an extra assessment called Supervised Visual Search Exercise (VSE) which I thought the other candidates will be doing as well but the assessor only mentioned me and I was shocked and the other candidates were saying to me good luck mate it’s a long day for you and in my head I said to myself what have I done . But when I came out of that assessment I was like wow this was something it took up to an hour to finish and then the assessor said I passed I was soo happy. Now they said they’ll hand my application to GTS and they’ll contact me directly to the next stages if someone could tell me what happens next that’d be wonderful!
 
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Nella

Member
Joined
11 Jun 2026
Messages
22
Location
Nuneaton
Hey guys just wanted to say I passed stage 2 OPC! It was a crazy day I had to do an extra assessment called Supervised Visual Search Exercise (VSE) which I thought the other candidates will be doing as well but the assessor only mentioned me and I was shocked and the other candidates were saying to me good luck mate it’s a long day for you and in my head I said to myself what have I done . But when I came out of that assessment I was like wow this was something it took up to an hour to finish and then the assessor said I passed I was soo happy. Now they said they’ll hand my application to GTS and they’ll contact me directly to the next stages if someone could tell me what happens next that’d be wonderful!
do you know why they made you do this supervised? seems odd to me
 

Welshchick

Member
Joined
21 Oct 2022
Messages
57
Location
UK
Almost 3 weeks now since I sat the Train dispatch multitasking test. Would this suggest it's more likely I have passed, or simply that recruitment is slow and they haven't dispatched the results yet.

The wait is killing me.
 

rjgreen123

New Member
Joined
4 Oct 2026
Messages
1
Location
Wigan
Hi all, hoping someone can help to put my mind at ease somewhat. I have suffered with mild hearing loss since birth due to eardrum perforation, but never to the extent that I have needed hearing aids. I am due to attend psychometric assessment for a Maintenance Depot Driver position with Northern, but wanted to preempt the medical tests as I am anxious that I could go through the stress of the psych tests to just fail at the medical anyway.
I have had a high-street hearing test which has come back as mild hearing loss of around 30-40db between 1khz and 4khz (though I did feel like I was probably clicking the button just for the sake of it in instances). Would I be wasting my time going through the psychometric assessments, or is there a chance I will still pass the medical?
Thanks in advance.
 

Marsprobe

Member
Joined
2 Feb 2025
Messages
74
Location
Cardiff
Hi all, hoping someone can help to put my mind at ease somewhat. I have suffered with mild hearing loss since birth due to eardrum perforation, but never to the extent that I have needed hearing aids. I am due to attend psychometric assessment for a Maintenance Depot Driver position with Northern, but wanted to preempt the medical tests as I am anxious that I could go through the stress of the psych tests to just fail at the medical anyway.
I have had a high-street hearing test which has come back as mild hearing loss of around 30-40db between 1khz and 4khz (though I did feel like I was probably clicking the button just for the sake of it in instances). Would I be wasting my time going through the psychometric assessments, or is there a chance I will still pass the medical?
Thanks in advance.
I have a similar issue... I've just bought a hearing aid to ensure I haven't waited two years for nothing! Apparently I have to take the results of my test without aids to show them and then do an adapted test with aids in.
 

vc99

Member
Joined
17 May 2025
Messages
99
Location
warminster
I have a quick question about. Has anyone got through the medical with an under active thyroid? Under control of course with medication?
 

Otter_87

New Member
Joined
3 Aug 2026
Messages
3
Location
High Wycombe
Hi All, I've had the email through from GWR about passing the virtual first stage interview and that they will contact me about the assessments. I have have a few questions if anything can help me?
  1. Is there an free online resource where I can practice the tests?
  2. I'm a type 1 diabetic, will this block me from being a driver? (It was put on my application form)
  3. I'm also on Anti-depressants, is this going to be a blocker?
Many thanks!
 

Purplerain77

Member
Joined
31 Jan 2026
Messages
88
Location
Dartford
Hi All, I've had the email through from GWR about passing the virtual first stage interview and that they will contact me about the assessments. I have have a few questions if anything can help me?
  1. Is there an free online resource where I can practice the tests?
  2. I'm a type 1 diabetic, will this block me from being a driver? (It was put on my application form)
  3. I'm also on Anti-depressants, is this going to be a blocker?
Many thanks!
Can’t completely be sure as I’m not diabetic but I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that you’re not completely bared just that you’ll have a conversation in the medical about your situation and i think they have specific requirements on stuff but rule of thumb is if you’re stable and nothings changed then it should be fine. You can email your TOC if you are worried though as I did with my stuff and they were really helpful at explaining things. I’m on adhd meds and was fine with the medical so I don’t think antidepressants are a problem.
 

thatguy95

Member
Joined
19 Aug 2026
Messages
8
Location
Bromley
Good evening everyone. I have a medical for a Trainee Train Driver position at Southeastern coming up which I am slightly worried about having read some comments over the forum. The email specifically states that they measure your height and weight ratio will be assessed. I am worried about my situation as I had lost a lot of weight in the past years and in the process I had also put a lot of muscle on at the gym so, although I am still a bit overweight, my BMI is increased due to the weight of my muscle and some excess skin. Did anyone have a similar situation or would know how they may go about this? when I put my current weight and height into the BMI calculator it places me around 32-33.

I also have another question regarding the medical. I have had laser treatment for varicose veins in the past which have been carried out successfully, is this something they could be funny about? As of now, I would consider myself very healthy.
 

SmugStarlord

Member
Joined
11 May 2026
Messages
69
Location
Twyford
Good evening everyone. I have a medical for a Trainee Train Driver position at Southeastern coming up which I am slightly worried about having read some comments over the forum. The email specifically states that they measure your height and weight ratio will be assessed. I am worried about my situation as I had lost a lot of weight in the past years and in the process I had also put a lot of muscle on at the gym so, although I am still a bit overweight, my BMI is increased due to the weight of my muscle and some excess skin. Did anyone have a similar situation or would know how they may go about this? when I put my current weight and height into the BMI calculator it places me around 32-33.

I also have another question regarding the medical. I have had laser treatment for varicose veins in the past which have been carried out successfully, is this something they could be funny about? As of now, I would consider myself very healthy.
Im in the same boat as yourself weight/bmi wise. The info i got from recruitment is that the bmi limit (33) is a guidline and not an instant fail. They may do certain tests to make sure you have no underlying issues but if your like me and down the gym every week, it should be ok. The veins side of things, I wouldn't of thought it could stop you from becoming a driver
 

thatguy95

Member
Joined
19 Aug 2026
Messages
8
Location
Bromley
Im in the same boat as yourself weight/bmi wise. The info i got from recruitment is that the bmi limit (33) is a guidline and not an instant fail. They may do certain tests to make sure you have no underlying issues but if your like me and down the gym every week, it should be ok. The veins side of things, I wouldn't of thought it could stop you from becoming a driver
That's a little comforting then l, thank you!
 

Brenfield

Member
Joined
10 Jan 2026
Messages
74
Location
Reading
Im in the same boat as yourself weight/bmi wise. The info i got from recruitment is that the bmi limit (33) is a guidline and not an instant fail. They may do certain tests to make sure you have no underlying issues but if your like me and down the gym every week, it should be ok. The veins side of things, I wouldn't of thought it could stop you from becoming a driver
Hi, did you get the info about BMI directly from GWR? I've seen mixed messages, some saying its a guide but also people saying they were failed because of their BMI.
I'm around 32-33 myself so i'm also a bit anxious.
 

SmugStarlord

Member
Joined
11 May 2026
Messages
69
Location
Twyford
Hi, did you get the info about BMI directly from GWR? I've seen mixed messages, some saying its a guide but also people saying they were failed because of their BMI.
I'm around 32-33 myself so i'm also a bit anxious.
Yeah it was directly from GWR. If your worried, email recruitment to put your mind at rest. As long as your fit and have no underlying issues like sleep apnoea, high risk of diabetes or high blood pressure, you should be ok.
The info I was given that it used to be a fail a few years ago but not anymore.
I've seen a few drivers who are bigger than me (no offence) and my last BMI measurement several weeks ago was 38. I go to the gym 3 times a week, started competing in DEKA and made changes to my diet
 

Brenfield

Member
Joined
10 Jan 2026
Messages
74
Location
Reading
Yeah it was directly from GWR. If your worried, email recruitment to put your mind at rest. As long as your fit and have no underlying issues like sleep apnoea, high risk of diabetes or high blood pressure, you should be ok.
The info I was given that it used to be a fail a few years ago but not anymore.
I've seen a few drivers who are bigger than me (no offence) and my last BMI measurement several weeks ago was 38. I go to the gym 3 times a week, started competing in DEKA and made changes to my diet
Thanks thats good to know.
 

kuksjan03

New Member
Joined
9 Sep 2026
Messages
2
Location
London
do you know why they made you do this supervised? seems odd to me
The assessment was just called that as you can see on the email they sent me (Supervised Visual Search Exercise VSE), for every assessment you do you will have a test administrator in the room but for this assessment I was the only candidate in the room with a test administrator.
 

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vc99

Member
Joined
17 May 2025
Messages
99
Location
warminster
Has anyone done a Chester step test with the medical if so what level do you have to go to and how many minutes u tested for?
 

Welshchick

Member
Joined
21 Oct 2022
Messages
57
Location
UK
Almost 4.5 weeks now since I sat the train dispatch multitasking test. I have heard nothing...if I had failed, would I have heard by now?
 

ekn2020

Member
Joined
22 Sep 2025
Messages
12
Location
london
Hi all, I have today found out I’ve passed the final MMI interview. I am absolutely over the moon!! I began the process with Southern two years ago, so this feels like a massive achievement! Has anyone recently passed with Southern in the last 12 months or so, and are able to advise how long they were waiting for a course start date? Thank you.
 

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