Assessment Centre Opportunities

[gb2017]

Hi I've heard that there will now be 3 opportunities for the assessment centre. But I had heard that if you are staff going for an assessment centre they have limitless opportunities at this. Is this truth or myth?

 

[Horizon22]

Hello,

Can you please be more specific? What assessment centre? What role and what TOC?

 

[clarets2005]

I think they're referring to the driver's psychometric assessments at the OPC, and that the amount of attempts a candidate is allowed has increased from 2 to 3.
I've heard the latter is true, from multiple sources, but don't know for certain and whether there are any caveats to this. I'm fortunate to never have to deal with the OPC again, and have no interest in reaching out for clarification.
The rumour that railway staff have unlimited attempts vice 2/3 attempts for everyone else is completely false, however.

 

[gracefultracks]

Hmm that’s any interesting thought. Where is your evidence for this? I’d hate to have less opportunities than others to become a driver.

 

[Plodster]

OPC manage the national testing and set the rules around it
Some TOCs administer the National testing working to OPC standards
Applicants are now allowed 3 attempts at the tests over a five year period if they first applied after 7 December 2024 I think

Anyone unsuccessful at the first attempt must wait for 12 months before taking a second attempt
Anyone unsuccessful for a second time must wait for a period of five years from the date of their first attempt and at least one year since their second attempt


Anyone who applied before 7 December 2024 is on the 2 attempts system

There is a thread on this somewhere

Rail staff have the same number of attempts as everyone else records are maintained by the OPC

 

[Pintman]

OPC manage the national testing and set the rules around it
Some TOCs administer the National testing working to OPC standards
Applicants are now allowed 3 attempts at the tests over a five year period if they first applied after 7 December 2024 I think

Anyone unsuccessful at the first attempt must wait for 12 months before taking a second attempt
Anyone unsuccessful for a second time must wait for a period of five years from the date of their first attempt and at least one year since their second attempt


Anyone who applied before 7 December 2024 is on the 2 attempts system

There is a thread on this somewhere

Rail staff have the same number of attempts as everyone else records are maintained by the OPC

Bro what are you on about, the OPC is an assessment centre, the standard is managed by RSSB. This has been talked about on the forum before

RIS-3751-TOM Iss 4 - Psychometric Testing Attempts Update - 07/12/2024

RSSB has made an update to RIS-3751-TOM which deals with all things to do with psychometric testing and candidate finding: RIS-3751-TOM Iss 4 Summary Of Changes RIS-3751-TOM Iss 4 has been updated and aligned to current good practice and legislation for train driver psychometric...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Spincity]

I think they're referring to the driver's psychometric assessments at the OPC, and that the amount of attempts a candidate is allowed has increased from 2 to 3.
I've heard the latter is true, from multiple sources, but don't know for certain and whether there are any caveats to this. I'm fortunate to never have to deal with the OPC again, and have no interest in reaching out for clarification.
The rumour that railway staff have unlimited attempts vice 2/3 attempts for everyone else is completely false, however.

What’s the issue with the OPC. Found them very helpful.

 

[ibz766]

how much time do you actually need to prep for OPC? 1 week/2 ish enough?

 

[transportphoto]

I’m going to bring this thread to a close. It seems the main question related to the potential difference in opportunity between external and internal applicants - this question has been answered. Thanks all.