Assessments & Medicals discussion

[GrIfFtEr15]

It will be an OPC assessment, so it will be at their base at Watford.

Thanks any info on the Assessments would be greatly appreciated

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It will be an OPC assessment, so it will be at their base at Watford.

Do you no if the OPC assessment is different to a Trainee driver assessment? as my TOC sends trainee drivers to Swindon for their assessments? many thanks

 

[Harry445]

So I’m due to have my medical with GWR for the role of train technician. I have some hearing loss and tinnitus, would this pose a problem for my application? What is the standard required?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Horizon22]

So I’m due to have my medical with GWR for the role of train technician. I have some hearing loss and tinnitus, would this pose a problem for my application? What is the standard required?

Any help would be much appreciated.

I don't know what the exact standard is but for a safety-critical medical they will put you into a soundproof booth and play "beeps" of various frequencies in one ear then the other and you need to press a clicker when you here it.

I imagine hearing loss and tinnitus may pose a risk to you being able to identify all these noises which may result in a failure. If you state this to the OH nurse beforehand this will be taken into consideration but normally unfortunately these things are fairly black and white unless you have some sort of adjustment.

 

[CrossfitGuy]

Hi Everyone,

I have my pre-employment medical next month and I am wondering what the view point is on people who have had emotional support via there doctor for life experiences, that have challenged them?

I had a hard time at the end of last year, I reached out to get support and everything is great now, but naturally this is documented in my medical file.

I am wondering if anyone has had experience going through there medical with similar experiences. I am not on any medication or have ever taken medication....

Thanks for your thoughts in advance

 

[CreswellSig]

Does anyone know which company does the train driver medicals for WMT?

I have recently done a medical for a conductor role with Medigold for another TOC. I passed the medical and was told I will not need to go for a medical for another 5 years.

Are driver medicals and conductor medicals the same? Would I need to do another medical for a driving job or will the recent railway medical records be good enough?

Thanks

 

[Amnesiac]

Does anyone know which company does the train driver medicals for WMT?

I have recently done a medical for a conductor role with Medigold for another TOC. I passed the medical and was told I will not need to go for a medical for another 5 years.

Are driver medicals and conductor medicals the same? Would I need to do another medical for a driving job or will the recent railway medical records be good enough?

Thanks

Same company, but a Driver’s medical is slightly different, with more checks involved I believe. I would expect you would need a full medical again

 

[Gemz91]

I’m a driver not a signaller but would be fairly confident it’s the same.

I’ve been on and off medication for a number of years and had stints away from driving when I’ve been at my worse and I’ve had no problems with my career or medicals. It’s something I don’t think the railways are good at addressing. It took me years to go to the doctors about my mental health as I was always worried they’d take my driving licence away from me. Daft to think that looking back. But ever since I’ve made it my mission to tell others my mental health story. It’s encouraged a couple of other drivers to go get help, and some other drivers have told me their on meds too but daren’t tell anyone else.

Obviously at it’s very worse, they may say no but if you’ve not been on meds I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Everyone goes through tough times in their life journey.

 

[Llanigraham]

I think my one worry about this situation would be if you are being considered for a vacancy at a single manned Box as against a multi-panelled position. I suspect that their attitude will be different between the two.

 

[CrossfitGuy]

I’m a driver not a signaller but would be fairly confident it’s the same.

I’ve been on and off medication for a number of years and had stints away from driving when I’ve been at my worse and I’ve had no problems with my career or medicals. It’s something I don’t think the railways are good at addressing. It took me years to go to the doctors about my mental health as I was always worried they’d take my driving licence away from me. Daft to think that looking back. But ever since I’ve made it my mission to tell others my mental health story. It’s encouraged a couple of other drivers to go get help, and some other drivers have told me their on meds too but daren’t tell anyone else.

Obviously at it’s very worse, they may say no but if you’ve not been on meds I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Everyone goes through tough times in their life journey.

Thank you very much for sharing that with me, I appreciate your honesty. I feel now that the stigma has been lifted some what, around mental health and mental fitness, employers see things different.

 

[Gemz91]

Thank you very much for sharing that with me, I appreciate your honesty. I feel now that the stigma has been lifted some what, around mental health and mental fitness, employers see things different.

Always happy to chat about it. As I said, I already worked on the railways when I went to my managers about my mental health, but it should never be a barrier to stopping you joining.

Not speaking up about my mental health for fear of losing my job put me in a worse place in the long run. If I’d got help earlier things would have been very different. I hope by telling my story helps others get help rather then bottling up and struggling on.

 

[CrossfitGuy]

I think my one worry about this situation would be if you are being considered for a vacancy at a single manned Box as against a multi-panelled position. I suspect that their attitude will be different between the two.

I am not on medication or actively being supported anymore, this was a one off October/November last year and because I didn't have emotional support else where I believed the doctor would be the best place to go. Companies now offer support for everyone, I didn't have that option. Like I have said, I have spoken through what I needed to and now I am getting on with life.

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Always happy to chat about it. As I said, I already worked on the railways when I went to my managers about my mental health, but it should never be a barrier to stopping you joining.

Not speaking up about my mental health for fear of losing my job put me in a worse place in the long run. If I’d got help earlier things would have been very different. I hope by telling my story helps others get help rather then bottling up and struggling on.

Thankyou

 

[CreswellSig]

Same company, but a Driver’s medical is slightly different, with more checks involved I believe. I would expect you would need a full medical again

Ok, thanks.

What are the main differences between the medicals? Does driver medical involve an ECG test?

 

[Chloelj]

Hi everyone I have been asked to do this test and the SAT I am applying for station customer service. Are there any other free tests except the sample on OPC? I tried the Bourdon one but not sure how you highlight the test and if anything is actually happening, all new to me. I have until the 21st Nov to do it.

 

[NSEWonderer]

There is A Group Bourdon Tool on the fourm. Download it and select the SCAAT option. Then print it out. Printer Icon is between the Defaults and Help Button on the Tool.

 

[Horizon22]

Ok, thanks.

What are the main differences between the medicals? Does driver medical involve an ECG test?

Yes that's one of the main differences.

 

[ecit16]

Hi all,
I failed one part of the assessment day, and they said I can have the opportunity to resit that part and then onto the MMI in 6 months, does this mean I have to reapply when a trainee driver position comes up? or would I automatically get a email in 6 months? Just would like to know how it works. I’m gutted, and pretty annoyed at my self, every other test was fine, thanks

 

[Jack2]

Can someone explain what exactly the group bourdan exam is? I can see that you have to select all the boxes with 4 dots but what is the timeframe etc? And where can I print off some of these sheets for practice? The link doesn't seem to work on the thread about it.
Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Nov 2024 ==

There is A Group Bourdon Tool on the fourm. Download it and select the SCAAT option. Then print it out. Printer Icon is between the Defaults and Help Button on the Tool.

View attachment 169385

Any ideas how you open this? Can't open it on my phone or an iPad

 

[NSEWonderer]

Can someone explain what exactly the group bourdan exam is? I can see that you have to select all the boxes with 4 dots but what is the timeframe etc? And where can I print off some of these sheets for practice? The link doesn't seem to work on the thread about it.
Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Nov 2024 ==


Any ideas how you open this? Can't open it on my phone or an iPad

You need windows pc / laptop

 

[Pintman]

Hi all,
I failed one part of the assessment day, and they said I can have the opportunity to resit that part and then onto the MMI in 6 months, does this mean I have to reapply when a trainee driver position comes up? or would I automatically get a email in 6 months? Just would like to know how it works. I’m gutted, and pretty annoyed at my self, every other test was fine, thanks

Depends on the TOC, but most likely you will need to reapply.

 

[elduderino78]

Can someone explain what exactly the group bourdan exam is? I can see that you have to select all the boxes with 4 dots but what is the timeframe etc? And where can I print off some of these sheets for practice? The link doesn't seem to work on the thread about it.
Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Nov 2024 ==


Any ideas how you open this? Can't open it on my phone or an iPad

There is also an online version but would always recommend printing off sheets as that is the real test.

Bourdon Test online

Bourdon online test - test your concentration abilities

metodorf.com

 

[Jack2]

There is also an online version but would always recommend printing off sheets as that is the real test.

Bourdon Test online

Bourdon online test - test your concentration abilities

metodorf.com

What actually happens on the day of the test? How many sheets and how long do you get? Thank you

 

[driver333]

Hi,

Is anyone who’s had a medical recently able to give me a an in depth breakdown down of medigold’s vision test and hearing test.

Any details and required standards are appreciated. Just want to clarify to myself I’ll be okay as I wear glasses and am short sighted without.

I know I’ve asked in the past but need reassuring again as it’s so close now!

Thanks a lot guys in advance

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

There’s a specific thread for medical questions, however…

Vision will be a colour blindness test, tested with and without glasses. Be asked to stand against one wall next to the classic board with letters that each get smaller in size and you’ll be looking into a mirror so have to read off as many as you can. May ask you to read a card which has again different size font paragraphs, smallest of which being similar insize of that of a leaflet inside a box of tablets

Hearing, is our favourite claustrophobic box, wearing a headset listening for the high and low tone frequency beeps and just click whenever you hear them

 

[Kelki]

This info is in previous threads and is the standard with Medigold I believe.

There is a maximum allowed for any corrected vision. If you fail this it won’t matter that you pass all the other tests on the day. Your prescription cannot be over the below numbers due to rail regulations.
The TOC /FOC does however have the discretion to review you case and to pass you with restrictions depending on the severity of which you failed.

A.1.24 (2) (b)
Maximum corrective lenses: hypermetropia+ 5 / myopia -8

 

[driver333]

There’s a specific thread for medical questions, however…

Vision will be a colour blindness test, tested with and without glasses. Be asked to stand against one wall next to the classic board with letters that each get smaller in size and you’ll be looking into a mirror so have to read off as many as you can. May ask you to read a card which has again different size font paragraphs, smallest of which being similar insize of that of a leaflet inside a box of tablets

Hearing, is our favourite claustrophobic box, wearing a headset listening for the high and low tone frequency beeps and just click whenever you hear them

Thanks for the info I appreciate it. Okay that doesn’t actually sound so bad. I was only concerned as I wear glasses but sounds like you can wear them during all the tests and as long as the vision is corrected to the standard, should be Ok.

The audio sounds like “fun” NOT but I’m sure that’ll be Ok. Thank you.

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Thank you for taking the time to give me this information. I really appreciate it. My prescription is a -3.5 so that should be Ok then and with my prescription glasses on my vision is 6/6 in both eyes it says call my prescription receipt

So surely I’ll be okay

Thanks mate

 

[Kelki]

No prob, with that prescription you should be, always helps to be reassured. Best of luck.

 

[greeny14888]

What actually happens on the day of the test? How many sheets and how long do you get? Thank you

Usually you get 5 sheets with 15-20 rows of dots each. After 2 minutes you move to the next sheet. So 10 minutes total. No one actually knows the accuracy and speed requirements but 10 rows with no errors per sheet seems to be a good target. Impossible to practice that one too much though when you get hold of some practice sheets. Don't neglect the other tests though

 

[Jack2]

Usually you get 5 sheets with 15-20 rows of dots each. After 2 minutes you move to the next sheet. So 10 minutes total. No one actually knows the accuracy and speed requirements but 10 rows with no errors per sheet seems to be a good target. Impossible to practice that one too much though when you get hold of some practice sheets. Don't neglect the other tests though

Thanks for your response, What are the other tests you talk off? Or can you point me where I can find a full list? Thanks

 

[nolypops83]

Thanks for your response, What are the other tests you talk off? Or can you point me where I can find a full list? Thanks

I found this thread helpful. If you get invited to the psychometrics your TOC/FOC will send you some details so you don't go in blind.

Trainee Driver Assessment Process Tips

This forum was very helpful to me as I went through the application and assessment process to be a trainee train driver, so I thought I would pass on a few tips to help others, too! So, you made it through the paper sift and you get invited to the assessment centre – well done, you have an...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[dotcomma]

Hi,

I've been invited to stage 2 psychometric tests in Watford. Is this when the medical is also done? Or is this separate and on a day just for the medical? Do you get a heads up on when it will be like every other stage so far?

Thanks for all the help. I have my stage 2 next week but looking at the practice materials I have completed some of these already. I have just emailed them to confrim which tests I will need to do but I'm awaiting a reply on that part.

Thanks!