Assessments & Medicals discussion

[JP2025]

Hello all,

I hope you can be so kind as to support me. I have applied for two positions at LNER, Apprentice Train Manager and Customer Experience Host.

For the former, I need to do Psychometrics Testing, and the latter involves a 3-hour assessment centre.

Is there any advice you can offer? Especially the Psychometrics Testing. Are there any practice papers I can access to get started?

Thanks so much in advance - I appreciate all support.

x

 

[dannydm1]

Just curious. Anybody who has gone through the interview process recently, do they still do the test with the headphone and 4 colours. Also is this the same test for signallers?

 

[Unobrow]

Hello all,

I hope you can be so kind as to support me. I have applied for two positions at LNER, Apprentice Train Manager and Customer Experience Host.

For the former, I need to do Psychometrics Testing, and the latter involves a 3-hour assessment centre.

Is there any advice you can offer? Especially the Psychometrics Testing. Are there any practice papers I can access to get started?

Thanks so much in advance - I appreciate all support.

x

If you’re successful in your initial application you’ll get practice materials sent to you regarding the psychometrics. You’ll probably find a lot of answers on this thread too.

(*READ BEFORE POSTING*) Jobs & Careers Forum Guidelines

Welcome to the Jobs and Careers Forum! We hope that you find this forum valuable and insightful and enjoy reading its contents! Topics & Threads This forum is intended to be used for the following (non-exclusive) topics: Posting vacancies and jobs that you have seen advertised Discussing...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Brick79]

I know this has been spoken about a few times, however I want to talk about people’s experiences & results with the DFFT. I found it the trickiest out of the tests. I had to go back on a few questions and make corrections as I found I was reading the wrong diagram etc and found I only answered around 9 questions. How many questions did people answer, and those that passed how many did you manage to answer?

To be honest I thought it was quite easy and straightforward, maybe when you first see it all it feels a bit overwhelming, a lot of information but just going step by step and looking up information I felt confident during the exam and managed to answer 13 questions.

 

[Ellwill]

Southeastern - Station Staff Assessment + Medical
Hi all, very pleased to announce that pending medical I should be in the talent pool for SE. Just a couple of questions I'd like to ask:

Has anyone else been through their new streamlined process? Previously you would have your assessment first in Tonbridge before going to an interview later with the manager of the station you're applying for. However, now they seem to have one or two SMs sitting in on the assessment and then conducting a shorter interview on the day.

Secondly, what should I expect from the medical? I know it's up at London Bridge and includes eyesight and hearing tests but other than that I'm in the dark.

Would appreciate any insight, thank you all.

 

[Horizon22]

Southeastern - Station Staff Assessment + Medical
Hi all, very pleased to announce that pending medical I should be in the talent pool for SE. Just a couple of questions I'd like to ask:

Has anyone else been through their new streamlined process? Previously you would have your assessment first in Tonbridge before going to an interview later with the manager of the station you're applying for. However, now they seem to have one or two SMs sitting in on the assessment and then conducting a shorter interview on the day.

Secondly, what should I expect from the medical? I know it's up at London Bridge and includes eyesight and hearing tests but other than that I'm in the dark.

Would appreciate any insight, thank you all.

For station staff are you going to be dispatching trains? If so it will be a safety-critical medical.

So yep eyesight (standard distance test and colour vision) and hearing but also very basic physical test and also a urine sample will be taken to test for drugs and alcohol. They may do your blood pressure too. You will also need to do a pre-medical questionnaire to state any ongoing medications or underlying conditions.

 

[Ynoo]

Hello all,

I hope you can be so kind as to support me. I have applied for two positions at LNER, Apprentice Train Manager and Customer Experience Host.

For the former, I need to do Psychometrics Testing, and the latter involves a 3-hour assessment centre.

Is there any advice you can offer? Especially the Psychometrics Testing. Are there any practice papers I can access to get started?

Thanks so much in advance - I appreciate all support.

x

I would like to know about this too. Can anyone help please

 

[kisyrpk]

Hi Gents,

I have recently passed written & computer tests at enchaced standard with one of TOC's but failed MMI.
It is obvious that I have to take MMI again but do I need retake all the tests for some FOC's, TOC's?

Someone mentioned that DB Cargo won't accept test outside their own assessment centre. I have been told that test are valid for 5 years for most companies.

Thanks

 

[D3WY]

Hi Gents,

I have recently passed written & computer tests at enchaced standard with one of TOC's but failed MMI.
It is obvious that I have to take MMI again but do I need retake all the tests for some FOC's, TOC's?

Someone mentioned that DB Cargo won't accept test outside their own assessment centre. I have been told that test are valid for 5 years for most companies.

Thanks

The assessments last 5 years l, so your second attempt you should just have to retake MMI. I think thr DMI last 3 years? Someone may correct me on that.

Bare in mind you get 2 lives. So 2nd time is your last chance as MMI counts as assessment.

I failed my MMI first time, it was a horrible interview, I was dreading my 2nd attempt but it was a much much better interview knowing what it involves.

Good luck

 

[kisyrpk]

Thanks, I'm aware of two lives regarding psychometric tests including MMI. Tbf for me was horrible especially as I was last person on that day.
I will be with DB Cargo soon as MO but want to apply for internal role as Driver in the future. Does anyone know I they would accept OPC assessment results?

 

[Brickz]

Was recently changed that you now get 3 lives but only for new test takers. There was a thread about it all not that long ago, can't remember when it came into affect but think it was something like 7th of December 2024 so if your 1st try was after this you'd have 3 lives instead of 2.

 

[Ellwill]

For station staff are you going to be dispatching trains? If so it will be a safety-critical medical.

So yep eyesight (standard distance test and colour vision) and hearing but also very basic physical test and also a urine sample will be taken to test for drugs and alcohol. They may do your blood pressure too. You will also need to do a pre-medical questionnaire to state any ongoing medications or underlying conditions.

Told it could be either depending on what's needed, so would assume safety critical.

 

[TJC3]

Does anybody know how many seconds an image is displayed in the ATVAT test please? Or is this a closely guarded secret.

I have done the test previously and failed so naturally on my second shot, I want to be as prepared as possible.

I thought it was 2 seconds but there seems to different answers in this forum. I sat my test with Northern but I suspect all TOCS will be the same

 

[nolypops83]

Does anybody know how many seconds an image is displayed in the ATVAT test please? Or is this a closely guarded secret.

I have done the test previously and failed so naturally on my second shot, I want to be as prepared as possible.

I thought it was 2 seconds but there seems to different answers in this forum. I sat my test with Northern but I suspect all TOCS will be the same

Not sure exactly but about 1 second. I wouldn't worry about the time too much, the best advice I got for this one was don't guess, only put what you see.

 

[TJC3]

Not sure exactly but about 1 second. I wouldn't worry about the time too much, the best advice I got for this one was don't guess, only put what you see.

Thank you

 

[Neatro]

Does anybody know how many seconds an image is displayed in the ATVAT test please? Or is this a closely guarded secret.

I have done the test previously and failed so naturally on my second shot, I want to be as prepared as possible.

I thought it was 2 seconds but there seems to different answers in this forum. I sat my test with Northern but I suspect all TOCS will be the same

I doubt anyone who's doing the tests thinks about timing how long they are, so not really a closely guarded secret more of an unknown.
.
Best advice is only put down what you see, if it was there and you didn't see it then don't mark it down as you're guessing.

You can practice this with a partner by printing off any sort of city photos or even house photos and get them to flash you the picture and you tell them what was on it.

 

[Spider1806]

Drivers eyesight standards

Hi. A friend has a medical coming up for trainee driver and despite research on here and gov.uk websites is confused re unaided eyesight requirements, as I am. He can only read the 2 largest lines of the opticians chart WITHOUT glasses but with glasses has the vision of the bionic man. So what...

www.railforums.co.uk

It was discussed here, I believe they are changing this year though but don't know to what.

What getting harder you mean?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jan 2025 ==

Hi guys any tips or advice on DMI questions?

 

[Neatro]

What getting harder you mean?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jan 2025 ==

Hi guys any tips or advice on DMI questions?

I don't think getting harder, just changing is all I know.

Also DMI is very similar to the MMI/CBI you did in terms of questions but more based around you as a person how you deal with them all rather than the experience you have.

Also brush up on the company quite a bit as that's a very common question that some candidates gloss over.

I knew routes/traction/interviewers job history/company future projects and current passenger levels (all can usually be found online).

I don't like giving too much away in regards to questions but if you do a deep dive on the search function on here you're bound to find the questions.

 

[Spider1806]

I don't think getting harder, just changing is all I know.

Also DMI is very similar to the MMI/CBI you did in terms of questions but more based around you as a person how you deal with them all rather than the experience you have.

Also brush up on the company quite a bit as that's a very common question that some candidates gloss over.

I knew routes/traction/interviewers job history/company future projects and current passenger levels (all can usually be found online).

I don't like giving too much away in regards to questions but if you do a deep dive on the search function on here you're bound to find the questions.

Going to be hard to find out interviewed history?

There is not a lot of questions on here you would be surprised

 

[nolypops83]

Going to be hard to find out interviewed history?

There is not a lot of questions on here you would be surprised

I found it helpful to look at the non-technical skills and then think of examples for each one, real life scenarios that would demonstrate the skills.

Introduction to Non-Technical Skills

Safety critical task require knowledge, technical skills and non-technical skills (NTS) such as maintaining concentration and checking. NTS underpin and enhance technical tasks and improve safety by helping people to anticipate, identify and mitigate against risks and errors.

www.rssb.co.uk

You can register for an account for free.

 

[Spider1806]

I found it helpful to look at the non-technical skills and then think of examples for each one, real life scenarios that would demonstrate the skills.

Introduction to Non-Technical Skills

Safety critical task require knowledge, technical skills and non-technical skills (NTS) such as maintaining concentration and checking. NTS underpin and enhance technical tasks and improve safety by helping people to anticipate, identify and mitigate against risks and errors.

www.rssb.co.uk

You can register for an account for free.

I have passed my MMI so I know a lot already in terms of that but he’s NTS for sure

Have you done a DMI? Just looking for example questions etc?

 

[nolypops83]

I have passed my MMI so I know a lot already in terms of that but he’s NTS for sure

Have you done a DMI? Just looking for example questions etc?

Yeah, at Northern and I've got another one next month. They do them first before the psychometrics unlike some other TOCs

Can't remember the exact questions but there was a get to know you section with why you want to be a driver, what you can bring to the role and what you know about Northern questions first. Then they moved on to the competency based questions and you were advised to use the STAR technique to answer.

 

[Spider1806]

Ok cool

So no really examples of questions?

 

[nolypops83]

I have an assessment day with Northern (not the psychometrics) at the start of Feb and there are some group activities which I have been given some vague info about. I need to watch some footage from the perspective of a driver and I came across this channel on YouTube.

Don Coffey

The best cab ride channel on YouTube!

www.youtube.com

Any others that I should check out? He seems to have a good selection with on-screen explanations about up/down lines, signals, junctions etc. I don't think I'll need to get too technical, just a general awareness of what I should see from the cab.

Ok cool

So no really examples of questions?

It was in 2023 so I really can't remember. Honestly don't recall it being anything to stress about.

 

[Neatro]

Any others that I should check out? He seems to have a good selection with on-screen explanations about up/down lines, signals, junctions etc. I don't think I'll need to get too technical, just a general awareness of what I should see from the cab.

If you're applying for a driver role you really don't need to be that technical.

I just did routes/traction generic information about your chosen station and any current or future plans/environmental challenges.

Then the rest of the interview was just about their questions.

 

[nolypops83]

If you're applying for a driver role you really don't need to be that technical.

I just did routes/traction generic information about your chosen station and any current or future plans/environmental challenges.

Then the rest of the interview was just about their questions.

Thanks, this is for an assessment day which is a new part of the recruitment process. They’ve said there will be several group and individual exercises, but I’ve not got too much information about what that will involve. They just advised me to watch some cab footage. I’m guessing it’ll be some sort of observation test, but want to be prepared in case it’s not. I once went for an interview where I was told I would be sitting a Microsoft Excel test so I brushed up on my vlookup, pivot table etc. What they actually meant was it would be a test using Excel and I’d wasted my time revising the wrong thing. They should have been more clear in their explanation but I felt like a right wally. None of us got the job in the end unsurprisingly.

 

[matcha]

I need to watch some footage from the perspective of a driver and I came across this channel on YouTube.

Don Coffey

The best cab ride channel on YouTube!

www.youtube.com

Any others that I should check out? He seems to have a good selection with on-screen explanations about up/down lines, signals, junctions etc. I don't think I'll need to get too technical, just a general awareness of what I should see from the cab.

Check out Dad Rail. I find his videos really interesting and informative.

Dad Rail

Welcome to Dad Rail. I am a Freight Train Driver, former Passenger Train Driver, and father to 4 wonderful sons, all of which don't like trains! On this channel you will find a selection of Mainline, Heritage, Model and European Railway Videos. My popular Train Driver VLOG series details my...

youtube.com

 

[nolypops83]

Check out Dad Rail. I find his videos really interesting and informative.

Dad Rail

Welcome to Dad Rail. I am a Freight Train Driver, former Passenger Train Driver, and father to 4 wonderful sons, all of which don't like trains! On this channel you will find a selection of Mainline, Heritage, Model and European Railway Videos. My popular Train Driver VLOG series details my...

youtube.com

Thanks I'll add that to my list!

 

[Charladenz]

I was wondering if anyone had recently gone for a safety critical medical (Conductor role) in Glasgow for ScotRail, I'm keen to know how long overall it took.

I'm traveling 3.5 hours there and back in a couple or weeks so I'm looking at travel time options for the journey. Thanks

 

[bob reb]

Hi all, I applied for the trainee train driver position at CrossCountry and received an email from Arriva to say I was successful on Oct 1st 2024, I then completed the initial assessment and received an email with the subject 'Invite for Interview - Please Create a Candidate Home Account' which I completed right away on Oct 15th.

Since then I haven't received an invite for interview and my candidate home page states 'pending' ever since. There is no option to book and interview or any more assessments to complete. I called customer service and was advised to email the HR team but haven't got a reply.

Is it normal to not hear anything for several months? Anything I can do or person to contact?

Thanks in advance.

Bob