Assessments & Medicals discussion

[starsandmoon]

Hi,

I have my psychometric testing coming up in Leeds for Northern at the end of the month and I would be very grateful for some advice to practice the tests and any advice would be welcome and appreciated as my previous role is not on the railway therefore I have not had previous experience with these tests!

Thanking you all in advance

 

[AverageJoe]

Hi,

I have my psychometric testing coming up in Leeds for Northern at the end of the month and I would be very grateful for some advice to practice the tests and any advice would be welcome and appreciated as my previous role is not on the railway therefore I have not had previous experience with these tests!

Thanking you all in advance

The good news is northern will provide all you need for the tests.

The group bourdon test on this forum will also help.

 

[JT7988]

I was a total outsider from the railways and used the vast amount of info and knowledge here on the forums - So much fantastic info already here.

Just use the search function and look back through previous threads and you’ll find lots of advice about the tests. As averageJoe mentions you’ll also receive practise material from Northern too. Thanks to this forum and the practise material I felt confident going in, albeit still nervous, but managed to pass to Enhanced standard last year.

 

[SiTheTrainGuy]

Hi,

I have my psychometric testing coming up in Leeds for Northern at the end of the month and I would be very grateful for some advice to practice the tests and any advice would be welcome and appreciated as my previous role is not on the railway therefore I have not had previous experience with these tests!

Thanking you all in advance

I used the website below to practice the GB dots test. I was awful at first then got very quick and accurate by practicing.

The test on the day is no where near as hard too so using this tool makes it almost seem easy.

Bourdon Test online

Bourdon online test - test your concentration abilities

metodorf.com

 

[Hypelegendz]

Hi guys I'm just looking to see if anyone can help me im applying to a conductor and have made it on to the online assessments I passed the first 2 assessments and got invited to do the SCAAT test that was now 2 weeks ago and I still havnt heard anything is this normal as the first 2 exams were sent out within a day of completing the previous 1.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Feb 2025 ==

My luck as I ask about it i got the results

 

[Alfpp]

Hi guys I'm just looking to see if anyone can help me im applying to a conductor and have made it on to the online assessments I passed the first 2 assessments and got invited to do the SCAAT test that was now 2 weeks ago and I still havnt heard anything is this normal as the first 2 exams were sent out within a day of completing the previous 1.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Feb 2025 ==

My luck as I ask about it i got the results

Yeah railways seem to go slow at recruitment unfortunately. Which company & depot have you applied for? What was your results

 

[Snowman84]

Morning All,

Got my Psychometrics coming up at Northerns centre in leeds.......could anybody help with the below please?

1. Is there much parking nearby? I was going to try and get parked at the station if that's even anywhere near?
2. TRP1 - Is it 3 minutes to ready the text/make notes, then 8 minutes to answer the questions (As per practice material)
3. Are audio tests such as Tea-Occ delivered via the use of headphones?
4. Also any other genral tips for the day would be amazing

Many Thanks

 

[Alfpp]

Morning All,

Got my Psychometrics coming up at Northerns centre in leeds.......could anybody help with the below please?

1. Is there much parking nearby? I was going to try and get parked at the station if that's even anywhere near?
2. TRP1 - Is it 3 minutes to ready the text/make notes, then 8 minutes to answer the questions (As per practice material)
3. Are audio tests such as Tea-Occ delivered via the use of headphones?
4. Also any other genral tips for the day would be amazing

Many Thanks

There’s Trinity car park literally next door to the train station, it’s expensive tho. But probs be worth it so you aren’t messing around going anywhere else and possibly getting lost then being late etc.

 

[Snowman84]

There’s Trinity car park literally next door to the train station, it’s expensive tho. But probs be worth it so you aren’t messing around going anywhere else and possibly getting lost then being late etc.

Great, thanks for the info

 

[Alfpp]

Great, thanks for the info

No worries, good luck. Btw from applying to this assessment day how long between it all has their been?

 

[Alis2205]

Hello,

I’d been given a verbal offer for a trainee train conductor position.

My medical was over 2 weeks ago , when I’d spoken to the person in charge of recruitment , they were still waiting on a full report from the medical provider (optima health). Is 2 weeks plus for this step normal?

Any help / anecdotal experience would be much appreciated.

 

[Snowman84]

No worries, good luck. Btw from applying to this assessment day how long between it all has their been?

Applied for the role end of Nov 2024 and had my face to face interview a couple of weeks ago.

 

[starsandmoon]

Applied for the role end of Nov 2024 and had my face to face interview a couple of weeks ago.

Hi, when is your assessment day for northern?

 

[LokiB]

Hello,

I’d been given a verbal offer for a trainee train conductor position.

My medical was over 2 weeks ago , when I’d spoken to the person in charge of recruitment , they were still waiting on a full report from the medical provider (optima health). Is 2 weeks plus for this step normal?

Any help / anecdotal experience would be much appreciated.

Might be worth dropping your recruitment advisor an email to check they're chasing Optima on your behalf ( I'm sure they are).

I've not dealt with Optima yet but if they're anything like Medigold it could take a while ( 6 weeks of chasing from my last medical with them!).

 

[Alis2205]

Might be worth dropping your recruitment advisor an email to check they're chasing Optima on your behalf ( I'm sure they are).

I've not dealt with Optima yet but if they're anything like Medigold it could take a while ( 6 weeks of chasing from my last medical with them!).

Thanks for the advice. I’ll let it play out for an extra week before sending another follow up email to the recruitment advisor again.

I’m in secure employment currently so I was just mindful of the small window to hit the provisional start date given to me.

 

[GW43125]

I had an issue a couple of years ago with a different company where Optima never sent the paperwork on-definitely worth chasing it if it's been 2-3 weeks.

 

[Northrail127]

I have my psychometric assessment coming up rapidly and I am starting to feel a little nervous. This would be my first (and hopefully only) attempt. I have and still am doing as much as I can to prepare myself.

Anyone have any advice regarding how to reduce nervousness/worry/overthinking?

Cheers

 

[nolypops83]

Morning All,

Got my Psychometrics coming up at Northerns centre in leeds.......could anybody help with the below please?

1. Is there much parking nearby? I was going to try and get parked at the station if that's even anywhere near?
2. TRP1 - Is it 3 minutes to ready the text/make notes, then 8 minutes to answer the questions (As per practice material)
3. Are audio tests such as Tea-Occ delivered via the use of headphones?
4. Also any other genral tips for the day would be amazing

Many Thanks

Tea-Occ wasn't using headphones. Loads of general tips on here but the biggest for me was to take everything one step at a time. Group Bourdon first, once it's done forget about it. If you mess up, keep going, don't assume you've failed. Then on to the next one. Ignore what everyone else is doing and don't let it distract you. It's a lot to take in but listen carefully and ask questions if you're not sure. The staff are lovely btw.

 

[RossMc]

Thanks for the reply.
Great to hear you made it through and in a role!

My worries are that my health record states 'PTSD' and even though it was determined as work-related stress that doesn't change what I was initially treated for on my health record.
I have no issues disclosing all, work-related stress is putting it light - I am now ex-police and was incident-related - which causes the worry!

I'm ex police too. PTSD also related to police related issue. I really wouldn't be too worried about it. Especially if its now being classed as stress.

 

[Unobrow]

I have my psychometric assessment coming up rapidly and I am starting to feel a little nervous. This would be my first (and hopefully only) attempt. I have and still am doing as much as I can to prepare myself.

Anyone have any advice regarding how to reduce nervousness/worry/overthinking?

Cheers

Only you can handle the nerves etc. As for overthinking, it’s easy done, especially with the tones. All I can suggest is do your homework so you know what to expect in each test, and RTFQ. Or in this case, listen to the instructions you’re given, understand them and follow them. If you’re unsure, ask. Don’t be afraid or shy that you might look stupid, others might be thinking the same and too nervous to ask themselves. Not that it matters what anyone else thinks.

The reason I mentioned the tones and overthinking is because I personally found it pretty easy. When we talked about it after as a group on break, the question was the same, did I do it right as it can’t have been that easy to just count a high or low tone and write it down? Don’t overthink it, just do as you’ve been instructed, that’s the point of these tests. First and foremost, can you follow instruction, and not be afraid to ask if you’re unsure? Big part of comms on the railway is reaching a clear understanding.

Don't get me wrong, I was nervous too. But come the day, just concentrated on each individual exercise as they came and nothing else. The hardest for me was the visual picture test and the flashing square. I had to make a conscious effort to stop my mind wandering on that one.

Good luck.

 

[Northrail127]

Only you can handle the nerves etc. As for overthinking, it’s easy done, especially with the tones. All I can suggest is do your homework so you know what to expect in each test, and RTFQ. Or in this case, listen to the instructions you’re given, understand them and follow them. If you’re unsure, ask. Don’t be afraid or shy that you might look stupid, others might be thinking the same and too nervous to ask themselves. Not that it matters what anyone else thinks.

The reason I mentioned the tones and overthinking is because I personally found it pretty easy. When we talked about it after as a group on break, the question was the same, did I do it right as it can’t have been that easy to just count a high or low tone and write it down? Don’t overthink it, just do as you’ve been instructed, that’s the point of these tests. First and foremost, can you follow instruction, and not be afraid to ask if you’re unsure? Big part of comms on the railway is reaching a clear understanding.

Don't get me wrong, I was nervous too. But come the day, just concentrated on each individual exercise as they came and nothing else. The hardest for me was the visual picture test and the flashing square. I had to make a conscious effort to stop my mind wandering on that one.

Good luck.

Really appreciate this. Thanks for the reply and info. Gives me a better insight.

Cheers.

 

[username182]

Hi I am just waiting for my medical for northern but worried my type 2 diabetes will be an issue? There was nothing on the application and mentioned in the interview but they didn’t comment on it or anything does anyone know if this is a fail or not? It’s for a conductor role!

 

[raflec]

Hello 182.
is your type 2 Diabetes treated by insulin or tablets.

 

[Swall]

Only you can handle the nerves etc. As for overthinking, it’s easy done, especially with the tones. All I can suggest is do your homework so you know what to expect in each test, and RTFQ. Or in this case, listen to the instructions you’re given, understand them and follow them. If you’re unsure, ask. Don’t be afraid or shy that you might look stupid, others might be thinking the same and too nervous to ask themselves. Not that it matters what anyone else thinks.

The reason I mentioned the tones and overthinking is because I personally found it pretty easy. When we talked about it after as a group on break, the question was the same, did I do it right as it can’t have been that easy to just count a high or low tone and write it down? Don’t overthink it, just do as you’ve been instructed, that’s the point of these tests. First and foremost, can you follow instruction, and not be afraid to ask if you’re unsure? Big part of comms on the railway is reaching a clear understanding.

Don't get me wrong, I was nervous too. But come the day, just concentrated on each individual exercise as they came and nothing else. The hardest for me was the visual picture test and the flashing square. I had to make a conscious effort to stop my mind wandering on that one.

Good luck.

Like said here do not be afraid to ask if you are unsure. I recently sat my assessments in Leeds and for the TRP1 the Audio recording was different to the written information. Safe to say it confused me and the other person there and i spoke up. The assessors did not pick up on it so was up to us to ask what was going on.

 

[Pintman]

Like said here do not be afraid to ask if you are unsure. I recently sat my assessments in Leeds and for the TRP1 the Audio recording was different to the written information. Safe to say it confused me and the other person there and i spoke up. The assessors did not pick up on it so was up to us to ask what was going on.

That's odd, what was different about it?

 

[username182]

Hello 182.
is your type 2 Diabetes treated by insulin or tablets.

Hi I’m treated with tablet metformin I’ve had it for around 4 years and my current employer I told as I drive for them didn’t really bother and are a country wide firm.
I’ve never had a problem touch wood and have regular eye screening and check ups.
Thanks.

 

[Swall]

That's odd, what was different about it?

I’m guessing they have two different scenarios and they gave us the info sheet for 1 and the audio for the other. Took them a while to find the right audio and we started again.

 

[Snowman84]

Do you get 5 minutes to read the text, then 8 minutes to answer questions?

 

[Swall]

Do you get 5 minutes to read the text, then 8 minutes to answer questions?

Sounds about right but there’s also a 5 or so minute pause from where they take your notes away and you have to wait before giving you the questions to answer.

 

[raflec]

Hi I am just waiting for my medical for northern but worried my type 2 diabetes will be an issue? There was nothing on the application and mentioned in the interview but they didn’t comment on it or anything does anyone know if this is a fail or not? It’s for a conductor role!

I was employed by what is now Northern.
I was a Driver (Safety critical role as also is a Conductor) whilst I started my diabetes treated with tablets I was able to continue in my role, with regular medical check ups. Once I became insulin dependant I was immediately removed from Driving.