Assessments & Medicals discussion

[Seb atari1990]

Hey guys. I failed my assessment day up to the cables and dials test I found that it threw me off compared to the practice material. Not only that I think I messed up the answer sheet. Does anybody know where I can find some more practice material or something similar. And does anybody know what the benchmark to pass is on them

 

[Pintman]

Hey guys. I failed my assessment day up to the cables and dials test I found that it threw me off compared to the practice material. Not only that I think I messed up the answer sheet. Does anybody know where I can find some more practice material or something similar. And does anybody know what the benchmark to pass is on them

You can get more practice materials on the OPC website

The OPC - Practice Test - Trainability for Rules and Procedures (TRP) Part 2 Practice Test

 

[Blondie2020]

The 6/12 goes off the Snellen test which is the standard "letters" test you get at the opticians and 6/12 applies roughly to the 5th line down from the top.

So if you're 6/4.5 wouldn't that mean able to read all letters? And 6/15 would be somewhere between 4th and 5th line.

I don't wear contacts I wear glasses but only corrected in my left eye.

No for my assessment medical is at the end, so for eyesight related it was the standard eye test and colour vision tests.

But yeah as I said, I made it more stressful than it actually was, so I'm sure you'll be

The 6/12 goes off the Snellen test which is the standard "letters" test you get at the opticians and 6/12 applies roughly to the 5th line down from the top.

So if you're 6/4.5 wouldn't that mean able to read all letters? And 6/15 would be somewhere between 4th and 5th line.

I don't wear contacts I wear glasses but only corrected in my left eye.

No for my assessment medical is at the end, so for eyesight related it was the standard eye test and colour vision tests.

But yeah as I said, I made it more stressful than it actually was, so I'm sure you'll be fine.

My bad eye is able to make out some of the top lines but not all the letters but my good eye is well within standard. I will gain some more information, or even send my opticians sight test in. Good luck in your future and thanks for your help

 

[Rave]

Sorry if this has been covered somewhere in the last 50 pages but: I've got my medical a week on Thursday for a trainee driver place. The only potiential problem is my hearing- I have one perfectly good ear (the right) but only about 30% of normal hearing in the other (the left)- the cochlea is fine but I have no ossicles, so it's just quiet (so to speak). I obviously passed the bleep tests in the assesment, conversed normally in the interview etc.

I have never worried about getting a hearing aid for my duff ear because it has never made any real difference to my life other than having to walk on the left of people I'm walking and conversing with; I can converse with passengers in my car when I'm driving no bother even though they're on my bad side. I could potentially buy a hearing aid in advance of my medical if anyone thinks it'll be necessary, just wondering if anyone knows the actual criteria for the medical?

I will try and ring the TOC tomorrow to be on the safe side, was just wondering if anyone knows what their answer is likely to be...

 

[Neatro]

Sorry if this has been covered somewhere in the last 50 pages but: I've got my medical a week on Thursday for a trainee driver place. The only potiential problem is my hearing- I have one perfectly good ear (the right) but only about 30% of normal hearing in the other (the left)- the cochlea is fine but I have no ossicles, so it's just quiet (so to speak). I obviously passed the bleep tests in the assesment, conversed normally in the interview etc.

I have never worried about getting a hearing aid for my duff ear because it has never made any real difference to my life other than having to walk on the left of people I'm walking and conversing with; I can converse with passengers in my car when I'm driving no bother even though they're on my bad side. I could potentially buy a hearing aid in advance of my medical if anyone thinks it'll be necessary, just wondering if anyone knows the actual criteria for the medical?

I will try and ring the TOC tomorrow to be on the safe side, was just wondering if anyone knows what their answer is likely to be...

I had a search of the forum and I found this on a thread about hearing.

The thread is here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/train-tram-driver-and-hearing-aids.234555/

Here is the standard for train drivers as per RIS-3451-TOM (Train Drivers - Suitability and Medical Fitness Requirements);

a) The hearing deficiency should not be higher than 40 dB at 0.5 and 1 kHz.
b) The hearing deficiency should not be higher than 45 dB at 2 kHz for the ear with the worst air conduction of sound.

For trackside workers the standard is higher (replace 40/45db of loss with 30/35db).

 

[Traffic71]

Sorry if this has been covered somewhere in the last 50 pages but: I've got my medical a week on Thursday for a trainee driver place. The only potiential problem is my hearing- I have one perfectly good ear (the right) but only about 30% of normal hearing in the other (the left)- the cochlea is fine but I have no ossicles, so it's just quiet (so to speak). I obviously passed the bleep tests in the assesment, conversed normally in the interview etc.

I have never worried about getting a hearing aid for my duff ear because it has never made any real difference to my life other than having to walk on the left of people I'm walking and conversing with; I can converse with passengers in my car when I'm driving no bother even though they're on my bad side. I could potentially buy a hearing aid in advance of my medical if anyone thinks it'll be necessary, just wondering if anyone knows the actual criteria for the medical?

I will try and ring the TOC tomorrow to be on the safe side, was just wondering if anyone knows what their answer is likely to be...

Hi. Whilst I can’t give you the actual hearing levels required I had my medical for trainee driver last week. My concern was my hearing. I’ve got slightly reduced hearing in my left ear and over the past three or so years have developed tinnitus. I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to hear the tones during the hearing test. I had to fill in a questionnaire upon arrival and I was honest about my conditions. I had the hearing test and it was fine. I could hear the various tones in both ears and at the end the nurse confirmed that yes, I did have reduced hearing in my left ear.
At the end of the medical I had a consultation with their doctor. She asked about the tinnitus etc and said there was no problem. Hope everything goes ok for you.

 

[EZ2636]

I’ve been invited for an assessment day (trainee driver) at GWR - was a nice and slightly unexpected surprise. In the list of tests for the day, I have Group Bourdon, TEA-Occ, Trainability for Rules 1&2, Written Communication, WAFV vigilance, ATAVT perception, and a Situational Judgement exercise… all things I could reasonably expect. Weirdly, there’s no mention of the two-handed coordination test, which I thought was a staple. Is it likely that it has just been omitted by mistake (I’ve never attended an assessment before, so it’s not linked to a previous pass)

 

[AB40]

Hi,
Just wanted to say thank you for all the helpful information on here, it’s great reading and encouraging.
Is anyone sitting the psychometric tests for Hull Trains next week?

 

[Pintman]

I declared on my application form that I wanted reasonable adjustments.
They didn't offer me reasonable adjustments for the MMI .
Is that a cause for complaint?

What reasonable adjustments did you ask for? Did you have adjustments for your other assessments?

 

[357]

I declared on my application form that I wanted reasonable adjustments.
They didn't offer me reasonable adjustments for the MMI .
Is that a cause for complaint?

Why didn't you raise it at the time?

 

[nolypops83]

I declared on my application form that I wanted reasonable adjustments.
They didn't offer me reasonable adjustments for the MMI .
Is that a cause for complaint?

Did they make reasonable adjustments for the other tests? What did you ask for and was it denied or did they just never mention it?

 

[spudknowsbest]

afternoon gang,

Do we know how long usually it is between passing the conductor assessment and then finding out if you have an interview for GWR? It’s been nearly a month now and the anticipation is killing me!

 

[Rave]

Hi. Whilst I can’t give you the actual hearing levels required I had my medical for trainee driver last week. My concern was my hearing. I’ve got slightly reduced hearing in my left ear and over the past three or so years have developed tinnitus. I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to hear the tones during the hearing test. I had to fill in a questionnaire upon arrival and I was honest about my conditions. I had the hearing test and it was fine. I could hear the various tones in both ears and at the end the nurse confirmed that yes, I did have reduced hearing in my left ear.
At the end of the medical I had a consultation with their doctor. She asked about the tinnitus etc and said there was no problem. Hope everything goes ok for you.

I had a search of the forum and I found this on a thread about hearing.

The thread is here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/train-tram-driver-and-hearing-aids.234555/

Thank you both. I don't actually know what level of hearing loss I have in my bad ear, but it could well be -40dB. Using Rockbox on my MP3 player I set the balance to -13dB on my good ear which seems to balance things out nicely, but that's a highly unscientific test I know.

Obvs the nightmare scenario is that I fail the medical and they turn round and immediately withdraw my offer. If they say "you need a hearing aid" then I'll quite happily get one.

 

[Ridetherails]

Bourbon Test?!?

I’ve had a look and couldn’t find the answer so apologies if I’ve missed it and the group bourbon discussion from 2921 is closed, but can anyone shed some light on what is the pass mark for this test?

Do they look at individual stats or more the grouping of: below average, average, above average etc… and does anyone know what the pass point is?

I’ve just started practicing this ( and yes it helps ). My speed is consistently AVERAGE, but my accuracy is now sitting either ABOVE AVERAGE or HIGH

 

[Horizon22]

Bourbon Test?!?

I’ve had a look and couldn’t find the answer so apologies if I’ve missed it and the group bourbon discussion from 2921 is closed, but can anyone shed some light on what is the pass mark for this test?

Do they look at individual stats or more the grouping of: below average, average, above average etc… and does anyone know what the pass point is?

I don't think anyone knows that exactly, and each TOC may have some variance

I’ve just started practicing this ( and yes it helps ). My speed is consistently AVERAGE, but my accuracy is now sitting either ABOVE AVERAGE or HIGH

If you had to pick one, accuracy is much better than speed.

 

[username182]

Hi after a little help.
I’ve a medical for conductor coming up.
I have type 2 diabetes and is controlled with medication and diet.
I didn’t see anything on application and also mentioned to a member of the talent team on the day of the interview but didn’t seem to get a reaction.
Could this be a problem and also this will show high glucose and protein in my urine hope Im overthinking it of course I will take my meds and also have my history from doctor as was diagnosed in 2021 and touch wood haven’t had anytime of work or problems with it.
TIA.

 

[starsandmoon]

Hey,
I did my first attempt at the psychometric tests this week and unfortunately failed on part 1 of the tea occ which is just the tones?
I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on practicing this as I felt it all blurred into one on the day!
Thank you in advance

 

[Burrowl]

Which TOC was it with

Did you ask for ‘reasonable adjustments’ through the rest of the process. What medical conditions required this.


I’m interested as it’s a verbal interview, what reasonable adjustments are required.

- Southeastern
Yes, I did ask for reasonable adjustments in the rest of the process, due to Asperger's.
I was advised that I passed each of the 6 questions but failed based on not meeting the verbal communication criteria.
This is bizarre - verbal communication is a strong point for me, and I've worked in customer service full-time for 5+ years.
I suspect there is something else going on - the interviewer may have been wanting less detail but not saying so,
Or I may have been communicating in an unusual way and linking ideas differently because I think differently.
But I am very good with literal details and wouldn't struggle on the radio.

 

[Spincity]

- Southeastern
Yes, I did ask for reasonable adjustments in the rest of the process, due to Asperger's.
I was advised that I passed each of the 6 questions but failed based on not meeting the verbal communication criteria.
This is bizarre - verbal communication is a strong point for me, and I've worked in customer service full-time for 5+ years.
I suspect there is something else going on - the interviewer may have been wanting less detail but not saying so,
Or I may have been communicating in an unusual way and linking ideas differently because I think differently.
But I am very good with literal details and wouldn't struggle on the radio.

Thanks for the reply, but just to clarify, you work full time in customer service, so you feel you have good verbal skills, you’ve passed the 6 question areas, it’s a competency based interview, your verbal communication has to be assessed, as a train driver they need to communicate effectively. You identify you may communicate in a different way/link things differently, possibly because of Asperger’s, that is possibly the rationale for the decision, but a decision on verbal communication must be assessed

What reasonable adjustments could have been made?

 

[Pintman]

- Southeastern
Yes, I did ask for reasonable adjustments in the rest of the process, due to Asperger's.
I was advised that I passed each of the 6 questions but failed based on not meeting the verbal communication criteria.
This is bizarre - verbal communication is a strong point for me, and I've worked in customer service full-time for 5+ years.
I suspect there is something else going on - the interviewer may have been wanting less detail but not saying so,
Or I may have been communicating in an unusual way and linking ideas differently because I think differently.
But I am very good with literal details and wouldn't struggle on the radio.

What adjustments did they provide during the rest of the process, and what adjustments could be offered during the interview? I appreciate that you're not happy with the outcome (understandably so) but your original question was around the lack of adjustments being grounds for complaint. Without saying what adjustements you feel you should have been offered, it's very difficult to judge if there are grounds for complaint.

 

[Lee_3440]

Great thanks, I believe it is the OPC related tests (Eg Group Bourdon, Computer based tests and MMI etc etc)

Anybody recently been through them? I'm still awaiting the dates and prep material from Northern

The Bourdon test i did, was on paper, not on the computer

 

[Hazwa89]

Thank you both. I don't actually know what level of hearing loss I have in my bad ear, but it could well be -40dB. Using Rockbox on my MP3 player I set the balance to -13dB on my good ear which seems to balance things out nicely, but that's a highly unscientific test I know.

Obvs the nightmare scenario is that I fail the medical and they turn round and immediately withdraw my offer. If they say "you need a hearing aid" then I'll quite happily get one.

Hiya.. I had the same issue as you. I checked with my TOC and they provided the hearing requirements within a couple of days.

I went and got a hearing test done at my local optician's and my hearing is borderline 40dbs. I went and got myself some hearing aids and Wow what a difference. Aside from that I will now pass the hearing test it's amazing being able to hear all the things I used to.

The TOC have confirmed that hearing aids are fine and I would need to go to a specialist as part of my medical to get my hearing test done. (Apprently, at the standard medical they are not able to test with hearing aids)

I feel alot more confident now that there won't be any issues.

 

[petay2008]

Hi All. Just want an insight. I'm currently a train driver who is already prescribed statins. But my doctor said he's raising the dose. I didn't think it would be such a big issue but now need to see occupational health about this. Anyone else been in this situation. I didn't think statins caused any side effects. Cheers

 

[petay2008]

Hi All. Just want an insight. I'm currently a train driver who is already prescribed statins. But my doctor said he's raising the dose. I didn't think it would be such a big issue but now need to see occupational health about this. Anyone else been in this situation. I didn't think statins caused any side effects. Cheers

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Mar 2025 ==

Hi All. Just want an insight. I'm currently a train driver who is already prescribed statins. But my doctor said he's raising the dose. I didn't think it would be such a big issue but now need to see occupational health about this. Anyone else been in this situation. I didn't think statins caused any side effects. Cheers

 

[Ducatist4]

You need to declare any prescription drugs you are taking regardless of side effects. Better safe than sorry.

 

[petay2008]

I

You need to declare any prescription drugs you are taking regardless of side effects. Better safe than sorry.

I have done this hence why I am having to see the occupational health. My question was aimed at any other drivers on statins and if they had any restrictions. Thanks for the reply

 

[jfollows]

Hi All. Just want an insight. I'm currently a train driver who is already prescribed statins. But my doctor said he's raising the dose. I didn't think it would be such a big issue but now need to see occupational health about this. Anyone else been in this situation. I didn't think statins caused any side effects. Cheers

I’m not a driver, sorry, but I take statins and there are many potential side effects. From which I don’t suffer, fortunately. Plenty of stuff out there, for example https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases...rol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013

 

[aquarail]

Hi all, I had a question regarding the MMI. I've read that they can both be carried out by an OPC assessor and in-house TOC assessor. Is the in-house assessor done to the same standards OPC do them at? Many thanks

 

[MrsCake21]

I

I have done this hence why I am having to see the occupational health. My question was aimed at any other drivers on statins and if they had any restrictions. Thanks for the reply

Hi, Do you mind me asking why you were prescribed them in the first place and also why they have increased them please?

 

[Spincity]

Hi all, I had a question regarding the MMI. I've read that they can both be carried out by an OPC assessor and in-house TOC assessor. Is the in-house assessor done to the same standards OPC do them at? Many thanks

Yes, it’s a national process so will be done the same way/standard. Why do you ask? Hopefully can answer your question better