Assessments & Medicals discussion

[Terry844]

I am asking what to do in this preparation phase. Doing what I have already done with no change is the definition of insanity and it truly insane that that is all people here seem to suggest.

There is no preparation for the SJT, the test gives you a paragraph explaining the scenario and then several answers all you need to do is place the answers in the order that YOU would prioritise them in. People have already said focus on communication, customer service, safety and following rules (not necessarily in that order). The test is there to see how YOU judge the situation and the solutions they have provided.

 

[Pintman]

I think you misunderstood my statement. The goal is to learn what the correct things to do are so that I do them. Other than going through training (which I can only do after passing the assessment) what other ways are there to learn what is right and what is wrong? Usually I can study the content before the exam but in this case it is backwards.

It isn't backwards, situational judgement tests are not traditional exams. You can't study for them because they are not a tests of knowledge or memory, but if judgement. GWR are assessing the extent to which your judgement aligns with their ideal driver judgement. It is designed to not require specialist knowledge because if it did it would be testing memory and not judgement, and then it wouldn't be a functional test.

The closer your judgement aligns with the GWR driver standard, they better your results will be. You can't study because it's not an exam, it's a test.

 

[Spincity]

I think you misunderstood my statement. The goal is to learn what the correct things to do are so that I do them. Other than going through training (which I can only do after passing the assessment) what other ways are there to learn what is right and what is wrong? Usually I can study the content before the exam but in this case it is backwards.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2025 ==


Yeah this is where I had the most trouble, because I don't know what the rules and procedures are, and I keep being told I don't need to know them... is there somewhere I can learn?

I think you misunderstood my statement. The goal is to learn what the correct things to do are so that I do them. Other than going through training (which I can only do after passing the assessment) what other ways are there to learn what is right and what is wrong? Usually I can study the content before the exam but in this case it is backwards.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2025 ==


Yeah this is where I had the most trouble, because I don't know what the rules and procedures are, and I keep being told I don't need to know them... is there somewhere I can learn?

You’ll learn the rules on the course. This isn’t an exam on the rules. If you want to learn the railway rules, good luck they are vast, always updating. Why would learning the rules give you an advantage.

You’ll be assessed on your ability to learn rules/procedures during the assessment. And before you ask…you don’t get them before the day

 

[TheRecruit]

I’ve got an assessment coming up for a Train Conductor role with Southeastern and I’m just wondering if I have a mild colourblindness am I screwed? I have no hope with the ishihara(?), the lantern test I am quite good at but can get 0-5 wrong but normally leaning towards 0-2. I heard something about a CAD test but I can’t find much information about if that’s something they do at SE? What is likely going to happen if I fail the ishihara? Will there be another test? If so what one will it be? Thanks in advance

 

[nolypops83]

I have been invited to an assessment centre for Northern rail, applied as a trainee driver.

Apparently it's split into 2 parts, group takes problem solving, communicating with team, observations, then if you pass that you stay for the second part which is 121 interviews.

I think they must have changed the process recently because everyone I've asked has no idea about an assessment centre and said it was just interview + psychometric test.

Does anyone know what I can expect from the group assessments? I'm fairly well prepared for the 121s but need to get through the group stuff before I get to that stage.

I've heard building lego whilst watching a video and answering questions about it?

Yeah this is a new thing Northern are doing. Haven’t done it myself yet but there’s information floating about on here. Have a look at the Northern trainee driver posts. A couple of people have done it already and it doesn’t look like there’s anything to worry about.

 

[Snowman84]

I think they were asking how many sets of tones there are. So if memory serves there were maybe 5 or so sets, with gaps of a few seconds in between the sets, so you could use the gaps to focus on circling the symbols. It's just low tones in the 3rd part I think. It's been a while!

Hello,

Yep, this is what I meant thanks I remember there being a pause then we had to write down how many tones......... then it started again. Wasn't sure if it was possible to continue circling the symbols during the pause but you have answered my question

 

[Milly Molly]

I'm not sure I'm following this, sorry.

Imagine someone (who is in the old process of 2 "lives" for example) and is successful, goes in the pool but doesn't get a job, psychometrics expired after 5 years and no job.
The candidate reapplies again, is successful again, goes in a pool but again doesn't get a job after 5 years of waiting.

Can the candidate reapply again in your view?

Yes they can as they have not "failed" any tests, they have only expired

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Apr 2025 ==

Morning,

If someone were to complete and pass all relevant OPC tests, including the MMI, would this allow them to apply to any TOC (providing they meet their testing standards). And if so, would they go straight to the Managers interview, after the initial sift?

Also, if someone were to fail a medical on something that they could change (weight, blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes) - Do they drop out of the running, or would they get a medical retest?

Is it possible to pay for and complete the OPC tests funded by yourself?

Many thanks.

If you sit and pass all the trainee psychometric testing to national standard ( the MMI is part of this) then you could apply to any TOC that accepts national standard. To know what this is, visit RSSB website on train driver psychometric testing. If you fail medical and the medical outcome is temporarily unfit, they may invite you for a review in a certain amount of time if this is something you can rectify within that time, or the TOC may state you are not fit for the role. You would need to check with the TOC. You may be able to pay to sit the psychometric testing yourself, you will need to check on RSSB website if any TOCs are running assessment days for private candidates. Be aware though, TOCs may not give your application priority because you already passed the psychometric tests. You may still have to pass other sifting tests regardless.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Apr 2025 ==

It is not an OPC MMI, its is the RSSB that set the process, but to answer your question all TOCs (not Avanti) would accept a pass irrespective of whichever TOC the person passed with

The MMI is part of the national psychometric test process for Trainee Drivers. It is an RSSB process. You will have needed to pass all the tests to be in possession of a " full pass"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Apr 2025 ==

The company is Northern Trains and yes it both with the same company the first attempt and the re-sit and it is the OCU Psychometrics test board they follow I think

It is RSSB testing, and whether you resit all or some of the tests depends on the TOC

 

[Tocwarrior]

Yeah this is a new thing Northern are doing. Haven’t done it myself yet but there’s information floating about on here. Have a look at the Northern trainee driver posts. A couple of people have done it already and it doesn’t look like there’s anything to worry about.

I've been through the assessment day now so figured I'd post some information here incase it helps anyone out looking for the 'new process'

This was for a Man Vic position but guess its the same process everywhere now

So there was 30 of us booked on the day. A few didn't turn up (?!)

There was tasks,

Observation task - watch a 30 min video and mark down what the assessors ask for throughout
Group problem solving - This was like a mental puzzle, split into groups of around 5 and as a group you have to figure the answer - you've got 20 mins. As far as I know, none of the groups on the day got the answer right. But it wasn't about that, it was about how you work as a group, do you contribute? Do you work well with your team? Are you letting people speak? Are you speaking yourself? Probably all sorts of things they are looking for to score highly.
Multi tasking observation - Had to build Lego under precise instruction whilst watching a video and answering questions on the video. This comes pretty quick, was pretty hard work - probably seeing how you handle the pressure situation rather than getting everything 100%
Communication - This was fairly straight forward, listen to some train related comes, what was good what was bad - write it down and explain why

After the tasks, the managers go away to discuss individuals and decide who warrants an interview.

Our group got whittled down quite a lot, more than we expected - from almost 30, 6 went through for interviews. I don't know if this is normal or our assessment day just had a lot of not what it takes people, just seemed like a lot went home before interviews.

The unsuccessful applicants got sent home and the 6 that were left had a break for lunch

After lunch was the interviews, these were really short -

2 situation based questions - The situation is X, can you explain how you would handle this and why
2 competency based questions - Tell me a time when X
Then the standard, tell me about yourself, what do you know about northern, why do you want to work for us, why do you want to be a driver that sort of stuff

The actual interviews were really short for us all, I think with the amount they culled the field before hand, they kind of already knew who they wanted and maybe the interviews were just to confirm or highlight any red flags.

Anyway - Just thought I'd type this up as right now there's not a right lot of information out there for this new style assessment day and interview, hopefully it helps someone going through the same thing and gives a little more idea of what to expect on the day.

Good luck

 

[Milly Molly]

Do TOC’s have their own MMI pass criteria? For example, if you passed an MMI with Chiltern can you use the same MMI pass with West Midlands Trains or Great Western etc? Or do TOC’s have their own standards for MMI. This is something I’ve always not been 100% on. To simplify is an OPC MMI pass for train driving universal to all TOC’s/FOC’s? Cheers

It is RSSB MMI which is part of the whole process, it may be on a separate day but it is not separate. It is the same standard nationwide.

 

[Milly Molly]

Correct, it’s totally down to the TOC if they accept them.

I recently passed some OPC for a TOC which requires enhanced pass grade ( and passed ), but whilst waiting to hear I got progressed for another TOC to sit some assessments ( national grade ). They accepted my results from a couple of the tests I had already sat, but did require me to resit 1 test ( even though I had passed with enhanced with another TOC ).

Thing you have to keep in mind though, if you sit and pass and then resit again, your results will be updated and overwrote your original result. Also if you sit and pass then resit and fail, that pass you had is replaced with a fail.

Yes it’s frustrating they share results on a national database yet don’t share outcomes or over writes results when sat with another TOC.

Personally it should be lives per TOC because of this but hey ho, it is what it is.

No TOC " overwrites" results. You get your attempts in line with the RSSB RIS that applies to you. Some TOCs have a higher standard and some use national standard. Some TOCs add additional tests and some dont. Your most recent attempt supercedes the previous attempt.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Apr 2025 ==

Hi the MMI is indeed part of assessments and is included in the 2 life rule. If you fail it you only have 1 more shot at it, like you said the new rule only applies to people that hadn’t sat 1 before December 24.

As for appealing I have no idea if that’s a thing you can do.

I have recently just sat and passed all assessments and currently waiting for a medical date atm. The tests aren’t made to be easy as everyone would pass them if that was the case. If you prep well enough and refer your answers to following rules & procedures and keeping safety in mind for the MMI you will be fine. Good communication and sticking to the STAR format also will help.

As it stands you cannot have a third attempt. Appealing against an MMI decision wont make it a pass. If you want to be an assessor you will need to apply for a recruitment role in a TOC, do the TUOA qualification and pass it, train in train driver psychometric test delivery with a TOC and also do a course with RSSB and be re-certificated as necessary. Theres quite a bit more to it too, including confidentiality agreements

 

[Dippa]

I’ve just been informed that I passed my OPC, which I completed last Thursday before the bank holiday. I was advised it would take 7–10 working days to hear back, so I was surprised (but very happy) to receive the result yesterday, right after the Easter break.

I’ve now been invited to attend the DMI with two date options, but I’m currently out of the country with very limited WiFi access. I’ve replied to the email explaining my situation but haven’t had a response yet.

Could anyone please advise how the DMI process works in this case and whether there’s any flexibility with the interview dates?

 

[nolypops83]

I've been through the assessment day now so figured I'd post some information here incase it helps anyone out looking for the 'new process'

This was for a Man Vic position but guess its the same process everywhere now

So there was 30 of us booked on the day. A few didn't turn up (?!)

There was tasks,

Observation task - watch a 30 min video and mark down what the assessors ask for throughout
Group problem solving - This was like a mental puzzle, split into groups of around 5 and as a group you have to figure the answer - you've got 20 mins. As far as I know, none of the groups on the day got the answer right. But it wasn't about that, it was about how you work as a group, do you contribute? Do you work well with your team? Are you letting people speak? Are you speaking yourself? Probably all sorts of things they are looking for to score highly.
Multi tasking observation - Had to build Lego under precise instruction whilst watching a video and answering questions on the video. This comes pretty quick, was pretty hard work - probably seeing how you handle the pressure situation rather than getting everything 100%
Communication - This was fairly straight forward, listen to some train related comes, what was good what was bad - write it down and explain why

After the tasks, the managers go away to discuss individuals and decide who warrants an interview.

Our group got whittled down quite a lot, more than we expected - from almost 30, 6 went through for interviews. I don't know if this is normal or our assessment day just had a lot of not what it takes people, just seemed like a lot went home before interviews.

The unsuccessful applicants got sent home and the 6 that were left had a break for lunch

After lunch was the interviews, these were really short -

2 situation based questions - The situation is X, can you explain how you would handle this and why
2 competency based questions - Tell me a time when X
Then the standard, tell me about yourself, what do you know about northern, why do you want to work for us, why do you want to be a driver that sort of stuff

The actual interviews were really short for us all, I think with the amount they culled the field before hand, they kind of already knew who they wanted and maybe the interviews were just to confirm or highlight any red flags.

Anyway - Just thought I'd type this up as right now there's not a right lot of information out there for this new style assessment day and interview, hopefully it helps someone going through the same thing and gives a little more idea of what to expect on the day.

Good luck

Ahhh that's so annoying people not turning up when I'm waiting for an assessment for Manchester. Thanks for the info though! Are you taking the psychometric tests next?

 

[DavidAtkin]

No TOC " overwrites" results. You get your attempts in line with the RSSB RIS that applies to you. Some TOCs have a higher standard and some use national standard. Some TOCs add additional tests and some dont. Your most recent attempt supercedes the previous attempt.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Apr 2025 ==


As it stands you cannot have a third attempt. Appealing against an MMI decision wont make it a pass. If you want to be an assessor you will need to apply for a recruitment role in a TOC, do the TUOA qualification and pass it, train in train driver psychometric test delivery with a TOC and also do a course with RSSB and be re-certificated as necessary. Theres quite a bit more to it too, including confidentiality agreements

This wasn’t for me pal I was just answering someone’s question.

I’ve sat and passed all assessments and interviews.

 

[DEvans]

Hello.

I have been asked to attend an assessment centre in seven days. I have a well groomed but long beard. Any suggestions as to the impact this may have on possible progression?

 

[spudknowsbest]

Hi Guys,

Do we know if OPC assessments transferable between tocs if at the same standard?

I recently sat them for GWR about two months ago and passed but have an assessment for SWR coming up and was wondering if I could use the same results?

 

[Pintman]

Hi Guys,

Do we know if OPC assessments transferable between tocs if at the same standard?

I recently sat them for GWR about two months ago and passed but have an assessment for SWR coming up and was wondering if I could use the same results?

SWR will be the ones to ask about that, it's up to them whether or not they accept them or make you resit

 

[xenomorth45]

Has anyone on here failed their first OPC attempt but passed the 2nd and went on to become a driver? Having an existential crisis of having to wait a year.

 

[nolypops83]

Hello.

I have been asked to attend an assessment centre in seven days. I have a well groomed but long beard. Any suggestions as to the impact this may have on possible progression?

As long as it's not a health and safety issue I don't think anyone will notice.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Apr 2025 ==

Has anyone on here failed their first OPC attempt but passed the 2nd and went on to become a driver? Having an existential crisis of having to wait a year.

Not a driver yet, but just passed my assessments on the second go. What did you fail on? A year will fly by, trust me!

 

[Burry]

Hi

Could someone help me please.

On the third part of the VSE test. When it’s combination of both. I know we have to concentrate on the left hand side more towards the track, that we don’t miss out any jumps. Does that mean if we miss out on few of the right hand side of matching shapes it’s ok?

How do we balance them both? It’s really hard to do both at same time.
What should I do and priories and focus on more.

Please someone help me

 

[Terry844]

Hi

Could someone help me please.

On the third part of the VSE test. When it’s combination of both. I know we have to concentrate on the left hand side more towards the track, that we don’t miss out any jumps. Does that mean if we miss out on few of the right hand side of matching shapes it’s ok?

How do we balance them both? It’s really hard to do both at same time.
What should I do and priories and focus on more.

Please someone help me

It will tell you which side you should prioritise

 

[Burry]

You prioritise the track side yes. But if you do you miss out on the right hand side shape side. If you miss doing a few right hand side ones, is that a fault, or is it a fault only if you match the right hand side shapes incorrectly?

 

[xenomorth45]

As long as it's not a health and safety issue I don't think anyone will notice.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Apr 2025 ==


Not a driver yet, but just passed my assessments on the second go. What did you fail on? A year will fly by, trust me!

Congratulations, thats good to hear. Failed on cable and dials. Made a really stupid mistake after misunderstanding the instructions. Focussed on the numbers and forgot the colours.

 

[Tocwarrior]

Ahhh that's so annoying people not turning up when I'm waiting for an assessment for Manchester. Thanks for the info though! Are you taking the psychometric tests next?

Yes psychometrics next, just waiting on a date for those - Going to practise using the material sent in the meantime.

 

[nolypops83]

Congratulations, thats good to hear. Failed on cable and dials. Made a really stupid mistake after misunderstanding the instructions. Focussed on the numbers and forgot the colours.

Ah no that's a shame. If you know what you did wrong it would be a shame to give up. Did you get to do the computer tests or was it just the paper ones?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Apr 2025 ==

Yes psychometrics next, just waiting on a date for those - Going to practise using the material sent in the meantime.

Exciting! Best of luck with them, there's loads of helpful information on here about what to expect.

 

[xenomorth45]

Ah no that's a shame. If you know what you did wrong it would be a shame to give up. Did you get to do the computer tests or was it just the paper ones?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Apr 2025 ==


Exciting! Best of luck with them, there's loads of helpful information on here about what to expect.

Just the paper ones, definitely not giving up. Feels like it’s going to be the longest wait though until next year.

 

[Horizon22]

Hello.

I have been asked to attend an assessment centre in seven days. I have a well groomed but long beard. Any suggestions as to the impact this may have on possible progression?

How long is “long”? It’s one of the weirder questions we’ve had here! Should be absolutely no issues with this or progression so long as it isn’t long enough to cause issues with controls for a driver or a hazard at all!

 

[DEvans]

Yes I understand My context was just the professional aspect, image etc

 

[ryang14]

Hi, I have my medical for the trainee train driver role with Southern on Monday with a provisional start date if the medical is satisfactory in July. Just wondering what the medical will include. I have looked through forums but can’t find exactly for a trainee train driver role. Thanks in advance!

 

[logicaldrinkin]

Hi, I have my medical for the trainee train driver role with Southern on Monday with a provisional start date if the medical is satisfactory in July. Just wondering what the medical will include. I have looked through forums but can’t find exactly for a trainee train driver role. Thanks in advance!

I just had one (different TOC) and it was:
- Medical questionnaire (bring any medication you are on)
- Eye tests
- Hearing tests
- Drink and drug tests
- Height, weight, blood pressure
- ECG
- Discussion with doctor (included listening to heart, checking balance etc)

They may do other things depending on your medical history I guess.

 

[Tocwarrior]

Ahhh that's so annoying people not turning up when I'm waiting for an assessment for Manchester. Thanks for the info though! Are you taking the psychometric tests next?

Yes Psychometrics are booked in around 10 days time

'Likely to include'

Group Bourdon + Tea-OCC
Trainability/Memory Test
WAFV
ATAVT
2 Hand Coordination
SJE
MMI

Most worried about the Memory test and ATAVT - Although I might be dreadful at 2 hand coordination.

I believe my situational judgement to be OK and can prepare for an MMI

Here's hoping.. 1 step closer