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Assessments & Medicals discussion

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RailUK Forums

Plodster

Member
Joined
21 Feb 2019
Messages
370
Location
North
Thanks for that. I wasn’t sure if it use a different situation but I can’t really think of one so I think I will use the same and just re word my answer
Look up the non technical skills for train driving and think about them when you answer using the person knocked over example and the other MMI questions
 

JumpingJack

New Member
Joined
28 Jun 2025
Messages
1
Location
Australia
Hi,

I am applying for the Trainee train driver position and looking for materials to help prepare for the assessments.

From my understanding the two tests I will need to undertake are Abstract reasoning and VSE tests through theopc co uk website.

I have found a link in this forum for the VSE, but I'm looking for Abstract reasoning. There are alot of websites but feedback I've received is that alot of them are not very good.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jack
 

Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
Hi,

I am applying for the Trainee train driver position and looking for materials to help prepare for the assessments.

From my understanding the two tests I will need to undertake are Abstract reasoning and VSE tests through theopc co uk website.

I have found a link in this forum for the VSE, but I'm looking for Abstract reasoning. There are alot of websites but feedback I've received is that alot of them are not very good.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jack
You can also look up spatial reasoning tests
 

Kelly26021986

Member
Joined
4 Jun 2025
Messages
11
Location
Greenoxk
Hi everyone,

Does anybody have an idea how long the opc stage 2 testing is on the day? If you start at 9am in the morning will we be done by 12 noon or? Please let me know guys. Thank you :)

Ps. I have searched for the answer and i couldn’t find it!
Hi,

I sat my Last week in Glasgow. Mine started at 9.30am and I finished at 14.00pm.
 

rw300

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2025
Messages
8
Location
naphill
Evening, I had recently failed stage 1…gutted it was only on tea occ part 3 I feel I struggled with because I was listening for high tones and low tones but it’s come to my understanding recently that you’re supposed to count all the tones in the last part is anyone able to confirm this is correct? Tia
 

Rico86

New Member
Joined
8 Jan 2025
Messages
2
Location
Bow
TEA-OCC

Does anybody know if it’s the first sounding tone you need to count? On my practice one it has always been the first tone. Thanks
 

BongCups34

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
48
Location
Bristol
Hi I had one episode of a faint/blackout almost 2 years ago and I had loads of tests/scans on my heart and brain and everything came back all clear.
What is the likelihood of this causing me issue with a train driver medical?
I’m currently a depot train driver and was allowed to carry out duties when I had my DVLA drivers license reinstated.

Thank you.
 

Freightmaster

Verified Rep
Joined
7 Jul 2009
Messages
4,480
Morning

Can i ask what TEA-OCC is please ?

 

Welshguy1048

Established Member
Joined
6 Apr 2023
Messages
2,311
Location
North Wales
@Freightmaster

Thank you

Dave
 

Carrot12345

Member
Joined
17 Jun 2025
Messages
46
Location
kent
Hi all,

Just a quick question.

I applied for a role with freightliner and I failed the VSE but passed M7

I’ve now been invited to an assessment centre for another TOC (southeastern).

Do I still need to wait the full 6 month period?
Did you find out an answer? If so could you please let me know. Thank you
 

Georgiahope1

Member
Joined
7 Apr 2025
Messages
41
Location
York
Hi all,

Just a quick question.

I applied for a role with freightliner and I failed the VSE but passed M7

I’ve now been invited to an assessment centre for another TOC (southeastern).

Do I still need to wait the full 6 month period?

If you took the test before 6th December 2024 you need to wait 6 months
If it was after 6th December 2024 you need to wait 1 year.

They changed the rules.

It is a general policy so no matter what company, if you have failed psychometrics you can not re-sit in the 6month/1 year time period.
 

Trev5678

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2025
Messages
18
Location
South east
Hi Everyone,
I have an assessment day coming up with GTR. Am i right in thinking they do the national pass and DFFT for enhanced?
I previously have passed all tests to national standard and have completed the DFFT to enhanced but with greater anglia (i failed the MMI).
This will be my last attempt and i’m really wanting to go and have no surprises. I’m hoping it’s just the MMi to complete or are the enhanced passes different for each company?

Thank you
 

Swall

Member
Joined
2 Feb 2025
Messages
30
Location
Greater Manchester
Hi Everyone,
I have an assessment day coming up with GTR. Am i right in thinking they do the national pass and DFFT for enhanced?
I previously have passed all tests to national standard and have completed the DFFT to enhanced but with greater anglia (i failed the MMI).
This will be my last attempt and i’m really wanting to go and have no surprises. I’m hoping it’s just the MMi to complete or are the enhanced passes different for each company?

Thank you

I’m sure iv read that there’s no standard enchanced pass and one companies enhanced pass mark may differ from another. Unlikely to know until the day what tests you’ll need to resit if any. Good luck with the MMI
 

puffpuffgive

Member
Joined
16 Apr 2020
Messages
76
Location
London
If you took the test before 6th December 2024 you need to wait 6 months
If it was after 6th December 2024 you need to wait 1 year.

They changed the rules.

It is a general policy so no matter what company, if you have failed psychometrics you can not re-sit in the 6month/1 year time period.
Not if the new Toc doesn’t use VSE, can go right ahead with them.
 

Trev5678

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2025
Messages
18
Location
South east
I’m sure iv read that there’s no standard enchanced pass and one companies enhanced pass mark may differ from another. Unlikely to know until the day what tests you’ll need to resit if any. Good luck with the MMI
Thank you I remember the dfft being the harder of the tests. It’s easy in principle but it’s the timing that makes it hard. Hopefully i’ve done enough to not need to re do that one haha.
 

Swall

Member
Joined
2 Feb 2025
Messages
30
Location
Greater Manchester
Thank you I remember the dfft being the harder of the tests. It’s easy in principle but it’s the timing that makes it hard. Hopefully i’ve done enough to not need to re do that one haha.

I see from the OPC website that GTR require enhanced. Without knowing which tests they require enchanced passes for it’s tricky. Are you practicing for them all just incase? I passed over 10 years ago and have resit them this year due to the time lapsing and i prioritised other tests that i thought id struggle more with. On the day I actually found the lift tones more challenging than I remembered but luckily this didn’t come back to bite me. I’d of kicked myself had I let myself down on a test due to poor prep.
 

Trev5678

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2025
Messages
18
Location
South east
I see from the OPC website that GTR require enhanced. Without knowing which tests they require enchanced passes for it’s tricky. Are you practicing for them all just incase? I passed over 10 years ago and have resit them this year due to the time lapsing and i prioritised other tests that i thought id struggle more with. On the day I actually found the lift tones more challenging than I remembered but luckily this didn’t come back to bite me. I’d of kicked myself had I let myself down on a test due to poor prep.
I am practicing the DFFT and for the MMI as i’m really not sure if i’m going into just a test or interview or both I have emailed so hopefully someone gets back to me today. It’s saying the assessment is from 1300-1700 so not a full day thing. How did you get on this time with the tests?
 

Swall

Member
Joined
2 Feb 2025
Messages
30
Location
Greater Manchester
I am practicing the DFFT and for the MMI as i’m really not sure if i’m going into just a test or interview or both I have emailed so hopefully someone gets back to me today. It’s saying the assessment is from 1300-1700 so not a full day thing. How did you get on this time with the tests?

Fingers crossed you get an answer today. Thankfully I passed again, let us know how you get on and good luck
 

Rich.16

Member
Joined
23 Jul 2019
Messages
68
Hi All,

Iv got my MMI coming up soon with GWR,

Can anyone give any tips or hints on how they prepared for it or how they practiced before?

Just want to give myself the best possible chance so when I come out of it I know iv put 100% in.

Iv got the 6 usual questions and a few more incase of any changes they may throw my way.

Any help greatly appreciated.
 

Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
Just keep in your mind how does it relate to a train driver job / situation. Safety first! Following procedures, accountability. Keep it truthful as they will find holes of you make something up and try to pass it off as real
 

NeoNeko

Member
Joined
27 Aug 2024
Messages
86
Location
Kent

I spent a couple of weeks practising with my partner, and I had about 20 scenarios in my head that I could use for any questions they could have asked, as well as being very aware of all the important points I needed to discuss that were important to get across and important for them to hear. I was super anxious going in, but I had left nothing to chance, and it went really well. I found some really good threads on here, like these two:


 

SCDR_WMR

Established Member
Joined
17 Dec 2017
Messages
2,626
Location
Crewe
If you know the questions, then prepare your answers, making sure they suit the role and the industry you are trying to join.

The questioning will likely feel like an interrogation and they will look to take apart or make holes in your answers to see how you cope with the pressure. So make sure you pick your situation well and are comfortable with the detail.

It will last longer than most interviews you will have sat too, so make sure you have a drink with you and use small sips of your drink to give you a few seconds to think through any tricky questioning.
 

Trev5678

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2025
Messages
18
Location
South east
Fingers crossed you get an answer today. Thankfully I passed again, let us know how you get on and good luck
They got back to me saying this was the stage 1 assessments i was booked in for, which i have allready done so asked me to cancel that and they would be in touch when they have stage 2 availability for the MMI. Hopefully not a massive wait.
Congratulations on passing again
 

GiordyRail

Member
Joined
10 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
London
Think of it as the job interview enhanced edition. Tell the truth or make your stories sound truthful and use STAR technique to expand your story. Safety first and take accountability
 

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