Assessments & Medicals discussion

[Shan8822]

I was consistently getting 10 or 11 lines on the Group Bourdon test in practise on paper with no omissions or errors and I passed. Concentrate your practise on getting no mistakes at all rather than speed as I'm pretty sure that's what they're looking for. Just keep doing it whenever you have a spare 10 minutes, over and over again until you recognise the shapes without trying. You can even turn the pages upside down and start from the top (which was the bottom before) to save paper.

In my opinion the ATAVT test is definitely the hardest and most unpredictable one and also probably the hardest to practice for. The picture is on screen for 1 second or just under (definitely not as long as 2 seconds) but it's an adaptive test so the better you do at it the more complicated and busy the pictures will become. I guess if you find it ends up showing you a normal picture of just a Fiat 500 on its own or something, you probably aren't doing so well at it.

Hello, okay many thanks for the tips. Oh wow 1 second that seems impossible . I guess I will focus most of my attention on trying to improve that then. The trp2 practice questions they gave me in the pack seem fairly straightforward am I right in assuming that particular one isnt rocket science?
May I ask if you had to sit any maths tests on the day or is it safe to assume the practice material they send is what you will be sitting?

Thank you

 

[RiverDon]

I didn't have to do any maths tests but your company may be different. There were no surprises, the only tests we did were the ones in the practice book and that I expected from reading about them here.

The ATAVT test seemed impossible to me too and I was really surprised when I passed it (twice! two applications!). I read on here before that the key thing is not to click you've seen something unless you definitely did see it.

I don't remember which one the TRP2 is but if it is the one where you answer questions about a passage of text then yes it is very straightforward and simple.

 

[I2026]

Hello,
Happy new year! Many thanks for the advice . I did want your opinion on the Bourbon if I could as I am finding I cannot get past line 10 /11 out of 26. If I am getting to these lines with only 1 or 2 mistakes do you think this is a passable mark? No matter how much I practice I cannot go any faster . I must admit I am finding the ATAVT the hardest of them all , it just seems impossible to capture everything in the time given. Am i right it is only 2 seconds per flashing image ? Any tips on this one . I have been told by leaning away from the screen it helps?

Many thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Jan 2026 ==


Many thanks and happy new year !

You are misunderstanding the logic behind the tests, and have you read the answers previously given? You aren't supposed to get beyond line "10 or 11" - it is not about how far you get it is about accuracy and consistency. It is also not Bourbon (again).

The ATAVT is viewable on Youtube as already mentioned. The actual test is not as hard as the preparation for it, and you can't prepare so you are wasting your time trying. On the day say what you see, and do what you can. It is 5 minutes max and there is no point overthinking it beforehand. It is a 1 second flash not 2 and again you are not supposed to see everything at get everything right. Look for traffic lights and signs primarily and by default you will also pick out cars / bikes for most which is almost all you need to get through it. Many were simple images showing only 2 or 3 options on a fairly generic background with not too much going on.

 

[bas32]

Hello,

I’ve found this thread very helpful. I have a medical coming up next week and wanted to clarify a couple of points. I had anxiety many years ago and a minor shoulder issue that has since been resolved and is no longer ongoing. I’m slightly concerned about whether this could affect the medical, though I may be overthinking it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Pretty sure they only ask if you have had medical issues in the last 2 or 3 years? Can’t actually remember. Either way if you have resolved it then it’s probably not even worth mentioning to them unless it is something ongoing and long term.

 

[webf95]

Hi All,

New here and have got Psychometric Tests with Northern on Tuesday.

I have been doing lots of practice and feel like its going well however I am trying to gather some information on the MMI interview, does anyone know what questions tend to be asked in the MMI?

 

[ndjefc82]

Hi All,

New here and have got Psychometric Tests with Northern on Tuesday.

I have been doing lots of practice and feel like its going well however I am trying to gather some information on the MMI interview, does anyone know what questions tend to be asked in the MMI?

1. Describe a time when you followed rules and procedures
2. Describe a time when you have solved a difficult problem
3. Describe a time when you have been on a training course over 2weeks or greatest achievement
4. Describe a time when you have handled an emergency situation
5. Describe a time when you have worked for long periods of time alone
6. Describe a role you do similar to a train driver

I've not long done MMI Mid November (And passed). Use the STAR method, actually say 'The situation was', 'The task was' etc.

Be prepared for probing questions and abrupt interruptions, they are looking for how well you think on your feet.

I got interrupted with the likes of 'How would you handle the repetitiveness'.

I had to sit SJT first, and I noted the interviewer had 'criteria' to meet for each question of the back of my answers to the questions, some had 10, others 4.

One thing I would say that threw me off is that in the SJT, I answered questions as though I wouldn't deviate from any rules to a colleagues detriment, and then they asked me straight 'Would you see a colleague struggle'. Obviously I answered no, but I also wouldn't tolerate a safety risk/breach.

Top tip for question 6 is to use long distance driving and focus on preparing for it - checking car, making sure you've had good night sleep, toilet break, hydration and hunger sorted prior to setting off etc.

I wish you the best of luck, do let us know how it goes.

 

[webf95]

1. Describe a time when you followed rules and procedures
2. Describe a time when you have solved a difficult problem
3. Describe a time when you have been on a training course over 2weeks or greatest achievement
4. Describe a time when you have handled an emergency situation
5. Describe a time when you have worked for long periods of time alone
6. Describe a role you do similar to a train driver

I've not long done MMI Mid November (And passed). Use the STAR method, actually say 'The situation was', 'The task was' etc.

Be prepared for probing questions and abrupt interruptions, they are looking for how well you think on your feet.

I got interrupted with the likes of 'How would you handle the repetitiveness'.

I had to sit SJT first, and I noted the interviewer had 'criteria' to meet for each question of the back of my answers to the questions, some had 10, others 4.

One thing I would say that threw me off is that in the SJT, I answered questions as though I wouldn't deviate from any rules to a colleagues detriment, and then they asked me straight 'Would you see a colleague struggle'. Obviously I answered no, but I also wouldn't tolerate a safety risk/breach.

Top tip for question 6 is to use long distance driving and focus on preparing for it - checking car, making sure you've had good night sleep, toilet break, hydration and hunger sorted prior to setting off etc.

I wish you the best of luck, do let us know how it goes.

Thats perfect, thank you so much!

I am familiar to the STAR method as it seems to be the given interview technique on the railways nowadays but it is definitely helpful to get a head start on some of the types of questions they'll ask!

Thank You again for the tips! Ill be sure to let you know how it goes.

 

[T4a1n6r1v3r]

Good afternoon all. I am delighted to have been invited to attend the first assessment at Statford. Just wondered if anyone had attended one of these at all recently and was able to give me some tips and advice. Thanks in advance!

 

[nilvaj395]

I recently did a medical and the hearing portion was confusing, instead of using the dB as a reference to what everyone has said here on the form. I was told my right ear was a 2(R?) on a scale of 1 to 4 (1 being good and 4 being... i forgot but probably poor, she never said what 3 was) and that she had to give me 'some general advise about listening to music etc loud'. I am convinced I heard some other tones but didn't press the buzzer and / or not in time. It's strange because to me personally my right ear has always been my strongest! I do listen to music but i know the general advise around volume (i was reckless when younger but not now, I limit my time and exposure etc) and I've always gone to clubbing events with protection unlike my peers.

It could've also been due to other things like blockage I'm unaware of even though I was asked and said no, the tests I did before hand all scored me as good hearing (under 15db i think). I should go to get a secondary test somewhere else for clarity. Aslong as it doesn't negatively effect the outcome of the medical and I'm passed through I'm happy.

 

[mlhl]

Thats perfect, thank you so much!

I am familiar to the STAR method as it seems to be the given interview technique on the railways nowadays but it is definitely helpful to get a head start on some of the types of questions they'll ask!

Thank You again for the tips! Ill be sure to let you know how it goes.

Hi
Just wondering how you got on with the Northern assessment? I've got my invite to the psychometric assessments and MMI so any advice, tips, update on which questions were asked for the MMI would be greatly received!

 

[webf95]

Hi
Just wondering how you got on with the Northern assessment? I've got my invite to the psychometric assessments and MMI so any advice, tips, update on which questions were asked for the MMI would be greatly received!

Hi, I am pleased to say I passed first time!

I am just in the stage of awaiting a course date now.

I just made use of the pack that was provided by Northern, bought a pack from a website called railprep.co.uk for about £15 and then bought a couple of books off amazon to help as well. As they say you can't really be over prepared for it.

As for the MMI, the 6 questions listed above that were given to me were pretty much what I was asked, I did get some hypothetical questions, but that is based off my answers and the SJE exercise.

 

[kuklakolduna3]

Hello guys
Could anyone here advise me about medical if you have an asthma?
My one is well controlled I have never been in the hospital and never had an asthma attack. I don’t even have a blue inhaler. But when I got a call and booked a medical I’ve been told if I have any medical condition I need to bring a letter from GP. So I’m not sure what has to be in this letter?
And what if GP will refuse to give me one, what should I do?
Thank you in advance

 

[Martyn]

May I ask if anyone has any experience of driving with a Stoma please?

 

[Drivingtales]

I passed online OPC sift.
I have now been invited for an OPC Assessment day for trainee driver for WMT.
Can anyone shed some light On what this involves?
Last January I did level 1 paper tests for EMR and passed 3 out of 4 tests.. will I need to re-sit them all? Is this what the group assessment will be?

 

[Brickz]

You should only need to sit the one you didn't pass but best thing to do is reply to the opc invite email and ask them to check if you need to do them all again or not. It should also say on the email which tests your being taking so if it only lists the one test then will most likely just be that one.

I passed online OPC sift.
I have now been invited for an OPC Assessment day for trainee driver for WMT.
Can anyone shed some light On what this involves?
Last January I did level 1 paper tests for EMR and passed 3 out of 4 tests.. will I need to re-sit them all? Is this what the group assessment will be?

 

[Drivingtales]

You should only need to sit the one you didn't pass but best thing to do is reply to the opc invite email and ask them to check if you need to do them all again or not. It should also say on the email which tests your being taking so if it only lists the one test then will most likely just be that one.

Its says OPC has been checked and are required to complete regardless of previous assessments?? I only failed 1 test on level 1. Hoping I wont have to resit them all!!

 

[jayjee76]

I have just received an email inviting me to OPC Stage 1, I have previously passed all of Stage 1 and all but one of Stage 2 in December 2025, but am still being required to sit them. I guess WMT require everyone to sit both stages regardless of any previous assessment passes on your record…

 

[T4a1n6r1v3r]

Hi,

I failed on my cables and dials test (TRP2) earlier this year with GWR and I have a few questions about the instructions as I can’t remember it specifically. I just want to practice as much as I can so I can hopefully pass it next time.

There was 4 dials, (heat, air, power & light) and there was 4 colour groups from light blue to dark blue with numbers.

For anyone that’s done the test, did you have to put the dials in order of colour i.e if light blue was high priority - put that first and dark blue as least priority?
If two dials were in the same colour segment, refer to the number the dial is pointing at i.e for the highest number as first priority?

P.S I appreciate that they’ll be many different tests and the instructions in mine might be different to somebody else’s but I’m just interested to know.

Good evening. I understand that there is also a second rule regarding the numbers the number of the higher priority is divisible by the next one in the priority order then they swap places?

Tia!

 

[nilvaj395]

Hello guys
Could anyone here advise me about medical if you have an asthma?
My one is well controlled I have never been in the hospital and never had an asthma attack. I don’t even have a blue inhaler. But when I got a call and booked a medical I’ve been told if I have any medical condition I need to bring a letter from GP. So I’m not sure what has to be in this letter?
And what if GP will refuse to give me one, what should I do?
Thank you in advance

You could also bring your medication I think. Personally I forgot to bring mine (asthma too) but I could describe the medication to them and they recognised it (for example if you take a blue and / or a brown). A note would be helpful for them to know the exact medication, but bringing any relevant medication is no doubt an option.

If anyone here has a medical, do not forget to bring your medication or a note with it on / the name of the specific meds like I forgot to!

Edit: I've just seen you don't have a blue inhaler or medication. I'm not sure then, you could always call them to clarify. I did not bring a GP note with my conditions and I don't think it was even on my letter of appointment to do so. I just checked and my letter said 'bring any relevant GP notes and medication', so that was an oops on my part but it doesn't say I required one (fyi mine was with Medigold).

It generally from my view won't be an issue if it's well controlled, I think they ask for those things incase need to know what medication exactly it is for when it comes to possible side effects and / or the drug test but someone else probably knows more than me.

 

[kuklakolduna3]

You could also bring your medication I think. Personally I forgot to bring mine (asthma too) but I could describe the medication to them and they recognised it (for example if you take a blue and / or a brown). A note would be helpful for them to know the exact medication, but bringing any relevant medication is no doubt an option.

If anyone here has a medical, do not forget to bring your medication or a note with it on / the name of the specific meds like I forgot to!

Edit: I've just seen you don't have a blue inhaler or medication. I'm not sure then, you could always call them to clarify. I did not bring a GP note with my conditions and I don't think it was even on my letter of appointment to do so. I just checked and my letter said 'bring any relevant GP notes and medication', so that was an oops on my part but it doesn't say I required one (fyi mine was with Medigold).

It generally from my view won't be an issue if it's well controlled, I think they ask for those things incase need to know what medication exactly it is for when it comes to possible side effects and / or the drug test but someone else probably knows more than me.

Hello. Thanks for your reply! Good to know I’m not the only one with asthma here haha. Tbh I already work on a railway and had medical before. I also only had my medication with me ( Symbicort inhaler ) and it was fine. But this time as I understood they said bring some note about your illness(?). I called the clinic itself ( got a number from the email they sent ) and they weren’t even sure how this note gonna look like haha so I’m going to pay £150 for a private GP just to get a formal note that my asthma is well controlled because im so worried and didn’t know what else I can do don’t want to mess up my
Medical which is very close now.

Did they ask you anything about like can you prove that your asthma is well controlled?

 

[nilvaj395]

Hello. Thanks for your reply! Good to know I’m not the one with asthma here haha. Tbh I already work on a railway and had medical before. I also only had my medication with me ( Symbicort inhaler ) and it was fine. But this time as I understood they said bring some note about your illness(?). I called the clinic itself ( got a number from the email they sent ) and they weren’t even sure how this note gonna look like haha so I’m going to pay £150 for a private GP just to get a formal note that my asthma is well controlled because im so worried and didn’t know what else I can do don’t want to mess up my
Medical which is very close now.

Did they ask you anything about like can you prove that your asthma is well controlled?

They did not ask to prove anything for me like I would assume they could have done a peak flow test. I assume it would be helpful if you are one of those people that does daily peak flow tests and notes it down, but I am not one of those and I doubt many people who have not had issues with their asthma in many many years are.

I understand your nerves, I was super nervous and really awkward throughout my medical, as this was my first ever railway medical and I also had the same fear about messing it up. I would advise anyone to be more prepared than me and bring their meds or a doctor's note (if you're new read the form fully!) as I didn't even have one on my phone or anything to show, but if they're asking for a form they don't even know what it looks like then they can't nessecarily blame you if you don't understand? I am not an expert though or experienced in medicals so I'm sure others here can offer you more support than me

 

[kuklakolduna3]

They did not ask to prove anything for me like I would assume they could have done a peak flow test. I assume it would be helpful if you are one of those people that does daily peak flow tests and notes it down, but I am not one of those and I doubt many people who have not had issues with their asthma in many many years are.

I understand your nerves, I was super nervous and really awkward throughout my medical, as this was my first ever railway medical and I also had the same fear about messing it up. I would advise anyone to be more prepared than me and bring their meds or a doctor's note as I didn't even have one on my phone or anything to show, but if they're asking for a form they don't even know what it looks like then they can't nesscearily blame you if you don't understand what they need? I am not an expert though or experienced in it so I'm sure others can comment more than me

I only checked my peak flow twice and only because I had to confirm my diagnosis in England ( when I first came here ). My results are all good, never had abnormal spirometry or anything. So I was confused about which evidence can I show hahaha I guess it will be a tricky question for my GP tomorrow!

And yeah I definitely want to be well prepared as they don’t give you a second shot. Thanks!!!

 

[nilvaj395]

I only checked my peak flow twice and only because I had to confirm my diagnosis in England ( when I first came here ). My results are all good, never had abnormal spirometry or anything. So I was confused about which evidence can I show hahaha I guess it will be a tricky question for my GP tomorrow!

And yeah I definitely want to be well prepared as they don’t give you a second shot. Thanks!!!

I thought I was going to be turned away when I didn't bring any meds or at any point for any reason and I don't do well in medical scenarios regardless so it was nervous and a little awkward haha, but I understand your stress given it's not your first, and how it will be more of an issue if something's not prepared.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Dippa]

Has the OPC slacked off and become less strict or is it just down to assessor discretion?

A friend of mine attended Stage 1 assessment before Christmas and saw several people not following instructions during the tests. I was convinced they would fail, but to his surprise a couple of them still progressed to his Stage 2 assessment day.

My friend then completed the MMI and felt he struggled with a few of the questions. On one in particular, he was asked to change his answer multiple times because he didn’t have a relevant example. The interviewer then asked if he had an example based on someone else’s experience, which he used to answer. He was certain he’d failed, but despite this, he was pleasantly surprised to be told the following day that he’d passed.

I’m glad he passed, but when I went through the OPC they were far stricter and I’ve heard and seen people on this forum fail for much less.

 

[I2026]

Good evening. I understand that there is also a second rule regarding the numbers the number of the higher priority is divisible by the next one in the priority order then they swap places?

Tia!

No - there is no second rule like that at all. It is simply an exercise where you need to prioritise 4 shades of colour in an order, and then IF the example has 2 or more of the same shade, you need to use the number system to prioritise them instead (as they are all the same shade so equal).

 

[Lights Out]

Hello Guys, new here, so apologies if this has already been asked.

I've been sent a OPC link for the MiniSCAAT test from GTR.

Can anyone share where I can locate any practice tests from? I've seen OPC have one to purchase, but is there any other resources.

Also, any tips on the actual test and what to expect? Is the time limit given enough to complete the questions?

This is my first time doing this, so new to all of this.

Anyone recently completed it?

Thanks.

 

[T4a1n6r1v3r]

No - there is no second rule like that at all. It is simply an exercise where you need to prioritise 4 shades of colour in an order, and then IF the example has 2 or more of the same shade, you need to use the number system to prioritise them instead (as they are all the same shade so equal).

Thanks for your reply. How recently did you sit the assessment out of interest? Thanks again!

 

[I2026]

Thanks for your reply. How recently did you sit the assessment out of interest? Thanks again!

Around 5 weeks ago now

 

[T4a1n6r1v3r]

Around 5 weeks ago now

How did you get on? Any other tips / advice you can offer? Thanks again

 

[I2026]

How did you get on? Any other tips / advice you can offer? Thanks agaVery w

How did you get on? Any other tips / advice you can offer? Thanks again

Well I think, had my DMI two weeks afterwards and passed that too. Never got told any scores but I felt confident and didn't find any of them too difficult. What TOC are you applying to as they are all different