Assessments & Medicals discussion

[mickeyC]

This might be a silly question but I was wondering if anyone knows whether it is a) allowed, or b) looked down on if you were to take a notebook into an interview to assist with any answers to questions you might vaguely forget?

Just curious as how2become states one TOC could ask any out of 35 interview questions, so to practice for every question & remember all possible answers is a fairly tall order. Any help or advice is much appreciated!

Morning
I emailed southeastern recruitment team this exact question and they said I was more than welcome to have notes to jog my memory but nothing scripted to assist me.
I had my small notebook with me on the table during the DMI but only used it to remind me of the questions I wanted to ask the depot manager at the end.

 

[lennie1]

I have got through to the assessment day with GWR for a conductor and was just wondering what the individual and group task involves

I did mine earlier this month at the Novotel hotel in Reading. For me, there were 7 other people being assessed and 9 assessors, so it might be intimidating if you’re not used to group situations (for me, it felt like a workshop, or network event).

Firstly, you’ll have to introduce yourself, or in our case, we had a few minutes to learn a little about the person sitting next to you and then introduce them. It’s a good opportunity to settle in, clear your throat etc.

Then we were split into two sides and given a scenario, which we had to all contribute to answering. This meant, in our case, discussing the challenge in a group and contributing together. Main consideration is to contribute but don’t take over, listen and encourage.

Then 2 different teams of 4 people were taken into a different rooms and were given a different scenario with the objective being that we have to follow facts and present our recommendations.

Again, my advice is to make cure you contribute but don’t take over and listen. Assessors walks around and listen and watch your interactions, so work as a team and encourage others to offer their thoughts and be positive. The assessors we’re looking for how you interact as much as getting the answer correct.

If you pass this part, you’ll be asked to then go to the interview stage - mine was with 2 assessors.

Good luck.

 

[KaneLeb]

Morning
I emailed southeastern recruitment team this exact question and they said I was more than welcome to have notes to jog my memory but nothing scripted to assist me.
I had my small notebook with me on the table during the DMI but only used it to remind me of the questions I wanted to ask the depot manager at the end.

Thanks for this information, it is much appreciated. This makes perfect sense. I know things can differ between TOC's but don't think this specific thing will differ too much, so I'll take heed to your experience

 

[VLxKX]

Morning
I emailed southeastern recruitment team this exact question and they said I was more than welcome to have notes to jog my memory but nothing scripted to assist me.
I had my small notebook with me on the table during the DMI but only used it to remind me of the questions I wanted to ask the depot manager at the end.

Morning,

That’s a good idea actually, thanks for sharing. What questions shall I ask the depot managers at the end please? Waiting to book my DMI with Southern. Thanks

 

[Madisuperstar]

Morning,

That’s a good idea actually, thanks for sharing. What questions shall I ask the depot managers at the end please? Waiting to book my DMI with Southern. Thanks

Hi did you already got the DMI date or still waiting

 

[VLxKX]

Hi did you already got the DMI date or still waiting

Hi,

I’m waiting for a DMI date.

 

[mickeyC]

Morning,

That’s a good idea actually, thanks for sharing. What questions shall I ask the depot managers at the end please? Waiting to book my DMI with Southern. Thanks

I had the depot manager, driver manager and a senior member of staff from the ticket office in my DMI.
At the end I asked them all “what do you enjoy about working for Southeastern”
Secondly I asked the depot and driver manager
“What do your top performing drivers do different to every other driver that makes them stand out”

 

[Madisuperstar]

Hi,

I’m waiting for a DMI date.

And if you don’t mind me to ask you your second computer tests stage and MMI was on same day and how long ago

 

[timmy827]

I had the depot manager, driver manager and a senior member of staff from the ticket office in my DMI.
At the end I asked them all “what do you enjoy about working for Southeastern”
Secondly I asked the depot and driver manager
“What do your top performing drivers do different to every other driver that makes them stand out”

What answer did they give to your top performing driver question? Good questions!

 

[mickeyC]

What answer did they give to your top performing driver question? Good questions!

They said the top performing drivers turn up on time, look presentable, smart clean uniform and are polite and friendly to all the team.

 

[VLxKX]

I had the depot manager, driver manager and a senior member of staff from the ticket office in my DMI.
At the end I asked them all “what do you enjoy about working for Southeastern”
Secondly I asked the depot and driver manager
“What do your top performing drivers do different to every other driver that makes them stand out”

Those are great questions, thanks a lot!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2026 ==

And if you don’t mind me to ask you your second computer tests stage and MMI was on same day and how long ago

Stage 2 computer tests and MMI were on the same day, 23rd February. Got a phone call the next day with the good news that I passed, was asked my preferred depot for the DMI and if I had any holiday booked.

They got back to me yesterday, saying that they’re prioritising candidates who don’t have holidays booked and are ready to start in April/May. I have 1 week holiday booked in August, which can’t be cancelled, so I’ll have to wait a while…

 

[Madisuperstar]

Those are great questions, thanks a lot!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2026 ==


Stage 2 computer tests and MMI were on the same day, 23rd February. Got a phone call the next day with the good news that I passed, was asked my preferred depot for the DMI and if I had any holiday booked.

They got back to me yesterday, saying that they’re prioritising candidates who don’t have holidays booked and are ready to start in April/May. I have 1 week holiday booked in August, which can’t be cancelled, so I’ll have to wait a while…

Thanks really appreciate

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Mar 2026 ==

Those are great questions, thanks a lot!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2026 ==


Stage 2 computer tests and MMI were on the same day, 23rd February. Got a phone call the next day with the good news that I passed, was asked my preferred depot for the DMI and if I had any holiday booked.

They got back to me yesterday, saying that they’re prioritising candidates who don’t have holidays booked and are ready to start in April/May. I have 1 week holiday booked in August, which can’t be cancelled, so I’ll have to wait a while…

Thank appreciate don’t mind to ask which depot you applied for

 

[VLxKX]

Thanks really appreciate

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Mar 2026 ==


Thank appreciate don’t mind to ask which depot you applied for

Victoria

 

[Colly103]

Hi all - has anyone who has been through psychometrics with Northern recently able to advise if the DFFT is still part of the suite of tests or is it cables and dials? The practice material I have been sent differs from the DFFT practice I have from the OPC? TIA

 

[Jonners00]

Hi all - has anyone who has been through psychometrics with Northern recently able to advise if the DFFT is still part of the suite of tests or is it cables and dials? The practice material I have been sent differs from the DFFT practice I have from the OPC? TIA

I think it was just the dials. 4 Dials and you need to work out which order of priority they are depending on which section the dial is pointing. Some of them are in the same section and have numbers on the dials and you should then prioritise with the lowest (I think, it could be higher) number.

It’s all explained at the beginning of the test and you have a few example too.

 

[Colly103]

I think it was just the dials. 4 Dials and you need to work out which order of priority they are depending on which section the dial is pointing. Some of them are in the same section and have numbers on the dials and you should then prioritise with the lowest (I think, it could be higher) number.

It’s all explained at the beginning of the test and you have a few example too.

Many thanks for the reply - really appreciated

 

[lions32]

LNER Psychometric exam

Morning all,

I have passed my interview stage and will soon be doing my Psychometric exam, however I have already passed this with Southeastern. I know this is a nationally accepted exam so would I need to re sit the assessment day? Also, does LNER have an additional test on top? I know some train organisations do.

Thanks

 

[Pintman]

LNER Psychometric exam

Morning all,

I have passed my interview stage and will soon be doing my Psychometric exam, however I have already passed this with Southeastern. I know this is a nationally accepted exam so would I need to re sit the assessment day? Also, does LNER have an additional test on top? I know some train organisations do.

Thanks

LNER will be the ones to ask about this, they'll know what their standard and retest policy is. Send them an email mentioning that you've sat assessments previously and see what they say.

 

[Harjam11]

Hi everyone, finally have my stage 2 OPC booked in a few weeks times. I’m trying to scope out where I need to go in Watford but struggling to find the building I need. Has anyone got a picture of the front of the building? Thanks

 

[cwww]

Hi everyone, finally have my stage 2 OPC booked in a few weeks times. I’m trying to scope out where I need to go in Watford but struggling to find the building I need. Has anyone got a picture of the front of the building? Thanks

Here’s the front door (black one on the left)

 

[Zugaga]

Hi everyone, finally have my stage 2 OPC booked in a few weeks times. I’m trying to scope out where I need to go in Watford but struggling to find the building I need. Has anyone got a picture of the front of the building? Thanks

If you're on the main shopping street there's a Gail's on the corner, and if you go down that street then you want the very first right. Then you will see what is in the image in the post above.
The other way around if you're walking to the main shopping street from the Travelodge.

 

[Unobrow]

Hi everyone, finally have my stage 2 OPC booked in a few weeks times. I’m trying to scope out where I need to go in Watford but struggling to find the building I need. Has anyone got a picture of the front of the building? Thanks

Corner of Market St and Wellstones. Very indescript building and door.

 

[Brickz]

Hi everyone, finally have my stage 2 OPC booked in a few weeks times. I’m trying to scope out where I need to go in Watford but struggling to find the building I need. Has anyone got a picture of the front of the building? Thanks

If your driving I recommend parking in the charter Car park as only few minutes walk from the OPC building, when you enter the car park it does split off into 2 separate ones if you keep right which is for charter and believe colour coded as blue on there sign and then once up the ramp park on the 1st floor you come too as the double doors at opposite end take you into the opening area of the shopping centre which then if you follow the red line on my screenshot of google maps the blue dot is the OPC front door which is shown on the other post.
I've included a screenshot of the entrance to the car park aswell.
The car park you can either get a ticket to pay at the machine or if you tap your bank card on entry you can then just tap it at the barrier when exiting.

 

[James198320]

Hi all, I have passed stage one and two of train driver assessment. I now have to do a medical at some point soon. I have history of migraines but they are well controlled with medication (which doesn't cause me any drowsiness and I take at night). I have not had a migraine with aura for over 3 years, since being on meds. I also have sleep apnea but this is completely controlled by cpap which I use religiously every night. I'm so worried they'll turn me down once I tell them, so want reassurance from anyone else who has either condition or both that it was ok. This is with gtr

 

[BigEasy]

Hi everyone, finally have my stage 2 OPC booked in a few weeks times. I’m trying to scope out where I need to go in Watford but struggling to find the building I need. Has anyone got a picture of the front of the building? Thanks

This might help:

Directions to the OPC - Option 1 - From Watford Junction walking down Wellstones.

 

[Neatro]

Hi all, I have passed stage one and two of train driver assessment. I now have to do a medical at some point soon. I have history of migraines but they are well controlled with medication (which doesn't cause me any drowsiness and I take at night). I have not had a migraine with aura for over 3 years, since being on meds. I also have sleep apnea but this is completely controlled by cpap which I use religiously every night. I'm so worried they'll turn me down once I tell them, so want reassurance from anyone else who has either condition or both that it was ok. This is with gtr

I don't think anyone can give you the answer you want because medical issues are always different with every person.

Someone might have the exact same medical conditions but function completely differently.

The only person who will be able to tell you this is the doctor you see during the medical.

 

[ndjefc82]

Hello all,

I'm after a general concensus opinion:

I have a medical very soon for a Trainee Driver role. I'm in excellent shape and I don't think I'll have any issues with my physical health.

What does concern me a little is that I had a 3 month bout of depression in 2019 - This was due to a bereavement reaction and I was prescribed anti-depressants to get me through it. I've had no mental health concerns since - the counselling I received gave me the tools to manage my Mental health, and I can honestly say that I've been nowhere near where I was back then.

Do you think there are any implications for the medical?

I want to be completely open and transparent throughout, having got this far - I don't want to stop the show.

I'd be grateful for any opinions and advice from anyone who has been in a similar position.

Thanks in advance

 

[mickeyC]

Hello all,

I'm after a general concensus opinion:

I have a medical very soon for a Trainee Driver role. I'm in excellent shape and I don't think I'll have any issues with my physical health.

What does concern me a little is that I had a 3 month bout of depression in 2019 - This was due to a bereavement reaction and I was prescribed anti-depressants to get me through it. I've had no mental health concerns since - the counselling I received gave me the tools to manage my Mental health, and I can honestly say that I've been nowhere near where I was back then.

Do you think there are any implications for the medical?

I want to be completely open and transparent throughout, having got this far - I don't want to stop the show.

I'd be grateful for any opinions and advice from anyone who has been in a similar position.

Thanks in advance

In my recent medical last month, the only questions about history was “Have I seen a GP or visited a hospital in the last 12 months”
“Have I taken any prescribed med’s in the last 12 months”

That was basically it. If your feeling in a better place now then I wouldn’t bother sharing that experience as it was a long time ago in the grand scheme of things.

The medical isn’t as bad as people think it will be.

 

[ndjefc82]

In my recent medical last month, the only questions about history was “Have I seen a GP or visited a hospital in the last 12 months”
“Have I taken any prescribed med’s in the last 12 months”

That was basically it. If your feeling in a better place now then I wouldn’t bother sharing that experience as it was a long time ago in the grand scheme of things.

The medical isn’t as bad as people think it will be.

Thanks for the reply

 

[Azure_wolf32]

Hi guys,

I've just been invited to a GWR assessment event for the customer service apprenticeship role. I'm really keen on doing as well as I can, does anyone have experience
or advice on what i can expect and how to prepare? thanks