Assessments & Medicals discussion

[IndegoMouse]

Sorry ti bother you all, im sure this will probably be a stupid question... but are you able to sit psychometric tests on your own?

I ask as I was trying to apply to a trainee scheme but they want a 'passed' psychometric test from within the last 5 years. Ive not had any luck finding this on my own via Google and Bing... just not wanting to miss my shot

so you can sit them through OPC and pay yourself however it may not be the best use of money as you still need to be shortlisted for roles. I would try and get them through a TOC.

I know GB railfreight say you need them for there trainee positions but I think they are more aimed at people sat waiting in talent pools

 

[bobbydazzler14]

Hello does anyone know how long you get to read the text for the trp test

 

[SmugStarlord]

Hello does anyone know how long you get to read the text for the trp test

I think it was around 5 minutes to read and make notes

 

[bobbydazzler14]

I think it was around 5 minutes to read and make notes

Thank you very much. Do you have any tips for it and would you advise taking notes or just continuously read

 

[whitby26]

Thank you very much. Do you have any tips for it and would you advise taking notes or just continuously read

It’s all about how well you can recall the information can’t really practice it. Mine was a passage about train breaking systems they play the passage out for you to hear then get you to read the same passage and make notes then have a 20 question test after I found it relatively easy. Take notes on the important parts eg. The left hand lever operates breaks. The blue button checks break pressure etc

 

[bobbydazzler14]

It’s all about how well you can recall the information can’t really practice it. Mine was a passage about train breaking systems they play the passage out for you to hear then get you to read the same passage and make notes then have a 20 question test after I found it relatively easy. Take notes on the important parts eg. The left hand lever operates breaks. The blue button checks break pressure etc

What I’m about to ask may be a bit hard to recall but I’ve been using ChatGPT to simulate it with a text of 1400 words and overloaded with information. How do you think the actual compares

For example is it overloaded with extra information and is the text long and intentionally confusing with wording and things

 

[SmugStarlord]

Thank you very much. Do you have any tips for it and would you advise taking notes or just continuously read

I took notes as I read it. They also play it aloud on a speaker too. Mine was a breaking system. Look/listen/read key elements such as light colours, where they are situated, regulations etc. Stuff you may think that will be asked on the questions sheet. I honestly worried about this test quite a bit, but found it not too bad and was stressing over nothing.
I would advise against the chat GP option, purely because you will overload your brain for no reason and put added pressure on yourself. 1 big tip: a good night's sleep the night before helps wonders

 

[bobbydazzler14]

I appreciate the help so much as I’ve been worried about this test and I have a few more questions about the tests if you guys don’t mind

Did you pay attention to the audio or were you just focusing on reading and taking notes?

For the VSE how similar is the material given to the actual computer test?

For the MMI do they ask a lot of questions about your scenarios and how long would you say you spent on each before being asked the next

 

[Trainee G]

Hi all,
I had my medical for GA trainee mainline driver, this was 2-3 weeks ago. I was told on the day all was ok and just waiting for urine sample to come back. I still haven’t heard anything. Does anyone know how long this usually takes?
Thanks!

 

[bobbydazzler14]

I took notes as I read it. They also play it aloud on a speaker too. Mine was a breaking system. Look/listen/read key elements such as light colours, where they are situated, regulations etc. Stuff you may think that will be asked on the questions sheet. I honestly worried about this test quite a bit, but found it not too bad and was stressing over nothing.
I would advise against the chat GP option, purely because you will overload your brain for no reason and put added pressure on yourself. 1 big tip: a good night's sleep the night before helps wonders

I appreciate the help so much as I’ve been worried about this test and I have a few more questions about the tests if you guys don’t mind

Did you pay attention to the audio or were you just focusing on reading and taking notes?

For the VSE how similar is the material given to the actual computer test?

For the MMI do they ask a lot of questions about your scenarios and how long would you say you spent on each before being asked the next

 

[CrazyClerk]

It’s fairly straight forward and I think you're over thinking it a little. Just identify vulnerable people such as blind,old,young children,broken fixtures and fittings, obvious safety hazards as well such as wet floor,fire,unattended luggage etc. Are stairs dangerous or a hazard? Of course but if no one is on them it’s fine but if someone is struggling with a suitcase thats different. Don't click for the sake of it though you will get marked down. Hope this helps.

But not every young child is a vulnerable person. So it is difficult in term of when to identify via an image if they are or are not vulnerable
.

 

[SmugStarlord]

I appreciate the help so much as I’ve been worried about this test and I have a few more questions about the tests if you guys don’t mind

Did you pay attention to the audio or were you just focusing on reading and taking notes?

For the VSE how similar is the material given to the actual computer test?

For the MMI do they ask a lot of questions about your scenarios and how long would you say you spent on each before being asked the next

MMI I can't comment on as mine isn't until next week.
I was listening to the audio while reading along and made notes on stuff that was relevant, such as anything to do with the braking systems. Thats how i personally learn and retain info, everyone does it differently, so dont sweat it too much.
What practice materials were you given for the VSE?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==

But not every young child is a vulnerable person. So it is difficult in term of when to identify via an image if they are or are not vulnerable
.

Anyone under the age of 16 is technically classed as vulnerable in terms of children i believe

 

[bobbydazzler14]

MMI I can't comment on as mine isn't until next week.
I was listening to the audio while reading along and made notes on stuff that was relevant, such as anything to do with the braking systems. Thats how i personally learn and retain info, everyone does it differently, so dont sweat it too much.
What practice materials were you given for the VSE?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==


Anyone under the age of 16 is technically classed as vulnerable in terms of children i believe

I was given a a sheet full of boxes with a sequence of dots. You have to identify when the pattern changes and cross it out but continue the sequence from there. The other part is full of boxes with letters on the left and right side of the box and you must cross it out if they don’t match

 

[SmugStarlord]

I was given a a sheet full of boxes with a sequence of dots. You have to identify when the pattern changes and cross it out but continue the sequence from there. The other part is full of boxes with letters on the left and right side of the box and you must cross it out if they don’t match

Is that the one where you have to find cross off the 4 dots and leave the rest?

In all honesty, the assessments arent as bad as they seem. Just practice with what you have and don't overthink.

When is your assessment day?

Also, something else that helped me was a "learn2be" train driver practice tests book i got off amazon, I got a hotel room the night before so I could have the distraction free time to relax and grabbed an early night the night before.
I woke up refreshed and the assessments were not that bad at all.

Worst case, you use up a life and have 2 more opportunities to them again, plus you'll have extra knowledge of what to expect the next time

 

[bobbydazzler14]

What you are referring to is grounp bourdon and my assessments are tomorrow

Overall I feel very confident having practiced everything a lot

Only worried about the MMI mainly

 

[SmugStarlord]

What you are referring to is grounp bourdon and my assessments are tomorrow

Overall I feel very confident having practiced everything a lot

Only worried about the MMI mainly

Then you have no need to stress is your MMI the same day aswell?

 

[bobbydazzler14]

Then you have no need to stress is your MMI the same day aswell?

Yes my MMI is same day if I progress to it

 

[Twin82]

Yes my MMI is same day if I progress to it

The MMi questions are posted all over the forum. Make sure you have relevant honest answers as they will probe you on them. They tend to ask “how did that make you feel?” As long as you keep your composure and remain calm then you’ll be alright.

 

[bobbydazzler14]

The MMi questions are posted all over the forum. Make sure you have relevant honest answers as they will probe you on them. They tend to ask “how did that make you feel?” As long as you keep your composure and remain calm then you’ll be alright.

Yeah I’ve already written and memorised bullet points for my answers depending on the questions

My composer is good and I usually remain calm under pressure

When they ask how it made you feel are they looking for specific answers or truly how you felt even if it could be considered a bad emotion?

 

[CrazyClerk]

Anyone under the age of 16 is technically classed as vulnerable in terms of children i believe

Think I screwed up a bit ha. In my eyes, not every child is a vulnerable person. But hey ho.

 

[Twin82]

Well for the most part, whatever the scenario, they want to see that you’re calm and in control. So for example, if there was an emergency situation, they want to see you taking charge of the situation and not panicking. Because if things go wrong on the train, they need to know you have the ability to remain calm and make rational decisions as to someone who would freak out. That make sense?

 

[SmugStarlord]

Yes my MMI is same day if I progress to it

Good luck for today bud

 

[Toby268]

Morning. Does anyone know if you fail one computer test if you need to redo all of them or just the one you failed?

 

[Pintman]

Morning. Does anyone know if you fail one computer test if you need to redo all of them or just the one you failed?

Depends on the policy of the TOC you're applying to

 

[bobbydazzler14]

Good luck for today bud

Than you very much. I got to the MMI but feel like I fumbled the last question

 

[Twin82]

Was it the question about similar taskto a train driver? Fingers crossed you did enough. Was this for Southern? And well done getting to the interview stage

 

[GregSRHST]

So 10 months after applying for a dispatcher job with ScotRail they have emailed me asking if I'm still interested in the role. They then sent me an email with an invitation to the online assessment before I could get back to them to say yes or no.

Frustratingly as I had lost all hope with ScotRail I applied for a other job and I start next week so the timing is not great!

My question is should I still do the online assessment even if I'm not in a position to commit to ScotRail at the moment? Could it take a other 10 months so should I keep my options open?

 

[IndegoMouse]

So 10 months after applying for a dispatcher job with ScotRail they have emailed me asking if I'm still interested in the role. They then sent me an email with an invitation to the online assessment before I could get back to them to say yes or no.

Frustratingly as I had lost all hope with ScotRail I applied for a other job and I start next week so the timing is not great!

My question is should I still do the online assessment even if I'm not in a position to commit to ScotRail at the moment? Could it take a other 10 months so should I keep my options open?

I would 100% go for it, you have nothing to loose!

 

[TicketsPleez]

Than you very much. I got to the MMI but feel like I fumbled the last question

How did it go in the end?

 

[bobbydazzler14]

Sorry for disappearing, I ended up passing so thanks to anyone that helped or asked how I got on.

If anyone needs any help or anything like that, specially for your stage 2 as that’s what is the most fresh in my head send me a message and I will get back to you. I feel that I have a lot of useful bits of information that will put people at ease