Assessments - Where to focus

[ChrisBeds]

Hi all. First time posting here.
I have an assessment of Wednesday for trainee driver. Nervous doesn't even cover how I'm feeling right now!
Can I just ask, do you think there's any bit that carries more weight than the other? I'm focusing on the GBT that seems to be the bit I'm struggling with most.
Anyone have any tips?
Sorry if this has been asked before

 

[red2005]

go into it thinking they are ALL as vitally important as the next mate!....they are assessing you throughout the whole day remember!

as far as the group bourdon goes just make sure you go at a steady pace and get the accuracy! people think rushing helps but it really doesn't as u have more chance of missing things and make errors! and remember that this is the only part of the tests where u LOSE marks for mistakes!

good luck i am sure you will be fine and if you are not sure on anything for god sake ASK!

Red

 

[E&W Lucas]

RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's aptitude testing. You've got it, or you haven't, so no point in stressing. In fact, one of the aptitudes is that you won't!
Read the instructions you've been sent, have a go at the practice materials. Get a good, sober, night's sleep the evening before, make sure you will arrive with loads of time to spare, stay off caffeine, relax, and do what comes naturally.

 

[ChrisBeds]

Thanks for the replies!
I've gone through the practice stuff every night since I got it on Wednesday so I feel a bit better. Although I started my GBT on the computer only to realise its a paper based test.. Doh.
Yeah I'm really trying not to stress and just take it as it comes. Fingers crossed. Thanks again!

 

[302PS]

Can't go wrong with the practice stuff. Is it for tpe?
Good luck

 

[ItchyRsole]

Just remember one thing.

Stressing never helped anyone.

I've had 3 tough assessments in my time on the railway & passed all three. Nothing special about me I just don't stress. I hardly even think about what's to come until the night before. Completely free mind & get into the zone the night before so you go to sleep subconsciously thinking about what's ahead. Bit of breakfast (v important) in the morning. People skip it with nerves. Bad move. Food helps your body settle & your mind also as it's not craving food.

Relax you'll be cool. You've either got the answers in your brain or you haven't.

Remember stressing never helped anyone. Ever.

 

[ManUtd]

Good luck ChrisBeds,I am just starting out myself,had my first test last Friday and waiting on a letter to see if I was successful.

As others have mentioned,try not to stress and just keep going over the practice stuff.

 

[ChrisBeds]

Cheers all. I'm not a stress head really I just want to have a good go at it. But thanks for the tips.
What's TPE by the way?

 

[red2005]

cheers all. I'm not a stress head really i just want to have a good go at it. But thanks for the tips.
What's tpe by the way?

trans pennine express

 

[Pepperami]

The GBT as Red says don't rush it you need to go at a fair pace but if you make a mistake that's not good... Missing one or possibly two is better than getting one wrong

Breakfast a must do as is the good nights sleep. I'm not a Horlicks drinker per say but I had one the night before after a long soak in a hot bath then I felt pretty good the next morning

This is the first stage, one of a few, so just relax and remember you made it to the assessments some didn't even get that far

 

[plastictaffy]

This will be an assessment for Govia Thameslink I should think. Some of the guys from my depot have them this week, too.

 

[ManUtd]

The GBT as Red says don't rush it you need to go at a fair pace but if you make a mistake that's not good... Missing one or possibly two is better than getting one wrong

How long does it give you to do each GBT?

 

[greatkingrat]

2 minutes per sheet, 5 sheets, so 10 minutes total.

 

[ManUtd]

2 minutes per sheet, 5 sheets, so 10 minutes total.

Thanx,I have started practising them but hadn't really been timing myself,I will from now on with two minutes a sheet.

 

[ChrisBeds]

Cheers guys. Yes Plastic taffy it's for Govier Thameslink. So each company does there tests differently? Utd you had tests last week but didn't do GBT?
I kinda wish they did the whole thing in a day it's hard enough getting one day off at this time of year suppose that would be a pretty heavy day though.
Well good luck to anyone else going tomorrow!

 

[Pepperami]

for timing, I got the other half to use a watch and just say CHANGE when it was time for a new sheet to be started

I averaged 8 or 9 lines every two mins if I remember correctly? (That about right?) .... and that 10 mins goes by really quick

You can print off random sheets from that GBT thats downloadable thats what I did

 

[ManUtd]

Cheers guys. Yes Plastic taffy it's for Govier Thameslink. So each company does there tests differently? Utd you had tests last week but didn't do GBT?
I kinda wish they did the whole thing in a day it's hard enough getting one day off at this time of year suppose that would be a pretty heavy day though.
Well good luck to anyone else going tomorrow!

Yeah ChrisBeds,I only had a fifteen minute DFFT test,the GB and TRP tests and so on will be the next day.....time off isn't an issue as I already work for the company.

 

[red2005]

Thanx,I have started practising them but hadn't really been timing myself,I will from now on with two minutes a sheet.

I'd stay away from timing yourself mate! even when you are practicing! concentrate on what you are doing! if you've got the time factor rattling around in the back of your head it'll just be a distraction and could cause u to make mistakes!

all u need to know is the person conducting the tests will be looking after the timings......you should just concentrate on the task in hand!

 

[ManUtd]

I'd stay away from timing yourself mate! even when you are practicing! concentrate on what you are doing! if you've got the time factor rattling around in the back of your head it'll just be a distraction and could cause u to make mistakes!

all u need to know is the person conducting the tests will be looking after the timings......you should just concentrate on the task in hand!

Thanx again for the advice red2005,that was my thinking when I started on the paper tests,just concentrate on getting them correct and worry about the times later.

Having just gave the test on here a go(thanx to Mojo for that)then that should be a good basis as the timing change is done for you.
I think mine will be on paper though so not sure if practising more on a computer will make a difference,I don't have a printer myself but may try and get some printed off elsewhere.

 

[ChrisBeds]

Just failed my assessment on GBT. Was told that although I'd reached the national standard I hadn't reached the Govia standard so I need to wait 6months before applying again. Asked the lady from govia what the difference between the two was, how far away I was and she wouldn't say. She did say there were too many omissions though. No incorrect.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Pm ManUtd although I didn't pass it felt easier on paper.

 

[Pepperami]

Sorry to hear this mate. It's a tough one the GBT I didn't know Govia had a different standard to others though I thought it was a universal test at all TOC

 

[greatkingrat]

My understanding is that if you have met the national standard, it does not count as a failure, and you can apply to other TOCs straight away rather than waiting six months.

 

[ChrisBeds]

Cheers Pepperami. To be fair the woman from Govia said right at the start that their passing scores were higher. I guess that's their prerogative.
Yep kingrat you're right. I can apply elsewhere straight away or wait 6 months for Govia. Trouble is Govia runs pretty much everything in the 3 counties where I live.

 

[ManUtd]

Just failed my assessment on GBT. Was told that although I'd reached the national standard I hadn't reached the Govia standard so I need to wait 6months before applying again. Asked the lady from govia what the difference between the two was, how far away I was and she wouldn't say. She did say there were too many omissions though. No incorrect.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Pm ManUtd although I didn't pass it felt easier on paper.

Sorry to hear that ChrisBeds.....Yeah I am kind of thinking I would prefer a paper test......hopefully I get a chance to do it.

 

[WesC2014]

Hi,

What's a GBT?

Thanks

 

[tinsoldier]

Hi Chris, sorry it didnt work out. I have my assessment tomorrow for thameslink, I was just wondering how long it all takes ? Are you there half a day or a full day, I start 8.45 a.m.
All the best . . . .

 

[ChrisBeds]

Hi tinsoldier. Hahaha I was only there half the day
I saw somewhere that the lads I was with finished about 15.45.
All the best. Good luck. Stay relaxed and try not to rush it!

 

[SPADTrap]

Hi,

What's a GBT?

Thanks

Group Bourdon test, aka 'the dots test' part of the train driver selection process