Becoming a trainee train driver

[Tiagobaltasar]

Hello everyone I’ve applied to become a trainee train driver for GTR I’ve been invited to complete:
The mini Safe Concentration and Attention Test (miniSCAAT).
I’ve been given a login, once I login do I have to start the test? Or can I decide when to start.
Is there any information inside that I should login and check?
Thank you everyone

 

[Anthony R]

Such good comments and advice. I am embarking on the SJT. I will be using all your examples in terms of prepping for what’s to be expected on the assessments. Really excited as been in aviation for few decades and this is hopefully the first step in what I hope to be my second, ahem, final career!
A childhood dream could become reality.

I have some

Hello everyone I’ve applied to become a trainee train driver for GTR I’ve been invited to complete:
The mini Safe Concentration and Attention Test (miniSCAAT).
I’ve been given a login, once I login do I have to start the test? Or can I decide when to start.
Is there any information inside that I should login and check?
Thank you everyone

When I did the online sjt test it was very clear when you are about to start the test by clicking a certain button, simply following the login link didn't throw me into the test. Be careful though it may not be the same, although I'd be surprised if it just threw you in. Prob best not to touch uit until your ready just on case.

 

[LifeChanges]

I have some

When I did the online sjt test it was very clear when you are about to start the test by clicking a certain button, simply following the login link didn't throw me into the test. Be careful though it may not be the same, although I'd be surprised if it just threw you in. Prob best not to touch uit until your ready just on case.

Thanks for the heads up!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jan 2021 ==

Hello everyone I’ve applied to become a trainee train driver for GTR I’ve been invited to complete:
The mini Safe Concentration and Attention Test (miniSCAAT).
I’ve been given a login, once I login do I have to start the test? Or can I decide when to start.
Is there any information inside that I should login and check?
Thank you everyone

Good luck

 

[TheGoldfish]

Think you'll just be overloading your mind by learning a rule book for a memory test.

When I did my psychometrics I just used the material given before the assessments.

If I make it last my upcoming DMI and make it into a talent pool, I still won't be touching the rulebook.

I figure the assessors and trainers will be able to mould a person who hasn't touched the book. Plus I'm sure there may be stuff in it that a driver may not need to know.

Even when you start the course they tell you not to read too far ahead ... you need to know what you need to know when you need to know it ... and they layer on the detail as you go .. so you’ll cover subjects more than once .. just with more detail than the lasttime ... I’d say it’s design for people who know absolutely nothing to start witt. By the end you’ll see complete novices absolutely nailing the content and other people who thought already having a railway background was a head start ..then really struggling....but it’s a safe environment...no one is treated like a fool for not knowing stuff .... it just comes together but with a bit of hard work and positive attitud.

 

[Tiagobaltasar]

Thank you everyone for your help and kind words

 

[sheena]

Such good comments and advice. I am embarking on the SJT. I will be using all your examples in terms of prepping for what’s to be expected on the assessments. Really excited as been in aviation for few decades and this is hopefully the first step in what I hope to be my second, ahem, final career!
A childhood dream could become reality.

Good luck to you! Hope all goes well

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2021 ==

Even when you start the course they tell you not to read too far ahead ... you need to know what you need to know when you need to know it ... and they layer on the detail as you go .. so you’ll cover subjects more than once .. just with more detail than the lasttime ... I’d say it’s design for people who know absolutely nothing to start witt. By the end you’ll see complete novices absolutely nailing the content and other people who thought already having a railway background was a head start ..then really struggling....but it’s a safe environment...no one is treated like a fool for not knowing stuff .... it just comes together but with a bit of hard work and positive attitud.

Great advice, thank you Goldfish..

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2021 ==

Thank you everyone for your help and kind words

Ditto, all the advice above is so helpful

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2021 ==

The train driver assessments can be quite stressful, if only for the fear of the unexpected. My advice, if you have got time on your hands over the festive period, is to do what you can to familiarise yourself with the tests, maybe do some reading up on this forum about the different assessments. Even practising with the Group Bourdon can make a difference to your performance.

The TEA-OCC test came as a complete surprise to me. I was expecting to be bombarded with a quick succession of tones when the reality was much different. Thankfully, I soon got into the rhythm of it.

I would read up on the format of the GTR assessment days too. Some operators carry out every single assessment in one day whilst other operators prefer to stagger it over two days. The MMI, always the last test, if you get that far, is an interview which requires a great deal of preparation so you may need to spend time accordingly depending on the schedule of assessments.

Sorry for the late reply, thank you for the advice. I have downloaded some practice SCAAT tests from the OPC website. Started practising and little by little I am getting the hang of it. I still haven't heard back yet if I am selected but I am not worried at this stage. Its been just over a month since my application went in with GTR and I noticed that another member on here waited 2 months to hear back so I will just wait it out. In the meantime I shall download one test at a time from the OPC website, the first one being the SCAAT test. They are 6.99 or 8.99 for the practice tests and it will cost me about £40 to download the lot but I don't want to overwhelm myself by downloading them all together. Baby steps..... I have really found all this advice so helpful so thanks again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2021 ==

There's no specific maths test. The tests are designed is such a way that some people can naturally pass them and some can't. This relates directly to the ability to do the job. The Internet has introduced the ability for people to "practise" the tests and pass them. However this has caused a greater drop out rate during training as there is less opportunity to "practise" during training if you don't have the natural ability. Not everyone of course, but the tests are designed to reflect your natural ability to do the job rather than a memory test.

I see, I guess I will just have to wait and see. I am going to download some practice tests from the OPC website. Already downloaded the SCAAT practice tests. Working on them at the moment....Thank you for your sound advice.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2021 ==

Hello everyone I’ve applied to become a trainee train driver for GTR I’ve been invited to complete:
The mini Safe Concentration and Attention Test (miniSCAAT).
I’ve been given a login, once I login do I have to start the test? Or can I decide when to start.
Is there any information inside that I should login and check?
Thank you everyone

The best of luck to you by the way. I am still waiting to hear if I get selected......

 

[Davidh1998]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. But does anyone know when applications for trainee drivers might start popping up again?

 

[LCC106]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. But does anyone know when applications for trainee drivers might start popping up again?

You really do have to check the TOC websites on a daily basis as they can come up anytime. Drivers will continue to retire etc despite the pandemic and TOCs are trying not to reduce services too much in order to protect jobs.

 

[Tiagobaltasar]

Thank you,
as an update ive been invited to the assesment. To whoever gets to this point they will send you lots of info on what will happen on the day and what you will have to focus on, along with some training exercises and tips.
i hope everyone thats waiting on answers gets an answer Asap.
i know of a friend who is till waiting to hear an answer on his application form.
And another friend that is one assesment behind me.
Stay positive, they will get back to you if they havent yet.
good luck everyone

 

[Anthony R]

Thank you,
as an update ive been invited to the assesment. To whoever gets to this point they will send you lots of info on what will happen on the day and what you will have to focus on, along with some training exercises and tips.
i hope everyone thats waiting on answers gets an answer Asap.
i know of a friend who is till waiting to hear an answer on his application form.
And another friend that is one assesment behind me.
Stay positive, they will get back to you if they havent yet.
good luck everyone

Good news. Have you been given dates for the assessments? Mine got cancelled due to covid.

 

[Tiagobaltasar]

ive picked the 11th, i hope it doesnt get cancelled.
when was yours due Anthony?

 

[Anthony R]

ive picked the 11th, i hope it doesnt get cancelled.
when was yours due Anthony?

Mine was due January, have not heard anything yet. Who is yours with?

 

[Tiagobaltasar]

Mine is for thameslink (GTR)

 

[Anthony R]

Mine is for thameslink (GTR)

At the opc? I'm wondering whether they will start doing the MMI part over zoom. Would save them some money on opc costs due to less going through inevitably.

 

[Tiagobaltasar]

yes, im supposed to go to croydon.

 

[Anthony R]

yes, im supposed to go to croydon.

Yep same for me. Iv over practiced now waiting, I have nothing left to do. I would guess all will get cancelled until lockdown is over, whenever that may be, the news coming out that it's not working anyway this time! Hence why I wish they would do the MMI over zoom.

 

[Tiagobaltasar]

a bit disappointing to say the least!

 

[MistaMatthews]

At the opc? I'm wondering whether they will start doing the MMI part over zoom. Would save them some money on opc costs due to less going through inevitably.

My DMI was done on Microsoft teams. Not so lucky for MMI though. Suppose it makes it a bit easy when you plaster the wall behind the screen with notes.

 

[Anthony R]

My DMI was done on Microsoft teams. Not so lucky for MMI though. Suppose it makes it a bit easy when you plaster the wall behind the screen with notes.

Lol, yeah exactly what I planned in such a scenario.

 

[MistaMatthews]

Lol, yeah exactly what I planned in such a scenario.

I think anyone would. Which is why it should be done in person. Even playing field and all that.

 

[LifeChanges]

Always good to see how you’re all progressing. Have sat the SJT and mini scaat which have passed and now waiting to see if selected through to the next stages.

Any updates with regards to your assessment days?

 

[Lewis H]

Mate I wouldn’t over complicate it! If you seem over rehearsed, they’ll suspect you are lying, and will try throw you off, the last thing you want is to be thrown a curveball that messes you up for the rest of it! The best advice I was told was trust in your experiences, you know what you did, all you got to do is talk about it, if you don’t hit all the pointers, they will lead you onto them, just don’t be led too much!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jan 2021 ==

Yep same for me. Iv over practiced now waiting, I have nothing left to do. I would guess all will get cancelled until lockdown is over, whenever that may be, the news coming out that it's not working anyway this time! Hence why I wish they would do the MMI over zoom.

Apologies, above was for yourself

 

[Anon87]

Some great advice here!

 

[sei108]

Hi all, great thread and advice! I have only recently completed the SJT which I found okay when I did it - then started overthinking my answers afterwards lol! Hoping to continue onto the next stage whilst respecting I'm very early in the process yet! Good luck to all!