CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[cherrygun7]

I paid around 150 for practice materials.
There's a website called traineetraindriver info.com
I paid 150 for the programmes with the windows download onto my laptop. It contains practice for Group Bourdon, Tea Occ, Grey Square, 2 hand, and photographic memory test.
Most of them are quite similar to the real thing.
Trp 1b and 2, i practiced using the material they had sent.
In relation to MMI, I wrote out a list of questions I found in this thread and was lucky enough for them to appear.

Thank you so much for your thorough reply!!

 

[ChooWoo]

Anyone heard anything pass or fail from the DMI's last week?

 

[mr_ixolite]

Anyone heard anything pass or fail from the DMI's last week?

Yep.... wish I hadn't bothered opening the email

 

[Thomdk]

Yep.... wish I hadn't bothered opening the email

Sorry to hear that man.

 

[Scouse_scott]

Yep.... wish I hadn't bothered opening the email

That's pretty pathetic from XC to do it by email.

You have your OPC tests passed, youll have no problem getting into the talent pool at another TOC mate

 

[MrPopo2468]

Yep.... wish I hadn't bothered opening the email

That's unfortunate to hear mate.

The hard part is all done though with the psychometrics so should be easy getting another shot from now on.

 

[mr_ixolite]

I'll be honest I thought it was a bit of a **** interview, as soon as they said there's 10 (I think it was) questions and your interview will be scored on your answers I just thought well it's not an interview then is it, it's a quiz with right and wrong answers, and if I don't say what you want to hear then I'm not getting the job. I don't think being suitable or not for actually being able to do the job came into it, I did my best, I talked about my present and past work and education experience, I related them to the role of a train driver, I was engaged, I asked questions. I did everything i thought was right but I honestly think I was wasting my breath with anything other than the answers to those questions because I don't think any of it got taken into consideration. And a format like that is never going to play to my strengths

Rant over, like you say, I've got the psychometrics under my belt (the bit that's supposed to be the hard bit!) So that's a positive, I got all the way to dmi on my first attempt at applying so that's an achievement in itself, onwards and upwards, good luck to everyone else

 

[Thomdk]

Did any of you guys going for birmingham get any idea of how many they're hoping to take into the talent pool/how many they interviewed.

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

I'll be honest I thought it was a bit of a **** interview, as soon as they said there's 10 (I think it was) questions and your interview will be scored on your answers I just thought we'll it's not an interview then is it, it's a quiz with right and wrong answers, and if I don't say what you want to hear then I'm not getting the job. I don't think being suitable or not for actually being able to do the job came into it, I did my best, I talked about my present and past work and education experience, I related them to the role of a train driver, I was engaged, I asked questions but I honestly think I was wasting my breath with anything other than the answers to those questions because I don't think any of it got taken into consideration.

Rant over, like you say, I've got the psychometrics under my belt (the bit that's supposed to be the hard bit!) So that's a positive, I got all the way to dmi on my first attempt at applying so that's an achievement in itself, onwards and upwards, good luck to everyone else

Makes me pretty worried, I felt the nerves big time so didn't really get as much across what I wanted to in terms of experience/examples. When the guy is making the notes to score it and you look over and see for one question he's put a huge paragraph but the next one you've got like a few words you wonder what you actually need to say.

 

[ku_ku_ka_cho]

I'll be honest I thought it was a bit of a **** interview, as soon as they said there's 10 (I think it was) questions and your interview will be scored on your answers I just thought we'll it's not an interview then is it, it's a quiz with right and wrong answers, and if I don't say what you want to hear then I'm not getting the job. I don't think being suitable or not for actually being able to do the job came into it, I did my best, I talked about my present and past work and education experience, I related them to the role of a train driver, I was engaged, I asked questions. I did everything i thought was right but I honestly think I was wasting my breath with anything other than the answers to those questions because I don't think any of it got taken into consideration. And a format like that is never going to play to my strengths

Rant over, like you say, I've got the psychometrics under my belt (the bit that's supposed to be the hard bit!) So that's a positive, I got all the way to dmi on my first attempt at applying so that's an achievement in itself, onwards and upwards, good luck to everyone else

Ah mate, sorry to hear that.

I've read mixed reviews of DMI's where some seem like formalities while others are a proper ragging. Starting an interview like that doesn't help either as like you say, puts you on the back foot even if they didnt mean to.

I had a promotion interview at work last year where to chair started by saying 'ah, ill shake your hand as I dont think we have met before'...needless to say I failed!!

Keep focused and go again bud, things happen for a reason!

 

[ChooWoo]

Yep.... wish I hadn't bothered opening the email

That sucks, I haven't heard anything yet and no email

 

[IndegoMouse]

I paid around 150 for practice materials.
There's a website called traineetraindriver info.com
I paid 150 for the programmes with the windows download onto my laptop. It contains practice for Group Bourdon, Tea Occ, Grey Square, 2 hand, and photographic memory test.
Most of them are quite similar to the real thing.
Trp 1b and 2, i practiced using the material they had sent.
In relation to MMI, I wrote out a list of questions I found in this thread and was lucky enough for them to appear.

I found there photo memory one the best and most like the actual test

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 May 2026 ==

Yep.... wish I hadn't bothered opening the email

Have you asked for feedback or have they said what you could have done more on?

 

[mr_ixolite]

Have you asked for feedback or have they said what you could have done more on?

I've requested feedback

 

[ChooWoo]

I've requested feedback

At least you don't lose a life for it, and can take the psychometrics to another toc.
Not sure if they tell you what your scores are though as some tocs want enhanced levels

 

[woody_woods]

I'll be honest I thought it was a bit of a **** interview, as soon as they said there's 10 (I think it was) questions and your interview will be scored on your answers I just thought well it's not an interview then is it, it's a quiz with right and wrong answers, and if I don't say what you want to hear then I'm not getting the job. I don't think being suitable or not for actually being able to do the job came into it, I did my best, I talked about my present and past work and education experience, I related them to the role of a train driver, I was engaged, I asked questions. I did everything i thought was right but I honestly think I was wasting my breath with anything other than the answers to those questions because I don't think any of it got taken into consideration. And a format like that is never going to play to my strengths

Rant over, like you say, I've got the psychometrics under my belt (the bit that's supposed to be the hard bit!) So that's a positive, I got all the way to dmi on my first attempt at applying so that's an achievement in itself, onwards and upwards, good luck to everyone else

Yeah same for me unfortunately. I felt the interview went well for the most part. When you've passed the opc tests and an MMI, which is a scored interview as well, it feels like having a second scored interview for the DMI makes the previous steps a bit redundant.

Oh well, hopefully the feedback isn't too generic and is of some use for any future DMIs. Like yourself, this was my first attempt, so having the opc tests and MMI squared away for future attempts has to be seen as a positive.

 

[zero2hero]

I also failed at the DMI this was for Birmingham. I came out really positive but clearly did not get the scriber to be on my side and note down all my answers. Maybe they should just give you the paper so you can write down exactly what you are trying to relay. Then talk about your answers.

I will keep it professional as I still feel positive to finding another driver job when they come up again. I do feel really disappointed with myself to get to the last stage in the process. The process was very long, the waits hard and I know the talent pool can last a long time too. Knowledge gained and only money lost. Money to stay over in Manchester and other stuff that adds up(training materials + travel). Stay positive!

FWIW: While I was in the room I felt I structured my answers well, always making it relevant to the core values of being a train driver.

I’ve also asked for feedback. Back to refreshing job boards to when other TOCs have openings. Unless any of you know of any timelines for openings?

 

[Thomdk]

Sorry to hear that there must've been quite a lot interviewing for Birmingham then (obviously), it will be interesting to hear what people get as feedback because it seems like you all will have answered the questions in a way that you'd expect they wanted.

 

[Scouse_scott]

The lads who got the email saying they was unsuccessful, sorry to hear that but hey, you have the OPC tests passed so you will definitely get in with another TOC. I passed mine with a different TOC to who I drive for now.

Just wondering if you all got the email at the same time?

It would give a little hope to the lads that didnt get a email that they might have made it through the DMI.

Cheers

 

[Wawooweewa]

Do you mind me asking what practise did you do to prepare for opc tests? Thank you ( did you do any practise for flash image one and joysticks)

I’ll be honest, I would pay as much as you feel like you need it.

I passed my OPCs first try and I didn’t spend any money on any online practice, I only spent money on one practice book for the DOTs test and one other book that was general practice for all of them (about £15-£20 in total). For the computer tests I just used YouTube videos to help me practice, but I do wish I had prepared abit more as the memory one was the test I felt the least confident on!

My best advice is just to familiarise yourself with every test and know what they are wanting from you in each one. You can get that knowledge by asking people, or you can purchase online packs, that’s up to you.

Don’t panic about acing every test because the more you prepare the more you try and sike yourself out. Enjoy the day as much as you can and that will help you relax and do well in the tests

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 May 2026 ==

The lads who got the email saying they was unsuccessful, sorry to hear that but hey, you have the OPC tests passed so you will definitely get in with another TOC. I passed mine with a different TOC to who I drive for now.

Just wondering if you all got the email at the same time?

It would give a little hope to the lads that didnt get a email that they might have made it through the DMI.

Cheers

I have also had no email yet, so I agree that it would be super useful to know if you guys got the email around the same time.

Itching to find out how I did!

 

[IndegoMouse]

for those of you that got through the initial March 26 SHL tests and have now passed your OPC tests have any of you been invited for DMI yet?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 May 2026 ==

That sucks, I haven't heard anything yet and no email

have you heard yet?

 

[LeeG05]

On the topic of tests, has anyone who has applied for the Cambridge depot heard anything since completing the SHL tests?

 

[Thomdk]

Just got the rejection email for leeds unfortunately. I must've done particularly bad since they said they won't be offering feedback haha.

 

[mr_ixolite]

Just got the rejection email for leeds unfortunately. I must've done particularly bad since they said they won't be offering feedback haha.

sorry to hear that, actually states they wont give feedback? christ, did you take a dump on the desk or something?

 

[Thomdk]

sorry to hear that, actually states they wont give feedback? christ, did you take a dump on the desk or something?

Haha I didn't think it went great but not that horrendous. Yeah it just states unfortunately we can't offer feedback at this time. Although it from arriva maybe it's boilerplate response and I'll get something/should contact crosscountry. But yeah not brilliant is it

 

[mr_ixolite]

Haha I didn't think it went great but not that horrendous. Yeah it just states unfortunately we can't offer feedback at this time. Although it from arriva maybe it's boilerplate response and I'll get something/should contact crosscountry. But yeah not brilliant is it

oh that one was from Arriva, yeah I got the same, I had a separate cross country one too

 

[Thomdk]

Yeah just got it now a little behind. Have asked for feedback. Did you email crosscountry hr/Andy directly?

 

[ChooWoo]

Got through the DMI, talent pool now.
No idea how many got through or didn't, hopefully won't be a huge wait.
Really happy though.

Anyone been offered course dates or all talent pool/didn't get it?

 

[Scouse_scott]

Got through the DMI, talent pool now.
No idea how many got through or didn't, hopefully won't be a huge wait.
Really happy though.

Anyone been offered course dates or all talent pool/didn't get it?

Congratulations mate,

Was it a phone call or a email

 

[LeeG05]

Got through the DMI, talent pool now.
No idea how many got through or didn't, hopefully won't be a huge wait.
Really happy though.

Anyone been offered course dates or all talent pool/didn't get it?

Congratulations!

 

[Wawooweewa]

Got through the DMI, talent pool now.
No idea how many got through or didn't, hopefully won't be a huge wait.
Really happy though.

Anyone been offered course dates or all talent pool/didn't get it?

Congratulations!

Is there anyone else that is still waiting for a response?

 

[MrPopo2468]

Congratulations!

Is there anyone else that is still waiting for a response?

I'm still waiting for a response