Driver assessment....

[Sammy h]

I have my driving assessment for Arriva trains on Tuesday. Can't wait! They have also paid for my accommodation for two nights and my train tickets which I was really surprised at.

I have obviously been sent a booklet with example tests etc in. But I was wondering what people have found most similar and best websites/ways to revise for the tests. Any help is much appreciated.

Trainability tests - any advice on this would be great. I have just been using my example questions.

Dials test - On my booklet the examples are dials and indicators, rather than dials and cables? Can anyone clarify what the difference is? Are there any other websites which shows them with dials and cables?

Dot test (Group Bourdon) - I can't really seem to find any material for this? All I have done is found a few images off google and I have been practicing on there (crossing out the four dots)

I seem to be doing well at it and it seems quite straight forward.

Reaction test - http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=77878&highlight=reaction+test I presume there is nothing else like this out there? I have found this really helpful.

Quietly confident that I should be ok and pass the tests, but any help with the above would be great.

Thanks guys.

 

[choo~choo]

There was a group bourdon program for the computer knocking about mate.. Can't seem to find the link anymore tho.. Good luck next week, hoping to be on the next course myself..

 

[playmore64]

I have to say hats off to Arriva, by providing you with accommodation and tickets for your journey.

Take note First!

Good luck pal

 

[trainontherun]

thats great arriva, well played.

GA don't even give you lunch ?


what a difference ?

 

[Dave1987]

thats great arriva, well played.

GA don't even give you lunch ?


what a difference ?

Yes they do and you get free travel on GA services to your assessment unless it has changed recently.

 

[playmore64]

Yes GA provide free travel on their services for any role assessments.

First, on the other hand provide no such travel service to candiates when attending assessments (cheapskates)!

@Sammy: when are you taking your assessment also will you sit the mechanical testing as well and finally is the SI on the same day?

I like how GA allow you to have a breather for the SI on a separate date, allows one time to prepare

 

[trainontherun]

Yes they do and you get free travel on GA services to your assessment unless it has changed recently.

they don't anymore ? lunch is down to the applicant to buy

they do pay your travel.

 

[choo~choo]

Atw do not have the mechanical

 

[paul269]

ga do give free travel

but you have to pay for your own lunch.

 

[Sammy h]

Does anyone have the Group Bourdon download?

My assessment is on Tuesday, don't finish work until 19:45 on the Monday so will be getting to Cardiff quite late!!

Hotel Monday and Tuesday night as well as breakfast and dinner so I have done quite well out of it. They even called me to confirm I would only get a train ticket from Crewe to Cardiff and not from my home station, I get that free anyway, but it was very considerate of them

 

[W230]

First, on the other hand provide no such travel service to candiates when attending assessments (cheapskates)!

Yes they do and you get free travel on First services to your assessment unless it has changed recently?

 

[playmore64]

Trust me since all the First TOCs merged into one huge pile of _____ lol they refused to invest in your travel expenditure for the assessments.

I have had assessments with FGW, FCC & FTP and had to make my own way there!

 

[Dave1987]

ga do give free travel

but you have to pay for your own lunch.

Im pretty sure there will be sandwiches available at the academy and there is free tea/coffee/hot chocolate as well.

 

[Sammy h]

What is deemed a good score on the tests?

With the reaction test I seem to be able to get to about 6/700 before it starts to get pretty fast. I can stop and then carry on for longer, but at about 400 it gets too much. I seem to struggle with the difference between high and low, hopefully that will sort itself out with practice.

On the GB test I am capable of getting to about row nine making no errors until the last two pages where I missed six all together. I will keep trying, just need to be more careful as I move on... Practice makes perfect!

 

[trainontherun]

accuracy first, speed second and bit of luck


just don't drop the pen...lol

 

[TDK]

What is deemed a good score on the tests?

With the reaction test I seem to be able to get to about 6/700 before it starts to get pretty fast. I can stop and then carry on for longer, but at about 400 it gets too much. I seem to struggle with the difference between high and low, hopefully that will sort itself out with practice.

On the GB test I am capable of getting to about row nine making no errors until the last two pages where I missed six all together. I will keep trying, just need to be more careful as I move on... Practice makes perfect!

The GB test is key, consistancy and accuracy are by far the main criteria of this test. If you the results you have posted above on the day you will fail the test as the last 2 pages need to be consistant with the first, go steady, don't panic and do not go hell for leather on the first pages.

There is a small section in the reaction test that is humanly impossible to complete and when this comes up what they are looking for is to continue after this section back to the same pace you was before it came up.

 

[W230]

Trust me since all the First TOCs merged into one huge pile of _____ lol they refused to invest in your travel expenditure for the assessments.

Hmmm strange. Mine were just under 12 months ago and travel/lunch was covered. Mind you, considering the number of applicants and the fact that there can't be many other industries where you would get free travel & lunch to a job interview then I guess no one can really complain!

 

[Sammy h]

The GB test is key, consistancy and accuracy are by far the main criteria of this test. If you the results you have posted above on the day you will fail the test as the last 2 pages need to be consistant with the first, go steady, don't panic and do not go hell for leather on the first pages.

There is a small section in the reaction test that is humanly impossible to complete and when this comes up what they are looking for is to continue after this section back to the same pace you was before it came up.

Thanks for the advice. Slowed down a little and I'm getting through around 980 cells with no errors. Sometimes one error, but that is the last cell of a certain sheet. I don't have enough time to click up before it moves on. Surely that isn't fair? Either way I think I've cracked it.

Same with the reaction test, but the one I'm practicing on goes super quick, but I'm told it doesn't go that fast on the day

Practice makes perfect

 

[falcon]

The answers to passing both safety tests are here and will work 100%

http://railchat.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18232&hilit=how+to+pass+psycometric

 

[TDK]

The answers to passing both safety tests are here and will work 100%

http://railchat.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18232&hilit=how+to+pass+psycometric

100%? That is an optimisctic quote!

 

[Joe20365]

I also have a system that will give you a 100% guarantee of passing the tests....











'Have a perfect memory, incredible reactions and be a physics expert.'


Do that and I guarantee you will pass!

 

[Beveridges]

If there is a way to 100% guarantee to pass both computer tests, it is to use the two practice programs for each one, the links of which has been posted all over this forum now so I'm not going to bother digging them up again!!


If your very good on the practice Group Boredom tool & you're good on the practice DTG tool, theres no way your going to go and fail on these two tests.

To get good on each practice tool, all you need is enough practice. Regardless of what some people say. These 2 tests can be learned quite easily.

 

[GB]

If your very good on the practice Group Boredom tool & you're good on the practice DTG tool, theres no way your going to go and fail on these two tests.

You will if you let nerves get the better of you!

 

[Beveridges]

In that case the candidate would probably be unsuitable for a Drivers or MDD role if he lets nerves effect him that much. If thats the case how would the said candidate be able to cope with the nerves on the final competency assessment with the DTM which typically lasts two weeks with constant pressure to do everything right?

 

[TDK]

If there is a way to 100% guarantee to pass both computer tests, it is to use the two practice programs for each one, the links of which has been posted all over this forum now so I'm not going to bother digging them up again!!


If your very good on the practice Group Boredom tool & you're good on the practice DTG tool, theres no way your going to go and fail on these two tests.

To get good on each practice tool, all you need is enough practice. Regardless of what some people say. These 2 tests can be learned quite easily.

See this sort of comment is pants as there are many people on here who have not cut the level for these tests and practised really hard. You keep harping on how easy the tests are Bev but in reality they may be easy for some but they are extremely hard for others no matter how hard they try or practice. There is no 100% way to pass any of the tests except the correct suitability in the first place. passing the tests is only the first stage and to be fair I feel that the interview is the most difficult part of the whole assessment. When I took mine I didn't practise at all as I just didn't have the time after being invited to the assessment stages, I passed them all with extrememly good grades and this was because I was suitable for the role. I hear that they may change the testing procedure in the near future as there has been an influx of trainness who have passed the test to then be deemed as unsuitable for the role - are these the ones that prasticed and begged for the answers to the questions at interview?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

In that case the candidate would probably be unsuitable for a Drivers or MDD role if he lets nerves effect him that much. If thats the case how would the said candidate be able to cope with the nerves on the final competency assessment with the DTM which typically lasts two weeks with constant pressure to do everything right?

You cannot compare MDD with mainline driving!

 

[Beveridges]

You cannot compare MDD with mainline driving!

I never did, they are two seperate roles with only a few things in common.

However the psychometric tests are exactly the same for either role. They also both require a very long assessment at the end of the training course with a DTM watching and the pressure is at least as high as the psychometric tests.

 

[TDK]

I never did, they are two seperate roles with only a few things in common.

However the psychometric tests are exactly the same for either role. They also both require a very long assessment at the end of the training course with a DTM watching and the pressure is at least as high as the psychometric tests.

Agreed - I was referring to concentrating for long periods on one task and to be fair Bev that is probably the main difference - every job has it's role and I have done shed work and it is a damned hard job - I would sooner be on the mainline.

 

[Beveridges]

I never said that MDD requires concentration on 1 task over long periods - It clearly doesn't

The point I was trying to make is that both roles require you to be able to handle nerves, and what I was saying is that if you can't handle them in the psycho tests, you won't be able to do so in the roles that the tests can lead to.

 

[falcon]

The answers to passing both safety tests are here and will work 100%

http://railchat.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18232&hilit=how+to+pass+psycometric

These test are not a guessing game they are DESIGNED in a particular way and both the descriptions given on the forum link are correct. All one ever hears with these two psychometric tests is "How do I pass","what do they want speed or accuracy"?.
Both the descriptions given are the facts of the matter on how the assessment center will decide if you pass or not,it is not their opinion.It is how the computer program was designed(it does not change from person to person!). The dots are measured as described,don't miss three 4's in a row.

As far as all the business about having the ability to do these tests from a cold start having no information.These test bear no relevance to driving a train what so ever.The biggest problem a train driver has is keeping awake.Or completing the crossword before the next station.
Just do anything to pass the test get the job and get £50 grand + a year.Good luck.

P.S I hear that Train Drivers even get Tax relief on their food now! They are Gods.Get in there.

Here is the link again. http://railchat.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtop...ss+psycometric

 

[LCC106]

How did you get on Sammy_h? Or is it tomorrow? If so, good luck!