Dtg reaction test

[142094]

I've been talking to someone who has undergone this test recently - apparently there was a problem with the second part of the test (i.e. the computer stopped working correctly), so they had to repeat the whole thing again. Same for the group before them. Anyone heard of this happening before?

 

[LCC106]

Think someone at our place in Sheffield had that happen to them in the last 6 months.

 

[Woody67]

This test is a lot faster than the real thing.
I could keep up with this practice tool until it reached below around 700-600 speed and then after that I found it way too fast. But if you can get to around this speed, you'll find the real thing slow in comparison, even when it speeds up.

Phew! That's a relief to know. I thought that the test had gone bonkers due to the speed it was going at.

 

[londonwall]

Thanks for the practice test...anyone know what speed the real test gets upto?

I can get to around 600 then get massively lost

 

[Lincoln_biker]

It would appear as though I've been using this test incorrectly as well! If I conclude what I now think it to be, could someone correct me where necessary please...

1) Press the coloured dots on the paper "keyboard" like for like as they appear on screen.
2) Yellow squares that appear represent left and right feet.
3) Press the corresponding "HI" and "LO" buttons on the paper "keyboard" as the tones are played.

Many thanks in advance. LB

 

[Sunday_mornin]

That's spooky because that's precisely what happened to me, during the second part of the reactions test my machine never stopped after 6 minutes. After a few extra minutes I was told my machine was faulty and I would have to start from the beginning on another machine. Ultimately I failed the reactions, which was beyond disappointing as I didn't find it hard in the slightest. My eyes where spinning like dinner plates by the end.

I've been talking to someone who has undergone this test recently - apparently there was a problem with the second part of the test (i.e. the computer stopped working correctly), so they had to repeat the whole thing again. Same for the group before them. Anyone heard of this happening before?

 

[Sammy h]

I can get to about 6/700 before I lose the plot. I can hit three or four at that pace, but then it just goes too fast

Would be good to know how fast the other test goes? Is this downloadable test a five minute one as well? Haven't timed it yet, but it does seem about that length of time...

 

[142094]

That's spooky because that's precisely what happened to me, during the second part of the reactions test my machine never stopped after 6 minutes. After a few extra minutes I was told my machine was faulty and I would have to start from the beginning on another machine. Ultimately I failed the reactions, which was beyond disappointing as I didn't find it hard in the slightest. My eyes where spinning like dinner plates by the end.

Seems to be more than co-incidence. The person who took the test told me that the same thing had happened to the group before them. Fortunately everyone passed, but I wonder what would have happened if they failed the second time around - computer error is probably the worst thing to happen on the day.

 

[Sammy h]

Wow. When it gets to the end at speed 496 it's impossible. Up until that I am almost perfect, just sometimes get hi and lo mixed up which is annoying.

Looking at other comments though it appears the real test isn't this fast thankfully. If I keep at this, hopefully the real test will he a doddle

 

[Beveridges]

I sat the reactions test when I went for the MDD jobs in 2008. It is not as fast as the practice tool. I could keep up with the practice tool for most of the way and found the real test slow and easy-going in comparison. I never "lost it" once and passed with a high Grade A.

 

[Sunday_mornin]

If I recall correctly, the fastest the actual test ever gets to would be somewhat similar too 900ms on the practice software.

 

[Beveridges]

Yes I'd say the same. The real test is actually slow for most of the way but has about 3 or 4 short periods where it speeds up before slowing back down again. When it speeds up the fastest it gets is about 900ms. Not a speed that is difficult to keep up to if you have practiced on the practice tool.

 

[Bert and Ernie]

i have have just downloaded this and i just want to check im doing it right.

left yellow square is for left foot and right yellow square is for right foot

press hi and lo when you hear the hi and lo pitch

press colours as they appear on the screen


please can someone confirm this is correct

thanks

 

[Sunday_mornin]

i have have just downloaded this and i just want to check im doing it right.

left yellow square is for left foot and right yellow square is for right foot

press hi and lo when you hear the hi and lo pitch

press colours as they appear on the screen


please can someone confirm this is correct

thanks

That's pretty much it yes.

 

[Beveridges]

Yes, that is correct

Also don't try to get this perfect all the way to 500ms.

The real tests aren't that hard at all really. It's just the structured Interview thats hard. Thats because, in my view, all Interviews are hard, regardless of what job it is for.

 

[Sunday_mornin]

The reaction test isnt overly difficult, especially if you have used the practice software. I still managed to fail it though, go figure?!

 

[FlamTap]

... - computer error is probably the worst thing to happen on the day.

If the hardware develops a fault then that is unfortunate. However, from the posts above, it seems more like a software error. If that's the case then it is totally unforgivable. Any "critical" software should be 100% error free!

In my opinion any error that is not the fault of the individual taking the test should not penalise the individual by giving them a fail.

 

[NI 271]

The reaction test isnt overly difficult, especially if you have used the practice software. I still managed to fail it though, go figure?!

I'll assume that (as I did) you thought you had to go significantly faster than is actually the case? I made such a complete abortion of it that with over a minute of the second test to go, I was ready to get out of my chair and call it quits, because I knew I had to have failed. To subsequently discover that it was actually a borderline pass blew my mind, it is quite clear that had I done anything like I'd been doing whilst practising, I'd have sailed through. I will be working a lot slower next time.

 

[Eduardo]

Got this coming up.

Some brilliant advice and guidance in relation to this test on this thread.

Cheers.

The reaction test isnt overly difficult, especially if you have used the practice software. I still managed to fail it though, go figure?!

Thats crazy mate. What in your opinion was the cause?

I can't understand if someone is doing everything right, at the right time, in the right sequence and your making good and quick reactions, why would they incur a fail? :cry:

 

[Sunday_mornin]

Well a couple of issues on the day. Faulty computer which required me to sit the entire test twice back to back and possibly a false sense of confidence. I fully expected the real test to be really quick, however in reality it just isn't. So on the second part of the test I went really quite quickly, which isn't necessary. Having said that I still felt I had done well and only recall making no more than a handful of errors but when I was given my results I was told I had made "numerous" errors, (they wouldn't elaborate on what numerous actually means).

Going forward from that experience and what I have learned is, steady and accurate on part 2 of the test and IF your machine malfunctions, refuse to take the test again straight away, request a break to gather your thoughts.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If the hardware develops a fault then that is unfortunate. However, from the posts above, it seems more like a software error. If that's the case then it is totally unforgivable. Any "critical" software should be 100% error free!

In my opinion any error that is not the fault of the individual taking the test should not penalise the individual by giving them a fail.

I agree, a test is only worth while if it is fair for all applicants. Having to sit a test twice whilst accumulating mental fatigue due to antiquated hardware/software isn't a fair test to any applicant.

 

[Beveridges]

There is no point going fast at all on the second part of the reactions test. I would think you don't need to go any faster than the "fastest" speed set by the computer in part 1. I made this mistake myself and went really fast all the way through part 2. Far, far faster than the computer ever went to in part 1. I later got told by the assessor that "It was much faster than required. You still got a Grade A Pass but could have done so without having to put yourself under that much pressure". I also got told it was one of the fastest runs he has ever seen. Of cause it is possible to make the mistake of going too slow and failing. Someone who was sat next to me made that mistake back in Oct 2008.

 

[Sunday_mornin]

There is no point going fast at all on the second part of the reactions test. I would think you don't need to go any faster than the "fastest" speed set by the computer in part 1. I made this mistake myself and went really fast all the way through part 2. Far, far faster than the computer ever went to in part 1. I later got told by the assessor that "It was much faster than required. You still got a Grade A Pass but could have done so without having to put yourself under that much pressure". I also got told it was one of the fastest runs he has ever seen. Of cause it is possible to make the mistake of going too slow and failing. Someone who was sat next to me made that mistake back in Oct 2008.

As we have established previously, part one of the test seems to peak at around 900ms. So for example, would you imagine that a pace of around 1 second with absolute accuracy would see success on the day?

 

[NI 271]

As we have established previously, part one of the test seems to peak at around 900ms. So for example, would you imagine that a pace of around 1 second with absolute accuracy would see success on the day?

I now think that would lead to a good pass or probably better. Before I sat the test, I thought that wouldn't be fast enough. In fact, I'm not sure I'm going to practise the test at all for next time, it seems that tool has led to me setting myself an unrealistic target which I frankly didn't need to get anywhere remotely near.

That said, had I made the number of mistakes I had been making while practising (as opposed to having the worst of off-days when it actually mattered) I'd have absolutely murdered it, so maybe it IS worthwhile. It's a tough decision.

 

[evoluzione]

I've read a fair few threads where the DTG machine has mysteriously broken, it didn't happen to me but being the suspicious kind it might well be part of the test if they are unsure of your suitability.

A very big part of being a train driver is being able to deal with the unexpected without flapping, keeping calm and doing as we are taught, it's what we get paid for after all.

Just a thought.

 

[Sunday_mornin]

I now think that would lead to a good pass or probably better. Before I sat the test, I thought that wouldn't be fast enough. In fact, I'm not sure I'm going to practise the test at all for next time, it seems that tool has led to me setting myself an unrealistic target which I frankly didn't need to get anywhere remotely near.

That said, had I made the number of mistakes I had been making while practising (as opposed to having the worst of off-days when it actually mattered) I'd have absolutely murdered it, so maybe it IS worthwhile. It's a tough decision.

It's worth using the software purely to keep yourself familiar with the keyboard layout IMO. I've since made a little program of my own that allows me to set the pace of the test and when set between 950-1000ms it's very easy to hit every single one and that will be my strategy next time.

 

[TDK]

It's worth using the software purely to keep yourself familiar with the keyboard layout IMO. I've since made a little program of my own that allows me to set the pace of the test and when set between 950-1000ms it's very easy to hit every single one and that will be my strategy next time.

There are 2 stages to the test, the first is timed and the second stage is down to the pace on which you hit the buttons, the AWS on a train is 2.3 seconds I belive and this is a part of why the test has to be carried out. With stage 2 as long as you correctly react to the colour/tone in 2 seconds this will be fine, you go too fast and you will ruin your chances, speed and accuracy is important with accuracy the most important factor. I have seen too many people just go too fast in stage 2 and lose the plot.

 

[Sunday_mornin]

There are 2 stages to the test, the first is timed and the second stage is down to the pace on which you hit the buttons, the AWS on a train is 2.3 seconds I belive and this is a part of why the test has to be carried out. With stage 2 as long as you correctly react to the colour/tone in 2 seconds this will be fine, you go too fast and you will ruin your chances, speed and accuracy is important with accuracy the most important factor. I have seen too many people just go too fast in stage 2 and lose the plot.

Reassuring information there, thank you.

 

[NI 271]

There are 2 stages to the test, the first is timed and the second stage is down to the pace on which you hit the buttons, the AWS on a train is 2.3 seconds I belive and this is a part of why the test has to be carried out. With stage 2 as long as you correctly react to the colour/tone in 2 seconds this will be fine, you go too fast and you will ruin your chances, speed and accuracy is important with accuracy the most important factor. I have seen too many people just go too fast in stage 2 and lose the plot.

2.3 seconds?

Gobsmacked here, in reaction testing terms, that's an age. You could do it with one finger in that time. I knew I'd badly over-estimated the speed I needed to go at, but I hadn't realised by just how much...

 

[Sunday_mornin]

2.3 seconds?

Gobsmacked here, in reaction testing terms, that's an age. You could do it with one finger in that time. I knew I'd badly over-estimated the speed I needed to go at, but I hadn't realised by just how much...

I think all he's really trying to emphasise is that accuracy is key. All it confirms to me is that you don't need to set a land speed record. One second on each reaction will be plenty quick enough and easily attainable.

 

[NI 271]

I think all he's really trying to emphasise is that accuracy is key. All it confirms to me is that you don't need to set a land speed record. One second on each reaction will be plenty quick enough and easily attainable.

I'd already decided that was all I was going to focus on next time, one second is a lot longer than most people would realise. Can't explain how much of an idiot I feel, I really wish I'd known that before I did the assessment, I'd be training up now. Grrr.