Group Bourdon / Scaat tests

[NNR Engineer]

Hi,
I new to this forum and was wondering if anyone knew if there any websites / software available for practicing group bourdon / scaat tests online, download or print? (I had a search on the forum but couldn't find anything apart from the now discontinued Group Bourdon Tool).

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Neil73]

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73124

http://www.digital-reality.org.uk/

Hi, maybe give the above a try.

Good luck with it....

 

[NNR Engineer]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply, but like I said the digital reality is no longer available, any other help would be appreciated.

Cheers, NNR engineer

 

[Neil73]

Sorry mate, I didn't check the link . Seems the guy has spat his dummy out!

I'm sure someone else more familiar with the forum will be able to locate something else for you.

 

[MR_P]

Has anyone got email address for the author of this app? I'm not after the program I just want to send him a message. Slight possibility I can help him out.

 

[Daniel84]

Failing anyone having a copy, is there anywhere you are able to print off the sheets? I have the how2 book, would the examples in there be sufficient for practice? Thanks.

 

[TT66]

You need to find out whether your test is paper based or pc.I had the pc program which is a good tool but found out my test was on paper.I brought the how2 book and felt that was enough to pass.just don't rush it on the day,speed is important but I would say accuracy and consistancy is more so.

 

[Neil73]

You need to find out whether your test is paper based or pc.I had the pc program which is a good tool but found out my test was on paper.I brought the how2 book and felt that was enough to pass.just don't rush it on the day,speed is important but I would say accuracy and consistancy is more so.

Paul85 that seems sound advice as I suppose the test is based on concentrating on a repetitive task for a period of time without making any mistakes.

Can I ask if you know the benchmark for such results? How did you get on with yours? Some people were apparently churning out 12-14 rows per page consistently with no errors. I've had a couple of practice goes and i'm averaging 9/10 rows per page with 1 error. Is that good enough for a pass do you think?

 

[TT66]

hi Neil,I was told 13/14 rows with one or two errors would be a pass.I only managed 11 rows but that's on all 5.I don't know how many I got wrong but it must of been an average or higher pass because fgw don't except borderline passes.The sheet they give you is big and I think easier than the practice material.Like I say dnt start off doing 14 rows on the first page and then only doing 10 on the last.who is the test with? Good luck and just stay calm

 

[Neil73]

hi Neil,I was told 13/14 rows with one or two errors would be a pass.I only managed 11 rows but that's on all 5.I don't know how many I got wrong but it must of been an average or higher pass because fgw don't except borderline passes.The sheet they give you is big and I think easier than the practice material.Like I say dnt start off doing 14 rows on the first page and then only doing 10 on the last.who is the test with? Good luck and just stay calm

I haven't got a test yet mate, I have an interview on Monday first with Northern but I have been getting myself familiarised with as much practice material as I can for the tests.

I have been scoring a consistent 9/10 on the GBT so it seems I need to put plenty more practice in with this to raise my game a bit but the reaction tests seem pretty much ok ( getting to the 700 mark quite comfortably without messing up).

Also been looking at the Barrons book on mechanical aptitude to get myself re-acquainted with pulleys and cogs etc etc. Mind you, I need to pass the structured interview first!!!

So have you passed all your assessments and waiting for interviews now?

It seems funny that Northern have the interviews first then assessments when other TOC's do it the other way round!

Good luck anyway at whatever stage your at

 

[NNR Engineer]

Hi all,
Many thanks for your responses, but back to the original question does anyone know of anywhere that offers software/printable sheets of the group bourdon test or Scaat tests. PC or Paper, it doesn't really matter as it is all good practice. Alternatively would it be possible for someone with the digital reality tool to e-mail it to me?

Cheers for now
NNR Engineer.

 

[TheVicLine]

Hi all,
Many thanks for your responses, but back to the original question does anyone know of anywhere that offers software/printable sheets of the group bourdon test or Scaat tests. PC or Paper, it doesn't really matter as it is all good practice. Alternatively would it be possible for someone with the digital reality tool to e-mail it to me?

Cheers for now
NNR Engineer.

Look in the 'becoming a train driver' thread, I posted the GBT SCAAT and reaction test software in there today.

 

[tom1681]

For the TOCs that use the paper GBT - is each group of dots in a square like when they are highlighted in the software, or is it just a big page of dots!?

 

[WannabeTD]

For the TOCs that use the paper GBT - is each group of dots in a square like when they are highlighted in the software, or is it just a big page of dots!?

Hi

No squares I am afraid. Just a big page of dots. Still easier than the computer version in my opinion.

 

[TheVicLine]

About 5 or six pages of dots and you have to put a line with a pen through the right ones. You get a minute on each page and they tell you to turn over to the next page after each minute.

I also found it easier than on the PC too.

 

[tom1681]

Ok - thanks guys!

 

[NNR Engineer]

What was your average TheVicLine ? Just so I have a rough idea of what a potentially decent score would be?

NNR Engineer.

 

[TheVicLine]

What was your average TheVicLine ? Just so I have a rough idea of what a potentially decent score would be?

NNR Engineer.

I was doing about 1000 checked with the software, getting none wrong but missing anything up to about 7. Passed with a good/outstanding pass and I found it pretty easy on the day with the paper test.

 

[Lanc688]

About 5 or six pages of dots and you have to put a line with a pen through the right ones. You get a minute on each page and they tell you to turn over to the next page after each minute.

I also found it easier than on the PC too.

Hi Vic,

Seem to remember it being 5 sets of dots, 2 min's on each to give the 10 min's total, however I did mine with DBS off my own back....good way to do it.

I agree, that the key is to make no errors and stick to a steady speed. The paper test is easier and you can print them off the software to practice.

Lanc

 

[playmore64]

I agree with Lan688 however I'm pretty good with both with the GBT but would prefer paper as using the keys on the keyboard can be tricky.

I think I may have to book my Assessment with DBS.

 

[NNR Engineer]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the help so far, this is my most recent effort on the group bourdon and I would like to think that this level would be a pass, would anyone that's done it be able to offer any advice?

Thanks so much for all of the help,
NNR Engineer

Overall Statistics:
-------------------

Perception & Attention:

Targets Omitted ------------ 1
Marked Incorrect ----------- None


Speed:

Total Cells ---------------- 1047
Mean Cell Time ------------- 0.370
Median Cell Time ----------- 0.310

Completed Rows ------------- 40
Mean Row Time -------------- 9.251
Median Row Time ------------ 9.355

Vigilance:

Row Fluctuation ------------ 4.43

 

[Lanc688]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the help so far, this is my most recent effort on the group bourdon and I would like to think that this level would be a pass, would anyone that's done it be able to offer any advice?

Thanks so much for all of the help,
NNR Engineer

Overall Statistics:
-------------------

Perception & Attention:

Targets Omitted ------------ 1
Marked Incorrect ----------- None


Speed:

Total Cells ---------------- 1047
Mean Cell Time ------------- 0.370
Median Cell Time ----------- 0.310

Completed Rows ------------- 40
Mean Row Time -------------- 9.251
Median Row Time ------------ 9.355

Vigilance:

Row Fluctuation ------------ 4.43

May well be a pass....who really knows. What you must do is keep practicing..this will improve your overall concentration skills and ultimately allow you to improve your scores not only on this, but across the spectrum.

Strive for the best that you can achieve, yet remember that if you try to race you will possibly make mistakes.

Good luck
Lanc

 

[NI 271]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the help so far, this is my most recent effort on the group bourdon and I would like to think that this level would be a pass, would anyone that's done it be able to offer any advice?

Thanks so much for all of the help,
NNR Engineer

Overall Statistics:
-------------------

Perception & Attention:

Targets Omitted ------------ 1
Marked Incorrect ----------- None


Speed:

Total Cells ---------------- 1047
Mean Cell Time ------------- 0.370
Median Cell Time ----------- 0.310

Completed Rows ------------- 40
Mean Row Time -------------- 9.251
Median Row Time ------------ 9.355

Vigilance:

Row Fluctuation ------------ 4.43

If that would be a pass, I would be a very happy bunny. Lanc asks the question, but does anyone really know what the benchmarks are? Someone on here has to work in HR for one of the TOCs, or at the likes of DBS, and must therefore know, surely?

 

[Dave1987]

Also remember the lines of dots get closer together the further you get through the test.

Regards

David

 

[TheVicLine]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the help so far, this is my most recent effort on the group bourdon and I would like to think that this level would be a pass, would anyone that's done it be able to offer any advice?

Thanks so much for all of the help,
NNR Engineer

Overall Statistics:
-------------------

Perception & Attention:

Targets Omitted ------------ 1
Marked Incorrect ----------- None


Speed:

Total Cells ---------------- 1047
Mean Cell Time ------------- 0.370
Median Cell Time ----------- 0.310

Completed Rows ------------- 40
Mean Row Time -------------- 9.251
Median Row Time ------------ 9.355

Vigilance:

Row Fluctuation ------------ 4.43

Looks pretty good to me and better than I was ever doing and I passed it, tbh I didn't practice much and just relied on getting it right on the day, wouldn't recomend that though.

If you think that this ones intense wait till you get to the reactions test my head was spinning and my ankles hurting from those damn pedals for hours afterwards lol , there was a 25% fail on that one too.

Yeah Lanc thinking about it I think it was 2 mins per page with 5 pages, it's all a bit of a blur now.

 

[NNR Engineer]

I have tried a few of the paper version of the GBT and I agree with the common thought that it is alot eaasier than the PC version, I had no omissions or errors and did at least 1 more line. Only downside to the paper version is you can't the statistics!!

NNR Engineer

 

[Beveridges]

No one knows the pass mark for Group Boredom but it seems that as long as you can get 1300+ cells and are only making about 2 omissions and 0 errors then you are safe, though aim for 1500+ if you want to be extra safe. Remember that the Group Boredom is only a little 10 minute test, there are 4 other small tests and a big one at the end which is the Structured Interview which lasts an hour and a half. The ability tests seem to be over really quick in comparison with the Interview with the Assessor at the end.

 

[NNR Engineer]

Thanks for the advice Beveridges, on the paper version I'm doing about 1300 cells (give or take) and making 0 omissions and 0 errors. The consitancy from the last one I did was 9-9-10-10-11, from what people's experiences have been do you THINK that would be OK?

Thanks, NNR Engineer

 

[Beveridges]

I don't think consistency is marked on the Group Boredom test. I believe the test is all about getting a required number of cells with a limited amount omitted and marked incorrect, this amount is unknown so it's best to aim for between 0 and 2.