GTR - Trainee Train Driver vacancies (07/12/20)

[Melmatrixx2]

Yes, DFFT is part of the assessment I sat yesterday for GTR (Southern) - I assume it would also be included for other TOC’s but can’t say for certain.

Ok Thanks appreciate it.

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

DFFT is part of the assessments for GTR. Are the only TOC that I know of that doesn't use it. I only know about GTR and SE though so could be others.
So you could fail the DFFT twice but still be able to apply for SE for example. Know of one person thag has managed it this way. Hope this helps at all

Yeah it does thanks again

 

[Mullered2]

Mine was also letters

eeekkk.. been doing the dots tests until i can only see dots.. and now I found this thread lol. Now got to find some practice ones, only got till the 19th to get this done

 

[JAlexander]

I passed the initial paper sift for Southern and have passed the first online test. I have to sit the SCAT testing over the next few days and am quite nervous! My partner completed a SCAT for a different job recently and it is so confusing!
Anyone know of any good online tools?
I assumed I was getting a NO as my friend heard back from Southern after 2 days but I didn't hear back for weeks.
I've applied for TL as well but not heard anything from them.

 

[C00k1e]

I passed the initial paper sift for Southern and have passed the first online test. I have to sit the SCAT testing over the next few days and am quite nervous! My partner completed a SCAT for a different job recently and it is so confusing!
Anyone know of any good online tools?
I assumed I was getting a NO as my friend heard back from Southern after 2 days but I didn't hear back for weeks.
I've applied for TL as well but not heard anything from them.

There is loads of posts in this thread regarding mini scaat test. Best advice though, read the instructions and do the practice questions you are provided with when you log in, it is all self explanatory from there.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2021 ==

I passed the initial paper sift for Southern and have passed the first online test. I have to sit the SCAT testing over the next few days and am quite nervous! My partner completed a SCAT for a different job recently and it is so confusing!
Anyone know of any good online tools?
I assumed I was getting a NO as my friend heard back from Southern after 2 days but I didn't hear back for weeks.
I've applied for TL as well but not heard anything from them.

Remember that these tests, assessment centre and mmi are all designed to test your individual ability at processing information, problem solving and your reactions in certain situations, and ultimately, your suitability to the role. I personally think that getting a heads up on what to expect and trying to get an advantage based on others experiences is a disadvantage both to the individual and the toc. Read the instructions and use the practice information you are supplied with and you will be fine. You really don’t need anything additional to what you are provided with. Good luck.

 

[NewA1]

Hi everyone
I applied for all 3 TL SN and GN back in December. I received a unsuccessful email from southern a few weeks back but still nothing from GN or TL i have read through the thread but wanted to know if anyone knows if you are unsuccessful for one does it apply to all three?

 

[MistaMatthews]

If you've read through the thread, surely you've noticed people have said that they've had no's from southern, but progressed with thameslink?

 

[NewA1]

If you've read through the thread, surely you've noticed people have said that they've had no's from southern, but progressed with thameslink?

Yes I have seen they have progressed however im saying i have heard nothing at all

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Yes I have seen they have progressed however im saying i have heard nothing at all

You'll hear one way or another, in time. Assuming they're going through in phases, i may be wrong but I haven't seen anyone hearing a peep from the Northern brand yet. As someone said, there's around 20k+ applicants, must be a nightmare to sift through. Unfortunately with this role patience is the only thing you can do at any stage

 

[CKR]

I’m gutted as during my mini scaat my wireless mouse died! I did really good on the 1st and 3rd tasks but the 2nd task I defo failed due to having to quickly grab my wired mouse and plug it in! I lost about 20-30 seconds
Is there anyway I can request a resit... or should I just consider it a major stupid mistake for using a wired mouse and not being better prepared... I’m pretty sure 1 & 3 I managed near perfect accuracy and almost finished the page. 2 was horrific in speed

Oh no, that must have been very frustrating. Have you heard back maybe your other pages could have made up for that specific page

 

[jon396]

Hi I have been put through to do the mini SCAAT. It says best to do it with a pc and mouse, I have a laptop with touch screen and was wondering if I could touch the screen rather than using a mouse, does anyone know if this is possible?

 

[SpamHammer]

Hi I have been put through to do the mini SCAAT. It says best to do it with a pc and mouse, I have a laptop with touch screen and was wondering if I could touch the screen rather than using a mouse, does anyone know if this is possible?

If it says 'best to do it with a pc and mouse' why would you even consider attempting to do it with anything else??

 

[C00k1e]

Hi I have been put through to do the mini SCAAT. It says best to do it with a pc and mouse, I have a laptop with touch screen and was wondering if I could touch the screen rather than using a mouse, does anyone know if this is possible?

You might be able to, then again you might not! Read the instructions and follow them that way you can’t go wrong. This is also good advice for every other test, assessment and interview to come!

 

[SpamHammer]

You might be able to, then again you might not! Read the instructions and follow them that way you can’t go wrong. This is also good advice for every other test, assessment and interview to come!

Exactly. It's phenomenally difficult to get through the initial sift and be invited to this part. It might be your one and only shot, why gamble on using anything other than the recommended equipment?

Are people who are asking about using touchscreens hoping to gain an edge and be able to go faster? Very silly when a) the test has obviously been designed to be completed to the required standard using a mouse and b) part of working on a railway is following instructions and rules to the letter.

 

[Quin79]

Has anyone at the moment managed to successfully progress past the sift for both Southern and Thameslink? Wondering if successful in the GTR-1 and Mini-scaat whether those passes could be used for the second company?

 

[jon396]

Thanks
It was just because I thought my accuracy would be better touching rather than using a mouse. I believe in normal times you would do this test with pen and paper which I would find easier still.

 

[SpamHammer]

Thanks
It was just because I thought my accuracy would be better touching rather than using a mouse. I believe in normal times you would do this test with pen and paper which I would find easier still.

Your accuracy probably will be better with a touchscreen than a mouse. That isn't the point.

If you make it as far as interview and they say - "Your mini-scaat results were outstanding. Amongst the best we've ever seen. Did you follow the instructions and use a mouse?"

What will you say?

 

[Bn98]

It has been said time and time again, the assessments are there to test your cognitive abilities in certain areas, for example: Concentration, Multi-tasking and Reaction times to name just a few. These are traits that some people are better at naturally. The idea of "revising" and asking others what the tests are is simply pointless and self defeating to put it bluntly. I would advise you do not preload your brain with extra information to attempt to pre-empt the tests. You will only add stress when you realise that you have either a) revised the wrong thing/been given duff advice (yes that happens) or b) been given a totally different variation of the test to the previous person (also is a regular occurrence). I speak from experience having spent years working in technical recruitment, often you can tell the candidates that have tried to outsmart and heavily practice the tests.

I write this with all the best intentions, read the practice material you are sent directly from the company, do not try to get tips and hints from others (never actually helps you in the long run), get an early night, eat well and drink plenty of water, read the instructions and relax. You want to be comfortable and relaxed when you are doing the test, not trying to second guess what may come your way or remembering how many lines you got through last week when you spent 5 hours practicing sat on the sofa.

Those of you asking about doing the tests on a tablet etc... Similar to the phrase of RTFQ - read the f*****g instructions. They are not trying to trick you when they say best to use a mouse...

And to follow up the repeated point of "I haven't heard from **Insert TOC here**" Nor have many of the other 20000+ applicants, TOC's (generally all, but certainly GTR) will let you know with an email separately for each role applied for any outcome.

Everyone of course wants to do the best they can but the best advice is to read the instructions (and take them in) and to relax.

 

[Hustlequeen]

To be honest I found practicing for the assessment day tests really beneficial. I bought a book from Waterstones train driver test book and I passed all the tests on the assessment day that were in the book. The one I didn’t pass was the one I did not practice for which had a recorder involved. Usually toc’s send you practice material anyway in an email which you print out. But I never practiced for the SJT and would not for the SCAAT. I think that could overload you and put you under unnecessary pressure but for the assessment day I would reccomend practicing.

 

[SpamHammer]

To be honest I found practicing for the assessment day tests really beneficial. I bought a book from Waterstones train driver test book and I passed all the tests on the assessment day that were in the book. The one I didn’t pass was the one I did not practice for which had a recorder involved. Usually toc’s send you practice material anyway in an email which you print out. But I never practiced for the SJT and would not for the SCAAT. I think that could overload you and put you under unnecessary pressure but for the assessment day I would reccomend practicing.

So what you're saying is: you paid for additional materials to practice with and then in the actual tests you came across something that you couldn't practice for and failed it?

 

[Melmatrixx2]

eeekkk.. been doing the dots tests until i can only see dots.. and now I found this thread lol. Now got to find some practice ones, only got till the 19th to get this done

Good luck .. how many lines on average are you doing per page ?

 

[Prince85]

Hi , I just wanted to let you know my thoughts on what you've said, as i did my mine a year ago but its still all relevant. Those that have described it as the letters are exactly right. 3 tests, looking for a different pattern each time. You're so focused that its difficult to judge how you've done, as the tests are over so quickly, each being between 2-3 minutes only. One word of advice is that even though the tests follow on after each other, you can take a few minutes break between each one to gather your thoughts, as you have to click to begin the next one when you're ready.
What i also did was to record my test as i was doing it. As I reviewed them afterwards, i noticed on the last test that I had missed 3 letters. I still passed it, as its not as much a test of speed , as it is accuracy. The tests have so many lines that they are designed so that you can't finish them all so don't try to, as in rushing to complete as many lines as you can, you will miss far more than you should. Remember, its not speed but accuracy that they're after.

Thanks MonkeyBoy however my rest is already done so I’m waiting on the results I wish I had spoken to you earlier I think I’ve missed a few but surly they expect you to miss a few if I knew it was all about accuracy I would have gone much slower

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2021 ==

Hi , I just wanted to let you know my thoughts on what you've said, as i did my mine a year ago but its still all relevant. Those that have described it as the letters are exactly right. 3 tests, looking for a different pattern each time. You're so focused that its difficult to judge how you've done, as the tests are over so quickly, each being between 2-3 minutes only. One word of advice is that even though the tests follow on after each other, you can take a few minutes break between each one to gather your thoughts, as you have to click to begin the next one when you're ready.
What i also did was to record my test as i was doing it. As I reviewed them afterwards, i noticed on the last test that I had missed 3 letters. I still passed it, as its not as much a test of speed , as it is accuracy. The tests have so many lines that they are designed so that you can't finish them all so don't try to, as in rushing to complete as many lines as you can, you will miss far more than you should. Remember, its not speed but accuracy that they're after.

Monkey boy just a quick question, you mentioned you missed some on the last sub test, did you miss any others on the first two? And how much roughly of each test did you think you completed

 

[Hustlequeen]

So what you're saying is: you paid for additional materials to practice with and then in the actual tests you came across something that you couldn't practice for and failed it?

Yes but I could have practiced for it as there are materials online but I did not know that test was even going to be in the assessment day. There was no information on it in the practice material either. It’s not something you can do with pen and paper as you need to listen to tones of a lift. Also a £15 book is worth it as I passed 4 out of 5 tests with it.

 

[Prince85]

Yes but I could have practiced for it as there are materials online but I did not know that test was even going to be in the assessment day. There was no information on it in the practice material either. It’s not something you can do with pen and paper as you need to listen to tones of a lift. Also a £15 book is worth it as I passed 4 out of 5 tests with it.

Which book did you get if you don’t mind me asking thanks

 

[Vola_c]

Your accuracy probably will be better with a touchscreen than a mouse. That isn't the point.

If you make it as far as interview and they say - "Your mini-scaat results were outstanding. Amongst the best we've ever seen. Did you follow the instructions and use a mouse?"

What will you say?

I couldn't agree more with this. It's all about safety and following the rules and instructions. They'll have ways of knowing how you took that test. Why blow your chances at such an early stage? It's designed to be fair for everyone.

 

[CKR]

Hi all,
May I ask those who have had the first stage (Situational Judgement Test) if your internal (do you already work for GTR) or external ?

 

[Sky9417]

Internal and had the sjt and miniscatt tests so far.

 

[Thankful8]

Has anyone here made it past the assessment day yet?

 

[Martin93]

Has anyone here made it past the assessment day yet?

I have but I applied last year

 

[CKR]

Internal and had the sjt and miniscatt tests so far.

Ok, have you heard back from mini scat test yet ?

 

[MeatAndTwoMeg]

I just got my invitation for the mini scaat So far, I have been very lucky with how quickly I have moved through the stages as I only applied on 8th Feb.