New Train Driver Assessment

[benno79]

Thanks jayo very helpful, good luck with the assessments. What day are you going?

 

[J038813]

No message.

 

[benno79]

Wednesday the 13th, hopefully not unlucky

 

[J038813]

Wednesday the 13th, hopefully not unlucky

Good luck for Wednesday.

What part are you dreading the most? For me it has to be the MMI. (after what people have been saying about it) My worry is not being able to think of any examples that are good enough!

What sort of preparation have you done? I've got that Bop It! XT toy to practice my reactions. I've also downloaded a picture card memory game for the iPhone. I'm getting a list of common Situational and Behavioural interview questions together and practising examples.

I came across this which might be helpful for the ATAVT test:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/tmt/

I'm just trying to find some basic internet games that might help with the 2HAND.

 

[DunfordBridge]

I have just tried the BBC face test, from the above link, and it confirmed what I already knew, I do not have a good memory for faces. I got 83% for recognition and 55% for temporal memory. Both of which are worse than average as exemplified by the occasion when I blanked my former bars manager in the middle of Manchester.

Regarding the 2Hand test which I believe assesses fine motor movements, I cannot help thinking that it goes above and beyond the requirements for train driving as most of the levers have notches, but who am I to argue with the European Train Driving Directive.

I think I will stick with the BBC sheep test. So long as I can hit the average 0.2 second mark, then I will always find it more gratifying. I think I once managed 0.110 seconds but I cannot maintain that speed.

 

[CyrusWuff]

As Stage 2 potentially takes all day, I'd definitely recommend parking in the Gade Car Park (accessed from Rosslyn Road) if you drive in. Make sure to go up to Level 3 and put your ticket through the barrier to qualify for the cheaper "Long Stay" rate though!

Assuming you exit the car park via the main pedestrian access, turn left and walk down to The Parade, then right and walk straight ahead, passing under "Exchange Road" and into the High Street. Turn right by the NatWest and right again into Wellstones (which has an ASK restaurant on one corner and a Polish Shop on the other). The OPC office is on the First Floor of number 1.

 

[benno79]

I'm probably the same as you with fearing the mmi most. I do have examples prepared if the questions are reasonably similar to the cbi.

As for practice all I've done is gone through the test material they sent us. I did have a look at the website of the Austrian company that developed the tests but it didn't really go into any more detail then the practice material. I've spent a life time playing computer games so I believe my reactions are pretty good but time will tell.

Thanks for the directions from the car park cyruswuff. assume that everyone does the whole day and that you aren't sent home at lunch time if you fail one of the computerised tests and that you then don't sit the mmi.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I just did the test and got 95% recognition and 78% temporal memory
Same as you on the sheep, I did get one in 0.049 but a bit of a fluke.

 

[J038813]

No Message

 

[DunfordBridge]

That is a perfectly good question but I have never been in quite the same position, basically because I have failed only the CBI in the nick of time. As it was a fail under the old system, I have been informed that I will have to do all the tests again.

Going back to you question, I failed the SCAAT test in 2003 as part of stage 1 and I had to redo the stage 1 this year apart from the Boredom test which I passed as part of stage 1 of the conductor assessment. I would have thought the same principle applies to stage 2.

A bit curious is the aspect of passing the GB test in the conductor assessment. Which rule would take precedence? Having to take all the tests again or being able to transfer a result from the conductor assessment again.

 

[J038813]

No Message

 

[Johncleesefan]

nice one, that website gives a series of different games that help with hand eye and memory, cheers!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Is anyone or has anyone ever been in the same position as i am now.
Basically I am sitting stage 2 with FGW on wednesday consisting of
.TEA Occ
.WAFV
.ATAVT
.ATAVT
.Written communication
.Situation Judgement exercise
and MMI

The next day I sit a stage 1 assessment with East midlands consisting of
.GB
.TEA Occ
and TRP 1 & 2

If I fail either do I have to withdraw my other application regardless on which TOC I fail for. I have only just realized this now that if I fail EM stage 1 I might have to withdraw my FGW app as I will have failed an assessment within the last 6 months.

Is this true?

Please help
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well that's different. Still waiting to hear from my DM interview with FGW (38 days and counting) and have been invited to stage 1 with LM. I contacted them to tell them that I have been successful in my old style stage 1 & 2 with FGW and they replied back saying that as I have passed GB & TRP1&2 then I will not need to sit them again, just the Tee-occ.

If you were to fail your LM stage 1, would you have to withdraw your FGW app as you'd have a fail within 6 months on your record?

 

[DunfordBridge]

I cannot answer your specific questions but I would have thought that if you fail your stage 2 this Wednesday it will almost certainly put you out of the running with East Midlands as you would not be able to re-take the assessments for another six months. Alternatively, if you pass on Wednesday, East Midland should not have to re-test you.

The following post may be of interest, http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1333125&postcount=3, but it links to a ducument which has been superceded with the second issue, http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Railway_...il Industry Standards/RIS-3751-TOM Iss 2.pdf. Part 2.8 applies.

It appears that it was formerly the case that you could not sit tests within six months under any circumstances but with the advent of the new tests, that restriction may only apply to failed candidates.

 

[Faith]

Cyruswuff any news yet from your stage 2 did they say when and how they might contact you?

 

[CyrusWuff]

Cyruswuff any news yet from your stage 2 did they say when and how they might contact you?

No news as yet. Was told it could be a couple of weeks though.

 

[westbrom]

Took stage one today,think it all went well,found the bourdon easier to do on paper as eyes did not strain so much,the bourdon is the only thing im not 100% as you never know if you missed any until you get the results.

 

[CyrusWuff]

As expected, got the letter I'd been waiting for today. Failed the assessment on the MMI and invited to contact them for feedback, not that the OPC will go into detail beyond whether you passed or failed in each area unless you make a Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act.

 

[ultra4]

As expected, got the letter I'd been waiting for today. Failed the assessment on the MMI and invited to contact them for feedback, not that the OPC will go into detail beyond whether you passed or failed in each area unless you make a Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act.

I am sorry to hear that.
Mmi is the area where I don't feel too comfortable myself.

 

[Johncleesefan]

Who for, I just sat MMI for FGW this week, i'm in the position of waiting for results

 

[bigjoe]

Did the dials have zones and shaded areas ?

 

[Dynamonic]

Did the dials have zones and shaded areas ?

It has both.

 

[train_lover]

Does anyone have any information on the MMI? I will be sitting it next week so any information would be greatly appreciated

 

[ultra4]

Does anyone have any information on the MMI? I will be sitting it next week so any information would be greatly appreciated

So far none of the guys sitting MMI revealed any questions.
There is plenty info about CBI, but how useful is that....
Guess we are experimental rabbits, pioneers who will pave the way for the others.

 

[train_lover]

Ah the wonderful CBI.....It's what I failed on last year. So to have to start again is a bit of a kick in the teeth. I guess the only positive is that I have had it confirmed that the fail I had against me last year is cleared off my file. Does anyone know of anybody that has passed the new tests?

 

[ultra4]

When is yours?

 

[train_lover]

Does anybody know how EdZ has got on?

 

[EdZ]

Still waiting for dates for the second assessment.

 

[Waikikibaby]

Still waiting for dates for the second assessment.

I took stage one on 18th October in Reading for vacancies in Paddington. I got an e-mail a few days ago with dates in a couple of weeks for stage 2 so I really hope you hear soon.

Choices were Swindon, Swindon, Watford or Swindon. Which depot did you apply for?

 

[ash39]

I passed stage 1 of the new test this week for a position with Northern.

I'm really not too worried about the second tests. I have the practice material and I believe with preparation I'll be fine, but the MMI is a real concern. Having read comments on this thread I'm even more worried, and I currently work in an office so my experience of emergency situations and face to face customer service is not vast. I did pretty well in the manager interview, but I'm expecting a sterner test here.

As the changeover to the 'new' test was only in October I know not many people have taken the MMI yet, but if anyone has any info at all to help me out, and maybe get my brain working towards formulating some good examples I can use in the interview, it would be much appreciated.

Also, I take it if you pass all the tests but fail the MMI it counts as one of your two strikes?

Thanks

 

[Waikikibaby]

I would suggest that while you're out and about in general public you keep your eyes open for people that might need help in some way. A lot of my experience has been gained by watching other peoples body language and offering assistance. Even if it's something that I can't help with, I can usually point them in the right way. I've helped people who've needed medical assistance, directions, help with ticket machines etc etc. Sometimes when I get to East Croydon I'll have a quick look around to see if there's anyone elderly or impaired who needs their bags or suitcase taken up to the top of the ramp as it can be hellish!

It's very good experience and makes you feel good to help other people, not to mention restoring their hope in humanity to have a friendly face offer assistance. It'll also give you a true life basis rather than trying to think what you might do. It might also be worth looking up some basic first aid. I've held a tissue to many a bleeding head and been called an angel on more than one occasion just for stopping the bleeding and chatting away to the poor person who's fallen over! There's no better feeling than walking away from a situation knowing that you made a difference to that person.

Good luck! x

 

[ultra4]

I passed stage 1 of the new test this week for a position with Northern.

I'm really not too worried about the second tests. I have the practice material and I believe with preparation I'll be fine, but the MMI is a real concern. Having read comments on this thread I'm even more worried, and I currently work in an office so my experience of emergency situations and face to face customer service is not vast. I did pretty well in the manager interview, but I'm expecting a sterner test here.

As the changeover to the 'new' test was only in October I know not many people have taken the MMI yet, but if anyone has any info at all to help me out, and maybe get my brain working towards formulating some good examples I can use in the interview, it would be much appreciated.

Also, I take it if you pass all the tests but fail the MMI it counts as one of your two strikes?

Thanks

Your examples do not have to be work related, and they will not be seen as less valuable.