NorthernTech
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Is your interview for Manchester?
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Northern - Driver Apprenticeship - Manchester (14/10/21)
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SVDW995
Member
How did it go?
I also failed the 2hand test on my first go in February 2020 and its still haunting me Fortunately I have the opportunity to give it another shot next week. Any tips? I've was advised to get a "bop it" which I have been using .
SVDW995
Member
Specific 2 hand test advice:
I passed on my second go and my mistake was to go super fast and I went out of the track a million times. I’d read somewhere on the forum it was ok to go out loads but to make sure you get back in the track and you’ll be fine. I obviously misjudged it!
The second time, I really concentrated on:
1. Using the practice time - take your time to get used to the controls, they are springy so you have to exercise quite a bit of control to keep them steady. Use the practice time to do a few laps and don’t just go round twice and end the track, keep going until it times you out (i.e. don’t take the ball to the end point, just go back the other way - the point is to learn control and understand the joysticks and what position you feel comfy in). The invigilator might just reset the test, I even managed a second practice go.
2. Find how to rest your arms. I rested mine on the chair as it gives you relief on your wrists when manoeuvring.
3. It’s about accuracy and speed - but the speed can be slower and steadier than you think. Really focus on controlling the ball and not going out of the track.
4. If you’ve got the control, you won’t be going far out of the track if you do pop out. I think I went out about 6-8 times total on my second go (and you do the track 10 times in total) and I was out for literally less than a second each time. One of the metrics is how quickly you recover and get back in the track (i.e. do you panic or can you focus and regain composure?).
5. Hold the sticks at their base, I found it gave me much more control.
Be calm, be confident, really use the practice time and you will be fine. Slow-ish, steady and consistent is the key.
this is the exact track and control panel you’ll use. Watch from 1.08mins in. But I was in much more than that, really focused on control and staying on. I would say the person in the video is quite jerky and you can be in more control than that. Really take the time to practice.
I think you get a while for the test but don’t be ridiculously slow, but you don’t have to race.
Good luck when you do it again!
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I passed on my second go and my mistake was to go super fast and I went out of the track a million times. I’d read somewhere on the forum it was ok to go out loads but to make sure you get back in the track and you’ll be fine. I obviously misjudged it!
The second time, I really concentrated on:
1. Using the practice time - take your time to get used to the controls, they are springy so you have to exercise quite a bit of control to keep them steady. Use the practice time to do a few laps and don’t just go round twice and end the track, keep going until it times you out (i.e. don’t take the ball to the end point, just go back the other way - the point is to learn control and understand the joysticks and what position you feel comfy in). The invigilator might just reset the test, I even managed a second practice go.
2. Find how to rest your arms. I rested mine on the chair as it gives you relief on your wrists when manoeuvring.
3. It’s about accuracy and speed - but the speed can be slower and steadier than you think. Really focus on controlling the ball and not going out of the track.
4. If you’ve got the control, you won’t be going far out of the track if you do pop out. I think I went out about 6-8 times total on my second go (and you do the track 10 times in total) and I was out for literally less than a second each time. One of the metrics is how quickly you recover and get back in the track (i.e. do you panic or can you focus and regain composure?).
5. Hold the sticks at their base, I found it gave me much more control.
Be calm, be confident, really use the practice time and you will be fine. Slow-ish, steady and consistent is the key.
I think you get a while for the test but don’t be ridiculously slow, but you don’t have to race.
Good luck when you do it again!
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Thank you for your reply
If you improve during the test it will count in your favour, so if on your last 2 tests you only go out a couple of times compared with maybe 15 on your 1st 2 attempts. Do not be disheartened if you have a few bad runs. Keep going and try to improve. Obviously if your latter runs are worse than your 1st few it will count against you.
If you go out of the lines (maybe by up to an inch) it will not count against you, as long as you correct immediately. I've known people go out 15-20 times by a small margin and still pass. If you panic and go well out or let go of the joysticks even a few times you will fail.
Good luck
If you go out of the lines (maybe by up to an inch) it will not count against you, as long as you correct immediately. I've known people go out 15-20 times by a small margin and still pass. If you panic and go well out or let go of the joysticks even a few times you will fail.
Good luck
hoopy316
Member
I had the interview last week(Wednesday) and got the psychometrics this Wednesday in Leeds, Any advice would be appreciated.
Whats the next step?
Minicheddar
Member
I've messaged you about the assessments mate.
If you pass you'll go into the talent pool to wait for a course date, external candidates don't seem to be waiting long at the moment but there's no guarantee you'll be on a course straight away.
Once a course date is found for you you'll be sent for a medical, once that's done you'll be sent contracts etc via email. You'll also need to provide certificates for GCSE maths, English and IT as its an apprenticeship.
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kezlad83
New Member
Well done mate, I have my psychometrics tests on Wednesday too. Any advice on the day would be much appreciated if anyone else has some. Any hints or tips anyone has in from doing it or anything they think would be useful to know
Manchester91
Member
Hope the psychometrics tests went well for you both. I’ve got mine in Leeds next Thursday. Any tips or advice? Much appreciated
banksywhoshe
Member
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- 6 Apr 2015
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I’m in Leeds next Thursday for training. Good luck, I know how it feels to sit those tests. I sat them 7 years ago and passed, but then got talent pooled and forgot…!
Im in Leeds now and loving every bit of training. I’m just an RPO so hopefully one day I’ll be able to drive. Feeling good though!
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