Private Psychometric Testing

[DriverEight]

Definitely worth checking, I’ve stayed in two well known hotel chains over the last 4 weeks and both asked for proof on arrival. One manager said that he is required to ensure the hotel stay is for valid reasons if not he’s (chain) is liable for a £10k fine hence why he was requiring evidence, and that was either a letter from my employer or from the company I was working for.

The special price assessment in March might not be so special if hotel/travel is required and not available.

It could depend on how the hotel is booked, and by whom. If it's a regular, repeat booking made directly by the company (such as a train driver on a lodge) then the booking will probably be accepted on the nod. A private booking might be different.

 

[dzdoris]

It could depend on how the hotel is booked, and by whom. If it's a regular, repeat booking made directly by the company (such as a train driver on a lodge) then the booking will probably be accepted on the nod. A private booking might be different.

I've booked a hotel for an assessment day and was never asked the reason for my stay. After reading this thread I checked with the hotel to be on the safe side. They don't require any evidence for my reason for staying but recommend I bring it in case they are spot checked by police etc.

 

[DJP78]

I sat my self-financed psychometrics just the other weekend at RCG in Stockport. I stayed in the Travelodge hotel which is situated at the bottom of the same building the RCG use. Very convenient. I wasn't asked reason for stay. My interpretation of the rules is that you are allowed to travel for this sort of thing. It's linked to recruitment activity within the rail industry which is still allowed to continue. Just my view though

They were totally professional, very well organised, socially distanced and face masks on for the whole day. We did all the tests including the SJE & MMI. Mighty relieved to get them out of the way in one go and to say that I passed them all. But the euphoria is somewhat dampened by the fact I currently have no trainee job to apply for. At least I know that it's something worth pursuing

Regarding the selection process, I'm led to believe that if an applicant passes the initial sift, you're pretty much through to DMI. However, that's the only benefit I can see. Also, anyone considering this needs to understand that you still need to navigate the initial application process which might include bespoke aptitude assessments unique to that TOC. Fail that and the passed psychometrics are merely a symbol of personal pride. Once at DMI stage, if other applicants have better sets of scores at assessment stage and perform better at interview, then the jobs will go to them and rightly so

It does however serve as a statement of intent, that I'm taking this very seriously and demonstrates a boldness that others may lack. Who knows, perhaps one day that might tip things in my favour

For me personally, I wanted to know whether I have the basic aptitudes they're looking for or whether to abandon the dream and go after something else. Having passed, I'm now full of confidence and 100% committed to making this work to the extent I will be looking at other roles within the industry to get my foot in the door.

 

[Naffy93]

Hi, this may have came up before… but just asking to see if anyone has paid private for the tests and did it help you to achieve a trainee driver’s job in the end.

any answers would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Mag_seven]

I know there’s a thread on this, but on searching it’s closed to replies, so perhaps if possible a Mod could reopen it and merge the two?

Anyway, thought it might be worth sharing that the Railway Competence Group (RCG) do conduct private Psychometric Testing should an individual wish to pay for their own (I don’t think it’s been mentioned here before). As far as I was aware previously DB did undertake these, and I don’t believe OPC do. I found a post on social media and asked the question. Not sure on prices, but it’s worth bearing in mind.

Good luck all!

Thread reopened.

 

[NorthernTech]

Has anyone had any dealings with Railway Competence Group recently to do their Psychometric tests privately? I’ve tried to contact them for information a few times but had no response. I wondered if they had perhaps ceased trading. Someone mentioned that they thought the OPC do tests privately too, is this correct? I haven’t phoned them as yet but nothing on their website, as far as I can see, would indicate that they offer tests privately. Thanks.

 

[377390]

OPC do offer private testing at Watford. They have been very helpful via email. I contacted RCG several times by email and had no response at all.

 

[Efini92]

Has anyone had any dealings with Railway Competence Group recently to do their Psychometric tests privately? I’ve tried to contact them for information a few times but had no response. I wondered if they had perhaps ceased trading. Someone mentioned that they thought the OPC do tests privately too, is this correct? I haven’t phoned them as yet but nothing on their website, as far as I can see, would indicate that they offer tests privately. Thanks.

Don’t waste your money, it won’t put you in any better position.
Just keep applying and tweak your application as necessary.

 

[Liverpool 507]

OPC do offer private testing at Watford. They have been very helpful via email. I contacted RCG several times by email and had no response at all.

Was this for a Driver assessment? I approached them for a Conductor assessment and was abruptly told that they only offer this for Drivers only.

 

[Spincity]

Was this for a Driver assessment? I approached them for a Conductor assessment and was abruptly told that they only offer this for Drivers only.

But there is not a national test for a conductor. What tests do you want them to administer, there are so many variations. Drivers have a national set of tests this is what the private assessment will be assessing against. It’ll be nearly impossible to offer conductors

 

[Busyboy89]

Don’t waste your money. You’ll get them for free if your application makes the cut.

agree with the above.

I never understand paying for the tests personally, for me it’s the same as having a pts card, driving on a heritage railway, having a vast knowledge of traction and railway past/present. If you can’t get through the application part then they are all useless and if you do the tests are free during the process anyway.

I was told prior my driver application about key attributes (they are on the job adverts as well as scattered on here) and none technical skills . I had to learn and understand them and it would help with the application and interviews. Which it did. I wouldn’t of passed without the help of this forum because I was from outside the railway and would never of known to learn the NTS categories.

im not saying it won’t help as it could make you more confident or you could use experiences gained on a PTS course, driving for heritage or good knowledge of the railway in an interview answer.

 

[Liverpool 507]

But there is not a national test for a conductor. What tests do you want them to administer, there are so many variations. Drivers have a national set of tests this is what the private assessment will be assessing against. It’ll be nearly impossible to offer conductors

To be fair, I wasn’t aware there was different variations of this.

 

[skyhigh]

To be fair, I wasn’t aware there was different variations of this.

To be honest I really wouldn't bother with private psychometric tests for a conductor even if they were offering to do them - especially given that they're not even required for TOCs such as Northern if you're based in Liverpool.

 

[Liverpool 507]

To be honest I really wouldn't bother with private psychometric tests for a conductor even if they were offering to do them - especially given that they're not even required for TOCs such as Northern if you're based in Liverpool.

My TOC has the two strike rule and I didn’t really want to risk the second go. There tends to also be more vacancies internally.

 

[DNCharingX]

Disregard - looks like the two lives do apply! Would have been a massive loophole.