Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Ash0110]

Has anyone else who has completed the assessment centre since been invited to complete online assessments?

Hi mate, yes I received that today as well. Have you had chance to complete it yet? I’ve only just seen the email myself

 

[CFRAIL]

Hi mate, yes I received that today as well. Have you had chance to complete it yet? I’ve only just seen the email myself

I've not completed it yet, I was tempted to email and ask if it was an error, but since a few people have received it, I doubt it is an error.

 

[mickeyC]

I've not completed it yet, I was tempted to email and ask if it was an error, but since a few people have received it, I doubt it is an error.

completed my assessment day mid November, DMi booked for 20th Jan and I haven’t received anything about artic shores test.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jan 2026 ==

Hello everyone, this is my first post so forgive me if I have done something incorrectly.

I have recently been invited to an Assessment day with Southeastern for Trainee Train driver which is coming up next week - needless to say I am quite nervous about the day so was wondering if anyone has recently attended one that could share some information about the day and structure? I understand it includes a lot of tests and also an interview but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you also have any interview questions that are likely to be asked, this would also be great as this is the section of the day I am most anxious about.

Thank you in advance.

Hi
I passed my assessments back in November and the only advice I can give is practice, practice and practice the paperwork they’ve sent you, it all has a relevance on the day.

You’ll be split into 2 groups, paper tests and computer tests.
Whatever group your in first they won’t advance you to the next stage unless you’ve passed that process.

Pass both paper and computer and you’ll be back on the computer for advanced testing.
The MMi interview wasn’t done after our test day, that happens later down the line.

Get plenty of rest and take a packed lunch/drink

Relax and enjoy yourself.

 

[stbtraindriver]

I got the same email about the online assessment does anyone know when the deadline is it doesn’t say in the email

 

[CFRAIL]

I've no idea when the deadline is. I've just had a look at the practice material and it seemed straight forward enough.

 

[stbtraindriver]

Yh I thought it would be
Are you going to be doing yours tonight
I can’t do mine today I hope I have till tomorrow

 

[Cookie_Monster]

I emailed SE about the new assessment we've all received. I was advised that its required prior to the DMI and is only used as a screening tool and there is no pass or fail – it is just a report that will be used to support your DMI.

I done it tonight and it took about 20 minutes. Very straight forward. It gives you your results afterwards as well to show an inclination of how trainable you are.

Hope that helps. I also passed my assessment in November and currently waiting for my DMI.

GOOD LUCK

 

[newbiewannabe]

I emailed SE about the new assessment we've all received. I was advised that its required prior to the DMI and is only used as a screening tool and there is no pass or fail – it is just a report that will be used to support your DMI.

I done it tonight and it took about 20 minutes. Very straight forward. It gives you your results afterwards as well to show an inclination of how trainable you are.

Hope that helps. I also passed my assessment in November and currently waiting for my DMI.

GOOD LUCK

Nice one, thanks for the heads up! Good luck!

 

[CFRAIL]

I emailed SE about the new assessment we've all received. I was advised that its required prior to the DMI and is only used as a screening tool and there is no pass or fail – it is just a report that will be used to support your DMI.

I done it tonight and it took about 20 minutes. Very straight forward. It gives you your results afterwards as well to show an inclination of how trainable you are.

Hope that helps. I also passed my assessment in November and currently waiting for my DMI.

GOOD LUCK

That's a relief, cheers for the heads up. I'll do mine later today.

 

[I2026]

What is arctic shores? I haven't had to do that or the "problem solving" exercise that I read of on here - interesting how different the TOCs are.

 

[Ash0110]

I emailed SE about the new assessment we've all received. I was advised that its required prior to the DMI and is only used as a screening tool and there is no pass or fail – it is just a report that will be used to support your DMI.

I done it tonight and it took about 20 minutes. Very straight forward. It gives you your results afterwards as well to show an inclination of how trainable you are.

Hope that helps. I also passed my assessment in November and currently waiting for my DMI.

GOOD LUCK

Thanks for the heads up. At least it was most of us that got the same email then

 

[stbtraindriver]

I've no idea when the deadline is. I've just had a look at the practice material and it seemed straight forward enough.

Yh gonna

That's a relief, cheers for the heads up. I'll do mine later today.

thank you going to do mine today good luck to everyone doing it !!!

 

[newbiewannabe]

The deadline on mine was 22nd of jan. just completed it.

I got the same email about the online assessment does anyone know when the deadline is it doesn’t say in the email

 

[stbtraindriver]

The deadline on mine was 22nd of jan. just completed it.

Did it state that in your email or did you email them asking when the deadline was ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jan 2026 ==

Did it state that in your email or did you email them asking when the deadline was ?

Goodluck

 

[newbiewannabe]

Did it state that in your email or did you email them asking when the deadline was ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jan 2026 ==


Goodluck

It was on the assessment invitation from Arctic Shores. When you click on complete assessment on the original email that’s when you get the invitation and it states there.

 

[Ash0110]

Hi guys, just finished that artic shore assessment. How did you find it that had to do it?

I struggled with the puzzle task I won’t lie but, the other 2 I did really well on

 

[CFRAIL]

I've just done mine, I only had to complete 2 because I completed the direction one within the past 12 months for another role (I'm internal).

I struggled with the puzzle one also!

 

[Lukeyp]

I also struggled with the puzzle one, perhaps would have done better if had more time but I suppose it’s all about speed. The other 2 not so bad, couple times my fingers were too quick. Didn’t know what to make of the feedback, didn’t sound bad but also didn’t sound great lol guess the only grace I can take is that it said no wrong or right answer. May just have to wait another 2 years for an update

 

[newbiewannabe]

Hi guys, just finished that artic shore assessment. How did you find it that had to do it?

I struggled with the puzzle task I won’t lie but, the other 2 I did really well on

Same here! Glad it’s not just me!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2026 ==

I also struggled with the puzzle one, perhaps would have done better if had more time but I suppose it’s all about speed. The other 2 not so bad, couple times my fingers were too quick. Didn’t know what to make of the feedback, didn’t sound bad but also didn’t sound great lol guess the only grace I can take is that it said no wrong or right answer. May just have to wait another 2 years for an update

Only 2 years, that’s pretty quick

 

[forgetmyname69]

Reading all your comments about this Arctic shore..... Is this something I should email recruitment about?

I have my DMI on Wednesday (proper nervous!), just for context I done all my assesments and MMI and everything already.

 

[CFRAIL]

Reading all your comments about this Arctic shore..... Is this something I should email recruitment about?

I have my DMI on Wednesday (proper nervous!), just for context I done all my assesments and MMI and everything already.

I wouldn't worry. I imagine the Arctic Shores is for those a little further back in the process. I'm aware of more recent applicants being asked to complete Arctic Shores prior to the assessment day

 

[mickeyC]

Reading all your comments about this Arctic shore..... Is this something I should email recruitment about?

I have my DMI on Wednesday (proper nervous!), just for context I done all my assesments and MMI and everything already.

Good luck on Wednesday.
My DMi is Tuesday 20th, I’m actually quite looking forward to it, it’s the MMi that I haven’t done yet that I’m more nervous about.

Let us know how you get on and what was said etc

 

[Ash0110]

I’m glad it wasn’t just me then who struggled with puzzle task lol.

I read my feedback and in my opinion I think it seems like the feedback you’d need in terms of quick decision making and remaining calm in situations etc but who knows.

The only thing I can think of with this new test is another way of getting the numbers down of people who applied.

I thought the squid games at Ashford was enough tests but apparently not

 

[CFRAIL]

Good luck on Wednesday.
My DMi is Tuesday 20th, I’m actually quite looking forward to it, it’s the MMi that I haven’t done yet that I’m more nervous about.

Let us know how you get on and what was said etc

Good luck with your DMI. Let us know how it goes please.

 

[LBG2HSG]

Hi All,
Thanks for all your posts, I've been reading them to help build an idea of what to expect going forward. Its really insightful.

So my situation is that Ive passed the national test last year, but lost out by a couple of points on the enhanced VSE assessment. At the time I was using a recommended practice program. The actual test was alot harder in real environment as there were more variables (multiple trains, different colours and speeds) and I'm sure the buttons were opposite to my test program which threw me off. Anyhoot, i can only blame myself for fluffing it on the day. I was absolutely gutted.
But i am super lucky to have a final lifeline as I reapplied and i've now been called in for another go at the VSE & MMI in a couple of weeks.
Does anyone have any advice or tips for this stage? Also is the Arctic Shores a new stage after the VSE & MMI? Hadn't heard of it until I was reading all your comments.

Thanks in advance and Best of Luck to those with assessments in the coming weeks.

 

[stbtraindriver]

Was the practice test similar to the online assessment. Planning on doing mine tomorrow still nervous even tho it’s no pass or fail

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jan 2026 ==

Hi All,
Thanks for all your posts, I've been reading them to help build an idea of what to expect going forward. Its really insightful.

So my situation is that Ive passed the national test last year, but lost out by a couple of points on the enhanced VSE assessment. At the time I was using a recommended practice program. The actual test was alot harder in real environment as there were more variables (multiple trains, different colours and speeds) and I'm sure the buttons were opposite to my test program which threw me off. Anyhoot, i can only blame myself for fluffing it on the day. I was absolutely gutted.
But i am super lucky to have a final lifeline as I reapplied and i've now been called in for another go at the VSE & MMI in a couple of weeks.
Does anyone have any advice or tips for this stage? Also is the Arctic Shores a new stage after the VSE & MMI? Hadn't heard of it until I was reading all your comments.

Thanks in advance and Best of Luck to those with assessments in the coming weeks.

I’m not sure what vse stands for but for the mmi if you search the gtr train driver discussion on here you’ll be able to find a list of the 6 questions they may ask

 

[Brickz]

VSE = Visual Search Exercise

Was the practice test similar to the online assessment. Planning on doing mine tomorrow still nervous even tho it’s no pass or fail

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jan 2026 ==


I’m not sure what vse stands for but for the mmi if you search the gtr train driver discussion on here you’ll be able to find a list of the 6 questions they may ask

 

[newbiewannabe]

Was the practice test similar to the online assessment. Planning on doing mine tomorrow still nervous even tho it’s no pass or fail

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jan 2026 ==


I’m not sure what vse stands for but for the mmi if you search the gtr train driver discussion on here you’ll be able to find a list of the 6 questions they may ask

Not really, the practice test was easy in comparison. Theres 3 different ones, 1 and 3 are straight forward but i struggled with the second one (puzzles) good luck!

 

[mickeyC]

Good luck with your DMI. Let us know how it goes please.

Thanks
I’ll update next week with my experience.

 

[Carrot12345]

Up next month at Ashford only for the 3 computer tests. Had already passed the paper tests elsewhere. Feeling nervous about these, mostly the grey/black square one. Anyone know how dark the grey square is at Southeastern? Thanks