Trainee Train Drivers (Talent Bank) - Avanti - Multiple Locations (02/10/22)

[mrredrunner100]

Had my assessment email yesterday!

 

[Bigsej]

Just completed tests. All standard stuff and common sense.

Any tips for someone who is about to do it? Anything I should do in preparation for them?

Thanks

 

[karl grindrod]

Just completed tests. All standard stuff and common sense. Just done mine

Well if it was the online assessments then no it doesn't count as a strike.

The strikes are when you go to the assessment centre and do the proper psychometric testing.

That being said, when I emailed OPC they said if people get through these first online tests then any further online testing will be classed as a strike if you fail which is quite disconcerting.

I wonder what other online tests there could be and imagine if your WiFi cut out or something and you lost a life! Hopefully any further testing will be at a proper assessment centre.

Hi, if you do the psychometric test for one TOC and pass it, does that mean you will still have to do it for another? Or are you registered a having completed it and skip it if you apply for other TOC'S? TIA

 

[Kyi]

Any tips for someone who is about to do it? Anything I should do in preparation for them?

Thanks

I completed all five yesterday, the questions are tailored to finding out information about yourself so just be honest with your answers but you should make sure to answer them as you see fit and not how others do. Just as WombleGuard said previously, the questions and answers seem to be looking for common sense. So just relax and read all the instructions provided on the website and then once you start you'll be much more at ease answering them as I knew that it's mostly personality and traits it's evaluating.

 

[REO Nate]

I was thinking the same. I’m in a talent pool for someone else. They’re not gonna check again surely!

I wouldn’t put it past them to be honest. I suspect your passes have to be valid on the day you commence training, but I stand to be corrected.

I’m likely to withdraw my application here just in case, because I’m also in the talent pool for another TOC; however, I’ve emailed to try and seek clarification.

 

[Bigsej]

I completed all five yesterday, the questions are tailored to finding out information about yourself so just be honest with your answers but you should make sure to answer them as you see fit and not how others do. Just as WombleGuard said previously, the questions and answers seem to be looking for common sense. So just relax and read all the instructions provided on the website and then once you start you'll be much more at ease answering them as I knew that it's mostly personality and traits it's evaluating.

Thanks, that’s reassuring. I think I’ll have a go tonight or tomorrow. Once you log on, does it have to be completed there and then or you can go back to it? Are they time sensitive?

 

[Sorcerer]

Thanks, that’s reassuring. I think I’ll have a go tonight or tomorrow. Once you log on, does it have to be completed there and then or you can go back to it? Are they time sensitive?

They aren't timed, but once you start you can't leave and go back to finish, so it's best you make time for them when you know you won't be distracted and can complete them. If you know what you're doing I'd say 45 minutes to one hour would be good enough, but do it at your own pace and answer honestly.

 

[Kyi]

Thanks, that’s reassuring. I think I’ll have a go tonight or tomorrow. Once you log on, does it have to be completed there and then or you can go back to it? Are they time sensitive?

So the best way I can describe it to you is in the email you've been provided will be a link with what I presume will be your first name as username and password being some random letters and numbers. Once you click the link and enter the username and password, you'll be presented with each test in a graph and a button next to each saying start. Upon clicking start on either one of the tests, you'll be shown a bunch of information about the certain test and an example of what to expect. The only time you're locked into that test is when you click begin at the bottom of the information. I made sure to read over the information twice and it's very self-explanatory. You can log out as not all five need to be completed there and then however as previously said, once you click begin you're locked into that specific test so make sure you don't leave that webpage when actually committing to completing one of the tests. Be aware that each test is not timed however I do recall one of the instructions stating that although not timed they still record how long it took. Overall though mate once you begin them all the anxiety will wear off as it's not as hard as you first believe it to be and is as said just mostly common sense. The real tests come after hopefully getting past this stage so just try to relax on this one. And good luck!

 

[OldSwan16]

Just received this…

Hello there

Thanks very much for applying for the role of Trainee Train Driver with Avanti West Coast.

We have identified that you have sat the process previously - either with Avanti or another train company. We just wanted to let you know the potential impact of continuing your application with Avanti may have on your existing results:

• If you are successful through the initial online questionnaire (the five tests you have been invited to do) you will then be asked to sit the online VSE and M7 tests. These tests are part of Avanti’s enhanced driver recruitment process so you will need to sit these again - regardless of whether you have completed them before. In addition, these tests will be part of your ‘2 attempts’ for those organisations, such as Avanti, that use these tests within their recruitment process.

• If you are successful on the VSE and M7 you may then only have to sit/re-sit certain elements of the face-to-face testing for the Avanti enhanced standard, for example, you may be asked to sit/re-sit the Group Bourdon and CBI Interview.

Please be advised that any tests you resit will override and supersede any existing results that you currently hold. This may mean your existing ‘pass’ could become a ‘fail’.

Please consider your application very carefully and if you have any concerns please email us atadmin@theopc.co.uk

The OPC

 

[REO Nate]

Just received this…

Hello there

Thanks very much for applying for the role of Trainee Train Driver with Avanti West Coast.

We have identified that you have sat the process previously - either with Avanti or another train company. We just wanted to let you know the potential impact of continuing your application with Avanti may have on your existing results:

• If you are successful through the initial online questionnaire (the five tests you have been invited to do) you will then be asked to sit the online VSE and M7 tests. These tests are part of Avanti’s enhanced driver recruitment process so you will need to sit these again - regardless of whether you have completed them before. In addition, these tests will be part of your ‘2 attempts’ for those organisations, such as Avanti, that use these tests within their recruitment process.

• If you are successful on the VSE and M7 you may then only have to sit/re-sit certain elements of the face-to-face testing for the Avanti enhanced standard, for example, you may be asked to sit/re-sit the Group Bourdon and CBI Interview.

Please be advised that any tests you resit will override and supersede any existing results that you currently hold. This may mean your existing ‘pass’ could become a ‘fail’.

Please consider your application very carefully and if you have any concerns please email us atadmin@theopc.co.uk

The OPC

Eek!

Yup, this will be me withdrawing from the process. Not going to risk my position in a talent pool for another TOC

 

[BlueMike26]

Just received this…

Hello there

Thanks very much for applying for the role of Trainee Train Driver with Avanti West Coast.

We have identified that you have sat the process previously - either with Avanti or another train company. We just wanted to let you know the potential impact of continuing your application with Avanti may have on your existing results:

• If you are successful through the initial online questionnaire (the five tests you have been invited to do) you will then be asked to sit the online VSE and M7 tests. These tests are part of Avanti’s enhanced driver recruitment process so you will need to sit these again - regardless of whether you have completed them before. In addition, these tests will be part of your ‘2 attempts’ for those organisations, such as Avanti, that use these tests within their recruitment process.

• If you are successful on the VSE and M7 you may then only have to sit/re-sit certain elements of the face-to-face testing for the Avanti enhanced standard, for example, you may be asked to sit/re-sit the Group Bourdon and CBI Interview.

Please be advised that any tests you resit will override and supersede any existing results that you currently hold. This may mean your existing ‘pass’ could become a ‘fail’.

Please consider your application very carefully and if you have any concerns please email us atadmin@theopc.co.uk

The OPC

That's interesting. I completed half a day of Psychometric testing for TPE earlier this year, before getting a national standard pass on the tones test after I lost my focus briefly, and had to leave early. I did the VSE there, and wouldn't be concerned about doing it at home if I make the sift and they require me to. I thought next would be error checking similar to TPE but clearly not.

 

[Kelki]

Just got my email for the OPC assessment. Fingers crossed!

Great news!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2022 ==

That's interesting. I completed half a day of Psychometric testing for TPE earlier this year, before getting a national standard pass on the tones test after I lost my focus briefly, and had to leave early. I did the VSE there, and wouldn't be concerned about doing it at home if I make the sift and they require me to. I thought next would be error checking similar to TPE but clearly not.

I just got that two as I emailed them concerning it. May have to sit this one out as I'm awaiting DMI with Arriva.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2022 ==

Great news!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2022 ==


I just got that two as I emailed them concerning it. May have to sit this one out as I'm awaiting DMI with Arriva.

*too

 

[D Rivers]

Just received this…

Hello there

Thanks very much for applying for the role of Trainee Train Driver with Avanti West Coast.

We have identified that you have sat the process previously - either with Avanti or another train company. We just wanted to let you know the potential impact of continuing your application with Avanti may have on your existing results:

• If you are successful through the initial online questionnaire (the five tests you have been invited to do) you will then be asked to sit the online VSE and M7 tests. These tests are part of Avanti’s enhanced driver recruitment process so you will need to sit these again - regardless of whether you have completed them before. In addition, these tests will be part of your ‘2 attempts’ for those organisations, such as Avanti, that use these tests within their recruitment process.

• If you are successful on the VSE and M7 you may then only have to sit/re-sit certain elements of the face-to-face testing for the Avanti enhanced standard, for example, you may be asked to sit/re-sit the Group Bourdon and CBI Interview.

Please be advised that any tests you resit will override and supersede any existing results that you currently hold. This may mean your existing ‘pass’ could become a ‘fail’.

Please consider your application very carefully and if you have any concerns please email us atadmin@theopc.co.uk

The OPC

What that doesn’t say is, the CBI overwrites the MMI. Also “you may be asked to resit group bourdon” if you pass you pass it won’t become a fail. Ie if I passed last time to standard and resit with avanti to gain enhanced and get standard again. It’s still a pass!

 

[OldSwan16]

They aren't timed, but once you start you can't leave and go back to finish, so it's best you make time for them when you know you won't be distracted and can complete them. If you know what you're doing I'd say 45 minutes to one hour would be good enough, but do it at your own pace and answer honestly.

Do you have to do the 5 assessments in 1 go or can you do 1 and come back to the other 4…?

 

[Chippychips]

Just received this…

Hello there

Thanks very much for applying for the role of Trainee Train Driver with Avanti West Coast.

We have identified that you have sat the process previously - either with Avanti or another train company. We just wanted to let you know the potential impact of continuing your application with Avanti may have on your existing results:

• If you are successful through the initial online questionnaire (the five tests you have been invited to do) you will then be asked to sit the online VSE and M7 tests. These tests are part of Avanti’s enhanced driver recruitment process so you will need to sit these again - regardless of whether you have completed them before. In addition, these tests will be part of your ‘2 attempts’ for those organisations, such as Avanti, that use these tests within their recruitment process.

• If you are successful on the VSE and M7 you may then only have to sit/re-sit certain elements of the face-to-face testing for the Avanti enhanced standard, for example, you may be asked to sit/re-sit the Group Bourdon and CBI Interview.

Please be advised that any tests you resit will override and supersede any existing results that you currently hold. This may mean your existing ‘pass’ could become a ‘fail’.

Please consider your application very carefully and if you have any concerns please email us atadmin@theopc.co.uk

The OPC

So according to this, does that mean if you failed the online VSE and M7 test, that fail is only applicable to the TOCs/FOCs that use these tests as part of their recruitment process? Therefore in theory if you applied for a TOC that doesnt use those tests but you already passed the OPC assessments previously, will they still accept you because they dont use the VSE and M7 and wont matter about the result eitherway?

What that doesn’t say is, the CBI overwrites the MMI. Also “you may be asked to resit group bourdon” if you pass you pass it won’t become a fail. Ie if I passed last time to standard and resit with avanti to gain enhanced and get standard again. It’s still a pass!

This is a good point a standard pass is still a pass and won't use a life.

 

[Sorcerer]

Do you have to do the 5 assessments in 1 go or can you do 1 and come back to the other 4…?

I think you probably can as long as you keep your log in credentials and have them finished by the deadline, but I would still recommended doing them all at once.

Speaking of, does anyone have an idea how long the OPC will take to mark the assessments and get back to you? I imagine 10 working days or so is the norm but I could be wrong. As of now though I'm taking no news as good news.

 

[Pk89]

So according to this, does that mean if you failed the online VSE and M7 test, that fail is only applicable to the TOCs/FOCs that use these tests as part of their recruitment process? Therefore in theory if you applied for a TOC that doesnt use those tests but you already passed the OPC assessments previously, will they still accept you because they dont use the VSE and M7 and wont matter about the result eitherway?

I think if you fail then you just have a fail on your system. You are only allowed 2 lives. Not 2 lives at advanced and 2 lives at standard. If you take the Avanti tests and fail to meet their pass rate, then its down as a fail regardless and one of your lives gone. It will override your current results as it is the most recent and if you fail then your latest result will simply be a fail. If you are in a talent bank then in theory you could be removed from it for having failed psychometrics.

 

[WombleGuard]

That's me out for this application then. Too much at risk.

 

[Ex2215]

I think if you fail then you just have a fail on your system. You are only allowed 2 lives. Not 2 lives at advanced and 2 lives at standard. If you take the Avanti tests and fail to meet their pass rate, then its down as a fail regardless and one of your lives gone. It will override your current results as it is the most recent and if you fail then your latest result will simply be a fail. If you are in a talent bank then in theory you could be removed from it for having failed psychometrics.

This contradicts Oldswan16's reply from OPC (first bullet point below) stating that you would only lose a life for those TOC's using those tests

Just received this…

Hello there

Thanks very much for applying for the role of Trainee Train Driver with Avanti West Coast.

We have identified that you have sat the process previously - either with Avanti or another train company. We just wanted to let you know the potential impact of continuing your application with Avanti may have on your existing results:

• If you are successful through the initial online questionnaire (the five tests you have been invited to do) you will then be asked to sit the online VSE and M7 tests. These tests are part of Avanti’s enhanced driver recruitment process so you will need to sit these again - regardless of whether you have completed them before. In addition, these tests will be part of your ‘2 attempts’ for those organisations, such as Avanti, that use these tests within their recruitment process.

• If you are successful on the VSE and M7 you may then only have to sit/re-sit certain elements of the face-to-face testing for the Avanti enhanced standard, for example, you may be asked to sit/re-sit the Group Bourdon and CBI Interview.

Please be advised that any tests you resit will override and supersede any existing results that you currently hold. This may mean your existing ‘pass’ could become a ‘fail’.

Please consider your application very carefully and if you have any concerns please email us atadmin@theopc.co.uk

The OPC

 

[Chippychips]

This contradicts Oldswan16's reply from OPC (first bullet point below) stating that you would only lose a life for those TOC's using those tests

Thats what I was thinking...

Also does anyone know if Avanti received/agreed a pay deal or pay rise in 2021 and 2022? Or have they been stuck on 67k since 2020?

 

[Neatro]

I think if you fail then you just have a fail on your system. You are only allowed 2 lives. Not 2 lives at advanced and 2 lives at standard. If you take the Avanti tests and fail to meet their pass rate, then its down as a fail regardless and one of your lives gone. It will override your current results as it is the most recent and if you fail then your latest result will simply be a fail. If you are in a talent bank then in theory you could be removed from it for having failed psychometrics.

From my understanding of it.

It's only a 1 of 2 fail for operators that use the M7 and VSE tests not everyone as most operators don't use those tests so you'd fail on a test that they don't use.

 

[tonyianmoore@g]

Received my invitation for Euston yesterday - just about to click through and do the tests. I'm guessing the SJT is "here is a situation, and four or five outcomes you have to rank" - of which the best choice and worst choice are stand-out obvious and they look to see how you rank those in between...

 

[PK96]

Just out of curiosity, and please correct me if I'm wrong.
The M7 and VSE are they done at the OPC? If not, then it's just a standard test being done by the TOC so no reason why a 'life' would be lost. If it's by a test center such as OPC then yes a life would be lost.

I didn't apply for this position wasn't aware of it, but for example myself I've passed everything at enhance level. If I met the criteria they request I wouldn't need to reset any correct?
Typically, most TOC or FOC send some SJC and anything else to be done before they let you know you was successful and pass you through to the OPC.

Therefore, anyone who has in my eyes got the email for being successful then that's great. However, even when you get to the OPC for example you will still have to do SJC again even if you have done one prior.

Might be wrong so please, go easy on me!

 

[Jonsutt]

Just out of curiosity, and please correct me if I'm wrong.
The M7 and VSE are they done at the OPC? If not, then it's just a standard test being done by the TOC so no reason why a 'life' would be lost. If it's by a test center such as OPC then yes a life would be lost.

I didn't apply for this position wasn't aware of it, but for example myself I've passed everything at enhance level. If I met the criteria they request I wouldn't need to reset any correct?
Typically, most TOC or FOC send some SJC and anything else to be done before they let you know you was successful and pass you through to the OPC.

Therefore, anyone who has in my eyes got the email for being successful then that's great. However, even when you get to the OPC for example you will still have to do SJC again even if you have done one prior.

Might be wrong so please, go easy on me!

I did the M7 and VSE earlier this year for elsewhere and they were both done at home. Also they weren't mentioned at the time as part of your 2 lives

 

[PK96]

I did the M7 and VSE earlier this year for elsewhere and they were both done at home. Also they weren't mentioned at the time as part of your 2 lives

That's exactly what I thought
Should not count towards your lives. Only when your at the actual OPC or another center.

 

[OldSwan16]

Assessments done. Fingers crossed we hear something back soon.

 

[Theoffs]

I am petrified to login and do the test.. how will I cope driving the train?

 

[Mbay]

I am petrified to login and do the test.. how will I cope driving the train?

Just get it done Theoffs

 

[Wyrleybart]

I am petrified to login and do the test.. how will I cope driving the train?

Perhaps rethink your career strategy? Youi really need to be positive and act quickly in the cab of a train, especially when things start going wrong.

 

[Sawasdee]

I am petrified to login and do the test.. how will I cope driving the train?

Lol. It’s actually straight forward.