Transpennine Express New Trainee Driver Vacancies

[Nuttytoffee]

As a marker with the dials test, I did mine for FGW and answered 36. I thought they were all correct and achieved a 'good pass'. Good luck those still in the race.

 

[Flyboy]

Eduardo - Well if it was the 4 dials test that you did and managed to reach 36 or 37 accurately answered questions then that's very good going so well done.

 

[DunfordBridge]

I am writing about the First TPX driver vacancy at York. I have missed out on the assessments this time round but I was intrigued to hear that there was no Mechanical Comprehension Test. I understand that this has now been replaced by the Driver Fault Finding Test.

I have been on the OPC website and have looked extensively on the internet for examples but not too much joy so far. I am good at most of the tests but the DFFT seems like an entirely different proposition.

I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction. Secondly, can anyone say which other TOCs utilise the DFFT other than First Transpennine and obviously, London Overground?

Any assistance would be appreciated. This is my first time on the forum.

 

[Flyboy]

:neutral: My lips are sealed!

DunfordBridge - I would suggest doing a search on here for DFFT as there's a reasonable amount of information about it.

There's even a topic about it HERE.

 

[sidekick]

The waiting for results for this is the worst part! Has anyone done this process in the past, and if so were the results received in the 7-10 days stated? I feel like I stuffed 2 of the tests yesterday, would be nice to be put out of my misery sooner than later! Patience is a virtue and all that...

 

[Luke185]

The waiting for results for this is the worst part! Has anyone done this process in the past, and if so were the results received in the 7-10 days stated? I feel like I stuffed 2 of the tests yesterday, would be nice to be put out of my misery sooner than later! Patience is a virtue and all that...

Suspect the way things went after DFFT (which TPE administered themselves) it may not be until the very end of next week or even the beginning of the week of Stage 3. Especially if OPC have to mark them all themselves and do all the admin for them, then forward the results to TPE, and TPE then have to go through and decide who they want to progress to Stage 3. It would be great to hear in the next 5 days, but I suspect it could be right down to possibly being only a couple of days notice! Time will tell!

 

[DunfordBridge]

Thanks, Flyboy. but I have actually read most of the material. Looking for the DFFT test amongst these pages on occasion is actually harder than doing the Group Bourdon test, or the Group Barton test as someone humourously referred to it.

Another humourous reference to the Barton test was in a post by W230. When he took the test, someone in the hall kept saying, "four," every time he hit a target symbol. Obviously forgot where he was and thought he was on a golf course instead.

Going off even further at a tangent, I read another reference about playing Tetris as preparation for the DTG test. Having used different methods of practising for the DTG test, I am of the opinion that Tetris is not adequate preparation as it does not prepare you for differently coloured circles appearing at random points all over the screen.

I would even go so far as to say that one of the few people who could walk into the test and excel with no preparation would be professional boxers as they would hopefully be used to being hit rapidly from different angles. Not that I recommend this approach.

Where Tetris is helpful is in developing mental agility in general and I feel that this helped me enjoy success on the concentration tests.

Going back to my point, I was hoping to see an example of the DFFT before I miraculously receive an invitation for any future assessment. I did not fancy having to cram my preparation into potentially less than seven days before the assessment.

 

[Flyboy]

Post #5 in the above topic is about the best description of the test I think you're going to find, I certainly have never seen any actual examples.

In regard to Tetris being a good preparatory tool for DTG, errr NO, just as you said. You can, or could, download the DTG from this website, just do a search and you'll find it.

 

[DunfordBridge]

Thanks for the advice, Flyboy. It will save me some time. I already have a DTG download from some Kris Mason character if memory serves me correctly.

 

[TDK]

I would even go so far as to say that one of the few people who could walk into the test and excel with no preparation would be professional boxers

And drummers

 

[derek3862]

My application is stil lshowing awaiting shortlisting.

what does that mean? ive missed this intake?

 

[W230]

Another humourous reference to the Barton test was in a post by W230. When he took the test, someone in the hall kept saying, "four," every time he hit a target symbol. Obviously forgot where he was and thought he was on a golf course instead.

Sure was off putting - I had my finger in my left ear to try and drown him out so must have looked comical!

Going back to my point, I was hoping to see an example of the DFFT before I miraculously receive an invitation for any future assessment. I did not fancy having to cram my preparation into potentially less than seven days before the assessment.

I believe all First Group TOCs do it and it's pretty straight forward.

It's logic based fault finding. Basically: "If A, B and C happen then do X, Y and Z and write 123 in the box". While you won't find exact examples of it online, the practice material they send out to you before the test is very similar and i'm sure there will be plenty of books/internet stuff with similar sort of feel to it if you have a good dig.

 

[DunfordBridge]

My application is stil lshowing awaiting shortlisting.

what does that mean? ive missed this intake?

This is a bit of a double-edged sword. You can presently still apply for other trainee driver jobs in the First Group. Not that I know of anything going in the area with First Tranpennine or First Hull Trains, unless there are positions with First Great Western or First Scotrail that might be of interest.

Personally, I am glad that they have changed my status timely from, "Awaiting shortlisting," to the status of rejected so I can get my 3 month ban over and done with as quickly as possible as it reduces the odds of my missing out on any future joibs in my area.

I believe that if you are rejected at the assessment centre, you have to wait 6 months before re-applying for a similar role. In my case, I was rejected at the short-listing stage, so thankfully, I only have a 3 month ban on this occasion.

Having said that, your situation may be unique. I do not know, for example, if you have passed all the assessments on a prior occasion. If I was you, I would send a courteous email to First Group Personnel to see what the crack is.

This does bring me onto another point actually. Some TOCs such as Northern have a stipulation that you must live within 30 minutes of the depot to which you are applying. I was wondering if such a ruling exisited with the First Group as I have never been able to obtain a fairly conclusive answer to this one.

Theoretically speaking, would there be much point in applying for jobs with First Capital Connect, where I would expect to see more drivers' jobs, considering I live in the North?

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I believe all First Group TOCs do it and it's pretty straight forward.

It's logic based fault finding. Basically: "If A, B and C happen then do X, Y and Z and write 123 in the box". While you won't find exact examples of it online, the practice material they send out to you before the test is very similar and i'm sure there will be plenty of books/internet stuff with similar sort of feel to it if you have a good dig.

I have seen an example of a basic fault finding test in the book, How To Become a Train Driver, and a similar example to that in the book, under the simpler description of, "Fault Finding Test," on the OPC website itself.

These examples do seem somewhat tamer than what has been described about the DFFT but the principle is probably the same. Basically I get concerned about these tests when they are not so familiar.

From what I have read so far, it seems a bit similar to the Ticket Selling Test that is a part of the conductor assessment with all this talk of having to cross-reference multiple sheets of information. At this point I am wondering how much time they give you to divulge the information on the multiple sheets before the proper test begins.

Going back to your Group Boourdon test, I am surprised that the other candiate was not approached about his distracting manner. Maybe they are not allowed to distract him during the test although he was clearly distracting others with his interjections.

Maybe in future, they should say to candidates, on no account must you impersonate Tiger Woods until the test has finished.

 

[Flyboy]

The practice Fault-Finding Test on the OPC website bears no resemblance to the FTPE DFFT at all.

 

[TMLB UK]

The practice Fault-Finding Test on the OPC website bears no resemblance to the FTPE DFFT at all.

This is the way things are going to be now I think. No practice material so that the whole of the Internet isnt littered with tests to help you pass. I think for the DFFT you just want to carry out some brain training before hand. Get sharp and focused ready for the tests. It's not something you can revise for really and if I ever do it again ill just be working on my quick thinking.

 

[Merrydown]

.....

 

[Bert and Ernie]

When I did it last time two years ago I found out the day after at about 15:00. This was with tpe. But these things have a tendency to change.

I am worried that I'm gonna wear out my refresh button though

 

[Alpha Tango]

Fingers crossed it will be sooner rather than later just so we get to know our fate. So far we have not had much in the way of notice (5 days and 4 days notice for me) so I think at the earliest it will be the end of the week or more like early next week. Good Luck to all who's still in the running.

 

[Mattm123]

Anyone's status on the website changed yet? They seem to change the status on the website before sending emails lol

 

[youngboy]

Ok admit it who keeps checking their status on the FTPE applicant page.
When do we think that we will find out?

She did say 7 days mate so I would expect end of this week for some to maybe receive news. In fact for the second stage assessment's a few on here were notified on the Thursday and I heard nothing until the following Monday afternoon, my status on the FTPE website has never altered for weeks, it still says invited for assessment and the date 26/03/2013. So it's never changed for the second stage, it doesn't matter anyway because I've always received text message notification asking me to check my e-mails.

 

[tpc]

just checked mine now, it says unsuccessful assessment, gutted. not sure which part iv messed up but i'll try again. good luck to everyone else

 

[youngboy]

just checked mine now, it says unsuccessful assessment, gutted. not sure which part iv messed up but i'll try again. good luck to everyone else

Sorry to hear that mate, don't be too despondent I'm expecting the same. Never tried before and the experience has been great up to now.

 

[Merrydown]

.....

 

[TheVicLine]

When I took it any fails with the reaction test were told there and then and sent home. They told us it was a 75% pass rate and that was about right with my group about a quarter walked.

 

[TMLB UK]

Yet again we are clearly going to get 3 or so days notice for the final date of assessments!

I'm convinced now that its to get numbers down even more!! Surely they have the OPC and the hotel booked already by now.

It's crazy to say the least!

 

[Supersaint57]

I was only given 5 days notice last time, so it's still within those timescales. The first day for the next assessments is the 24th and they are running for 3 days. I would think next Monday 22nd would be the latest day anyone who has been invited will receive notification.

 

[Merrydown]

.....

 

[SilentChill]

I can't believe nobody has had an email.

Monday it is then I guess, 48 hours notice would be bob on........

 

[ORCH768]

Looks that way. Checked my email from last time, it was on the Monday, giving me four days notice. Guess it's gonna be the same again.

 

[Mattm123]

Looks that way. Checked my email from last time, it was on the Monday, giving me four days notice. Guess it's gonna be the same again.

What do you guys status say on the applicant status check page?