Transpennine express - Standard & Enhanced?

[PB29]

I recently attended an assessment day in Leeds to be a trainee train driver with trans pennine express.

I passed all the tests to a "enhanced standard", up until the hand eye coordination test, which I passed but only at a "national level".

I think the joystick controls were a bit jerky, with delayed reaction but nevertheless I failed and as you can imagine I'm incredibly disappointed.

I've been told I can apply again in 6 months time or apply for another rail operator.

I'm looking for a bit of advice as to what to do next. Will trans pennine be taking on trainee drivers again in 6 months time or should I apply elsewhere.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Neatro]

I recently attended an assessment day in Leeds to be a trainee train driver with trans pennine express.

I passed all the tests to a "enhanced standard", up until the hand eye coordination test, which I passed but only at a "national level".

I think the joystick controls were a bit jerky, with delayed reaction but nevertheless I failed and as you can imagine I'm incredibly disappointed.

I've been told I can apply again in 6 months time or apply for another rail operator.

I'm looking for a bit of advice as to what to do next. Will trans pennine be taking on trainee drivers again in 6 months time or should I apply elsewhere.

Thanks in advance.

As far as I'm aware if you pass at a national level and not an enhanced level it isn't classed as a fail.

But you will have to wait 6 months to re-apply. But you will only have to retake the test you failed and not the rest of them.

 

[skyhigh]

Will trans pennine be taking on trainee drivers again in 6 months time or should I apply elsewhere.

Apply everywhere you're within location of would be my advice.

 

[PB29]

As far as I'm aware if you pass at a national level and not an enhanced level it isn't classed as a fail.

But you will have to wait 6 months to re-apply. But you will only have to retake the test you failed and not the rest of them.

I considered it a fail at first because I set my heart on this role but looking back I'm proud I've passed to national level.

Will

As far as I'm aware if you pass at a national level and not an enhanced level it isn't classed as a fail.

But you will have to wait 6 months to re-apply. But you will only have to retake the test you failed and not the rest of them.

Do you have any idea if they will be re-hiring again in 6 months? I'm not sure on how often trainee roles become available.

 

[Efini92]

I recently attended an assessment day in Leeds to be a trainee train driver with trans pennine express.

I passed all the tests to a "enhanced standard", up until the hand eye coordination test, which I passed but only at a "national level".

I think the joystick controls were a bit jerky, with delayed reaction but nevertheless I failed and as you can imagine I'm incredibly disappointed.

I've been told I can apply again in 6 months time or apply for another rail operator.

I'm looking for a bit of advice as to what to do next. Will trans pennine be taking on trainee drivers again in 6 months time or should I apply elsewhere.

Thanks in advance.

Most TOC’s will be having ongoing recruitments for years to come, transpennine included.
As some else pointed out apply everywhere, once you’re qualified you can go anywhere. I’ve known transpennine take on newly qualified drivers from northern.

 

[wacca78]

I know it feels like a fail but it isn’t. From what I’ve seen and having done it it’s running at around a 25% pass rate for the TPE assessments at enhanced level. I believe it’s one of the hardest to pass.

In the meantime like others say look around apply to other tocs as they may accept your pass for the joysticks. I think you’ll just have the MMI to do if they accept that so not all is lost. Keep trying and good luck!

 

[RMD]

Sorry to hear that bud, had exactly the same today! Passed all to enhanced apart from the joysticks which I passed to "enhanced level but not TPE enhanced." Unless I misheard the testing person, I didn't think that was a thing? Thought it was just enhanced or national... as I say it could be me mishearing as I did have my head in my lap after hearing I hadn't met the standard haha!

One thing I would say is I was kept waiting a few hours whilst others completed paper tests which I felt disadvantaged me to an extent as I was just sat twiddling my thumbs in the waiting room. Also got told that there is some lag on the joysticks, is this normal? I have the tests again with another TOC soon so hoping to glean any info in advance that might help me square away these pesky joysticks.

 

[klkl]

I passed to "enhanced level but not TPE enhanced." Unless I misheard the testing person, I didn't think that was a thing? Thought it was just enhanced or national...

As I understand it each TOC determines what their own enhanced passmark is. So TPE might require +20 points above the national passmark for a test whereas Northern might only require +10 for their enhanced standard to be met (Numbers and TOCs plucked out of the air as illustrations).

This is why it’s confusing and difficult to compare the TOCs in terms of pass criteria at the assessments.

 

[Owen2323]

Don't quote me 100% on this but I've recently done the tests to Northerns enhanced standard and I'm pretty sure I was told on the day their only elements of the psychometric testing to enhanced standard is the Group Bourdon and TRP. I'm sure it was said the computer tests were all done to National level only so you'd be well advised to apply for them if they have a base near you......... Also the OPC website has a link stating who requires National and who requires enhanced so you'd be well advised to apply to anyone requiring National standard. As someone else has pointed out don't be disheartened - you've passed to National standard on your first attempt and should be very proud of that! Apply for everything you can while your scores are valid

 

[strawman75]

I was told that TPE have one of the highest enhanced standards and only around 8% reach it.

 

[AverageJoe]

So the good news is if you pass TPE tests you get a good job, the bad news is you find out you are rainman

 

[ALPAL]

Don't quote me 100% on this but I've recently done the tests to Northerns enhanced standard and I'm pretty sure I was told on the day their only elements of the psychometric testing to enhanced standard is the Group Bourdon and TRP. I'm sure it was said the computer tests were all done to National level only so you'd be well advised to apply for them if they have a base near you......... Also the OPC website has a link stating who requires National and who requires enhanced so you'd be well advised to apply to anyone requiring National standard. As someone else has pointed out don't be disheartened - you've passed to National standard on your first attempt and should be very proud of that! Apply for everything you can while your scores are valid

All elements of the psychometrics can have higher pass marks for individual TOCS, including the computer tests and MMI. Northern has enhanced requirements on GB, TRP, TEA-OCC, WAFV, 2 hand coordination AND MMI. I know of a candidate who had all of the above passed with WMT (another enhanced TOC) but was required to do them all again to pass for Northern - they failed.

 

[PB29]

Sorry to hear that bud, had exactly the same today! Passed all to enhanced apart from the joysticks which I passed to "enhanced level but not TPE enhanced." Unless I misheard the testing person, I didn't think that was a thing? Thought it was just enhanced or national... as I say it could be me mishearing as I did have my head in my lap after hearing I hadn't met the standard haha!

One thing I would say is I was kept waiting a few hours whilst others completed paper tests which I felt disadvantaged me to an extent as I was just sat twiddling my thumbs in the waiting room. Also got told that there is some lag on the joysticks, is this normal? I have the tests again with another TOC soon so hoping to glean any info in advance that might help me square away these pesky joysticks.

Sorry for you as well pal. I had the exact same problem with the joysticks, they were definitely lagging

 

[iwasyoungonce]

They are the same joystick's for everybody who uses that panel and they've been in use for years but yet some seem to pass ?

 

[ALPAL]

Sorry for you as well pal. I had the exact same problem with the joysticks, they were definitely lagging

They are calibrated units so I doubt there was any issue with it, what you saw was likely what was supposed to happen. They are checked for calibration before use, I was watching the lady do it through the glass wall, she was having to press the buttons on command and then did a thing with the joysticks drawing a box several times.

 

[RMD]

They are the same joystick's for everybody who uses that panel and they've been in use for years but yet some seem to pass ?

I think you're missing the point of my question, to which PB29 has replied he also experienced lag. Neither of us have said this only happened for us, merely asking whether this is normal.

 

[sportzbar]

I think you're missing the point of my question, to which PB29 has replied he also experienced lag. Neither of us have said this only happened for us, merely asking whether this is normal.

I'd say that the lag is definitely normal. It was nearly 8 years ago when I did my tests with TPE (passed everything, got offered position and then suddenly they decided they weren't doing the course), but that's another story. I'm now with another TOC and yes it's taken forever (started my training in 2019 and only just getting round to final passout in a few weeks, thanks Covid), but one thing that has struck me is the response of the brakes on any unit. There is a lag, it's not instantaneous. I think this why it's part of the test.....

 

[RMD]

I'd say that the lag is definitely normal. It was nearly 8 years ago when I did my tests with TPE (passed everything, got offered position and then suddenly they decided they weren't doing the course), but that's another story. I'm now with another TOC and yes it's taken forever (started my training in 2019 and only just getting round to final passout in a few weeks, thanks Covid), but one thing that has struck me is the response of the brakes on any unit. There is a lag, it's not instantaneous. I think this why it's part of the test.....

Cheers mate. Know it might have been a while ago now but any tips on the joysticks? I held them at the top without my hands resting on the board which I feel might have been a bad move. Any tips from anyone greatly appreciated.

 

[sportzbar]

Cheers mate. Know it might have been a while ago now but any tips on the joysticks? I held them at the top without my hands resting on the board which I feel might have been a bad move. Any tips from anyone greatly appreciated.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Mar 2022 ==

Just imagine them as an extension of your hands and relax. Try not to overthink it. Sorry I can't be more help than that....

 

[ALPAL]

Cheers mate. Know it might have been a while ago now but any tips on the joysticks? I held them at the top without my hands resting on the board which I feel might have been a bad move. Any tips from anyone greatly appreciated.

If you hold them at the top the teeniest tiniest movement of your hand will cause the greatest movement of the ball, so hold them lower down.

Use the practice session wisely to learn the movement, if you don't take the ball to the end on the practice session the practice session gives you loads of time. I spent so long playing I got a message saying "Contact the administrator" and she came back and reset it.

Be aware that if you go off the track it is not a fail, they are looking for fast and accurate movements around the rough shape, not for you to stay perfectly on the track. I moved through each one with speed and probably went off 5-6 times per go, I got steadily worse as I went through and my hands were moving too much and throwing the ball off a lot. I still passed to an enhanced standard though as each time I went off I went back to the track instantly.

The software below is £25 and is good practice, you can use an Xbox controller on it to imitate using the two joysticks. One of the tracks is almost identical to the real one if you do it in reverse, just move the ball to the end of the track but don't touch the end zone so you can reverse around the track in the direction the real test goes.

Driver Hand Coordination Exercise | Trainee Train Driver Info

traineetraindriverinfo.com

 

[iwasyoungonce]

Some great advice @ALPAL @sportzbar on passing the test, for everyone sitting it again good luck.

 

[Papa]

You have a pass at the moment, just be aware if you take the test again and fail the joysticks that overwrites you previous result and would be a lost life and have to wait another 6 month. Keep an eye out for TOCs recruiting in your local area.

 

[Stigy]

Sorry to hear that bud, had exactly the same today! Passed all to enhanced apart from the joysticks which I passed to "enhanced level but not TPE enhanced." Unless I misheard the testing person, I didn't think that was a thing? Thought it was just enhanced or national... as I say it could be me mishearing as I did have my head in my lap after hearing I hadn't met the standard haha!

One thing I would say is I was kept waiting a few hours whilst others completed paper tests which I felt disadvantaged me to an extent as I was just sat twiddling my thumbs in the waiting room. Also got told that there is some lag on the joysticks, is this normal? I have the tests again with another TOC soon so hoping to glean any info in advance that might help me square away these pesky joysticks.

Sorry to hear. You say you have another test soon? You do realise you have to wait 6 months between attempts?

 

[ALPAL]

Sorry to hear. You say you have another test soon? You do realise you have to wait 6 months between attempts?

Technically RMD has passed the assessments so surely this wouldn't apply, it's likely they'll only have to sit the 2 hand coordination test.

I also thought it was individual TOC's rules that state 6 months between attempts if you fail with the same TOC?

 

[ParZival]

It's OPC rules that states 6 months between attempts.

 

[RMD]

Hi all, thanks for your advice.

I'm at an assessment day today with a different TOC and thankfully the 2 hand test I took last week is a good enough pass so just waiting for my MMI. The interviewers looked very puzzled when I told them I hadn't met TPEs enhanced standard, they said they'd never heard of it before so who knows.

They did also tell me I wouldn't be able to sit the tests again with any another TOC for 6 months which seems slightly unfair as I didn't fail but there we go. Unless that means I wouldn't be able to sit the test with a company requiring a higher pass on the 2 hand test. I'll try and clarify later.

 

[ALPAL]

Hi all, thanks for your advice.

I'm at an assessment day today with a different TOC and thankfully the 2 hand test I took last week is a good enough pass so just waiting for my MMI. The interviewers looked very puzzled when I told them I hadn't met TPEs enhanced standard, they said they'd never heard of it before so who knows.

They did also tell me I wouldn't be able to sit the tests again with any another TOC for 6 months which seems slightly unfair as I didn't fail but there we go. Unless that means I wouldn't be able to sit the test with a company requiring a higher pass on the 2 hand test. I'll try and clarify later.

Yea, seems a bit odd as you've passed them.

I can understand it if you failed, in that case there is a risk you'll remember your mistakes and how to get round them so it isn't an accurate test.

Good luck though!

 

[Stigy]

Technically RMD has passed the assessments so surely this wouldn't apply, it's likely they'll only have to sit the 2 hand coordination test.

I also thought it was individual TOC's rules that state 6 months between attempts if you fail with the same TOC?

It’s not the TOC specific, but national.

As far as I’m aware it’s not the fact that the test was passed to any given standard, it’s that it was taken. The rules would be the same as failing and then going back to resit assessments. If they went to a TOC who only requires national standard passes then obviously this wouldn’t apply as they’d not need to resit any.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Yea, seems a bit odd as you've passed them.

I can understand it if you failed, in that case there is a risk you'll remember your mistakes and how to get round them so it isn't an accurate test.

Good luck though!

Yes, the 6 month rule is to make sure it's a 'fresh test' so to speak, if you can remember it vividly then it would skew the results and be incorrect, however, I imagine it's no that common to have someone come back to just sit the MMI on its own within the 6 month timeframe given the length of time railway recruitment tends to take

 

[AverageJoe]

Yes, the 6 month rule is to make sure it's a 'fresh test' so to speak, if you can remember it vividly then it would skew the results and be incorrect, however, I imagine it's no that common to have someone come back to just sit the MMI on its own within the 6 month timeframe given the length of time railway recruitment tends to take

That makes me wonder how TOC’s feel about all this practice material available. When you can practice the tests over and over again you can probably train the muscle memory to pass them but it won’t necessarily mean you have the skills they are testing for.