Upcoming CBI - Can anyone help please?

[rookie]

Hello,

I've got my CBI for FCC coming up soon and I'm trying to do as much prep as possible.

I was wondering if anyone on the forum has sat one for FCC and could help with the following please:

On the written part, how many sub questions are asked for each main question? (On my practice material there are two examples).

And, on average how many sub questions do you get asked at the verbal stage? (There are six on the practice material).

I have a good idea (from reading here) which questions to expect but would welcome hearing from anyone who has experienced the interview, especially with FCC.

Thanks for reading. Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[LCC106]

Hi Krudger and welcome to the forum. Could you confirm what a CBI is please? Cheers and good luck!

 

[rookie]

Hello LCC106 and thanks.

Yes, Criteria Based Interview or Structured Interview as it's sometimes referred as.

Thanks.

 

[LCC106]

Ah! I remember the structured interview well! I don't want to give too much away, since I believe the interview itself is about seeing how well you can think on your feet and perform under pressure. I would say, however, once you've written your answers and whilst the interviewer is reading them, think of other examples you may have that could be equally appropriate. Also, try to relax and remember it's not in the company's interest to fail you at what I guess is the final hurdle!
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(Mine was not with FCC)

 

[rookie]

Thanks LCC106 - I fully understand you not wanting to give too much away.

I'm most interested in the breakdown of the written part to help with my timing and not any actual content.

If I'm successful at this stage, then there's a Managers interview to follow.

 

[TheVicLine]

I posted all the bourdon and reaction test files in the 'Becoming a train driver' thread a few months ago. Have a look in there as they should be there for download.

 

[Beveridges]

As you know there are 5 written questions, and each written question has 1 or 2 sub questions if I remember right. You get 30 minutes.

Then you get the verbal "grilling" which takes about an hour. There are about 5 to 8 sub questions on this part if I remember right.

For example, on the inevitable question Describe a time when you have had to work alone for long periods, sub questions were

4.1. What was the work that you had to do for long periods?

4.2. How long a time where you working alone for?

4.3. How did you maintain concentration while working alone?

4.4. How do you feel about working alone, for long periods?

4.5. Explain why you like working alone

 

[rookie]

Beveridges - That's a great help. Very detailed. Thanks.

No excuses for failing the working alone section now!

Cheers for your help (and time).

 

[Beveridges]

Note that those where what I got asked on the verbal grilling part and because I'm only going off memory and this was back in Oct 2008, do not expect exactly the same sub questions! But you will almost certainly get the same base question about working alone.

 

[rookie]

Noted Beveridges. Thanks again for your insight.

Can't say I'm looking forward to the grilling, but all necessary.
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Beveridges (or anyone else who's had a structured interview),

Re. Solving a difficult problem question.

I have three options and would welcome advice on what to go with. 1) Dealing with an aggressive customer 2) A major practical DIY house problem. 3) Organising a big event from scratch.

Thoughts welcome. Cheers.

 

[LCC106]

Number 1 is closest to possible real life scenarios you could face on the railway...

 

[Polar]

I had my cbi with fcc today it is the same 6 questions as normal . You only get 25min to write down all your answers I was amazed how quick that went and I know several other people didnt finish all the questions in time.

 

[Beveridges]

I had my cbi with fcc today it is the same 6 questions as normal . You only get 25min to write down all your answers I was amazed how quick that went and I know several other people didnt finish all the questions in time.

I would have ran out of time myself if I hadn't pre planned my answers before going in, by researching what the usual questions are... You really do not get long at all.

 

[rookie]

That's my dilemma LCC106. The customer is more appropriate to the role, but I can go into much more detail with the practical and event scenarios and probably form better responses.
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I had my cbi with fcc today it is the same 6 questions as normal. You only get 25min to write down all your answers I was amazed how quick that went and I know several other people didnt finish all the questions in time.

Hello Polar - Thanks for your post and I hope it went well for you.

Out of interest, was the 6th question working under pressure or achieving a goal?

25 minutes - pressure on!

 

[Polar]

That's my dilemma LCC106. The customer is more appropriate to the role, but I can go into much more detail with the practical and event scenarios and probably form better responses.
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Hello Polar - Thanks for your post and I hope it went well for you.

Out of interest, was the 6th question working under pressure or achieving a goal?

25 minutes - pressure on!

Sorry I ment 5 question
Hello
They were the usal
Name a time when you have had to deal with an emergency situation?
When have you had to work to set rules and procudures
When have you had to work alone for long periods?
Describe a time you have had to deal with a difficult problem?
When have you been on a training course lastinf longer then two eeeks OR what is your greatest acheivment?

As other people have said tryto have more then one example for each of them and know the details well.
My interview lasted an hour others over an hour and a half.
Is yours in Cambridge?

 

[TDK]

Sorry I ment 5 question
Hello
They were the usal
Name a time when you have had to deal with an emergency situation?
When have you had to work to set rules and procudures
When have you had to work alone for long periods?
Describe a time you have had to deal with a difficult problem?
When have you been on a training course lastinf longer then two eeeks OR what is your greatest acheivment?

As other people have said tryto have more then one example for each of them and know the details well.
My interview lasted an hour others over an hour and a half.
Is yours in Cambridge?

Another point is to remember what you put in your original application form!

 

[rookie]

Sorry I ment 5 question
As other people have said tryto have more then one example for each of them and know the details well.
My interview lasted an hour others over an hour and a half.
Is yours in Cambridge?

Cheers Polar. Yes, had mine the day after you. haven't had a chance to reply earlier. Thanks for the advice. Hard to say how it went other than it was a strange experience!

 

[rookie]

Just want to say thanks to everyone who replied to my post and offered me advice. Yesterday, I received good news that I have progressed to the Manager's interview. I'm hoping that this final interview with FCC will be less structured and more about me, the company and the role. Thanks again.

 

[choo~choo]

Just want to say thanks to everyone who replied to my post and offered me advice. Yesterday, I received good news that I have progressed to the Manager's interview. I'm hoping that this final interview with FCC will be less structured and more about me, the company and the role. Thanks again.

How would answer your first post on this thread for others??

Congrats btw

 

[LCC106]

Well done Krudger. Fingers crossed for the next stage...

 

[rookie]

Well done Krudger. Fingers crossed for the next stage...

Thanks LCC106. Yes, busy doing my homework for the next stage but there's only so much you can prepare for as there's bound to be things that are left field.
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How would answer your first post on this thread for others??

Congrats btw

Thanks. I would say that on the written part there is normally one sub-question per main question and be prepared for anything up to 6-8 questions on the verbal part. On a couple, I had to delve into my third example so have three strong examples for all main questions as others have already said on here.