Vienna Test System

[plastictaffy]

Afternoon all.
Went and tried the second bit of testing with GTR at Watford yesterday and failed one of the modules. The bit I failed was the 2 handed co-ordination test. My accuracy was good, apparently the speed was too slow. As far as I'm aware, speed wasn't an issue on that test - but clearly I was wrong.
Anyway, my question is this: Because I failed only one module of the test, does the 2 strikes rule still apply?? OPC seem to think it does, but it does seem to be a little bit of a grey area, as his answer didn't really answer it. He just said "You need to be aware that if you fail today, you only have one more attempt at it." I've heard of guys at my TOC taking three and four attempts to pass the tests.

Also, he didn't show me my results, which I find odd. Apparently I "wouldn't understand them, and they are confidential" - but it was only me and the assessor in the room.

Is there any way I may be able to see them for myself - possibly my Manager or a driver manager at my current place of work being able to get hold of them for me?? I'm mainly curious as to what I actually did wrong, whether it was the speed per circuit, or the overall speed, or even if I could have sacrificed a lot more accuracy for a better time.

 

[SPADTrap]

I wasn't aware that 'speed' was a factor on the 2 Hand Coordination either! Sorry to hear it didn't go well.

It will be a life spent, any part of the assessments count in that respect.

When I started with my TOC they gave me assessment results on day 1, they were a bit nonsensical but they gave the minimum pass level for each test so we could at least see our performance against the standard, we were also given a 'level bar' breakdown and explanation of our results which was quite helpful to see. As far as I know it is in my drivers file probably never to be looked at again.

OPC seem an odd outfit at times.

 

[plastictaffy]

We were also told that GTR apparently have a higher test passmark. He said I wasn't that far out. I'm wondering if what isn't a pass for GTR might be a pass for my current TOC. I was told that speed isn't a factor, by two different people that have both taken the tests in the last 6 or so months.
One wonders if GTR want speed taken into account, the same as they want drivers to do the DFFT test, which isn't an industry standard thing, it's just one extra they choose to do.

 

[387star]

Normally They would tell you if you passed to national standards
However different tocs have different enhanced scores greater anglia different to C2c for example

how did you find the flashing box... I found it easy at first but there was a bizarre moment been it was flashing what looked like darker and darker shades but not as dark as the black

 

[Mumbo]

We were also told that GTR apparently have a higher test passmark. He said I wasn't that far out. I'm wondering if what isn't a pass for GTR might be a pass for my current TOC. I was told that speed isn't a factor, by two different people that have both taken the tests in the last 6 or so months.
One wonders if GTR want speed taken into account, the same as they want drivers to do the DFFT test, which isn't an industry standard thing, it's just one extra they choose to do.

The OPC guy 'Chris' confirmed that the Vienna test is marked at the national standard and not at a higher level. The higher GTR level is only applied to the first stage of the assessments.

I was one of the other lads nervously waiting, thankfully I got through to the MMI with one of the other guys (the other smoker).

Sorry you didnt get through but at least now you know where you went wrong.

 

[387star]

Interesting C2C higher score the Vienna

 

[plastictaffy]

Mumbo - having seen your location, I know exactly which one you are. Pleased for you!!!

Indeed I do know where I went wrong. Problem is, I don't know how it's even possible to go faster. I saw you do the last 3 or 4 circuits, we seemed fairly evenly matched, speedwise. Sorry I didn't shake your hand and that on the way out, I was just absolutely stunned. There was me telling you to not rush it, keep calm and that, and I go and stuff it up myself.

I understand that my own TOC will be running a course towards the back end of this year. I still have a live application with them, so we'll see how that progresses, assuming the 6 months have elapsed when I get sent for testing.

I am delighted for you pal, and I hope you get it. When I first met you at Moorgate, I sort of saw you getting the job. How did you go at the MMI??

 

[Mumbo]

Mumbo - having seen your location, I know exactly which one you are. Pleased for you!!!

Indeed I do know where I went wrong. Problem is, I don't know how it's even possible to go faster. I saw you do the last 3 or 4 circuits, we seemed fairly evenly matched, speedwise. Sorry I didn't shake your hand and that on the way out, I was just absolutely stunned. There was me telling you to not rush it, keep calm and that, and I go and stuff it up myself.

I understand that my own TOC will be running a course towards the back end of this year. I still have a live application with them, so we'll see how that progresses, assuming the 6 months have elapsed when I get sent for testing.

I am delighted for you pal, and I hope you get it. When I first met you at Moorgate, I sort of saw you getting the job. How did you go at the MMI??

No need to apologise as I'm sure you had a lot on your mind and thank you for the kind words

The MMI wasnt as bad as I was expecting, the guy was very good and made it a comfortable environment which helped me to relax. TBH I think I came up short on the experience/role that I have performed similar to a train driver but I'll just have to wait and see, just really pleased to have got so far considering I only made the decision to start applying last September and this forum has been invaluable.

Reckon the other guy has a good chance with the experience he's had work wise.

I hope you manage to get another good crack at the whip and nail it second time round

 

[plastictaffy]

Reckon the other guy has a good chance with the experience he's had work wise.

I hope you manage to get another good crack at the whip and nail it second time round

The experience the other guy says he has. He was telling me he runs a business in Australia or something, and that he's already earning great money. Then the payslip he showed them was from an agency I used to work on the forks for.

I'm not sure he has as much experience he says he has. He struck me as the sort of bloke that if you had an elephant, he had a box to put it in, you know exactly the sort of geezer I mean?? I think it's very unfair that you're not told about the MMI result before you leave. You're now relying on the whim of a railway recruitment department. Continental drift moves faster.

 

[332 > 444]

The OPC guy 'Chris' confirmed that the Vienna test is marked at the national standard and not at a higher level. The higher GTR level is only applied to the first stage of the assessments.

I was one of the other lads nervously waiting, thankfully I got through to the MMI with one of the other guys (the other smoker).

Sorry you didnt get through but at least now you know where you went wrong.

Sorry to ask a stupidly obvious question, but are you saying stage 1 for GTR at OPC is requiring an enhanced pass?

I know Chiltern, L. Overground and Crossrail are enhanced passes, dunno about other TOCs.

 

[plastictaffy]

Sorry to ask a stupidly obvious question, but are you saying stage 1 for GTR at OPC is requiring an enhanced pass?

I know Chiltern, L. Overground and Crossrail are enhanced passes, dunno about other TOCs.

Allegedly, yes. They could just be saying that to put a little more pressure on you, though.

 

[Mumbo]

The experience the other guy says he has. He was telling me he runs a business in Australia or something, and that he's already earning great money. Then the payslip he showed them was from an agency I used to work on the forks for.

I'm not sure he has as much experience he says he has. He struck me as the sort of bloke that if you had an elephant, he had a box to put it in, you know exactly the sort of geezer I mean?? I think it's very unfair that you're not told about the MMI result before you leave. You're now relying on the whim of a railway recruitment department. Continental drift moves faster.

I was under the impression he was a chef at a private school........

I got the nod for a DM interview today, am chuffed to bits Just need to work out how I'm going to blag the day off as I've only just started my current job and am in training.

I have at least been given the option of choosing my date but will need to ask if I can also choose a time.

Can anybody tell me where GTR hold these DM interviews and give me a little bit of background about what to expect? anything would be much appreciated
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Sorry to ask a stupidly obvious question, but are you saying stage 1 for GTR at OPC is requiring an enhanced pass?

I know Chiltern, L. Overground and Crossrail are enhanced passes, dunno about other TOCs.

Yep, it was stated on more than one occasion that the first stage is assessed at a higher pass mark than the national standard. So if you fail with GTR at this stage you may still have potentially passed the national mark by which other TOC's measure.

 

[airbus]

Can anybody tell me where GTR hold these DM interviews and give me a little bit of background about what to expect? anything would be much appreciated

I had my DM interview in GTR offices 5mins walk from Old Street station with two drivers managers.

The questions were very typical for a job interview and a few questions where they put you in a train driver's shoes and ask you what you would do (customer service, safety, etc) in a given scenario. They just want you to use your common sense - there were no tricky, difficult questions to try and catch you out. If you have a positive attitude and show them that you are motivated to work hard, excited to start a new career and believe in the company's values - there really is nothing to worry about. Just prepare for the most common job interview questions which you can google as there were quite a few of them.

I was told that the test was being scored so I believe the results are more or less objective.

I heard I was successful after just a week and was given my start date straight away. I still can't believe I got through and Im starting next week!

Good luck! The process is very quick with GTR at the moment so you shouldnt have to wait long for the response after the interview.

 

[Mumbo]

I had my DM interview in GTR offices 5mins walk from Old Street station with two drivers managers.

The questions were very typical for a job interview and a few questions where they put you in a train driver's shoes and ask you what you would do (customer service, safety, etc) in a given scenario. They just want you to use your common sense - there were no tricky, difficult questions to try and catch you out. If you have a positive attitude and show them that you are motivated to work hard, excited to start a new career and believe in the company's values - there really is nothing to worry about. Just prepare for the most common job interview questions which you can google as there were quite a few of them.

I was told that the test was being scored so I believe the results are more or less objective.

I heard I was successful after just a week and was given my start date straight away. I still can't believe I got through and Im starting next week!

Good luck! The process is very quick with GTR at the moment so you shouldnt have to wait long for the response after the interview.

Thanks Airbus that's great advice and much appreciated. What about company info? routes, CEO, history that sort of thing? I actually brushed up on this before the 2nd assessments and wasn't asked a thing

Congratulations on the pass and good luck too

 

[airbus]

Thanks Airbus that's great advice and much appreciated. What about company info? routes, CEO, history that sort of thing? I actually brushed up on this before the 2nd assessments and wasn't asked a thing

Congratulations on the pass and good luck too

Thanks Of course prepare for this as well. Show them that you have done your research and that you know what you are getting yourself into.

This is very useful

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thameslink_and_Great_Northern

as it is very clear about the routes operated, stock and plans for the future. Of course they wouldnt expect you to know every little detail about the company but demonstrate that it is THE company that you would like to work for because of this and that... And there are really exciting times coming up for GTR as they are expanding rapidly and improving their service massively so there are lots of things you can bring up during the interview and I am sure they will appreciate your commitment to research the company.

Once again all the best and let us know how it went or pm me!

 

[Mumbo]

Thanks again that's most helpful

 

[plastictaffy]

I got the nod for a DM interview today, am chuffed to bits

Well done, kidda. I told you I could see you getting the job. It's in the bag!!

 

[Mumbo]

Well done, kidda. I told you I could see you getting the job. It's in the bag!!

Cheers Taffy (sorry cant remember your name )