visual comparison test

[bassethound77]

Hi everyone I've recently applied for trainee train driver Hull and have just completed an online visual . competence test. I had 5 minutes and got 61 out of 150. I wanted to know if any one else had done this test and could remember what they got and does every applicant get to do this test. I feel like I didn't do very well Although I know I got all 61 correct.

 

[daddy_badger]

wouldn't be fair if only you took the test. was that northern or first just out of interest?

 

[Silv1983]

If its Northern, I got 50 and passed. I know I got 100% though.

 

[bassethound77]

Yeah it is northern. It said don't guess so I took my time and know I got them all correct. I didn't mean did only I do the test I meant did every one who applied do the test. Or was this sort of the second stage. Are you a driver now? How many stages are there

 

[Lincoln_biker]

I did 39. Definitely got 100% but I don't think the numbers were good enough. You've certainly surpassed my score! LB

 

[Silv1983]

Yeah it is northern. It said don't guess so I took my time and know I got them all correct. I didn't mean did only I do the test I meant did every one who applied do the test. Or was this sort of the second stage. Are you a driver now? How many stages are there

Yes a Driver now for Northern.

The visual comparison test is the first hurdle: it's used to trim down the number of applicants to make the number of applications that need to be read by HR a bit more manageable.

If you pass the test which it sounds like you should did: you'll go into the sift and your application will be reviewed. If you pass that - you'll be invited to a 'managers' interview' at the depot. If you pass that it's off to the assessment centre (Northern, quite sensibly, do the managers interview before the AC unlike most other TOCs). If you pass the AC with a good pass or above - you can expect a conditional offer of employment, followed by a medical and references.

 

[bassethound77]

Thanks for your replies. My last question is going to be does any one know how many applicants go for these jobs and is it just one trainee job on offer usually or a few.

 

[BestWestern]

The number of posts depends entirely on the particular requirements of the TOC at that time, but if you're going trainee it will almost certainly be a batch intake, not just one job. You'll certainly train in a group anyhow. As for the number of applicants, it's usually thousands I'm afraid, but don't let that put you off - it sounds like you've passed the first hurdle already!

Best of luck

 

[bassethound77]

Silv1983 what is the AC test. And is the interview a grilling type of interview? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Silv1983]

Silv1983 what is the AC test. And is the interview a grilling type of interview? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

AC = Assessment Centre. It's a day at DB Shenker in Doncaster - at least for applicants for positions in the North West.

The managers' interview is ususally 2 people who ask general questions about your understanding of the role and the company, followed by a series of example based competency questions. It can take over an hour.

The assessment centre is due to change shortly so I would wait and see what happens. You'll get information packs in the post if you get through; or if you can't wait search the careers section of the forum - it's been discussed to death.

 

[bassethound77]

fingers crossed. hi thanks. ive just downloaded the bourden tool im gonna have a go but can someone tell me whats a good result and what isnt please

 

[daddy_badger]

its a well kept secret, obviously no errors or omissions as well as accuracy and consistency.

 

[Eduardo]

Thats a very good score Chrispick.

It should see you safely into the papersift phase as already mentioned.

Good luck with the (long) process.

 

[bassethound77]

Thanks for the vote of confidence people. What was other peoples best score on the dot test?

 

[NI 271]

Thanks for the vote of confidence people. What was other peoples best score on the dot test?

Have a search on here, there's a couple of threads where people have compared results, I seem to remember a few drivers saying they passed with around 1200-1300 cells and even one or two omissions. Best to ensure you've none of them though, I reckon.

 

[bassethound77]

Just had a go at the dot test. 5 sheets 2 mins per sheet. Scored 866 with 7 omissions. Damn its harder than it looks. Practise practise practise.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just done the scaat test. Score 1708 No errors and no omissions until the sub test 3 I thought I was still doing Ok but when the results came I omitted 93 in the last 3 sheets. I don't understand what I did wrong. Can someone explain?
n?

 

[Lincoln_biker]

In the last 3 sheets of the SCAAT test you have to mark the constant shape - so all the ">" for example, AND mark all of the shapes at the start of the line. So if a line reads "+ > < > + / /" you'd mark all of the "+" that appear in that line as well as all of the ">". Then if the next line reads "/ + > < > + / /" you mark all of the "/" as thats the first character of the line, plus all of the constant ">" shapes. My understanding from trawling this forum is that the exam is loking for consistency over outright numbers.

 

[bassethound77]

Thank you. Just tried again 1477 5 omissions. Practise makes perfect

 

[JCLeeds]

Chris having sifted a lot of opinions on the GBT for the last 3 months on here, I reckon the target is about 1200+ completed, one or 2 omissions or errors (they count as the same) is ok. If you are getting say, 1500 with more errors, slow down go for accuracy.

On the subject of Northern: my AC day is next week at Donny: anyone know if I should also be practising the SCAAT or do Northern just use the dots test?

 

[bassethound77]

Ok thanks for the advice. How did your interview go? That's the bit I'm dreading most.

 

[JCLeeds]

Ok thanks for the advice. How did your interview go? That's the bit I'm dreading most.

Driver manager interview was a strange one; I was convinced I had failed but passed it; it was all example based - such as - 'give an example of when you....'
Had good customer feedback; had bad customer feedback; dealt with a difficult situation; improved safety in the workplace; worked as part of a team to achieve a goal; etc

These examples are harder to predict than than the interview at the assessment day - though there may be some crossover - the examples seem to be chosen by the manager concerned - who I imagine mixes them up a bit just to avoid boredom - and though I had done a lot of work and practiced examples the volume of them took me by surprise - maybe 8 of them though I wasnt counting. The format is quite freindly though - one manager and one personnel type who just takes notes.

I ended up doing 2 or 3 examples 'on the fly' that I hadnt prepared and didnt really fit the question - I thought. Anyway I somehow passed and have the assessment day 'interrogation' next week..

 

[Whits85]

I did 39. Definitely got 100% but I don't think the numbers were good enough. You've certainly surpassed my score! LB

Did 39 get you a pass Lincoln biker?