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TFW SCAAT (Trainee Train Conductor)

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SouthWalesSam

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5 May 2020
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Ynys Y Bari | Barry Island
Hello All,

I have been lucky enough to pass through to be invited for a SCAAT with Transport for Wales, It's completed online as far as I can see, I've previously passed one, as well as other conductors, tests 3 years ago when I applied for a conductors job with GWR (Unfortunately fell at the Group assessment) but that was pre covid and on paper, I have gone on the assessment centre website and downloaded and paid for the SCAAT practice tests (Even though I passed previously, not being cocky and practising the heck out of it before I have decided to take the plunge on Saturday) which I have been working through improving and refining as I think everyone would advise!

Basically, my question is, how do they do the SCAAT online? I'm used to paper and having practised on paper am apprehensive of doing it on the computer! Has anyone taken the SCAAT and would you be able to tell me how it's administered online! Much appreciation in advance!
 
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DJP78

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26 Nov 2019
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71
Location
Bristol
Hello All,

I have been lucky enough to pass through to be invited for a SCAAT with Transport for Wales, It's completed online as far as I can see, I've previously passed one, as well as other conductors, tests 3 years ago when I applied for a conductors job with GWR (Unfortunately fell at the Group assessment) but that was pre covid and on paper, I have gone on the assessment centre website and downloaded and paid for the SCAAT practice tests (Even though I passed previously, not being cocky and practising the heck out of it before I have decided to take the plunge on Saturday) which I have been working through improving and refining as I think everyone would advise!

Basically, my question is, how do they do the SCAAT online? I'm used to paper and having practised on paper am apprehensive of doing it on the computer! Has anyone taken the SCAAT and would you be able to tell me how it's administered online! Much appreciation in advance!

I did a shunter SCAAT for GWR recently online with the OPC

I’d suggest downloading the Group Bourdon tool. There’s a thread posted on here with a download link

You’ll find a SCAAT alternative to the GB program that is pretty similar in appearance. The main difference is you’ll use the mouse / pointer to scan across the symbols in the real test rather than having to press the right arrow key and space bar on the download tool, or whatever it is you press

You’ll get a practise run. First objective is to pick out single symbols. Then two different symbols constant then finally a combination of a constant symbol and the first symbol on each line for that line only which changes to the first symbol on the next line and so on, if that makes sense

good luck and hope this helps
 
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SouthWalesSam

Member
Joined
5 May 2020
Messages
24
Location
Ynys Y Bari | Barry Island
I did a shunter SCAAT for GWR recently online with the OPC

I’d suggest downloading the Group Bourdon tool. There’s a thread posted on here with a download link

You’ll find a SCAAT alternative to the GB program that is pretty similar in appearance. The main difference is you’ll use the mouse / pointer to scan across the symbols in the real test rather than having to press the right arrow key and space bar on the download tool, or whatever it is you press

You’ll get a practise run. First objective is to pick out single symbols. Then two different symbols constant then finally a combination of a constant symbol and the first symbol on each line for that line only which changes to the first symbol on the next line and so on, if that makes sense

good luck and hope this helps
Thank you :) I'm thinking of still completing the printed ones to get my brain in gear, but have spent the last 20 odd minutes on the SCAAT tool from the forum, it's very differently online than on paper! I managed to pass last time on paper, very worried about online! Still, practice, practice practice, and thanks to yourself forewarned is forearmed! Hopefully, by Saturday I'll be ready! needs to be done by Monday but I'm not one to leave it to the last second! Thank you again DanDanPlym! Appreciated it and it does help a lot! Good luck with GWR!
 

53618

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13 Jan 2021
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Location
Midlands
Hope your SCAAT went well! Hope you don’t mind me asking, but were there any other assessments for TfW? Eg RAAT, Ticket selling etc?
 

SouthWalesSam

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Location
Ynys Y Bari | Barry Island
So far I applied with Acorn, did the SCAAT, passed the SCAAT, and as of now the last stage I have been to was the interview on the 13th which I am waiting to hear back from. Not sure if there is anything else after this, i'll update with what I know if I am lucky enough to go further
 

L401CJF

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Wirral
I applied last year via acorn, had no update emails from acorn, randomly had an online SCAAT invite last week! I've done it online so eagerly awaiting. Best of luck!
 

Mamfa81

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10 May 2021
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11
Location
Bridgend
I applied last year via acorn, had no update emails from acorn, randomly had an online SCAAT invite last week! I've done it online so eagerly awaiting. Best of luck!
Hi, was this the SCAAT for the trainee conductor role that had to be completed by 9pm on Thursday?

So far I applied with Acorn, did the SCAAT, passed the SCAAT, and as of now the last stage I have been to was the interview on the 13th which I am waiting to hear back from. Not sure if there is anything else after this, i'll update with what I know if I am lucky enough to go further
Hi, congrats on your progress so far, can I just ask please, how long after doing your online SCAAT did you hear if you passed it? I did mine on Wednesday (the cut off was 9pm Thursday) and I feel like I’ve refreshed my emails a million times already :)
 
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53618

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2021
Messages
11
Location
Midlands
So far I applied with Acorn, did the SCAAT, passed the SCAAT, and as of now the last stage I have been to was the interview on the 13th which I am waiting to hear back from. Not sure if there is anything else after this, i'll update with what I know if I am lucky enough to go further
Thanks for your reply. Well done for getting your interview, hope you get the news you're hoping for soon!
 

L401CJF

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Hi, was this the SCAAT for the trainee conductor role that had to be completed by 9pm on Thursday?


Hi, congrats on your progress so far, can I just ask please, how long after doing your online SCAAT did you hear if you passed it? I did mine on Wednesday (the cut off was 9pm Thursday) and I feel like I’ve refreshed my emails a million times already :)
Hi,
No the invite I had said to be completed by 17th, but was for trainee conductor role.
 

Mamfa81

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10 May 2021
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Bridgend
Hi,
No the invite I had said to be completed by 17th, but was for trainee conductor role.
Ah ok, thanks for the reply. I did mine on Wednesday and was wondering how long it usually takes to hear if you’ve passed. Best of luck with yours
 

C J Snarzell

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11 Apr 2019
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1,506
I applied for one of the TfW Trainee Conductor roles last summer, based in Chester. I passed the Acorn application part with the competency based questions, but I then dipped the SCAAT test which was a little deflating at the time.

I actually thought I didn't too badly as I got through a large portion of the SCAAT test before it timed out. Its definately down to a perfected skill and method. If anyone on here has passed the SCAAT then well done, as not everyone (myself included!) have been good enough to get through.

CJ
 

L401CJF

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Massive congratulations, I haven’t heard anything so I assume I didn’t
No news is good news, don't rule it out until they say so, we could well have applied for different locations so times may vary etc.
I applied for one of the TfW Trainee Conductor roles last summer, based in Chester. I passed the Acorn application part with the competency based questions, but I then dipped the SCAAT test which was a little deflating at the time.

I actually thought I didn't too badly as I got through a large portion of the SCAAT test before it timed out. Its definately down to a perfected skill and method. If anyone on here has passed the SCAAT then well done, as not everyone (myself included!) have been good enough to get through.

CJ
I believe the aim isn't to rush to the end but rather to do as much as you can without making any errors, you may only get 1/3 of the way down each page but if its all accurate then you'll pass whereas if you complete 2/3 of the page with multiple errors it'll fail. They're looking for accuracy over speed I believe, although it is very unnerving when you're nowhere near the bottom and it times out to the next page!
 

Jamie Price

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Joined
16 Aug 2019
Messages
88
Location
Oswestry
I applied for one of the TfW Trainee Conductor roles last summer, based in Chester. I passed the Acorn application part with the competency based questions, but I then dipped the SCAAT test which was a little deflating at the time.

I actually thought I didn't too badly as I got through a large portion of the SCAAT test before it timed out. Its definately down to a perfected skill and method. If anyone on here has passed the SCAAT then well done, as not everyone (myself included!) have been good enough to get through.

CJ
It's definitely not the goal to complete as much of it as possible, its a quality not quantity based test, better to do 8-10 lines of mistake free work than 28 lines with 1 error on each line for example. If and when you get to another, bear that in mind :)
 

SouthWalesSam

Member
Joined
5 May 2020
Messages
24
Location
Ynys Y Bari | Barry Island
One tip i'd say for the test online is to get the practice papers (£8 from OPC) and when you practice use snipping tool to screenshot a section of the practice paper, then using the pen tool on Snipping tool click on the shapes / letters and practice as you would on the real test. This helped me get used to how the real test worked. I passed and have had an interview on the 13th May, just now waiting to hear back the result of the interview! (If I can help anymore with the SCAAT just ask!)
 

Mamfa81

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Joined
10 May 2021
Messages
11
Location
Bridgend
No news is good news, don't rule it out until they say so, we could well have applied for different locations so times may vary etc.

I believe the aim isn't to rush to the end but rather to do as much as you can without making any errors, you may only get 1/3 of the way down each page but if its all accurate then you'll pass whereas if you complete 2/3 of the page with multiple errors it'll fail. They're looking for accuracy over speed I believe, although it is very unnerving when you're nowhere near the bottom and it times out to the next page!
Hey, just thought I’d update to say I received my email to say I’ve passed and been given a date for an interview
 

L401CJF

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Hey, just thought I’d update to say I received my email to say I’ve passed and been given a date for an interview
Excellent stuff! My email said they'll be in touch over the next few weeks with details of the next stage. Not heard anything since!
 

Rhian

Member
Joined
16 Jun 2021
Messages
43
Location
South Wales
Hi everyone, I was invited to complete the SCAAT test yesterday (after applying mid march for Treherbert depot). Ive downloaded the group bourden tool from here and my head is spinning staring at all the shapes! Is the timing for the actual assessment the same as the timing on the practice tool here for sheet changes etc as it seems to go really quick, I know the aim isn't to complete each sheet but i'm lucky to get a quarter of the way through, thanks
 

L401CJF

Established Member
Joined
16 Oct 2019
Messages
1,442
Location
Wirral
Hi everyone, I was invited to complete the SCAAT test yesterday (after applying mid march for Treherbert depot). Ive downloaded the group bourden tool from here and my head is spinning staring at all the shapes! Is the timing for the actual assessment the same as the timing on the practice tool here for sheet changes etc as it seems to go really quick, I know the aim isn't to complete each sheet but i'm lucky to get a quarter of the way through, thanks
I did around the same amount and have passed both bourdon and online SCAAT. Don't worry if you don't even manage 1/2 the page, just make sure you're accurate on what you have done.
 

Rhian

Member
Joined
16 Jun 2021
Messages
43
Location
South Wales
I did around the same amount and have passed both bourdon and online SCAAT. Don't worry if you don't even manage 1/2 the page, just make sure you're accurate on what you have done.
Thats a relief, thanks very much for the reply.
 

Jamie Price

Member
Joined
16 Aug 2019
Messages
88
Location
Oswestry
Hi everyone, I was invited to complete the SCAAT test yesterday (after applying mid march for Treherbert depot). Ive downloaded the group bourden tool from here and my head is spinning staring at all the shapes! Is the timing for the actual assessment the same as the timing on the practice tool here for sheet changes etc as it seems to go really quick, I know the aim isn't to complete each sheet but i'm lucky to get a quarter of the way through, thanks
10 lines with no errors is much better than 25 lines with 2 errors! If you can do that you're in with a chance! Good luck!
 

Freshquick

Member
Joined
10 Nov 2019
Messages
17
Location
Cardiff
I finally received an email from TfW today inviting me to an online SCAAT test. Can’t even remember when I originally applied. :)

I went through the process a couple of years ago for Trainee Conductor and got through to the group assessment/presentation and interview which was held on the same day.
Could someone enlighten me; Are interviews done in person or online due to COVID??
 
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