The Criteria Based Interview (OPC)

Westcoast-ting · 31 Dec 2017

Morning

I have a stage 2 assessment with the OPC in January and worried about the cbi.

After a search of the forums I’ve not found a recent post regarding the questions asked.

I did the MMI over 5 years ago and failed so that’s adding to the anxiety.

After receiveing the feedback I failed to meet the criteria dealing with an emergency situation.

Since then I got promoted to tm so I’ve hoefully got some better examples.

Is there anybody that has done it recently that can confirm ?

Many thanks in advance

RailUK Forums

baz962 · 31 Dec 2017

Westcoast-ting said:
Morning

I have a stage 2 assessment with the OPC in January and worried about the cbi.

After a search of the forums I’ve not found a recent post regarding the questions asked.

I did the MMI over 5 years ago and failed so that’s adding to the anxiety.

After receiveing the feedback I failed to meet the criteria dealing with an emergency situation.

Since then I got promoted to tm so I’ve hoefully got some better examples.

Is there anybody that has done it recently that can confirm ?

Many thanks in advance

I passed in july what is it you need to know.

Westcoast-ting · 31 Dec 2017

Just looking for a heads up on the questions.

Name a time you followed rules and procedures

Name a time you dealt with an emergency situation

Name a time you done a job similar to a train driver

Name a training course over 2 weeks

Name a time you spend long periods of time on your own

I’ve prepared for the above but spoke to a colleague who said they have changed !

baz962 · 31 Dec 2017

Westcoast-ting said:
Just looking for a heads up on the questions.

Name a time you followed rules and procedures

Name a time you dealt with an emergency situation

Name a time you done a job similar to a train driver

Name a training course over 2 weeks

Name a time you spend long periods of time on your own

I’ve prepared for the above but spoke to a colleague who said they have changed !

First four i had , although apparently they have more than six , but ask each candidate six , but they are tailored, so you might get some the same as me and some different, then i got asked a time i had to make sure i did something that was important to get the details correct, and struggling for the other.

baz962 · 31 Dec 2017

Oh also your sjt answers help shape their questions.

Sammy h · 1 Jan 2018

I’m in the exact same position, the MMI had set questions I believe, but the CBI seems a lot more complex with a variety of questions. I’m not quite sure how to prepare for it if I’m honest.

Dynamonic · 1 Jan 2018

I sat (and passed) the MMI at the start of December and I can confirm that the questions are (slightly) different to the ones mentioned above.

There are six set questions, which you will give a brief answer to on paper at the start of your Stage 2 assessment.
You will then go on to do your computer assessments and Situational Judgement Exercise (SJE), with the answers to your SJE influencing some further questions you'll be asked in your MMI, whilst you give your very detailed description of the events mentioned in your initial answers.

Whilst I don't want to say what the questions are, I will say that it is still a very good idea to think about great examples for the above questions, as they will prepare you quite well for the actual questions on the day.

Think of some great examples, which you can go into amazing detail about. Be honest with your answers, as untruths will be quickly unravelled, and consistently demonstrate the competencies of a train driver in every question, as you must pass EVERY question to pass the MMI.

Be specific with your examples too, as generalisations don't often score well.

Practice giving your answers in the well known ‘STAR’ format, (Situation, your Task, your Actions, Result) as that will help you keep your answers on track.

You may find that your interviewers will sometimes focus on different details in your examples than you expect, and can even chuck in hypothetical ‘spanners’ in your examples, but just go with the flow and think like you would as a Driver, as they’re giving you the chance to shine!

Good luck to all of you!

TeaTrain · 2 Jan 2018

Dynamonic is correct here. It was exactly the same for me too and I can tell you to make sure that your answers are REAL ones. They will test you and test you to figure out if your lying.

When I discussed an emergency situation I explained about evacuating the train. He kept on asking me how I felt at the time and I kept saying nothing. It was only before and after. He would keep asking the same question at different parts to see if I was lying. He would throw in sneaky questions to ask which direction the train was going and where I was. Despite telling him already. They are not being rude. They are simply trying to find out if you can articulate yourself well and do the job.

Some of the other questions I answered with my personal life experiences. He was surprised for me to talk about them. Even asked me why I chose those subjects to talk about; I simply said because I remember them so well.

I had a lovely chat with him after and we got on very well. I thought I didn't do well but I passed. Honesty is key here.

baz962 · 2 Jan 2018

TeaTrain said:
Dynamonic is correct here. It was exactly the same for me too and I can tell you to make sure that your answers are REAL ones. They will test you and test you to figure out if your lying.

When I discussed an emergency situation I explained about evacuating the train. He kept on asking me how I felt at the time and I kept saying nothing. It was only before and after. He would keep asking the same question at different parts to see if I was lying. He would throw in sneaky questions to ask which direction the train was going and where I was. Despite telling him already. They are not being rude. They are simply trying to find out if you can articulate yourself well and do the job.

Some of the other questions I answered with my personal life experiences. He was surprised for me to talk about them. Even asked me why I chose those subjects to talk about; I simply said because I remember them so well.

I had a lovely chat with him after and we got on very well. I thought I didn't do well but I passed. Honesty is key here.

To be fair, he only asked how i felt after a couple of questions , and did not grill me much at all.

Dynamonic · 2 Jan 2018

The MMI certainly isn’t a grilling if you answer well, which is the key here.
If you have come in with a great, recent example which you can clearly remember, then you should have no problem with answering the follow-up questions, particularly if they’re in line with your SJE answers.
Explain clearly why you took the actions you did and what could have happened if you didn’t, and ensure it is in line with the responsibilities and competencies of a train driver.
I would say the MMI would be more of a grilling for those who have weak or false examples.

The people who interview you are generally lovely and polite though, so don’t go in expecting an Apprentice style interview with Claude Littner! :lol:

baz962 · 2 Jan 2018

Dynamonic said:
The MMI certainly isn’t a grilling if you answer well, which is the key here.
If you have come in with a great, recent example which you can clearly remember, then you should have no problem with answering the follow-up questions, particularly if they’re in line with your SJE answers.
Explain clearly why you took the actions you did and what could have happened if you didn’t, and ensure it is in line with the responsibilities and competencies of a train driver.
I would say the MMI would be more of a grilling for those who have weak or false examples.

The people who interview you are generally lovely and polite though, so don’t go in expecting an Apprentice style interview with Claude Littner!

Who did yours mate , i cant remember name of lad did mine, had a possibly welsh accent and was a real nice lad, had a chat after the mmi for 5 mins. I thought i did bad and passed .

TeaTrain · 2 Jan 2018

I know. I didn't mean to make it come across as a grilling lol. Mine was very straight forward too but my examples were on the extreme so I think he felt the need to delve deeper. I think it is just a personal experience.

Westcoast-ting · 2 Jan 2018

Thanks for all the info. I’m going to try and not stress anymore and hope my experiences as a guard are relevant on the day.

TeaTrain · 3 Jan 2018

I'm sure you will do great. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Westcoast-ting · 26 Jan 2018

Ok received info this week that I failed the cbi !

No feedback yet but I felt it went well and all the questions I had prepared examples for.

Absolutely gutted and lost as to the next step regards learning form this and moving forward.

Any advice regards feedback/ contacting the OPC or any individuals that can offer advice or are trained administrators.

Paul

CRW87 · 27 Jan 2018

Same news for me mate, I think we were on the same day.

I’m devastated as I thought it went well, when I got the call they said they were disappointed that a large percentage had failed the cbi this time round.

I was surprised that the assessor didn’t really make any effort to ask for alternative answers or probe any further, it was all very casual and relaxed.

On a positive note we have enhanced passes on all other aspects which we can carry forward so just a question of waiting for the feedback now.

Westcoast-ting · 27 Jan 2018

I too don’t understand how all the info provided says they are there to help you do your best and then loads fail.

At this point it difficult to rationalise what’s happened and until I get the feedback it’s go knee going round in my head.

I hope the feedback is meaningful but from previous experience I doubt it.

I was thinking of finding somebody who administers the tests and looking for a consultation so I can better understand what their looking for.

This being the last attempt if the feedback is not useful then it would be stupid to re-sit

Paul

CRW87 · 27 Jan 2018

I think in this case we just get told which question we failed on.

I certainly got the impression in this case they weren’t interested whether we passed or not, they just recorded our answers and decided later on whether or not it made the criteria which didn’t really give us the opportunity to expand if required. Doesn’t seem productive when the TOC says they want to employ you but can’t legally without that particular assessment.

Westcoast-ting · 14 Feb 2018

Hi again,

Just thought I would post an update.

I received my feedback today and my weak point was- name a time you have solved a difficult problem.

After a brief chat with the assessor it was agreed that my example didn’t meet the criteria due to it not answering the question.

Looking of my pre cbi notes I think I’m guilty of trying to mold the questions to match my answers, instead of the other way round.

Honestly, I feel confident now that next time will yield a successful outcome.

Paul

Rachael92 · 15 Feb 2018

Hi all, I have my DMI coming up in a week. It's my first ever interview with any toc so I'm completely unaware of what to expect apart from the research I've done on this forum. Any tips or information would be greatly appreciated.

Westcoast-ting · 15 Feb 2018

Hi my dmi was similar to the MMI but they asked one extra questions.

Name a time you have put the team ahead of your own needs.

From reading these forums the dmi seems to be dependent on which toc it is.

I prepared loads of answers about why I wanted to be a train driver, what I knew about the toc including traction/ depots.

In general you will be asked competency based questions use the star technique and abc.

Good luck

EastMidsMatt · 15 Feb 2018

If you fail the mmi twice is that not the end? I though it was a part of the whole opc assessment meaning 2 strikes and that's it?

Westcoast-ting · 15 Feb 2018

Yep 2 strikes and your out. I was lucky I did my first MMI in 2012 just before they changed the assements and wiped the slate clean

EastMidsMatt · 15 Feb 2018

Westcoast-ting said:
Yep 2 strikes and your out. I was lucky I did my first MMI in 2012 just before they changed the assements and wiped the slate clean

Oh right!

Erowe · 30 Jun 2020

How often do they change the tests and how do you find out when they have changed the tests

Dynamonic · 30 Jun 2020

Erowe said:
How often do they change the tests and how do you find out when they have changed the tests

The tests, and everyones' lives were last reset in 2013.
There is no schedule that we know of in which the OPC reset their tests, so it's likely only something they do if they are required to, so the current tests (and lives) should be treated as permanent.
The OPC would publish new assessment guidance if the tests were ever changed again, and some TOC's would probably mention in their job adverts whether or not people who have used up their lives could apply again, as I seem to recall seeing back in 2013.

Stigy · 30 Jun 2020

Dynamonic said:
The tests, and everyones' lives were last reset in 2013.
There is no schedule that we know of in which the OPC reset their tests, so it's likely only something they do if they are required to, so the current tests (and lives) should be treated as permanent.
The OPC would publish new assessment guidance if the tests were ever changed again, and some TOC's would probably mention in their job adverts whether or not people who have used up their lives could apply again, as I seem to recall seeing back in 2013.

There’s no structured ‘reset’ to the psychometric assessments. I guess they review them every so often and just base it on current needs? I failed the old set in 2011 and was reset when then changed the tests in 2013.

Things to change though and I wouldn’t be surprised if they all ended up being computer based?

baz962 · 30 Jun 2020

To be honest it would probably be reset if any of the actual tests changed . If they change , then you failed tests that no longer exist and not the new one's.

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