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Any last words of advice before my full driver assessments on Wednesday?
- Thread starter Paul6549
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NI 271
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Yes, relax. It's not as difficult as you think, I thought it was and consequently rushed my reactions test. Next time I will know I can go much steadier and therefore won't make the same mistakes.
So deep breaths, and stay calm, would be my advice. Have a chat with those also taking the tests, breaks the ice and should help take away some of the nerves.
And as Mrt1886 says, good luck.
So deep breaths, and stay calm, would be my advice. Have a chat with those also taking the tests, breaks the ice and should help take away some of the nerves.
And as Mrt1886 says, good luck.
Do NOT do any practice the night before (you will burn yourself out), watch the telly or do something to try and relax, get a good nights sleep (go to bed VERY early), have a healthy breakfast, Get there nice and early so you can chat to the other applicants (it sooths the nerves), think positive, the tests are not as bad as some people make out, listen to instructions and if not sure ask them what they mean, and when they say "time" or "pens down" that is exactly what they mean even if you are half way through writing a word put the pen down immediately.
You dont need luck, you just need to think positive and do your best.
You dont need luck, you just need to think positive and do your best.
Beveridges
Established Member
If you answer a question after the assessor has said "pens down", its an instant, 100% guaranteed fail if your caught!!
So when he says "pencils down" make sure you put it down instantly even if you were just about to answer a question but ran out of time.
The test where you're most likely to run out of time is the Mech test.
It's alright advising you to get plenty of sleep, if you can get it then great, I only managed less than 1 hours sleep myself before going in, and still passed with ease. So don't get extra stressed if you find that you are unable to sleep, its great if you can get it but its far from essential. Its not like your going to fall asleep at the controls of the Reactions test or even the Group Boredom test (despite how boring it is).
So when he says "pencils down" make sure you put it down instantly even if you were just about to answer a question but ran out of time.
The test where you're most likely to run out of time is the Mech test.
It's alright advising you to get plenty of sleep, if you can get it then great, I only managed less than 1 hours sleep myself before going in, and still passed with ease. So don't get extra stressed if you find that you are unable to sleep, its great if you can get it but its far from essential. Its not like your going to fall asleep at the controls of the Reactions test or even the Group Boredom test (despite how boring it is).
Cherry_Picker
Established Member
Don't panic. The reaction test is designed to make you panic, and if you miss a couple the best thing to do is just start again. Trying to chase ones you have already missed will only lead to failure.
Silv1983
Member
Remind yourself that you're there because you have chosen to be there to better your career and life!
All great advice, especially getting there early! You'll only be stressed if you arrive last minute. As has been said, you'll be short of time on the mechanical test but don't worry, I left about 8 questions unanswered and still passed 
Best of luck, please come back to let us know how you get on.
Best of luck, please come back to let us know how you get on.
TheVicLine
Member
Stay calm and try not to think about them too much between now and then they are all pretty easy really.
Full read all the questions and make sure you know what is expected from the assessor, if you are not sure then ask, they are not there to catch you out and will be glad to help.
Full read all the questions and make sure you know what is expected from the assessor, if you are not sure then ask, they are not there to catch you out and will be glad to help.
Remember it is a test of aptitude. You've either got it, or you haven't. No point in working yourself up, just go in there, and as others have said, work calmly and methodically.
Surprised no one has mentioned it, but don't drink alcohol the night before either.
Surprised no one has mentioned it, but don't drink alcohol the night before either.
Nuttytoffee
Member
Agree with all of the above. Get there early, at least an hour, have a look around to be sure where you have to go. Have something to eat and drink (light, not fatty and not too sugary), make sure you use the loo (a lad on mine was bursting and said it put him off). Relax and watch others.......it helped me as I was picking out all the nervous ticks people have, especially the over confident ones and remember why you are there. I looked at it as a nothing to lose situation as if I had have failed the assessments, I would have known what I had done wrong and it would have prepared me for the next attempt. Good luck and keep us informed with how you get on. (That goes for you too GNER).
PS. Be polite and respectful to the assessor, you'll be suprised how many people aren't, as I have been told you are assessed from the moment you enter that room, it's not all about the written tests. Finally wear a suit and tie and make sure your shoes are spotless.
PS. Be polite and respectful to the assessor, you'll be suprised how many people aren't, as I have been told you are assessed from the moment you enter that room, it's not all about the written tests. Finally wear a suit and tie and make sure your shoes are spotless.
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Beveridges
Established Member
Another thing you can do that could instantly make the difference between pass or fail. Make sure you answer all 36 questions on the mech test. If you run out of time, make a guess on everything you didn't answer. If you guess 10 answers you're likely to pick up 3 or 4 points which could make the difference between pass and fail. If you left 10 blank then you're not going to pick up anything extra.
Finally make sure you bring in a watch so you know exactly how much time you have left. It can be horrible to be taking a test and have no idea how long you've got left, and the sudden "pencils down" can come like a big shock if you've still left questions unanswered in the mech test.
Finally make sure you bring in a watch so you know exactly how much time you have left. It can be horrible to be taking a test and have no idea how long you've got left, and the sudden "pencils down" can come like a big shock if you've still left questions unanswered in the mech test.
You are being "assessed" or "watched" from the second you enter the building, I have known a chap go for a Management position with a CV to die for (I was told that on paper he was by far the best candidate) but in the reception area he totally ignored everyone else in there when they tried to speak to him, he interviewed perfectly but didnt get the job, worth remembering.
You want to join the railway "family" and if you are not "family" friendly then you wont get in no matter how good you are.
I disagree Mick, I didnt complete the mech tests (but still passed) and you will be marked down more for all the wrong answers and obvious rushing than you will for not completing.
Dont bother with the watch either, do you want to be looking at the watch and getting stressed or do you want to concentrate on the questions, if you cant complete everything concentrating on them then you will never do it looking at a watch!
Beveridges
Established Member
You dont get marked down for wrong questions on the mech test, its all about number of correct answers, I 100% confirmed this with the assessor before the test began.
12 years ago I failed on the Mech test. I GUESSED AT THE FINAL FEW ANSWERS because time was running out and I was ONE mark off a pass!!! I was told at this point that there had been no need to answer all the questions. I had passed everything else with flying colours up to that point.
TheVicLine
Member
Beveridges is right you do not get scored down for incorrect answers, however you are not expected to finish the test. I think i did about 2/3 of the questions and passed.
Got a high pass on everything but reactions (borderline with Northern). I actually found the test relatively easy. The assessor told me the reason why I didn't score a high pass was because I paused for too long after missing one. Unfortunately I read somewhere that you should pause for a few seconds if you make a mistake, and thought this was the best thing to do. I probably paused for a about 4 or 5 seconds to compose and only made one error in both tests. I am understandably gutted, knowing that I didn't need the pause (believing it would actually help me) makes it even worse, I believe I could've just carried on. A bit silly of me to think that remaining calm and composing would be better than continuing immediately. At the end of the day the pass marks are high and ill be the first to admit I didn't make the cut on this test. Oh well, onwards and upwards. Apoligies for grammar etc but not in the mood to correct haha
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I have said this before - In my opinion and it worked for me completing the whole test is to go through the paper and do the ones you know are 100% correct, go through again and do the ones that you think are correct, then go through a 3rd time and guess the rest, this will ensure you complete more questions, giove you a better ratio, and if you guess say 10 out of the 40 the law of averages dictate that you will get some of the guessed ones right.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
If you had not guessed the final answers you may have been 2 marks short!
NI 271
Member
Unlucky pal, but console yourself that all is not yet lost as you still have your two lives intact (although perhaps not in Northern's eyes). I'm not convinced you only made one mistake per test though; I made (in my opinion, and compared to how I'd been doing while practising) an absolute bollocks of the second one and still got a borderline pass.
I take it you didn't get to take the structured interview?
Hi TDK, I did think it could have been 2 marks off myself... Will never know but thankfully I'm in the role now.
Paul, don't be too disheartened (although it's easy for me to say.) A borderline pass is still a pass, one which would be accepted by other TOCs. You may be a more attractive proposition to them than applicants who haven't yet sat the tests!
Paul, don't be too disheartened (although it's easy for me to say.) A borderline pass is still a pass, one which would be accepted by other TOCs. You may be a more attractive proposition to them than applicants who haven't yet sat the tests!
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