Assessment Day

[Boddo]

Hi All, I’m new here but what a fantastic resource this site is.
I was lucky enough to pass my interview last month for a driver trainee & am due to be going to Doncaster in a few weeks for the psychometric tests.
Firstly, just a little note on what people think of pre assessment info gathering. I’m well aware that some folks see that trying to glean info on the day is tantamount to cheating but I don’t see it as such, as people who have done the test once & go for it again, have a great insight as to what to expect second time around. Also the TOCs send ‘similar’ tests to practice on & should anyone get through on swotting alone, then they would soon come unstuck when it came to the training. I would think that a lot of people that would have made great drivers have been shown the door purely because they don’t do too well at tests. I know the training has many tests too but these would be rail related & fully revisable I would think. The idea is to pass the hurdle that is the assessment day & to be able to get to the training stage where I believe I would personally do well.
As you can imagine, Im trying to swot up on various parts of what the day entails.. dots etc. I just have a few questions about the day itself, if anyone would be kind enough to clarify some things for me, I would be very grateful.
• Has anyone got an idea of what the actual dials look like in the dials checking test. I have seen the practice material version sent by the TOC & the McMunn ones. I believe neither of these are like the actual test ones. Does anyone know of a picture or drawing of an actual one?
• The phone book (elevator) test is shown as shapes in the TOC practice material & similar to an actual phone book in the McMunn books. I believe that these are also nothing like the actual test, which includes ‘pairs’ of symbols. Is this correct & does anyone know of any realistic examples/ images of this test?
• Does the TOC practice material bear any resemblance to the actual test when it comes to the hand coordination test. I know it’s a joystick test at the centre but was wondering about the types of shapes? This test is pretty much un-practicable I would have thought. The McMunn DVD version is quite laughable really....Or is it.
• Oh & finally, I presume ‘smart but comfortable attire’ is just trousers & an open formal shirt..

Thanks for reading & apologies if this has been covered a few times before.

Cheers.

 

[922011]

All you need is the material that is sent to you, use this well and you will be fine. It's pretty irrelevant what the dials look like or anything else really, they supply you everything you need. Good luck.

 

[Boddo]

Cheers mate. Fingers crossed.

 

[jay4ray]

I have an assessment on the 24th but haven't received any material yet! When do you normally receive the material? Really want to get as much revision/practice in before the assessment day.

 

[KT530]

Shirt and tie, suit if you have one.

Everything gets fed back and you are judged at every stage of the process.

 

[NickR]

I have an assessment on the 24th but haven't received any material yet! When do you normally receive the material? Really want to get as much revision/practice in before the assessment day.

Jay if it's with Thameslink then they have been having problems with their system and you need to get in touch with them to get them to send you the material.

 

[Andy-mc]

Strange way round to have the tests after the interview or maybe it was just a weird way round for me.
- As said the dials are just dials, just like a Speedo. You've just got to show you know how to read them(so imagine two side by side both displaying pressure but one is in increments of 10 and the other in increments of 20 but the needle is sitting in the same place on both of them, which one is showing the greatest pressure?)
- the phone book one is just an A3 sheet with 2 phone book pages on and symbols at the end of each line and you'll be told to look for certain ones whilst listening to a recording of an elevator and when it stops you will need to write what floor your on (sounds more complex than it is)
As 922011 said any practice material is sufficient enough and the examiners are very good at explaining things before you sit down to do the tests, the bit I found hardest was the structured interview because it was harder to get an idea of how well you did.
Goodluck

 

[Mitch1970]

Jay did you message them for material for your assessment and did you receive anything. Mine us next week, Tuesday in fact and I have not received anything

 

[jay4ray]

Jay did you message them for material for your assessment and did you receive anything. Mine us next week, Tuesday in fact and I have not received anything

They sent an email out with the material saying due to tech difficulties they haven't been able to send the details to everyone! Check you emails just in case.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Jay if it's with Thameslink then they have been having problems with their system and you need to get in touch with them to get them to send you the material.

Thanks for the info

 

[Dave1980]

Great thread, got my assessment day with Northern on Thursday for the new Blackburn depot. Been practising the material sent out including an online version of the Bourdon test. Sat there doing it then thought "What should I wear?!?!?" I know it's the least of my worries but I guess it's a factor too, have to project a professional image so I'm going with a suit....... besides will make a nice change to my usual steel toe caps, combat pants and stab vest! Haha

 

[E&W Lucas]

I would think that a lot of people that would have made great drivers have been shown the door purely because they don’t do too well at tests. I know the training has many tests too but these would be rail related & fully revisable I would think. The idea is to pass the hurdle that is the assessment day & to be able to get to the training stage where I believe I would personally do well.

Stop overthinking!
You're applying for a job in a structured and disciplined environment, where there is a set procedure for everything, which it's a driver's place to follow without deviation. You're giving the impression that you think you know better. This will lead to your flirtation with our world being short and unhappy (for you).

The practice materials sent out are all you need. If you're not coordinated, there's no way an online game is going to change that.

Dress - you're applying for a £45k++ professional job. Look like it!!!!
Clean suit, sensible tie, polished shoes, get a hair cut.

 

[tommo1097]

Stop overthinking!
You're applying for a job in a structured and disciplined environment, where there is a set procedure for everything, which it's a driver's place to follow without deviation. You're giving the impression that you think you know better. This will lead to your flirtation with our world being short and unhappy (for you).

The practice materials sent out are all you need. If you're not coordinated, there's no way an online game is going to change that.

Dress - you're applying for a £45k++ professional job. Look like it!!!!
Clean suit, sensible tie, polished shoes, get a hair cut.

I like it.
Great advice and great info. I will take all on board.