Assessments & Medicals discussion

[Lanypauk]

Aye it just flashes black so it's a test of concentration and reaction. The actual test lasts for half an hour.

Ahh good, think it would’ve been more difficult if it gradually changed. Thanks!

 

[Jungie1799]

Hello,

I have my computerised tests for trainee train driver coming up.

I have tests to practice on my computer from HowToBe.

I know these tests may not be identical but was looking for advice in relation to the WAVF test.

When I’ve been doing the practice tests it does not look like the square gradually gets darker and that it just automatically goes to black. I’ve been pressing the green button quickly but sometimes it’s saying right away that I’ve missed it.

I was wondering if on the actual test I’ll be sitting if the square does gradually get darker or if it just instantly turns black?

Thank you

On a separate note, is it actually worth it, to pay for the howtobe train driver thing? I’ve been looking into getting it but I am not sure.

 

[Sorcerer]

Let me give you a crucial piece of advice for this test. Keep your finger off the button unless you intend to press it! I had my hand resting on the button when I took the test back in January, and while I managed to get every square that turned on time, for some reason I was also a bit trigger-happy and sometimes just randomly pushed the button unprompted, and as a result that was the only test that I failed on that day. I'm sure that if I had my hand off the button I'd have been able to stop myself just in time before an incorrect press. Otherwise, this is really just a test of vigilance and concentration stability.

 

[Smelliott]

I passed, but did indeed find it strange and glitchy, which I interpreted as part of the test. "Let's throw them a curve ball and see how they react."

Also worth bearing in mind that a lot of people are full of ****. The dot WILL stray, just stay calm and bring it back. I went outside the shape plenty. Don't let it rattle you.

 

[Ladder23]

I passed, but did indeed find it strange and glitchy, which I interpreted as part of the test. "Let's throw them a curve ball and see how they react."

Also worth bearing in mind that a lot of people are full of ****. The dot WILL stray, just stay calm and bring it back. I went outside the shape plenty. Don't let it rattle you.

Cheers buddy, I’d agree with you!

 

[Lanypauk]

Let me give you a crucial piece of advice for this test. Keep your finger off the button unless you intend to press it! I had my hand resting on the button when I took the test back in January, and while I managed to get every square that turned on time, for some reason I was also a bit trigger-happy and sometimes just randomly pushed the button unprompted, and as a result that was the only test that I failed on that day. I'm sure that if I had my hand off the button I'd have been able to stop myself just in time before an incorrect press. Otherwise, this is really just a test of vigilance and concentration stability.

Thanks for that piece of advice! I would have definitely kept my finger on the button too in order to click it as quickly as possible

 

[Sorcerer]

Thanks for that piece of advice! I would have definitely kept my finger on the button too in order to click it as quickly as possible

No problem! Just remember to keep it close enough that you can react in time but no so close that you can't stop yourself from making the same mistakes I did. Best of luck to you!

 

[Lanypauk]

On a separate note, is it actually worth it, to pay for the howtobe train driver thing? I’ve been looking into getting it but I am not sure.

I was lucky to be able to borrow the ones I have, but I believe they’re about 9 years old.

For TRP part 1 and 2 I just printed sheets of the group bourdon and watched YouTube videos on the other tests.

The co-ordination one on them isn’t that great because you’re using a keyboard and not joysticks, but it’s been good for practicing the other tests!

 

[feaky4]

The square will be flashing grey then when it does go black it goes grey black so not blank then black (if you get what I mean).

I counted every flash to it helped me concentrate and stop my mind wondering.

Keep your hand hovering over the button but not to close i twitched and touched it when I shouldn’t have but only did it once.

Good luck!

 

[Lanypauk]

No problem! Just remember to keep it close enough that you can react in time but no so close that you can't stop yourself from making the same mistakes I did. Best of luck to you!

Thank you! Hopefully you get to resit it soon.

The square will be flashing grey then when it does go black it goes grey black so not blank then black (if you get what I mean).

I counted every flash to it helped me concentrate and stop my mind wondering.

Keep your hand hovering over the button but not to close i twitched and touched it when I shouldn’t have but only did it once.

Good luck!

Thank you for the advice - much appreciated!

 

[Midlands5678]

Though I don't doubt that at all, the glitch type movement is what bothered me because when I asked some others if there experience was the same and some didn't have this, hence why I asked the assessor if it was faulty, the response didn't feel me with much confidence, but.. "you'll just have to get on with it"

I had the same issues, I asked the assessor at the end and they told me that it is calibrated purposely to be that way. Luckily I passed.

 

[Ladder23]

I had the same issues, I asked the assessor at the end and they told me that it is calibrated purposely to be that way. Luckily I passed.

Glad to know, I am convinced it’s just my speed that’s the issue and not the accuracy, as much as it bothered me at the time I did deal with it ok I think

 

[HWI_2001]

Morning all. I’ve been offered a job in a conductor role, however I’m taking fluoxetine and I’m a bit worried that I might be refused based on this. My question is, should I disclose this at the medical?

 

[Neatro]

Is there any (ideally free) online simulator available to replicate this test?

Not really,

Sounds silly but the best way I practiced the joystick test was playing racing/flying games as they can mimick the basic skills to operate 2 controls at the same time.

There's probably some pay to play course that'll have it, but to the tests really aren't that hard it's more understanding what you have to do, accurately, safely and in a timely fashion

 

[Marsh47]

Hi all,

I’ve recently got an email regarding an OPC test for cross country as a train driver. I would like to know a bit more about the test in general and what I can expect for further down the application process.

Thanks

 

[clarets2005]

Hi all,

I’ve recently got an email regarding an OPC test for cross country as a train driver. I would like to know a bit more about the test in general and what I can expect for further down the application process.

Thanks

What's the test they've sent you an invite for?
There are quite a few different assessments and interviews. There might be some practise materials attached to the email too.

 

[Spincity]

Exactly this!! Failed mine too with exactly the same thoughts, I know OPC are a professional outfit but the equipment is so old it must be possible that this happens?

You think it’s due to the age of the equipment. How old was the equipment you were using.

 

[mike79yorks]

Not really,

Sounds silly but the best way I practiced the joystick test was playing racing/flying games as they can mimick the basic skills to operate 2 controls at the same time.

There's probably some pay to play course that'll have it, but to the tests really aren't that hard it's more understanding what you have to do, accurately, safely and in a timely fashion

Thanks for the pointer!

 

[Neatro]

Thanks for the pointer!

No problem,

The tests aren't designed to be extremely hard. I thought of the controllers like a joystick with weird sensitivity. One does up and down and one does left and right if you have good enough skills to operate like that you'll fly through it.

Other pointers for anyone while I'm on the topic of computer tests.

I found the concentration test easier when every time a black square came up, pressed it then looked at another part of the screen for a millisecond then carried on otherwise the colours all sort of merge together if you're forever looking at it constantly. Also DONT hover too close to the button as I've heard plenty of people who have accidentally pressed it when it wasn't black.

And as far as the "tell us what you see test" (can't remember the exact name), make sure you ONLY tick what you saw in the brief second you were shown an image, don't think you saw something else and put that if you never saw it.

In all honesty I thought I'd absolutely fail the OPC tests but they are far easier than you think they are which unfortunately you won't know until you come to do them because you build it up because of the pressure to do well.

Do them however you feel most comfortable, do your research to know what you're getting into and mostly enjoy the experience, I personally found it far easier and believe I did better by enjoying the experience than anxious about every part

 

[Horizon22]

Morning all. I’ve been offered a job in a conductor role, however I’m taking fluoxetine and I’m a bit worried that I might be refused based on this. My question is, should I disclose this at the medical?

You should absolutely declare any medication at a medical. I can tell you that not declaring is more likely to lead to you being refused. Be up front and have a discussion about it with the OH medic.

 

[throwaway1989]

Hi all,
I've just stumbled across something that may help people to practice for the ATAVT Perception Test. I'm yet to sit it myself but I believe you are briefly shown a traffic scene and have to identify whether or not certain objects are present in the picture.
There is a game called Geoguessr which plonks you somewhere on the globe and you have to figure out where you are in the world. There is also a modification/script that you can add to the game called "blink mode" which will only show you the Google Maps location for a set amount of time. So you can be shown a street scene for 1.5 seconds and you could attempt to mark down what was on the picture. At the end of the 5 rounds you can then go back to the locations you were shown and mark your answers.
I might have done a terrible job explaining that but here's an example of the game in question:

I'd be interested to see if anyone that has actually sat the test would say this was indeed useful practice too?

 

[Aviator88]

Morning all. I’ve been offered a job in a conductor role, however I’m taking fluoxetine and I’m a bit worried that I might be refused based on this. My question is, should I disclose this at the medical?

100% declare. No reason to fail a medical due to taking an SSRI so long as the condition it's treating is well controlled and the medication has been well tolerated for a decent period of time.

There are train drivers taking blood pressure meds, antidepressants, blood thinners, all kinds, but they all have one thing in common - they declared it and discussed it with the operational health practitioner.

 

[CharlieBoy]

Hi folks - I hope this is okay.

I personally have just gone through the first part of the tests. Passed.

I would just like to thank people who put forward what they did and what to roughly expect, as it’s fresh in my mind, I thought I’d give an account of what happened on my test day.

It was TEA - OCC, DOTS, TRP1&2

TEA - OCC - first test was 10 sets of beeps ( low tones are always first - count them ) use fingers

Then it was a phone book with symbols and names. Circle the ones with double symbols. I.e OO, XX,**

Third test was both tests combined Look through phonebook while counting beeps, and we did this 6 times.

Audio Sounds and Phone Directory - Aptitude For Occupational Attention | Trainee Train Driver Info

This exclusive selective software download training system is the best way to prepare yourself for the telephone directory search while counting the mono tones. You will get a percentage score on completion and alert you of missed answers and tones. Our test is more difficulty than the actual...

traineetraindriverinfo.com

This ^^ was very accurate to tests and sets you at a higher standard.

DOTS - 5 pages with 25 across and 16 down. I got 11 lines on 3 and 10 lines on 2.

TRP1&2 - Part 1, read a passage for 5 mins then you have 8 mins to answer 18 questions on it. You can write notes but they are taken away before test starts.

Part 2 - dials - you are presented with fictitious dials from a train cab and rules relating to their functioning. You are required to apply the rules to determine the order in which the dials should be checked. This is 43 questions 8mins - you will never complete this - so do not worry, plenty on here can attest to that. I answered 29 with the last being a guess as time ran out.

Hope this helps those in the future.
Everyone’s experience on these threads helped me, just thought I would collectively keep it together.

Now need to wait for my DMI and hopefully pass that and the next stage. Wish me luck ✌

I’m new on here, looking for some help with TRP1, apparently mine will be about “Emergency Train Braking” but there not much on here. What’s the passage about it how does it go and what type of MC questions are ask……any help gratefully received

No. This test is to see if you can remember information you’ve just heard and read. It’s a test of short term memory. If you fail and need to re-sit the test you get a different passage of text about a train’s braking system.

I’m new on here, looking for some help with TRP1, apparently mine will be about “Emergency Train Braking” but there not much on here. What’s the passage about it how does it go and what type of MC questions are ask……any help gratefully received

 

[Danny2225]

Hi all, I have literally just registered as a member here, so Hiya!...
My query which I hope you can put me at ease over is this, I am going for my assessment later this month, I have previously carried out the mini SCAAT tests, and now will be facing the Group Bourdon test/s. I don't have to much of a concern with the nature of the test, and I find them quite straightforward, but I am concerned about how far you guys got through these before the time ran out. I practised a few over the weekend and only got about 1/2 way through the sheet, total of 30 lines, I made it to 17 lines in 2 minutes. my accuracy was spot on, but I just wondered am I too slow? should I sacrifice accuracy over speed?
Thanks all.

 

[golfsareus]

No never sacrifice accuracy the key is to reach a balance of working quickly while be remaining very accurate keep on practicing and your be fine.

 

[JWS]

17 lines I imagine is plenty. I passed and think I go through about 12lines

 

[Trader]

Hello everyone,


What are the psychometric tests and interview for conductor like, is it 2 interviews like for the driver? Is it the same psychometric tests as the driver?

What sort of tests will you do? What questions are more likely to be asked? When I browse through the forum it has more information about train driver interviews such as DMI and MMI.


Much appreciated.

 

[Danny2225]

No never sacrifice accuracy the key is to reach a balance of working quickly while be remaining very accurate keep on practicing and your be fine.

Thanks for your reply, I have moments of panic because I have no one to match up against so I don't always feel as though I am doing well enough! as the saying goes, practise makes perfect! I do feel more and more confident as the days go by so I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope I feel nice and refreshed and alert on the day!

17 lines I imagine is plenty. I passed and think I go through about 12lines

Brilliant, thank you for letting me know, I did think that what I was doing should be fine, but its the not knowing what a standard result should be is what is bothering me because I don't have that information I can't compare myself or my progress and find myself getting a little panicky about not performing as well as I should, so hearing your 12 lines being sufficient makes me feel a bit better, thanks!

 

[KP26]

Hi. Sorry if this is already answered somewhere.

I know someone who has driver psychometrics at Northern coming up in Leeds. Just wondered if they give you the outcome at the end of the day or whether you have to wait?

Cheers!

 

[scottish_lad]

I have to complete one of these for Southeastern. I've tried the SHL verbal reasoning online practice test and OMG it is so hard/confusing. I'm barely scoring 50% of the answers being correct, a massive confidence knock. I'm not stupid, but this is really getting to me.

Does anyone have any experience of these tests? Is the real one as bad as the practice?!