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Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Multiple Locations (28/02/23)

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J407

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9 Mar 2023
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Lancashire
Did my OPC assessments this morning. Took around an hour with a good brew in a quiet room. There isn't any tips for it, its not timed so plenty of time to read over the questions twice before selecting answers. Good luck all.

Does anyone know if everyone who applied gets a chance at the OPC assessment and if passed they look at your CV / application before going to the next stage?
 
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Sopra

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10 Mar 2023
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Riddy said:
Just finished my OPC questions now. Took me just over an hour to do them all, but as others have said you can do the 5 sections individually and come back to the others later, however when you start a section you must complete it in one go. Some sections only a take a few minutes, whilst others involve a bit of reading and some thought. Nothing too taxing or technical, but I found myself second guessing my own answers and thoughts.
As others have also said, there's not really any prep that you can do as its a test to see what your personality and morals are like.
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Riddy said:
Just finished my OPC questions now. Took me just over an hour to do them all, but as others have said you can do the 5 sections individually and come back to the others later, however when you start a section you must complete it in one go. Some sections only a take a few minutes, whilst others involve a bit of reading and some thought. Nothing too taxing or technical, but I found myself second guessing my own answers and thoughts.
As others have also said, there's not really any prep that you can do as its a test to see what your personality and morals are like.
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Good luck! Can you give me few details what they ask you about on Preferences Questions and Non-Technical Skills? Many thanks
 
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FlyinScotsman.

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Can anyone tell me what is involved in the "more about you section"? As in, is it multiple choice questions or are you required to give detail etc. Thanks
 
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FlyinScotsman.

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Also, does anyone know if a mouse is actually required to carry out the tests? I'm using a MacBook with no USB ports for a mouse

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Bazzzzz said:
It’s just standard gender/disability questions, and if you would object to working shifts etc
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Thank you
 
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SCDR_WMR

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17 Dec 2017
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1,981
MNT5150 said:
Sitting in a talent bank waiting indefinitely to start training? Sounds like fun.
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Depending on the TOC it can be very rough. Not sure how Avanti operate theirs but GA and XC are amongst the worst. TfW seem to be very good wit theirs

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FlyinScotsman. said:
Also, does anyone know if a mouse is actually required to carry out the tests? I'm using a MacBook with no USB ports for a mouse

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Thank you
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Did mine on my phone with no issues so should be fine
 
ayaz2001

ayaz2001

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9 Mar 2023
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Blackburn
SCDR_WMR said:
As with all TOC roles, you get free travel on your own and parent companies trains (so First Group for Avanti) and 75% discount on other TOCs through Priv discount
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oh so that includes GWR, TPE and lumo right? as theyre owned by firstgroup
 
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SH2023!

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Can anyone advise me on what to expect from the Preference questions, as well as Priorities -driving tasks?
Thanks
 
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Jayleeruss

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London
SH2023! said:
Can anyone advise me on what to expect from the Preference questions, as well as Priorities -driving tasks?
Thanks
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A lil tricky these were! Basically you get a list of like 12 skills, and they ask you to decide which are the three most important, and which three are the least important. But they all seem like very important things. It’s true these exams are simply to get to know the way you think better. I found these way more difficult than the STJ which was actually pretty easy

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Does anyone know what stage were on if we’re on the OPC STJ and priorities exams? Looking at the stages on the website these aren’t listed. We’re clearly past the sift (stage 1.5) but not yet on the visual search exercise or the Magnificent 7 Situational Judgement Test (stage 2). If feels like they’ve missed the step we’re all currently on? Right?
 
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SingleWhammy

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10 Mar 2023
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Hi, I’m new to the forum. Seems like there’s a lot of people on here who know a lot about the process. Really helpful - got a lot of reading to do. Seems to be a lot of abbreviations to look up!

I just applied for the Edinburgh job. Never done anything like train driving before.

2nd March - Applied.
9th March - Got an email to do the tests.
10th March - Did the tests and haven’t heard anything at all or received an email of any type.

People seemed to have questions about what expect from the initial tests:

- Didn’t take long really to do them. Didn’t time it at all but seemed like probably 30-45 mins.
- Didn’t think you could really prepare for them at all.
- There seemed to be an emphasis on needing a mouse and using a computer but I don’t see how doing it on an iPad would affect you at all. It’s just drop downs and radio buttons.
- Hate these type of assessments!

I wondered if someone could explain in simple terms what the process looks so even an idiot like me can understand?

What comes after the initial tests? And I read on one forum about potential in person tests - do you think this would likely be just one day?

Thanks!
 
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Sorcerer

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SingleWhammy said:
I wondered if someone could explain in simple terms what the process looks so even an idiot like me can understand?

What comes after the initial tests? And I read on one forum about potential in person tests - do you think this would likely be just one day?
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You will have your questionnaire and SJT assessed, and if successful you'll be asked to do a Visual Search Exercise (VSE) test and Magnificent Seven Situational Judgement Test. In person tests will come afterwards if you are successful but you do not do them all in a single day. The paper tests and computer tests are separate, and the CBI interview is done on the same day as the computer tests. Expect to wait 7-10 working days after the deadline to hear back your results of the tests.
 
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SingleWhammy

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Sorcerer said:
You will have your questionnaire and SJT assessed, and if successful you'll be asked to do a Visual Search Exercise (VSE) test and Magnificent Seven Situational Judgement Test. In person tests will come afterwards if you are successful but you do not do them all in a single day. The paper tests and computer tests are separate, and the CBI interview is done on the same day as the computer tests. Expect to wait 7-10 working days after the deadline to hear back your results of the tests.
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Thank you, can easily over think these things. Will try and just wait patiently for the next email.
 
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RobJMcL

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10 Mar 2023
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Hi all, 1st time applying to be a train driver and was slightly apprehensive over the process so finding this forum has been amazing for me, thank you to all for the insights posted above. I received my link to the assessments yesterday to complete by the 14th at 15:53:31 so going to do it tomorrow then cross my fingers!

Good luck to everyone who has applied and I hope to meet you at Polmadie training!
 
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Mana

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9 Mar 2023
Messages
22
Location
Manchester
I am amazed the recruitment process are moving swiftly, I have my application sent to Manchester and Euston(bit odd I know for reasons undisclosed), but I have only gotten one reply, that I don't know which depot it is supposed to be.
 
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