Do I need to do the Group Bourdon (dots) test again if already passed

[dglondon]

Hi all,

Just after a bit of advice: I recently attended a Trainee Train Driver assessment day and passed all the tests. I was told that the next stage would be the managers interview and that they would get in touch to arrange a date for it. This was around a month ago and I'm still waiting, although I'm not too surprised by the wait as from the other posts on this forum things do normally take time in the rail industry.

Anyway, within the last month I have also applied for a Trainee Train Driver role with another TOC. They have just come back to invite me to an assessment day with them next week. I rang them to say that I have already passed the assessment tests, but they said that I still need to do the 'dots' test with them as they do this test on paper whereas I passed this test on a computer. They said that the tests are marked differently which is why I still need to do this test.

So what I was wondering is:

i) Is this normal, and has anyone else had a similar experience ?. I guess that a TOC can do what they like and ask me to sit whatever tests they want, regardless of whether or not I have passed the same test already ? (although in a different format).

ii) If I fail the paper based 'dots' test next week, does that result supercede my previous successful assessment day pass, and mean that I now have a 'failure' on my record and would have to take all the tests again if I were to apply to another TOC (and would also have to wait 6 months to do so).

iii) If I fail the paper based 'dots' test, would the first TOC I applied to cancel my Managers Interview because I have now failed the assessment with the second TOC ?

I'm a bit worried now as not sure whether I should attend the assessment day next week. I've no idea if or when I will hear back from the first TOC and want to give myself the best possible chance by applying for other positions with other TOC's. However, having passed one assessment day I don't want to now risk ruining the hard work I put in to pass it.

I thought I was fairly good at the computer based 'dot's test when I practiced it before but have never done any paper based dots test. Do you think I would find the paper based test very different in terms of hardness ?

 

[toot toot]

Cannot answer all your questions mate but I'd say that you would pass the test no problem again.Have you saw examples of the written test?

 

[ee el oh]

Cant help much but if you do the paper test you'll walk it as its much easier than the one on the computer.

 

[jscho84233]

Cant help much but if you do the paper test you'll walk it as its much easier than the one on the computer.

Agreed. I had been practicing on the PC at home, and when I got to the assessment and did it on paper, I found that I was much more confident. OP, get hold of some practice GB papers and give it a go.

As to the implications on your first application should you fail, it may be worth calling the first TOC's HR and discussing your concerns with them. They may be able to put your mind at ease.

 

[parsons16]

ee el oh,
I wouldn't contact the first TOC if I were in your shoes as they may take it that you're a "serial" applicant, in other words just looking to enter the driving grade. Remember, it's TOC first, job second and if I were in HR or an Ops. Manager I'd be really suspect about somebody contacting me regarding taking a test with another TOC. Look at it from their point of view, they may spend all that money training you up, only for you to then transfer to another TOC in the future! Think long and hard before you do this mate!!

 

[jscho84233]

The OP just needs to call them and ask them hypothetically without giving them a name!

 

[parsons16]

Sorry ee el oh, I was of course replying to dglondons' original question!

 

[ghost]

Hi dglondon, when I got my job as a driver I did my tests at a different TOC and I did the dots on computer. Where I got the job they do it on paper and they accepted that a pass on the dots was a pass if done on computer or paper. (This has never been a issue or I never heard it to be unless you are doing scatt) The principle is the same cross out dots that are in four. The computer marks the computer test (which is quicker) and a man / woman what ever you want to call the Hr person marks the paper test.

The RSSB sets the standards for the tests and make them fair for everyone so how can one TOC decide they will change the way its marked?

Take Note! Recently TOC'S have started to reject applicants who get borderline passes. But this is their choice as they have too many applicants and its one way to get the numbers down. But to keep it fair the result will always be put on the national database as a pass in the driver assessment. You'll just have to go somewhere where companies to accept borderline passes. Simples!

My advice is to call again and try to speak to someone else. Or ring DB they do private assessments and try to get explanation from them.

what company have you got the test with?

Good luck