The revised SWT Mainline Driver Assessment 2015

[Martin Dolan]

Hello all!
Firstly, what a cracking forum full of helpful people contributing useful and at times vital information to others in need.
I've looked in on this forum from time to time over the last few years and have enjoyed learning something new each time!

SWT Mainline Driver - I've been in the system a few years now, I'm a Depot Driver down at Bournemouth for the last 5 years and I've sat the mainline assessment twice, the second due to the first expiring !

I've been called up for an assessment later this month and I'm keen to know about the recent changes to the assessment.
All I've heard is there is an additional element in the reaction and coordination test AKA the bells & whistles test.

Have any of you been through the assessment since its been changed that could kindly let us know what's involved?

Is the Criteria Based Interview still the same?

Grateful for any feedback

Thanks

Martin

 

[theironroad]

Can't really help on the details I'm afraid, but have recruitment at basing/soton sent you practice tests? Give them a call/email them....


Good luck mate....

 

[Martin Dolan]

Cheers mate!

Yes recruitment sending out paperwork/practice papers tomorrow thanks. Truth is they're never that accurate in terms of what to expect on the day and having been on the railway 10 years I've learnt that it's always worth asking around on such matters, you can't beat a bit of first hand experience!

Ta!

 

[387star]

The criteria interview is still there with am additional situational judgement test which feeds into it... Now known as the multi modal interview rather than criteria based interview

The old reaction test has been replaced by a number of individual tests which are hand cordination , quick perception and quick reaction

There is an additional paper based test listening out for certain tones whilst crossing off certain information

The memory, dials and group bourdon test haven't changed except the latter is on paper

No mechanics test

I think south west do additional communication tests like listening to a tape and relaying information or something

 

[Martin Dolan]

That's great, thanks for the info!
I remember a while ago being able to download a program and template to print off which replicated the reaction test and allowed you to practice whilst listening out for the tones and watching for colours on screen etc

I guess that's irrelevant now if the reaction test has been split up into different tests.

The memory, dials and group bourdon test I'm hoping I wont have to do again, assuming they haven't changed.

Oh well - we will see!

Thanks again

 

[387star]

If you did the group bourdon on computer before you have to do it on paper now

 

[Martin Dolan]

Indeed, just gave them a quick call and I have to re-sit all the elements again.

Time to start practising lol

 

[Martin Dolan]

Looks like I'm currently too fast!! Missed 10!!!

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I believe the idea of that test is accuracy (quality), not quantity, I may be wrong on that, as I've never had to sit them, being an ex-BR driver.

 

[theironroad]

I did sit them many years ago and it sounds like the tests have changed a few times. Others on here an probably give more accurate pass ratios, but the idea is a combination of accuracy and quantity.

You'd probably get every one right if you took two hours to do it and you'd probably get most wrong if you did it in 1 minute.

While you an get a few wrong, you must work through at a reasonable rate. As I say, others can no doubt provide more accurate info on the ratio of speed/ accuracy that is required for a pass.

 

[tlionhart]

I believe the idea of that test is accuracy (quality), not quantity, I may be wrong on that, as I've never had to sit them, being an ex-BR driver.

That's correct.
In my opinion the poster has missed far too many. Try and aim for 0 omitted and 0 mistakes, working at a speed your comfortable at. (Try not to worry what other people on here claim to be getting. Nerves on the day could mean they made too many mistakes, given their practise go they did 3/4 of the page.) with practise you get better. Also try not to just focus on the GB. There are other tests which you need to prepare for.
I believe SWT do most the known tests plus a verbal communication test. (Rvce) and the DFFT. Look those tests up on here and on google.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

RVCE - Railway Verbal Communication Exercise (Which is the old ABC)

Accurate
Brief
Concise.

With the ability to repeat it back, best thing to do is take a pen & paper with you, so you can write it down, especially if the instructions are complex. Nowt wrong with doing it afaic, because I do that today, to ensure that I don't screw it up!

And if the "signaller" starts going at a rate of knots, then ask them to slow down, so you can make a note of what's being said. Done that in the real world too.

DFFT - Driver Fault Finding Test, basically proves how well you can follow procedures and do it in an orderly manner.

 

[tlionhart]

RVCE - Railway Verbal Communication Exercise (Which is the old ABC)

Accurate
Brief
Concise.

With the ability to repeat it back, best thing to do is take a pen & paper with you, so you can write it down, especially if the instructions are complex. Nowt wrong with doing it afaic, because I do that today, to ensure that I don't screw it up!

And if the "signaller" starts going at a rate of knots, then ask them to slow down, so you can make a note of what's being said. Done that in the real world too.

DFFT - Driver Fault Finding Test, basically proves how well you can follow procedures and do it in an orderly manner.

Also if the signalman says something and it doesn't make sense. You can repeat it to define clarity.

Also with any of the tests if you genuinely don't understnad or you get the example wrong, ask the instructor. If you still don't get, they must explain the test.
None of the tests are actually difficult so to speak. Challanging, yes. As your limited to a short amount of time to apply what you've just learnt. In theory if you went back on your second attempt you would ace it. You would of had the time to walk away, think about the task and apply it. Whereas in the assesments your required to do it straight away.
As mentioned, if you don't understand a test then ask. Screw the other candidates (yeah you'll be holding the test up) however if you fail it, it's a strike.
So if you are going to fail the test, Be happy with a borderline. Obviously you want better than that.
The tests are not aimed to catch people out. After all they send practice materials out and give you an example question and if it's wrong they won't let you take the test till you understand it.
Some may get more done than you, however it doesn't mean they are correct. A common theme you'll notice in the whole procces is;
Consistency, accuracy. So focus on your ability and getting them right as opposed to rushing and hoping for the best

 

[Martin Dolan]

Yes, take all that on board thanks! This will be the third time I've sat the assessment, having passed twice before so hoping It hasn't changed too much.

I remember many years ago applying for a guards position and failing the SCAAT test. I was In disbelief that I had missed so many out on the test and I was chuffed with myself for finishing the pages before anyone else in the classroom.

Oh how wrong I was!

Consistency and accuracy, I agree is the theme throughout all the psychometric tests that are carried out.

One thing - the additional part the the CBI - anyone been through this and would care to give their example of where they had to make a decision and what on?


5th go on the group bourdon and getting better.
Assessment is 27th so 2 weeks to revise all the parts of the test.

 

[tlionhart]

So the question refers to making a decision. This doesn't have to be witch craft. It's assessing you can make an independent decision and the buck finishing with you.

 

[MrPHD]

Have a look at this website:- how2become.com look for the train driving section, lots of advice and tools that you can purchase to help you practice

 

[carriageline]

Also if the signalman says something and it doesn't make sense. You can repeat it to define clarity.

I'm sorry but if you don't understand something we tell you, just repeating it back will not help unless you repeat it back incorrectly we will presume you understood it!

If you don't understand anything, tell the signaller. If you repeated it back then trundled off and had an incident, it would be on your head.

 

[Martin Dolan]

Managed to average this sort've score now which is good, think I'll be ok.
One week to go so time to start practising it on paper as it's surprising how different it is to do!

 

[Martin Dolan]

Well, thankfully I passed everything today!

Order of the day was
TRP 1 & 2
Group Bourdon (Paper)
TEA-OCC
WCT (possibly the easiest test in all the assessments I've attended, they leave you the storyboard in front of you!?)
WAFV - Surprisingly difficult to stay focused on a monitor screen for 30 mins
ATAVT - Straight forward
2 hand Co-ordination test - Again straight forward, best to hold joysticks at base to improve control I found.

End of assessment

Cant believe they haven't changed the TRP section after all these years! GLOP and Dials, every time.
I got one of the example questions wrong in the cables and dials test. I literally couldn't see the correct answer and had to hold up the room for a second or two whilst I said I cant understand it. As soon as the assessor explained the question it all clicked into place.

I realise what happened is I was thrown off by the instructions that were played from a tape beforehand, I started to panic as we were about to turn the page to begin the test. It just goes to show you really should ask If you need something explained, there's no shame in it. I wonder how many people go there and are too scared to say I don't understand x or y and then go into the test only to answer most of the questions incorrectly!

Hardest part of the day was the TEA-OCC, mainly because it was new and unknown but luckily the 3 sub tests are scored overall so if you fluffed up the first part with the tones (which I felt I had) then it wasn't the end of the world.
Computer bits now easier than before it all changed in my opinion.


Next stop is a bit confusing though, I'm told to come back on March 10th for Situational Judgement Interview followed by Driver Manager Interview. The assessor then implied I would have to return at a later date to sit the Multi Model Interview. Either that or I misunderstood.

I was of the understanding (as it says in my recent practice materials sent to me from my TOC) that the only interview bits after passing all the assessment elements were the situational Judgement questions and then the multi modal interview, not an additional driver manager interview like there used to be before the assessments changed in 2013.

I don't mind doing the additional bit at all but was rather hoping to only have to go back once more. Oh well hopefully they plan on doing it all on the same day, certainly be easier and less stressful that way lol

Anybody been through it recently who did all three interviews on the same day or had to go back on a separate day for the MMI?

Cheers

Martin

 

[tlionhart]

When I did mine (diff TOC) they offered the MMI for the following day and a free permit to travel back to the assesment centre, because we all passed the stage 2. I stayed on for the mmi and 2 returned the following day. Interview lasts approx 40-60mins.
After all that you will have a driver manager interview.
That's the thing with these tests, best to understand them then second guess.
Best of luck!

 

[TimmyJ20]

Well done Martin, I've been waiting for a vacancy/assessemnt date with SWT for three years now! Certainly a waiting game... which depot are you hoping to get to?

 

[Martin Dolan]

I've applied for Salisbury and Bournemouth depots.
Without going into too much detail this has taken 5 years to get to this stage.
Its very true that recruitment moves in mysterious ways!..

Always keep phoning, never settle on being told 'we'll let you know'.
It pays to make yourself known without becoming an annoyance to them.

Best of luck to you!

Martin

 

[387star]

So there is no longer a railway communication exercise SWT insist on?

These were internal vacancies?

Well done I agree the assessments are very straight forward provided you concentrate and know what you are doing! I actually found the traffic perception the hardest because the images flash up so briefly

I wonder if an overall score is given for the computer tests or if they are marked separately

The computer tests and teocc have broken up the old dtg into separate components... The dtg did look challenging though I have never taken it. That and the removal of the mechanics test possibly make the process easier? I have taken the dfft as well but again that was straight forward though you had to work very quickly

 

[Martin Dolan]

No I didn't sit the Railway Communication exercise yesterday so they must've dropped it altogether. Whether it still applies to a guards assessment or a different grade I don't know.

Pretty sure the vacancies were internal but hat was a long time ago.
There were 4 of us at the assessment yesterday and each one of us had been contacted out of the blue by SWT. One external guy applied 3 years ago and heard nothing until recently.

Doesn't seem to be any logical explanation to the order of who is recruited, even though there must be!


@ tlionhart - Cheers for that mate. Seems things are done in a different order with my TOC as I've been told so far that the MMI is the last thing to do in the whole process?

The old assessment it was the CBI Interview with member of Recruitment then a final interview with a Driver Manager and again a member of Recruitment.

I'm hoping the letter they'll send me will clarify things.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Looks like I'll be attending a Selection Interview with a Driver Manager then If I pass that I'll be called back to sit the Situation Judgement Exercise followed By The Multi Model Interview.

I'm 90% confident on the information I need to know for the Selection Interview such as knowledge of the company and its infrastructure, working to rules and regulations, being able to provide specific examples of dealing with an emergency situation, working alone,working under pressure, customer service, attitude to safety etc

I was just wondering if any of you have sat this recently for SWT and had any additional info that might help?

Many thanks.