Through to Psychometric testing - need advice

[italian]

Hello and good morning,

I've got through to the psychometric testing stages of becoming a trainee train driver.

I'd like to ensure I prepare properly as I understand the tests are difficult to pass. My main concerns being the mechanical test and any numerical test that I may encounter, but it would be good to cover all bases and find a good resource, including practice tests, for each test I might encounter on the day.

I've looked online and found 2 websites that seem to offer online courses, tests and cd materals to purchase. The 1st being - https://www.how2become.com/ the 2nd being - https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/train-driver-assessment

I don't know if either of these sites are highly rated resources and would give me what I need but I am willing to pay to be able to prepare for the tests (unless theres something free that I'm overlooking).

Can anyone recommend the above websites, or suggest a better website or resource to prepare?

I feel if I can pass the tests I have the require ability / people skills to pass the final driver interview, and I should have no issues with the medical.

Thanks for your help and advice.

 

[driver9000]

Don't part with a penny for practice material. You will be sent material before you attend the centre and everything you could want to know is available free online and by searching this forum for its numerous topics on the psychometric tests.

Good luck!

 

[387star]

There is no mechanical test or numerical teat the only mechanical test I did was during the freightliner application

 

[Memetim]

The group bourdon tool on here is useful. With regards to the rest, the TOC will send out practice materials for you beforehand. I've not heard of anything to say the courses have given anyone an advantage. I did find it useful to read up on interview techniques in advance of the MMI which is part of the 2nd stage of testing.

 

[387star]

Personally I think the managers interview is the toughest part of the whole process

 

[Memetim]

I always figured if I managed the MMI as long as I at least put the same level of focus and preparation into the managers interview I'd do ok. I was certainly far less nervous about the managers interview than the MMI. Depends on individual experiences I guess.

 

[italian]

Thanks for the advice, I'll await to hear back from First Group and not part with my hard earned pennies.

The email I received stated congratulations you've passed the telephone interview. I'm aware the next stage after this is Psychometric Testing 1, then Psychometric Testing 2, although no details of the individual tests have been revealed.

The email did indicate that only the highest scoring applicants would move forward, I wasn't sure if this was just a generic email that everyone who passes gets or an indication that I've passed but wasn't in the highest scoring bracket, a bit ambiguous. The email did say to regularly check my emails for further update and I should hear more in over coming days.

I'm not quite as uneasy about the final interview (if I make it that far) as I have plenty of work base examples / life experience from my current profession that I can usually call upon, a lot of safety based / risk assess stuff. I also tend to communicate pretty well under pressure.

 

[Fred Dinenage]

Read through the link below, it goes into the various psychometric tests.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=91301&highlight=New+train+driver+assessment

 

[TheEdge]

I've just done them all (and passed ). While they are not a pleasant experience they are not really as hard (if you have the skills) as some people like to make them out to be. I'll come back to that bit later. Never personally came across the mech test and no one I've spoken too has seen it either. Part 1 will be the paper tests. Group Bourdon Test, fault finding, memory tests and distraction tests. Part 2 is the "Vienna tests", they are the perception, reaction and co-ordination test. Then the structured interview to finish that day.

There is absolutely no need to spend the £100+ some of those websites are asking for. The things sent put by the TOC are plenty enough. And if you just image search GBT you will get pages of the test.

At the end of the day these are not designed to be tests you can learn to pass. They are designed to catch people out who do not have the requisite skills. If you need to learn your way through the tests to pass them then you are only causing yourself problems, namely that the training and job will be very difficult as you have "tricked" the system into thinking you have the skills that are needed, people forget that.

 

[Fred Dinenage]

Hello Italian,

Certain FOCs ( freight operating companies ) require a mech test, TOCs ( train operating companiies ) do not.

Experiences of people who've sat the tests vary widely, the same as any examination i suppose. Nerves can make them more difficult than they should be.

Some companies insist on high marks or an " enhanced " pass mark overall to be considered for employment, others just rate scores as pass / fail. And some companies do the depot manager interview before sending candidates for assessment and vice versa.

Using the search facility on this forum is invaluable to sussing out exactly what to expect and the type of questions you'll be asked if you get to the MMI interview at the end of the tests. The hardest part of applying i found is getting thtough the sift

 

[Jydo]

I've just done them all (and passed ). While they are not a pleasant experience they are not really as hard (if you have the skills) as some people like to make them out to be. I'll come back to that bit later. Never personally came across the mech test and no one I've spoken too has seen it either. Part 1 will be the paper tests. Group Bourdon Test, fault finding, memory tests and distraction tests. Part 2 is the "Vienna tests", they are the perception, reaction and co-ordination test. Then the structured interview to finish that day.

There is absolutely no need to spend the £100+ some of those websites are asking for. The things sent put by the TOC are plenty enough. And if you just image search GBT you will get pages of the test.

At the end of the day these are not designed to be tests you can learn to pass. They are designed to catch people out who do not have the requisite skills. If you need to learn your way through the tests to pass them then you are only causing yourself problems, namely that the training and job will be very difficult as you have "tricked" the system into thinking you have the skills that are needed, people forget that.

Totally agree with all of the above but there is no harm in "familarising" yourself as much as possible about the tests before the tests, isnt that what we all do? Although to be fair the GB test is the only test that you get to try out at home, there is no passage or answers available about the memory test, no cables & dials excersises available or no high tones low tones excersises either........

Practice at the GB but dont over do it and use all the practice material they have sent you, thats about it.........

 

[kaine19]

I got through as well. I spoke with some one from recruitment on the phone as I put the phone down from.the telephone interview I literally got an email straight away saying I passed. I didn't expect so quick so I rang up to make sure. She mentioned about the adoring and there looking at sending every one who passed to the next stage

 

[Bromley boy]

Have a look for Richard McMunn(?)'s book of sample GB tests. I found this really useful to get used to working both quickly and accurately. Having sat the tests recently this really is the only one you can practice for.

As for the test itself, try and make an conscious effort to slow down. It is very tempting to rush ahead in the heat of the moment. I was only getting 5 or 6 rows down each sheet but was successful so clearly accuracy is valued as much as speed.
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I would echo the previous comments re. the "How to become a train driver" commercial packages. Don't see what these give you beyond the practice material from your TOC and the GB test book. I may be cynical but they look like a thinly disguised money making scheme to me.

 

[Kells21]

I've literally just done mine in Doncaster, just nail the group bourden the rest apart from dials its down to you on the day...luckily I nailed all mine yesterday !

 

[Driver068]

May I ask whats the DFFT, is this something new and/or is it only for certain TOCS?

 

[Scottpod1981]

Driver fault finding test (DFFT)

 

[Driver068]

Driver fault finding test (DFFT)

Sorry, ill elaborate, what does the test consist of. Is it new?

 

[donpoku]

It's the fault finding test.

http://www.theopc.co.uk/tests/transport/detail.jsp?gfx1=dfft-[website-image].jpg&id=112