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Assessment Day Help

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nathanreder

Member
Joined
13 Apr 2022
Messages
8
Location
Northern
I thought I would write this to offer you an insight into the Assessment day.

I went in for the assessment day at Leeds City centre. I got there at 08:30 and went to a waiting are where over the course of 15 mins I met three other candidates who would be on the assessment day with me. We went in at 09:00 where we had an introduction to the day and to the paper tests. My biggest tip for the written tests would be to take a stop watch with you.

Group Bourdon test
This was as you expect, the "dot test" this test was easier in person than the practice tool and the 5 tests were across three pages of a book each had bout 16 lines. I managed between 8-10 lines on all 5 pages.

Phonebook test
This was the second test which we moved straight into, we were given a piece of A3 paper which was in the form of a phonebook, at the end of everything in the book there was shapes. We had to circle all of the double shapes two circles or two triangles for example. However as you would expect there was many different and made to confuse you.
The second part of this test was an audio, we had to listen for High and Low tone beeps. We had to ignore the low tone and only count the high tone and this was effectively the floor that the elevator was on.
The third part was putting both tests together and doing them at the same time.

Memory test
This was where we were given an audio chat of some learning material. After this we were given 5 mins to read through the same material and take notes. After the 5 mins they were taken off us and we were given an answer booklet. We had to wait 5 mins again before starting. We then had a multiple choice answer booklet to answer questions on the material. TIP! if you have a stop watch and you only have seconds remaining randomly select the remaining answers as you are not punished for wrong answers!

At this stage we were sent back to the waiting area to await our results.
Two candidates were taken separately and were informed they had not been successful.

We remaining two were given a 5 minute break before the PC tests.

First test
We had to stare at a monitor with a white screen for 33mins every so often a grey square would pop up and if it turned black we had to press a button.

Second test
We were shown photos for a split second and had to remember items we seen in that picture.

Third test
Joystick test, We had to navigate through a shape not leaving the lines as fast as we could.

We were again given a break after being told our results.

We went back in and had to do a situational judgement test on the PC and write a prep for our MMI.
We then went into our MMI and were told the results straight after.

Any help needed just ask.
 
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Rodney

Member
Joined
6 May 2021
Messages
6
Location
North East
Well done! How did you prep for the MMI? I know to use the STAR method and I have an idea of what the questions will be like from this forum. But did you have to use stuff like non-technical skills in your answers?
 

nathanreder

Member
Joined
13 Apr 2022
Messages
8
Location
Northern
Well done! How did you prep for the MMI? I know to use the STAR method and I have an idea of what the questions will be like from this forum. But did you have to use stuff like non-technical skills in your answers?
Hi Rodney,

Thank you, They give you a sheet of paper with the questions on before your MMI and give you 30 mins to put your answers/prep on. (you get this back to refer to during the interview)
I found it best to put my answer first in a short sentence and then a lot of trigger words relating to both my experience and the answer for example. So first I would talk through my answer without looking at the sheet as much as I could using the STAR method. Then I would look at the sheet for prompts to make sure I hadn't missed anything to fill in the blanks.

Q. Tell us of a time you had to step up and take responsibility in a hard time.
A. when I was in the military and I had to take charge of an attack.
communication Leadership Time sensitive Safety of myself, colleagues efficiency Risks Aftermath.

I don't believe in saying good luck mate so go and smash it!
 

MeatAndTwoMeg

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2020
Messages
98
Location
Oxfordshire
Thank you for sharing this. I have a question on your experience with the MMI. I sat a DMI earlier this week and the driver manager said to expect the MMI interviewer to use psychological tricks in their probing questions to confuse and throw me off. Did you find this to be the case?
 

TreacleMiller

Member
Joined
22 Feb 2020
Messages
442
Location
Leeds
Yes. The OP and I sat the same assessment centre and we were the only two to pass the day.

The MMI was informed by situational based questions that we had answered as well as 6 given scenarios we had worked in. No pass fail on those STJ's - about 20 from memory - but some included answers that if you "agreed" with you would probably be asked challenging questions in the MMI. Its a VERY similar test to those by other TOC's right at the front end.

The MMI could be thought of skill specific with a dispassionate interviewer. Be honest if you get through to that phase.

Some do the MMI first, others the DMI. The MMI can be thought of as a much more formal, slightly more intense and potentially even confrontational interview compared to the DMI.
 
Last edited:

Carl98k

Member
Joined
5 Apr 2020
Messages
282
Location
Plymouth
So completed and MMI last week (for another FOC). If I’m honest I did t find it that bad. They ask you a question, “tell me a time when you’ve had to follow procedures”. They then say “you said while loading the truck at the fuel terminal”. They then ask you go in to more detail. They will then ask sub questions. “How did you manage to stick to the procedures”. Fortunately with my back ground I had lots of examples. Especially when they asked how they related to train driving.

All I’d say is, stay clam and take your time. If you’re using a technical terminology just explain what it is. Also the scores from the SJT maybe used to decide if you’ve passed the MMI or not. I was basically told if you nail the MMI they don’t really look at them. But if you’re on a sticky wicket from the MMI then they’d take them in to consideration.
 

BlueMike26

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2021
Messages
103
Location
Glossop
I thought I would write this to offer you an insight into the Assessment day.

I went in for the assessment day at Leeds City centre. I got there at 08:30 and went to a waiting are where over the course of 15 mins I met three other candidates who would be on the assessment day with me. We went in at 09:00 where we had an introduction to the day and to the paper tests. My biggest tip for the written tests would be to take a stop watch with you.

Group Bourdon test
This was as you expect, the "dot test" this test was easier in person than the practice tool and the 5 tests were across three pages of a book each had bout 16 lines. I managed between 8-10 lines on all 5 pages.

Phonebook test
This was the second test which we moved straight into, we were given a piece of A3 paper which was in the form of a phonebook, at the end of everything in the book there was shapes. We had to circle all of the double shapes two circles or two triangles for example. However as you would expect there was many different and made to confuse you.
The second part of this test was an audio, we had to listen for High and Low tone beeps. We had to ignore the low tone and only count the high tone and this was effectively the floor that the elevator was on.
The third part was putting both tests together and doing them at the same time.

Memory test
This was where we were given an audio chat of some learning material. After this we were given 5 mins to read through the same material and take notes. After the 5 mins they were taken off us and we were given an answer booklet. We had to wait 5 mins again before starting. We then had a multiple choice answer booklet to answer questions on the material. TIP! if you have a stop watch and you only have seconds remaining randomly select the remaining answers as you are not punished for wrong answers!

At this stage we were sent back to the waiting area to await our results.
Two candidates were taken separately and were informed they had not been successful.

We remaining two were given a 5 minute break before the PC tests.

First test
We had to stare at a monitor with a white screen for 33mins every so often a grey square would pop up and if it turned black we had to press a button.

Second test
We were shown photos for a split second and had to remember items we seen in that picture.

Third test
Joystick test, We had to navigate through a shape not leaving the lines as fast as we could.

We were again given a break after being told our results.

We went back in and had to do a situational judgement test on the PC and write a prep for our MMI.
We then went into our MMI and were told the results straight after.

Any help needed just ask.
Really useful post mate cheers. Which TOC were you being assessed for?
 
Joined
21 Apr 2022
Messages
6
Location
Bexley
I thought I would write this to offer you an insight into the Assessment day.

I went in for the assessment day at Leeds City centre. I got there at 08:30 and went to a waiting are where over the course of 15 mins I met three other candidates who would be on the assessment day with me. We went in at 09:00 where we had an introduction to the day and to the paper tests. My biggest tip for the written tests would be to take a stop watch with you.

Group Bourdon test
This was as you expect, the "dot test" this test was easier in person than the practice tool and the 5 tests were across three pages of a book each had bout 16 lines. I managed between 8-10 lines on all 5 pages.

Phonebook test
This was the second test which we moved straight into, we were given a piece of A3 paper which was in the form of a phonebook, at the end of everything in the book there was shapes. We had to circle all of the double shapes two circles or two triangles for example. However as you would expect there was many different and made to confuse you.
The second part of this test was an audio, we had to listen for High and Low tone beeps. We had to ignore the low tone and only count the high tone and this was effectively the floor that the elevator was on.
The third part was putting both tests together and doing them at the same time.

Memory test
This was where we were given an audio chat of some learning material. After this we were given 5 mins to read through the same material and take notes. After the 5 mins they were taken off us and we were given an answer booklet. We had to wait 5 mins again before starting. We then had a multiple choice answer booklet to answer questions on the material. TIP! if you have a stop watch and you only have seconds remaining randomly select the remaining answers as you are not punished for wrong answers!

At this stage we were sent back to the waiting area to await our results.
Two candidates were taken separately and were informed they had not been successful.

We remaining two were given a 5 minute break before the PC tests.

First test
We had to stare at a monitor with a white screen for 33mins every so often a grey square would pop up and if it turned black we had to press a button.

Second test
We were shown photos for a split second and had to remember items we seen in that picture.

Third test
Joystick test, We had to navigate through a shape not leaving the lines as fast as we could.

We were again given a break after being told our results.

We went back in and had to do a situational judgement test on the PC and write a prep for our MMI.
We then went into our MMI and were told the results straight after.

Any help needed just ask.
Thanks so much really helpful.
 

TreacleMiller

Member
Joined
22 Feb 2020
Messages
442
Location
Leeds
Just to confirm too, I passed for Northern to their standards. My pass was also good enough for LNER.

Thats 9/10 lines on the GB test without omission or error and youll be ok as long as you pass everything else on the day.
 

FITZ-G

New Member
Joined
20 May 2022
Messages
3
Location
South Croydon
Evening all,

Got my assessment coming up next week for Southern and was just wondering if some members can give me an idea of a few of the competency based questions they were asked?

Thank in advance.
 

Shunted

Member
Joined
22 Oct 2021
Messages
156
Location
Leicester
Evening all,

Got my assessment coming up next week for Southern and was just wondering if some members can give me an idea of a few of the competency based questions they were asked?

Thank in advance.
Type MMI in the magnifying glass search area at the top and you will find all the information you need
 
Joined
21 Apr 2022
Messages
6
Location
Bexley
So completed and MMI last week (for another FOC). If I’m honest I did t find it that bad. They ask you a question, “tell me a time when you’ve had to follow procedures”. They then say “you said while loading the truck at the fuel terminal”. They then ask you go in to more detail. They will then ask sub questions. “How did you manage to stick to the procedures”. Fortunately with my back ground I had lots of examples. Especially when they asked how they related to train driving.

All I’d say is, stay clam and take your time. If you’re using a technical terminology just explain what it is. Also the scores from the SJT maybe used to decide if you’ve passed the MMI or not. I was basically told if you nail the MMI they don’t really look at them. But if you’re on a sticky wicket from the MMI then they’d take them in to consideration.
Hi, just passed my assessment day for Southern and waiting for interviews. Are allowed to take notes in to the MMI interview? Thanks in advance
 

Carl98k

Member
Joined
5 Apr 2020
Messages
282
Location
Plymouth
Hi, just passed my assessment day for Southern and waiting for interviews. Are allowed to take notes in to the MMI interview? Thanks in advance
Well done. No you’re not. They ask you the question and then read your answer back. So you don’t need to remember anything
 

FITZ-G

New Member
Joined
20 May 2022
Messages
3
Location
South Croydon
Hi, just passed my assessment day for Southern and waiting for interviews. Are allowed to take notes in to the MMI interview? Thanks in advance
Congratulations Gavin. I got mine coming up with Southern Very soon. MMI interview not on the same day then? Any advice/tips for the day?
 

nathanreder

Member
Joined
13 Apr 2022
Messages
8
Location
Northern
Thanks for this. How did you master the joystick test? Any tips?
Theres two ways of doing this as I found on my assessment day.

I went very fast going out of the lines a fair amount but getting back in very quick and to the end very fast.

The other candidate on my course went a lot slower and rarely went out of the lines. The assessor did say at the end we had very different results in way of how we completed it but we had very similar end Official result if this makes sense to you?
 

SeanW90

Member
Joined
17 Jan 2019
Messages
33
I found the tests fairly straightforward. The two hand coordination test with the joy sticks was a bit tricky however, mainly because there’s no way to practise it before. It’s being put into a talent pool and waiting for months on end with no start date after passing I find the most difficult thing about the process.
 

Jaytrains

Member
Joined
20 Nov 2017
Messages
485
I found the tests fairly straightforward. The two hand coordination test with the joy sticks was a bit tricky however, mainly because there’s no way to practise it before. It’s being put into a talent pool and waiting for months on end with no start date after passing I find the most difficult thing about the process.

Yeahh its hard but have faith, they will come through with something at some point i just got mine after a year and two months in a talent pool
 

Nela

Member
Joined
3 May 2022
Messages
15
Location
Kent
Hi, just passed my assessment day for Southern and waiting for interviews. Are allowed to take notes in to the MMI interview? Thanks in advance
Hi Gavinfillary12, glad to hear you passed. We had the assessment same day, I was the only girl in the group so I assume you probably remember me. I also passed, got my results back few days ago and also waiting on available dates for DMI. Let’s hope everything goes smooth and the waiting period won’t be too long. Congrats again
Hi, just passed my assessment day for Southern and waiting for interviews. Are allowed to take notes in to the MMI interview? Thanks in advance
 
Joined
21 Apr 2022
Messages
6
Location
Bexley
Hi Gavinfillary12, glad to hear you passed. We had the assessment same day, I was the only girl in the group so I assume you probably remember me. I also passed, got my results back few days ago and also waiting on available dates for DMI. Let’s hope everything goes smooth and the waiting period won’t be too long. Congrats again
Brilliant well done. Hopefully will be quicker than the assessment day .
 

laurik_8_6@yah

New Member
Joined
9 Dec 2021
Messages
1
Location
London
I thought I would write this to offer you an insight into the Assessment day.

I went in for the assessment day at Leeds City centre. I got there at 08:30 and went to a waiting are where over the course of 15 mins I met three other candidates who would be on the assessment day with me. We went in at 09:00 where we had an introduction to the day and to the paper tests. My biggest tip for the written tests would be to take a stop watch with you.

Group Bourdon test
This was as you expect, the "dot test" this test was easier in person than the practice tool and the 5 tests were across three pages of a book each had bout 16 lines. I managed between 8-10 lines on all 5 pages.

Phonebook test
This was the second test which we moved straight into, we were given a piece of A3 paper which was in the form of a phonebook, at the end of everything in the book there was shapes. We had to circle all of the double shapes two circles or two triangles for example. However as you would expect there was many different and made to confuse you.
The second part of this test was an audio, we had to listen for High and Low tone beeps. We had to ignore the low tone and only count the high tone and this was effectively the floor that the elevator was on.
The third part was putting both tests together and doing them at the same time.

Memory test
This was where we were given an audio chat of some learning material. After this we were given 5 mins to read through the same material and take notes. After the 5 mins they were taken off us and we were given an answer booklet. We had to wait 5 mins again before starting. We then had a multiple choice answer booklet to answer questions on the material. TIP! if you have a stop watch and you only have seconds remaining randomly select the remaining answers as you are not punished for wrong answers!

At this stage we were sent back to the waiting area to await our results.
Two candidates were taken separately and were informed they had not been successful.

We remaining two were given a 5 minute break before the PC tests.

First test
We had to stare at a monitor with a white screen for 33mins every so often a grey square would pop up and if it turned black we had to press a button.

Second test
We were shown photos for a split second and had to remember items we seen in that picture.

Third test
Joystick test, We had to navigate through a shape not leaving the lines as fast as we could.

We were again given a break after being told our results.

We went back in and had to do a situational judgement test on the PC and write a prep for our MMI.
We then went into our MMI and were told the results straight after.

Any help needed just ask.
Hi Nathan!
Do you remember any other questions from the MMI , please? Thanks
 

6opher

Member
Joined
4 Jul 2016
Messages
33
Yeahh its hard but have faith, they will come through with something at some point i just got mine after a year and two months in a talent pool
Is that all? Add another 18 months on that for some I know! Worth it in the end though
 

jjphotos

Member
Joined
28 Feb 2022
Messages
11
Location
Skipton
Group Bourdon test
This was as you expect, the "dot test" this test was easier in person than the practice tool and the 5 tests were across three pages of a book each had bout 16 lines. I managed between 8-10 lines on all 5 pages.


Third test
Joystick test, We had to navigate through a shape not leaving the lines as fast as we could.
Thanks for the detailed info. Two questions:
1. Was the bourdon test A4 sheets? There's a selection of sample in the traineetraindriverinfo.com version I just got that sound like this (15 rows of 25 patterns, with 5 tests across three pages) and I was wondering whether to print them at A3 or A4.
2. Was the shape like the image on the box shown here?

Many thanks
 

TreacleMiller

Member
Joined
22 Feb 2020
Messages
442
Location
Leeds
Your questions are answered within this and other threads. It's a large sheet that's like 3 A4 papers side by side. They are clearer than the downloadable material and there are less random shapes too.
 

CardiffDan

Member
Joined
19 Jan 2020
Messages
89
Location
Cardiff
Thanks for the detailed info. Two questions:
1. Was the bourdon test A4 sheets? There's a selection of sample in the traineetraindriverinfo.com version I just got that sound like this (15 rows of 25 patterns, with 5 tests across three pages) and I was wondering whether to print them at A3 or A4.
2. Was the shape like the image on the box shown here?

Many thanks


The bourdon test is over several pages, you unfold a booklet, and 1 is on its own, 2 and 3 and on the next page and 4 and 5 on the last page.

I found it much easier doing it on paper I had only practiced using the computer one you find via google.

Keep doing them, as you brain learns the shapes of these, and you will find yourself flying through them.

Cant help with 2nd point as it doesnt show anything, just a link to the material to buy

if its the 2 hand coordination test, then the shape is, directly up, directly left, diagonally down to the left and then almost a circle.
 

Shunted

Member
Joined
22 Oct 2021
Messages
156
Location
Leicester
Thanks for the detailed info. Two questions:
1. Was the bourdon test A4 sheets? There's a selection of sample in the traineetraindriverinfo.com version I just got that sound like this (15 rows of 25 patterns, with 5 tests across three pages) and I was wondering whether to print them at A3 or A4.
2. Was the shape like the image on the box shown here?

Many thanks
 

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jjphotos

Member
Joined
28 Feb 2022
Messages
11
Location
Skipton
Your questions are answered within this and other threads. It's a large sheet that's like 3 A4 papers side by side. They are clearer than the downloadable material and there are less random shapes too.
Yep, thanks - I've read different things and just wanted to clarify as this is the same centre I'd be doing it.
The other replies have clarified it (the shape on the train driver info one is just the square on the box image, so just going from one place to the other, somewhat simpler than the image above but the idea is the same).
 
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