Aptitude tests for train drivers - what maths skills are needed?

[Ricky]

I'm applying for a trainee train driving position at the moment. My first application was accepted and I have been reading about the psychometric tests that I will have to get through if I go any further. I believe that there is a basic numeracy test. Does anyone know if this is true? If it is, what level of maths is required? I'm o.k. with the mechanical reasoning (cogs, levers, pivots etc). But I've not been able to find out anything about the maths, specifically. Any constructive info. would be appreciated. An example of a question they might ask would be great. Thanks.

 

[nath9425]

Even though your in the wrong section - I am sure a mod will move you - I think if you got a C or Above in GCSE you will be fine

 

[matt]

Moved to NR General Discussion

 

[ungreat]

I'm applying for a trainee train driving position at the moment. My first application was accepted and I have been reading about the psychometric tests that I will have to get through if I go any further. I believe that there is a basic numeracy test. Does anyone know if this is true? If it is, what level of maths is required? I'm o.k. with the mechanical reasoning (cogs, levers, pivots etc). But I've not been able to find out anything about the maths, specifically. Any constructive info. would be appreciated. An example of a question they might ask would be great. Thanks.

What company is it with? Not that this will make any difference to the tests but just interested! I am a driver and I hope I can help...

I didn't have to take the tests as I was a secondman from BR days,but have sat one to see what they are like.I did pass it too(surprisingly!)

The maths is fairly basic stuff,anyone with a basic knowledge of maths would be ok.It was just a few standard questions with easy-ish sums to complete

The one that would worry me is the dots...thats the killer! My advice,get some plain paper,make some dot patterns of 3,4,5,6 groups of dots,and practice getting the patterns of 4 dots circled...hard!


If you play computer games you should breeze by the computer tests

There is also a memory test,involving a tape of sandite instructions involving a substance called "Glop"..if you have a good memory,you'll be fine

Good luck,and please,let me know how you get on..Best wishes mate

 

[Dougman]

<snip

The one that would worry me is the dots...thats the killer! My advice,get some plain paper,make some dot patterns of 3,4,5,6 groups of dots,and practice getting the patterns of 4 dots circled...hard!

<snip>

I'm sure that there's a program that simulates the dot test that you can download from the railchat site.

 

[TDK]

I'm sure that there's a program that simulates the dot test that you can download from the railchat site.

They don't use the dots any more it shapes

 

[Ben]

They don't use the dots any more it shapes

Dont they? Who told you this?

 

[driver9000]

its true the Group Bourdon (dots) is being phased out and replaced by SCAAT which is looking for a target shape (or shapes). The trainees that are in our driving school now have confirmed this, they all sat SCAAT instead of the dots.

 

[O L Leigh]

I did both and found the SCAAT to be harder than the Group Bourdon (dots) test. Not only do you need to be fast and accurate, you also need to be mentally adaptable because you are not looking for the same shape(s) in each of the three parts of the test.

O L Leigh

 

[Ricky]

Thanks for all the advice. I will look up this SCAAT test - I thought the dots was bad enough.

 

[westcoaster]

i found the scaat test quiet easy but that is just me, the only bit that got me was a shape and the first shape of each line (if that makes sence).

 

[Nick W]

Just for fun, here's a nice maths question.

A train goes from Blondon Kictoria to Dullton and back.

On the way there it averages 90 mph. On the way back it gets delayed and only makes an average speed of 70mph.

What is the average speed for the entire Journey?





























Clue: No it's not 80mph .
































Clue2: It spends more time on the journey home that outward

 

[moyle_895]

I did the dots test at LOROL'S assessment centre at Swiss Cottage last Thursday.
I passed both the mechanical test and the dots test and got invited to take the 2nd assessment.

I passed the memory test and the dials test then I passed the computer reaction test.
All I have to do now is wait and see if I passed the interveiw stage.

Hopefully I did well, I'll just have to wait and see.
As for needing any mathematical skills, I didn't think their was any questions that I'd class as mathematical.

 

[RJ]

Just for fun, here's a nice maths question.

A train goes from Blondon Kictoria to Dullton and back.

On the way there it averages 90 mph. On the way back it gets delayed and only makes an average speed of 70mph.

What is the average speed for the entire Journey?

83.9mph?

 

[deanparkr]

83.9mph?

it is 80 though... isnt it

1st Journey 90mph
2nd Journey 70mph

therefore.. average is 80mph :???::???::???:

lol

 

[yorkie]

78.75mph
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

it is 80 though... isnt it

1st Journey 90mph
2nd Journey 70mph

therefore.. average is 80mph :???::???::???:

lol

But how are you working that out? are you taking the 2 speeds and then averaging them? You can't work it out like that.

By your logic, if I walk to town, say, 2 miles at 3mph (40mins), and then cycle back at 20mph (6 mins), would you say I am averaging the average of the average speeds, which would be 11.5mph?

If I was averaging 11.5mph overall then I should only be spending just over 21 minutes travelling, yet I have spent 46 minutes travelling. Clearly, that logic is flawed.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

78.75mph

 

[RJ]

it is 80 though... isnt it

1st Journey 90mph
2nd Journey 70mph

therefore.. average is 80mph :???::???::???:

lol

Err nope!

 

[dakta]

so whats the answer then? Because I see no other variables in which to calculate. Like distance, time delayed etc.

Unless you're actually meant to say it isn't an accurate question?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

so whats the answer then? Because I see no other variables in which to calculate. Like distance, time delayed etc.

Unless you're actually meant to say it isn't an accurate question?

Use what is there......

Think about it...........

You have got speed, time and distance there............

You just need to find it...........

 

[yorkie]

so whats the answer then? Because I see no other variables in which to calculate. Like distance, time delayed etc.

Unless you're actually meant to say it isn't an accurate question?

How can the question not be accurate? :???:

Anyway here is the answer...

Speed = distance / time
Time = distance / speed

Distance = 10 + 10 = 20
Time = ( 10 / 70 ) + ( 10 / 90 ) = 0.253968 hrs (to 6 dp)

Speed = 20/0.253968 = 78.75

 

[laseandre]

Why is the distance 20?

 

[Mintona]

Nowhere does it say that "Blondon Kictoria" to "Dullton" is "10", whatever "10" is...:?

 

[yorkie]

Speed = distance / time
Time = distance / speed

Distance = 55 + 55 = 110
Time = ( 55 / 70 ) + ( 55 / 90 ) = 1.396825 (to 6 dp)

Speed = 110/1.396825 = 78.75

--------------


Speed = distance / time
Time = distance / speed

Distance = 2 + 2 = 4
Time = ( 2/ 70 ) + ( 2/ 90 ) = 0.050793hrs (to 6 dp)

Speed = 4/0.050793 = 78.75

-------------
Do I need to do any more examples or have you got it yet?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Nowhere does it say that "Blondon Kictoria" to "Dullton" is "10", whatever "10" is...:?

Blondon can be anywhere you want it to be.

Dullton can also be anywhere you want it to be.

The unit can be whatever you want it to be - if you are talking miles, then the speed is miles per hour...

It doesn't matter. The result will always be 78.75 if you average 70 there and 90 back.

 

[Mintona]

I think you're making it up.

 

[yorkie]

Do your own calculations then! Why do you think I am making it up? :-?

http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/speed_distance_time_calc.html

Speed = Distance ÷ Time

 

[hairyhandedfool]

This is how I did it.......

Let us assume Blondon is 90 miles from Dullton

The outward journey is therefore 1hr at 90mph
The return journey is therefore 1hr 17 mins 8 seconds at 70mph
The total journey being 2hrs 17 mins 8 seconds
The total distance being 180 miles
Therefore the average speed is 78.85mph

If we assume Blondon is 70 miles from Dullton

The outward journey is therefore 46 mins 40 seconds at 90mph
The return journey is therefore 1hr at 70mph
The total journey being 1hrs 46 mins 40 seconds
The total distance being 140 miles
Therefore the average speed is 78.85mph

All figures are round to the nearest second for the purposes of this post but were not in calculation.

It doesn't matter how far it is or how long it takes, the speed is the same because we know the outward and return journeys are the same length.

 

[Mintona]

Hmmm. I think I'm starting to see what you're saying.

 

[don24]

This is how I did it.......

Let us assume Blondon is 90 miles from Dullton

The outward journey is therefore 1hr at 90mph
The return journey is therefore 1hr 17 mins 8 seconds at 70mph
The total journey being 2hrs 17 mins 8 seconds
The total distance being 180 miles
Therefore the average speed is 78.85mph

If we assume Blondon is 70 miles from Dullton

The outward journey is therefore 46 mins 40 seconds at 90mph
The return journey is therefore 1hr at 70mph
The total journey being 1hrs 46 mins 40 seconds
The total distance being 140 miles
Therefore the average speed is 78.85mph

All figures are round to the nearest second for the purposes of this post but were not in calculation.

It doesn't matter how far it is or how long it takes, the speed is the same because we know the outward and return journeys are the same length.

Great Example. It would be interesting if question like those came up in Maths exams.