Study Materials for Psychometric Assessment

[GPZpilot]

Evening All, I am hopefully taking the Psychometric Assessment in the near future following an unsuccessful attempt last year, and I am trying to get hold of the best training material available to prepare. There are training packages out there which promise a lot but at a price which I can't justifiably spend in my current position unless they are as good as they claim. (Example: the how2become premium package at over £1.5k a pop). Equally, there are low-cost options which are ok for Group Bourdon and Phone Directory tests but can't realistically duplicate the other tests or develop transferrable skills for them. Totally prepared to invest heavily in my skillset but if it's going to be on credit I have to be assured of the quality. Any recommendations or feedback please, all gratefully received. Thanks

 

[Neatro]

I'm speaking honestly and others may feel different.

But the study pack that the TOC/FOC gives you is all the study material need for the tests, the GBT tool on here is very handy and searching the forums for tips (not answers) on the tests is literally all that you need to put you through the tests.

The paper tests are easy if you've got the skill set and the computer tests is either you can do it or you can't.

I don't mean to sound frank and it's not personal but you either have the skill set or you don't. I'm not a fan of people buying the tests to repetitively do the tests over and over just to pass them, that's not what they're designed for.

All I'd say is just practice with the tools they give you and that's all you need. If you still fail then I'm afraid the railway isn't for you and no job is suited for everyone no matter how much you practice to get through the sift.

I'm halfway through the assessments myself. I've practiced with what I've been given and I'll apply until I run out of lives (if I fail any) and if I fail them at that point I know it's not meant to be for me.

Others may have differing opinions though

 

[Tevion539]

I second @B3my0 views. 1.5k isn't worth it, to begin with. I would save your money, use the practice material that is sent to you, or the ones on the OPC website. There's no point in shelling out that much cash.

 

[ComUtoR]

There is a free Group Bourdon tool, posted as a sticky. In this very forum.

As for paying for practice material. Many have found it to be successful and others have found it to be a waste of cash. I would value the opinion of those who actually paid and used the material over those who have never seen it. Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of choice. Are you a person who would benefit from practice and learning materials prior to taking a test ? Do you wish to be well prepared ? Are you confident that the practice material will provide you with a pass, based on anecdotal evidence that many who do use it go on to pass ?

You could pay over a grand to practice, be successful and get yourself a £60k job and then sell the pack on ebay....
You could have faith in the practice material provided, the free advice on this forum and trust that you have the skills to pass.

What you won't get is a definitive answer if the How2Become and other courses like it actually make a difference to the end result or are worth the cash.

 

[Venna1]

Bourdon Test online

Bourdon online test - test your concentration abilities

metodorf.com

As mentioned above

 

[ComUtoR]

The OPC - Assessment - Practice Tests

Free practice test samples. £8.99 for the full practice. (link is to the OPC website)

Group Bourdon Tool

The Group Bourdon Tool link is not working at all, here is the file all scanned as at 31/10/2017 via online virus scanners ..all clear! Credits Chris Gresham Enjoy

www.railforums.co.uk

Free Group Bourdon tool (link is to forum sticky)

https://thetraindriversacademy.com/practice-test/ (link is to the train Driver Academy)

Free practice tests for Train Drivers

https://www.traindriver.org/forums/topic/train-driver-practice-tests-resource-free-downloads/ (link to train driver .org practice material including How2Become practice tests)

Free practice material from Train Driver.org. It's a little dated but links still working and valid practice.


Not difficult to find.

 

[Smelliott]

I used the free practice materials you get sent (and those available through this forum) and passed with flying colours. I certainly wouldn't pay over a grand for anything, yikes! I do believe it's worth practicing a lot, it's good to go in there knowing you're well prepared as it helps get over the nerves.

I don't believe in this idea that it's somehow wrong to practice until you feel comfortable. They don't say you shouldn't, if memory serves, they just say it's unnecessary. Also, they're looking for people who are well-prepared, resourceful, and risk-averse. I'd argue preparing for the tests is all of those things.

 

[John Bishop]

Yep, as above really. Read these forums carefully, use the free tool for the GB test, use the practice materials provided by the TOC/ FOCs and you can’t really go wrong (if you have what it takes)

Please do not spend that amount of money!

 

[LRV3004]

I agree with post #2. I've heard that passing the psychometrics is simply a case of "you can either do it or you can't" - it's how your brain is wired apparently, some scientific study concluded it allegedly/apparently.
Use the practice material provided by the relevant operator but don't over practice as you will answer based on memory as opposed to skill, lulling you into a false sense of security for the main test. Good luck!

 

[GPZpilot]

Thanks for all you input guys, much appreciated and good luck to those going through the same process

 

[TheGoldfish]

I'm speaking honestly and others may feel different.

But the study pack that the TOC/FOC gives you is all the study material need for the tests, the GBT tool on here is very handy and searching the forums for tips (not answers) on the tests is literally all that you need to put you through the tests.

The paper tests are easy if you've got the skill set and the computer tests is either you can do it or you can't.

I don't mean to sound frank and it's not personal but you either have the skill set or you don't. I'm not a fan of people buying the tests to repetitively do the tests over and over just to pass them, that's not what they're designed for.

All I'd say is just practice with the tools they give you and that's all you need. If you still fail then I'm afraid the railway isn't for you and no job is suited for everyone no matter how much you practice to get through the sift.

I'm halfway through the assessments myself. I've practiced with what I've been given and I'll apply until I run out of lives (if I fail any) and if I fail them at that point I know it's not meant to be for me.

Others may have differing opinions though

I have to agree with this … and yep it is harsh but if anyone‘s struggling with the tests to the point they’d consider spending £1.5k on trying to pass them .. then they probably just won’t make it through the rest of the training anyway .if you're still winging it after a year … there’s nothing you can ‘buy’ to get you through the 200hr sim and you only get 2 goes then it’s game over .. better to be honest with yourself and go out early on rather than fall just before the end… just my opinion.

 

[TreacleMiller]

People advising should make clear if they have passed or not.

Enhanced pass here to get me into any TOC, as stated by my TOCs recruitment team.

I've since helped three through the tests. You can practice any test really and especially on the bourdon get better but the packages on offer are an absolute joke. Dont bother.

 

[SJN]

I passed in 2019 to enhanced level and am now a driver. I only used the material provided by the TOC.

 

[ComUtoR]

but the packages on offer are an absolute joke. Dont bother.

Which packages ? The How2 ?

 

[ls1982]

Evening All, I am hopefully taking the Psychometric Assessment in the near future following an unsuccessful attempt last year, and I am trying to get hold of the best training material available to prepare. There are training packages out there which promise a lot but at a price which I can't justifiably spend in my current position unless they are as good as they claim. (Example: the how2become premium package at over £1.5k a pop). Equally, there are low-cost options which are ok for Group Bourdon and Phone Directory tests but can't realistically duplicate the other tests or develop transferrable skills for them. Totally prepared to invest heavily in my skillset but if it's going to be on credit I have to be assured of the quality. Any recommendations or feedback please, all gratefully received. Thanks

I just passed the 1st stage assessments and the 2nd stage assessments. For the first stage assessments the paper tests I printed off and used the practice material provided several times. The computerised tests are a lot harder to practice for but I found them a lot easier. And I have to thank this forum for the information about the MMI interview knowing what type of questions to expect really helped me prepare

 

[TreacleMiller]

Which packages ? The How2 ?

Yep. One of our older trainees bought the full package... I've used some of the material and there's free stuff out there that's better, including on YouTube from other drivers, on this forum etc.

 

[Ben3258]

How2become is a complete waste of money. You can gain more knowledge about interviews from this site than you ever will with the how2become package.

In regards to assessments i personally believe there are people who can and people who can’t, it’s that simple in my mind. It’s much, much more common for a person to pass first time than passing on a second attempt. When I came to do the part where a photo is displayed for about 2 seconds I realised the answers usually had something red or a light as one of the multiple choices, so I just picked them and passed…. I believe that that particular test is testing your reactions to picking up signals, especially at danger.

I’ve had my key for a couple of years now, overall I’d say the job is great. But the recruitment process on the entire railway is utterly appalling. I believe that 95% of internals will agree that recruitment is no longer based on competence.

 

[Twotwo]

What do you think its based on then? Everyone still has to sit the same process and assessments.

 

[Ben3258]

What do you think its based on then? Everyone still has to sit the same process and assessments.

I think recruitment is heavily based on whatever characteristics are popular at the time. Yes many people can pass the assessment process, however the biggest hurdle you’ll come across is the DM’s interview which is based on whatever HR want. I was in a meeting with HR 2 weeks ago and an engineering manager was boasting about how he’s employed 66% females across 12 jobs. However the applicants - being engineering jobs were over 90% male.

 

[Token]

Absolutely agree with all those here who recommend using just the FOC/TOC practice material. It’s really all you do need. The free GB links on here are useful but certainly not a necessity.

If you’re feeling the need to keep practicing with lots of additional material, then I’d question whether you really have the cognitive requirements that being a train driver needs. Some natural ability is definitely a must-have.

Even if you pass the assessments via endless practice and get the job, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. You’ll have a training course ahead where you will be required to take on board and assimilate a constant barrage of new information; you won’t have the time to keep revisiting everything over and over.

 

[TFL_Rocks]

I think recruitment is heavily based on whatever characteristics are popular at the time. Yes many people can pass the assessment process, however the biggest hurdle you’ll come across is the DM’s interview which is based on whatever HR want. I was in a meeting with HR 2 weeks ago and an engineering manager was boasting about how he’s employed 66% females across 12 jobs. However the applicants - being engineering jobs were over 90% male.

That’s madness lol

I just passed the 1st stage assessments and the 2nd stage assessments. For the first stage assessments the paper tests I printed off and used the practice material provided several times. The computerised tests are a lot harder to practice for but I found them a lot easier. And I have to thank this forum for the information about the MMI interview knowing what type of questions to expect really helped me prepare