About
The selection process for becoming a Train Driver is renowned for its robust and competitive nature. Many candidates struggle to get through the initial stages and so it is important that you stand out from the crowd. The best way of ensuring your application is successful, is by practicing aptitude and psychometric tests in advance of your assessment. This way, you will be equipped to perform well and hopefully be successful!
Train Driver Skills
Train Drivers require a specific skill set in order to fulfil their job role requirements. These skills are what recruiters are looking for you to demonstrate at your assessment day and include:
Problem solving: you will need to show an ability to handle problems quickly and calmly.
Flexibility: the working hours of a train driver are unpredictable and often involve shift work. You will need to show a willingness and ability to be flexible in this regard.
Safety awareness: ensuring the safety of yourself and others is of utmost importance within this role, due to the potential dangers that trains pose.
Responsible attitude: this role requires a high level of responsibility and so you will need to possess the right attitude for delivering this.
Concentration: the nature of the job requires you to concentrate for long periods of time.
Customer service: the candidate should be able to deliver a strong understanding of managing customer service.
Emergency knowledge: you will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of what to do in an emergency, and how to eliminate the risks posed as a result of the matter.
Train Driver Assessments
There are a number of assessments that you may face as part of the Train Driver recruitment process. These include:
A Mechanical Comprehension or Reasoning Test
These are designed to measure your ability to understand and apply mechanical concepts and principles in order to solve problems. These tests are usually multiple choice and under timed conditions. The questions are typically based on a variety of topics such as: Electrical circuits, pulleys, levers, springs, tools, gears and maps. You will be given an image, relevant to the role of a train driver, depicting a mechanical or electrical scenario for which a related question will be asked.
Fault Finding Test
These are designed to assess your technical knowledge and ability to identify a fault in a system. You will be expected to diagnose the problem and repair it accordingly. It is also important for you to demonstrate a calm and collected approach when handling the fault, as stress can often affect your ability to find a solution.
Logical Reasoning Test
These are designed to measure general intelligence. Logical Reasoning tests come in three forms: deductive, inductive and abstract. They will not present you with verbal or numerical information, but instead with logical patterns and shape sequences.
Numerical Comprehension Test
These tests are designed to assess your ability to work with numbers and apply basic mathematical concepts such as percentages, ratios and fractions.
Verbal Comprehension Test
These tests are designed to evaluate your ability to use and understand English. Typically, you will be presented with a short passage of text, and you will be expected to answer questions relating to this information.
Personality Test
Personality tests determine your strengths and weaknesses. They will ask you questions about aspects of your own personality, which are relevant to the workplace. The key to these tests is to simply be yourself.
Situational Judgement Test
These tests will present you with work-like scenarios that you may face within an administrative assistant role. You will be expected to choose the most appropriate course of action based on the information provided.
Train Driver Skills Assessment
Some employers will ask you to complete a specific skill based assessment that is relevant to a Train Driver role. Such tests include:
A Concentration Test: this will assess your ability to multitask, concentrate on a repetitive task and switch from one task to another.
Reaction and Coordination Test: this will assess your reaction times. You will be presented with a number of pedals, which are colour coordinated. Your task will be to push the correct one at the time of instruction. As you progress through the assessment, the speed will increase substantially, making it quite a challenge!
Make sure you are prepared by signing up to our Train Driver Practice Test Package today!
