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| Driver Assessment 14/04/2012 at 08:21 #31579 | |
J5flyer
48 posts |
Hello, I have passed stage 1 of a train driver assessment. I have stage 2 coming up, consisting of several exercises, including the DTG test and the CBI interview. These two, especially the DTG, are a little harder to prepare for. I was wondering whether any drivers here would be willing to relate their experiences of these tests or give some advice that they feel may be useful for these exercises? I have never undertaken them before so any helpful pointers would be much appreciated. Feel free to use PM. Regards, James Last edited: 14/04/2012 at 08:26 by J5flyer Log in to reply |
| Re: Driver Assessment 14/04/2012 at 08:36 #31580 | |
lazzer
636 posts |
Did you partake in any kind of "structured interview" at stage one?
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| Re: Driver Assessment 14/04/2012 at 09:16 #31583 | |
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lazzer
636 posts |
I should say that I have no idea what DTG and CBI stand for, as when I did my tests years ago they didn't use those acronyms! I'm sure I know what the tests actually ARE, but just not under those names. Log in to reply |
| Re: Driver Assessment 14/04/2012 at 09:29 #31584 | |
wain77
81 posts |
Hi, I get through to stage 2 of an assessment with FCC. Where are you doing it? I went to the OPC offices in Watford. If you're going there, watch out for Joanne! Lovely lady, but very tough in the CBI. The DTG test (which I believe is the reaction test) is fairly straightforward; I found it helpful preparation to play Bop-It Extreme 2 specifically, not the original version. If you play it on "Beat-Bop" mode, it gives you some idea of what you face. For the actual test itself. you will be placed in front of a computer screen with a keyboard with 5 different coloured buttons, a button marked "High" and a button marked "Low", as well as two foot pedals, and given earphones. During the test different coloured circles will flash up on the screen at random in different places around the screen for which you need to press the appropriate coloured button, white (or black? can't remember) squares in the bottom left or right hand corners of the screen for which you need to press the left or right foot pedals, and high or low sounds will buzz in your earphones for which you will need to press the "High" or "Low" buttons. The test is divided into two parts, othe first you have to keep up with what's happening on the screen, the second you set the tempo. It all sounds quite complicated, but once you're doing it is fairly straightforward. My advice for the first part is, if you miss a circle/buzz/square, don't try and catch up, just let it go and react to what's on the screen; for the second part, just go at it nice and steady. The CBI is another kettle of fish, this is where I failed so I can only tell you what not to do. Firstly, make sure you fill out all sections of the form they give you when you arrive. You only have 20 (or 25?) minutes to fill it out, which sounds a lot but goes very quickly. Secondly, during the interview itself, the interviewer will try and put you under pressure to see how you react. Don't do what I did, which is splutter and fluster. Just answer the question s/he is asking you calmly and accurately. The more you talk, the better; the more the interviewer writes, the better. Basically, just keep calm and carry on. Best of luck, I hope you get through! Sam Wainwright Log in to reply |
| Re: Driver Assessment 14/04/2012 at 09:44 #31586 | |
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J5flyer
48 posts |
Thanks for the replies so far. Lazzer - The DTG is the reaction and co-ordination test, done on a computer I believe with a special keyboard and other bits and bobs as wain77 described, which I'm sure you are familiar with. The CBI is the structured interview. wain77 - Thanks for the information, sounds like the interview is going to be quite tough! I'll try and remember your advice to remain calm and collected on the day during the questioning. The bit that worries me is coming up with good experiences to use on the forms, that I can then go on and talk about in detail. If you struggle to think up a relevant experience or two at the time, does it go against you if you do not finish the entire form in the time given? I'll have a look at that game for the DTG test and I guess I will just have to see how I get on during the actual test! Thanks again for all your useful information, I'll send you a PM. James Last edited: 14/04/2012 at 09:45 by J5flyer Log in to reply |
| Re: Driver Assessment 14/04/2012 at 13:23 #31590 | |
Right Away
71 posts |
Good luck James.
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| Re: Driver Assessment 14/04/2012 at 13:52 #31592 | |
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guidomcc
246 posts |
I have a Bop-It Extreme II, be wary of them. They are addictive and not something to be messed with if you don't know the risks. 
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| Re: Driver Assessment 14/04/2012 at 15:34 #31594 | |
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lazzer
636 posts |
" said:Thanks for the replies so far. As I suspected, I do indeed know the tests you mean as I had to face them myself once upon a time! We did the dots, trainability for rules, the dials and the mechanical comprehension (now abolished by my TOC) in one go. Then we did the reactions test. Well, when I say "we", I mean "I" as the others failed the dots test and I was the only one left. Once I thought the hard stuff was over, I had the structured interview. The "CBI" as they now call it is gruelling. That 25 minutes whizzes by as you sit there sweating about what to write, whilst at the same time trying to work out how you're going to explain it all afterwards. That was the thing that really tested me - she took almost 90 minutes going through mine with me! Log in to reply |
| Re: Driver Assessment 16/04/2012 at 11:31 #31633 | |
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J5flyer
48 posts |
Wow 90 minutes - I certainly hope mine doesn't go on for that long! Do they keep going to try and get all the boxes ticked for you or do you think there are other reasons? Thanks for your input Lazzer! Quote: Bop-It ExtremeI picked one of those up the other day, so far my high score is 23, slowly getting there! The rest of my family seem to like it too, so at least it will continue to be useful after my assessments! For those that have taken the DTG test, can you remember how fast it got? Did it get to a speed where you completely lost it or is it just about manageable throughout? James Last edited: 16/04/2012 at 11:44 by J5flyer Log in to reply |
| Re: Driver Assessment 16/04/2012 at 11:49 #31634 | |
moonraker
370 posts |
Did mine at Bristol (Bristol & Exeter House) in 1989. Sounds roughly about the same but maybe a little different now as it was just one test and interview back then. Out of my 3 choices of depot I got sent to Old Oak Common and did 5 and a half years of commuting to and from Paddington from Swindon before transferring to Oxford in 1995. Good luck
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| Re: Driver Assessment 16/04/2012 at 13:49 #31635 | |
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lazzer
636 posts |
" said:Do they keep going to try and get all the boxes ticked for you or do you think there are other reasons? Yes, the idea is that you have to say what they want you to say, so they can tick the box. If you don't say it, even after a bit of gentle pushing in the right direction then you won't get a tick for that particular thing, which will probably go against you. Log in to reply |