UK Train Driver Psychometric Tests 2026: Every Test Explained

UK train driver psychometric tests are the standard set in RSSB's RIS-3751-TOM issue 4, the standard for train drivers on Great Britain's mainline railway: two attention tests (the Group Bourdon and TEA-Occ), a vigilance test (WAFV), the Trainability for Rules and Procedures tests, a perception test (ATAVT), a two-hand coordination test, a Situational Judgement Exercise and a Multi-Modal Interview. Train companies decide the pass marks.

ProSyllabus is an independent study site. It is not part of RSSB, the Office of Rail and Road, The OPC or any train company, and nothing here is official test material.

ORR's guide says train drivers must pass an occupational psychological fitness examination to obtain a licence from ORR, that the tests used must be based on psychological-scientific principles, and that the current GB rail industry standard is RSSB's RIS-3751-TOM. Appendix A of that standard sets out the selection criteria and the tests for each. RSSB's FAQ reproduces it:

RSSB says Appendix A, the criteria and the tests, "remains unchanged" in issue four, "as it has been designed, evaluated, and validated across several research projects". The OPC adds that on the day you will probably sit "some or all" of these, as a mixture of paper-and-pencil and computer-based tests, and that some train companies ask for extra exercises.

The format column is Translink's, from its train driver testing policy (Northern Ireland), which says its process complies with RIS-3751-TOM. We did not find an equivalent table for a centre in Great Britain in the sources we read, so the company that invites you confirms the format.

What it measures. Attention. RSSB's FAQ names it as the "Paper Group Bourdon"; Translink lists it as a paper-and-pencil test of attention, and The OPC counts it among the "core tests" universal to all companies that you must pass.

Format. None of the official documents we read publishes the layout, the number of sheets or the timing. Candidates describe sheets of dot groups on forums (forum-reported); the approved practice materials are what RSSB says will familiarise you with what to expect.

How to prepare. Short, timed sessions where you mark target groups and count missed and wrong marks separately, accuracy first. Our Group Bourdon practice guide has an annotated example sheet, PDF vs online practice and a 14-day plan.

What it measures. Attention, in the standard. Its publisher, Pearson TalentLens, says TEA-Occ is based on the Test of Everyday Attention and is "sensitive to selective attention, sustained attention and attentional switching", naming train drivers among the groups it is relevant to.

Format. Translink lists it as paper and pencil. The publisher names three subtests: counting tones played on audio while ignoring others, searching pages of a mock telephone directory for key symbols, and doing that search while counting tones. Its page lists "30 minutes", "55 items + 2 practice questions" and "Untimed".

How to prepare. The approved practice materials, listening in a quiet room, and short drills for each kind of attention. See our TEA-Occ guide. If you have a hearing condition, ask the train company about adjustments early, because part of the test is heard.

What it measures. Vigilance, and reaction time together with ATAVT. Its publisher, Schuhfried (the Vienna Test System), says WAFV "measures vigilance and sustained attention, subfunctions of attention", and that it is used in personnel selection, especially for manufacturing and safety assessments, as well as in clinical work.

Format. Computerised (Translink). The publisher describes the task: "The respondent reacts as soon as he/she notices an intensity change in a presented visual or auditory stimulus." It offers eight test forms, visual or auditory, lasting "between 18 and 32 minutes, depending on the test form". Which form an assessment centre uses for train drivers is not in any source we read. Avanti West Coast describes its stage 4 as "Vienna tests focus on vigilance and reaction".

How to prepare. Our view: there is little to rehearse in a test of this kind, and we do not sell practice for it. What helps is arriving rested, wearing your glasses or lenses if you use them, and being used to holding attention on one thing for a long stretch without your phone. The OPC's advice for the day is to get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast.

What it measures. Memory (TRP part 1b) and reasoning (TRP part 2), in Appendix A. The OPC's guide says the tests on the day look at abilities including the ability to "recall and retain job related information, learn new information".

Format. Paper and pencil (Translink); among the paper tests at Avanti's stage 3. The official documents we read do not describe the items.

How to prepare. The approved practice materials first. On answer sheets, the OPC's hint applies directly: if you get stuck on a question, circle it on the answer sheet so that you do not put the next answer in the wrong place, move on, and come back if you have time. Practise reading a page of instructions once, closely, and recalling the key points afterwards.

What it measures. Perception, and reaction time together with WAFV. The publisher, Schuhfried, says it "measures obtaining an overview as part of attentional control" and that it is used in traffic psychology and in safety assessments of professional drivers.

Format. Computerised. The publisher's description of the task: "Pictures of traffic situations appear briefly on the screen. After seeing each picture, the respondent is asked to state what was in it. The respondent can choose from five answers that are given." It lists adaptive standard forms for right-hand and left-hand traffic and easier forms without a time limit, and a duration of about 10 minutes. Which form a train driver assessment uses is not stated in the sources we read.

How to prepare. Wear the glasses or lenses you normally use, so that you see the screen clearly (an OPC hint). Beyond that, our view is that a brief look and a recall is best met rested and calm, rather than by trying to train it.

What it measures. Hand coordination. Schuhfried says 2HAND "assesses both two-dimensional visuomotor coordination between eye and hand and coordination between the left and right hand".

Format. Computerised (Translink). The publisher's description: "The task is to make a red dot move along a given track using either two control knobs or two joysticks, depending on the test form. The track consists of three sections that make different demands on the coordination of the left and right hand." It lists about 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the form. If you meet an informal name for a test online, match it to a test only through the official name your train company uses.

How to prepare. We know of no official practice beyond the approved materials, and we do not sell practice for it. Listen to the instructions, and do any examples the assessor offers before the test starts (The OPC says you may have the chance to complete some).

What it measures. Behavioural aptitudes, together with the MMI. RSSB's FAQ says RSSB itself is the test supplier for the SJE and the MMI.

Format. Computerised (Translink). The sources we read do not describe its items. Do not confuse it with the online situational judgement tests some companies use before the assessment centre: Avanti West Coast's stage 2, for example, is an OPC online questionnaire and online assessments including the "Magnificent 7 Situational Judgement Test (M7-SJT)".

How to prepare. Read the company's description of the train driver role, and answer as you would actually act in the job, with safety and rules first. Use the approved practice materials if they include the SJE.

What it measures. Communication and behavioural aptitudes. RSSB supplies it. Translink describes it as a form of competency-based questions to assess behavioural aptitudes and communication skills.

Format. The OPC's guide says you are asked to talk about examples of situations from your past experience, from work, home life, education or training, or leisure, and that before the interview you complete a form to think about which experiences to use. If you are unsuccessful on the MMI with The OPC, it can tell you which topic areas, but not exactly why.

The standard is the minimum set. RSSB's FAQ says companies "may ask you to complete tests or activities that are in addition to those set out in Appendix A", and that tests outside the standardised process are outside its scope. Two published examples:

The OPC warns that online tests can count towards your attempts if they are part of a company's process, so check each company's policy before you start.

The OPC asks candidates not to call this "OPC testing": it says it does not own any part of the process, which is managed by each train company, and that RIS-3751-TOM was introduced by RSSB in October 2013. On scores, RSSB says: "RIS-3751-TOM issue four does not set pass marks. RSSB has recommended the pass marks, but it is the responsibility of the train company to determine which pass marks are used." The OPC explains that some companies use a higher, "enhanced" standard, that there is no single enhanced standard, and that candidates are not given any scores. No official source we read publishes a pass mark or a pass rate.

RSSB's catalogue and briefing note list the changes: a new title, a new structure with rationale and guidance for each requirement, and revised requirements on "the validity period of psychometric tests, the number of attempts, and the delivery of assessment", with updated appendices and forms. The tests themselves did not change. RSSB's news story of 13 January 2025 says the update "increases the number of available attempts a candidate can make and clarifies the validity of these tests."

Not every company page has caught up. Avanti West Coast's careers page, last updated 23 January 2025, still says individuals have 2 lifetime attempts across every train operator. Translink's policy adopted three attempts for its own process from 29 September 2025. RSSB also recommends having one application in progress at a time, because "the results from one application will affect all other applications." RSSB's catalogue lists issue four as live, last reviewed on 23 June 2026, with the next review due on 7 December 2030.

Be careful with anything sold as a copy of "the real tests": the official documents we read do not publish the Group Bourdon's layout, and the publishers' pages describe their tests only in general terms. And no source we read publishes a pass mark, so no product, ours included, can tell you that you would pass.