Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Psychometric Tests, Assessment Centre, Recruitment Process & Interviews Online Preparation – 2024
What Is GTR?
Govia Thameslink Railway is a joint venture between British transportation company Go-Ahead Group and the French-owned multinational company Keolis. Also known under the abbreviation GTR, it is responsible for running the Thameslink passenger system as well as the Great Northern, Gatwick Express, and Southern. GTR has a workforce of 7,300 people who serve over 340 million people a year.
GTR employees come from a range of career backgrounds. In addition to the many traditional hires, Govia Thameslink also offers apprenticeships and graduate scheme opportunities. Talent pools are listed when GTR is in search of apprentices. Employment with GTR comes with benefits that include:
- Pensions
- Share incentives
- Childcare vouchers
- Discount schemes
- Employee assistance programs
- In-house occupational health services
What Is GTR’s Hiring Process?
The hiring process at GTR starts when you submit your CV and application through the website. If there are no current openings, sign up to receive job alerts so you can be notified when positions become available. Be sure to check the expiration dates, so you do not apply for an expired job posting.
After your application is received, you may be sent a link to take some online assessment tests. These can be done on your home computer and must be completed within a certain time frame.
Some positions require the attendance of an assessment centre prior to interviewing. There, you will complete more skills-based tests and group activities.
Following a successful completion of the assessment centre, you will be invited for an interview. The interviews are competency based and will focus on your background and the skill you bring to the company.
Conditional offers are based on references and successful background checks. You may also be required to pass a medical check before officially signing on.
Govia Thameslink Railway’s Psychometric Tests
Shortly after your application is submitted, you may receive a link to take online assessment tests. These tests are used to ensure that only candidates with strong skills are short-listed to continue in the hiring process. There are numerous tests that may be given due to the variety of jobs available with GTR. There are several tests that most applicants are given because they test for abilities needed in a variety of jobs.
- Situational Judgment Test (SJT) – This is a multiple-choice assessment that measures problem-solving skills. Scenarios typical of a specific job will be presented, and you will need to choose the course of action that you think would be most effective.
- Verbal Reasoning Test – This test will show how well you can communicate and follow written directions. You will have to read a brief passage and use the information within it to draw conclusions and answer the follow-up questions.
- Numerical Reasoning Test – The difficulty of this assessment will vary depending on the position being tested for. Some candidates may be questioned on basic math skills such as addition and subtraction. Others may need to demonstrate an ability to work with more complicated concepts, such as percentages and fractions, or may need to demonstrate an ability to work with graphs. All versions of this test are multiple-choice.
Train operators will have a very specific group of tests. Some of these will be given during an assessment centre, but you may be given some after you submit your application.
- Train Driver Battery – This group of tests measures skills like concentration, attention to detail, mechanical reasoning, and knowledge of rules and regulations.
How to Prepare for GTR’s Assessments?
In a competitive field, you need to make sure you stand out from the beginning. That starts with getting high scores on your online assessment tests. Take time to study and prepare yourself prior to testing, so you give yourself an edge.
Review the job listing, and see which skills they have emphasized ( for example, “must have good reading comprehension”). This will give you an idea of what to expect on the online tests. Learn as much as you can about what the position entails and company policy. This will help when deciding the best answers on the situational judgment test.
Practice any math skills you think you may need. Flashcards, drills, and practice word problems will help you improve your speed and accuracy.
If you have applied for a position as a train driver, memory and concentration games can help prepare you for the assessment centre testing. Find apps that will help you improve your reaction time. Be sure to carefully study the railway rules and regulations since they will be a major focus of any testing you do.