RIS-3751-TOM Explained: The Official Train Driver Assessment Standard

What is RIS-3751-TOM?

RIS-3751-TOM is the Rail Industry Standard that governs psychometric assessments for train driver candidates across the GB mainline railway. Published by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), this document defines exactly what Train Operating Companies (TOCs) must assess and how they must do it.

The current version is Issue Four (December 2024), and understanding this standard gives you a significant advantage in your preparation - you'll know exactly what's being tested and why.

Why This Standard Exists

The purpose of RIS-3751-TOM is to:

• Standardise assessments across all UK Train Operating Companies
• Ensure safety by identifying candidates with the necessary aptitudes
• Provide fairness through validated, reliable testing methods
• Protect candidates with clear rules on attempts, validity, and reasonable adjustments

The standard is designed to help TOCs deselect candidates who don't meet minimum requirements for safe train operation - it's about ensuring everyone who passes can do the job safely.

The 9 Aptitude Categories Assessed

RIS-3751-TOM defines nine specific aptitudes that every train driver candidate must be assessed on. These are the exact abilities the psychometric tests measure:

1. Selective Attention

What it means: Differentiating between relevant and irrelevant information and attending selectively to what matters.

Real-world example: Distinguishing important alarms from background noise, or focusing on the correct signal among many.

How it's tested: Tests like the Paper Group Bourdon, where you identify specific patterns while ignoring others.

2. Divided Attention

What it means: Switching attention between different information sources and performing tasks in parallel.

Real-world example: Monitoring lineside information while also checking in-cab instruments and listening for radio communications.

How it's tested: The TEA-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention - Occupational) assesses your ability to handle multiple inputs simultaneously.

3. Vigilance

What it means: Attending to and responding appropriately to infrequent stimuli over extended periods.

Real-world example: Staying alert for unexpected hazards during long, routine stretches of track where nothing usually happens.

How it's tested: The WAFV Vigilance test measures how well you maintain attention and detect rare events over time.

4. Memory

What it means: Learning, recalling, and correctly applying job-related information within required time limits.

Real-world example: Remembering route details, speed restrictions, and operational procedures.

How it's tested: TRP1/TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures) tests assess your ability to learn and apply rules accurately.

5. Reasoning

What it means: Solving problems, making decisions, and interpreting information correctly.

Real-world example: Diagnosing faults, deciding the correct response to degraded conditions, or interpreting complex signal arrangements.

How it's tested: Reasoning assessments and situational judgement exercises evaluate your decision-making ability.

6. Perception

What it means: Anticipating elements in the traffic environment and making correct decisions based on relative speed and distance.

Real-world example: Judging stopping distances, reading signals at speed, and anticipating track conditions.

How it's tested: The ATAVT (Adaptive Tachistoscopic Traffic Test) presents brief images and tests your ability to perceive and recall details.

7. Reaction Time

What it means: Making quick and adequate responses to simple or complex stimuli, with quality of performance (not just speed) considered.

Real-world example: Responding quickly to emergency situations, hazards, or unexpected events.

How it's tested: Computerised reaction time tests measure both speed and accuracy of your responses.

8. Hand Coordination

What it means: Making appropriate and controlled movements in response to complex stimuli.

Real-world example: Operating train controls smoothly, making precise adjustments to speed and braking.

How it's tested: The 2HAND Two Hand Coordination test assesses your motor control and coordination abilities.

9. Communication

What it means: Listening to, understanding, responding to, and conveying information clearly - both orally and in writing.

Real-world example: Receiving and acknowledging instructions from signallers, communicating with passengers during incidents.

How it's tested: Multi-Modal Interview (MMI) and written exercises assess your communication abilities.

Behavioural Assessment

In addition to the cognitive tests, RIS-3751-TOM requires assessment of behavioural aptitudes - your general tendencies, personality factors, and suitability for the role. This is typically assessed through:

• Structured interviews
• Situational Judgement Exercises (SJE)
• Personality questionnaires

The standard emphasises looking for an absence of deficiencies rather than specific personality types.

Official Test Methods

The standard specifies particular assessment tools that have been validated for train driver selection:

The Rules on Attempts

RIS-3751-TOM sets clear rules about how many times you can take the assessment:

Maximum Attempts: 3

You are allowed a maximum of three attempts at the psychometric assessment. After three failures, you cannot reattempt.

Waiting Periods

There are mandatory waiting periods between attempts to ensure fairness and prevent "practice effects":

• After 1st failure: Must wait before retaking
• After 2nd failure: Longer waiting period required
• After 3rd failure: No further attempts permitted

Why These Rules Exist

• To give candidates time to genuinely develop abilities
• To prevent rote learning of specific test items
• To ensure the assessment measures actual aptitude, not test familiarity

Validity of Results

Your psychometric assessment results are valid for five years from the date of assessment. This means:

• If you pass but don't immediately get a position, you may not need to retake
• Results can be transferred between TOCs within the validity period
• After five years, a new assessment is required

Reasonable Adjustments for Neurodiversity

RIS-3751-TOM requires TOCs to have policies for supporting neurodiverse candidates. The standard mandates:

What TOCs Must Do

• Have a clear neurodiversity policy
• Communicate support options to candidates
• Make reasonable adjustments where appropriate
• Ensure adjustments don't compromise safety-critical requirements

Types of Adjustments

• Extra time for assessments
• Separate testing rooms
• Breaks during testing
• Alternative formats where possible
• Clear, explicit instructions

Important Note

Adjustments are about removing barriers to demonstrate your abilities - they don't lower the standard required for safety-critical aspects of the role.

Transfer of Safety Information

If you have previous train driving experience, there's a formal process for transferring your information:

What's Transferred

• Previous assessment results
• Training records
• Any safety-related incidents
• Licence information

Why It Matters

This ensures TOCs have complete information about your background before hiring you for a safety-critical role.

Quality Assurance

RIS-3751-TOM requires rigorous quality control:

Annual Audits

• Alternating between internal and external audits
• Checking compliance with the standard
• Reviewing assessment delivery and results

Qualified Assessors

• Must be qualified by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Must have relevant test publisher qualifications
• Regular updates and validation required

What This Means for Your Preparation

Understanding RIS-3751-TOM helps you prepare effectively:

Know What's Tested

The nine aptitude categories tell you exactly what abilities to develop:

• Attention (selective and divided)
• Vigilance
• Memory
• Reasoning
• Perception
• Reaction time
• Hand coordination
• Communication

Understand the Format

The specified tests (Bourdon, TEA-Occ, WAFV, etc.) have particular formats - practicing similar exercises helps you perform better.

Respect the Process

The three-attempt limit and waiting periods mean you should only attempt the real assessment when genuinely ready.

Request Adjustments If Needed

If you're neurodivergent, know that you have the right to request reasonable adjustments - use them.

Key Takeaways

• RIS-3751-TOM is THE standard - all UK TOCs must follow it
• Nine aptitudes are assessed - know them and practice them
• Maximum three attempts - make each one count
• Results valid for five years - plan your applications accordingly
• Reasonable adjustments available - request them if you need them
• Practice matters - familiarity with test formats improves performance

Prepare with Confidence

Our practice platform is aligned to RIS-3751-TOM, covering all nine aptitude categories with exercises designed to build the exact abilities the official tests measure. Start practicing today and approach your assessment with confidence.