cjhx33
Member
Hello all... just a couple of questions I was hoping someone could answer before I go in to the hiring session this Wednesday. One is, how extensive is the skills test and is there anything I can do to prepare myself? The second is, I had a surgery on my ankle about 6 years ago now while in the Military. How much does a guy depend on his ankles during the strength test?
Thank you all!!
railspiker13
Member
I am still awaiting my strength test, but there is a link on BNSF website that shows what you can expect from the strength test. It looks like they test your range of motion on the knees and the shoulders.
As far as the skills test, assuming you are testing for a conductor position, it is your ability to reason. There are several scenarios and you have to demonstrate your ability to reason... it is a bit above the common sense level, just look at the scenarios carefully, the answers are there!
11 people out of a room of 35 failed this portion of the test when I went to the interview a couple weeks ago.
Good info railspiker!
EliM2010
Moderator
My friend that just came back from his strength test on thursday the 26th of this month told me about the same thing as posted from railspiker13 ... its all about the knees and common sence and its all about BENDING AT THE KNESS as CSX and ALOT of railroad companies believe in SAFTEY FIRST SAFTEY FIRST SAFTEY FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gonna make this a sticky since 2.4 million peeps have asked the same question! lol
ggam62
Member
I can only speak for CSX. The assessment took place online as part of the application process. There are different tests for different positions. I applied for freight conductor and had reasoning problems. As Railspike mentioned, the reasoning section was difficult especially if your not familiar with reason problems. This link gives you some examples http://www.jeffparish.net/jppd/index.cfm?DocID=39. You may not need to take a reasoning test for signal apprentice.
The strength test they strapped me into a chair to test my shoulders and knees, I'm pushing 50 and I gimp around in the morning until my joints warm up. I just passed my strength test a month ago. You just need to push an pull as hard and as aggressively as you possibly can. If you go about it with minimal force being applied in your effort you won't pass. If you have aches and pains like I do just suck it up and push through it and you'll do fine.
Review the strength test at this link...http://ipcs-inc.com/index.php?page=about, click on "knee video and shoulder video"
Good luck
vrodriguez
Member
Hi I'm new here and I was looking for advice on the csx assessment test. I'm very sorry if someone asked before but looked here, and on Google and no luck. I helped my friend take the assessment test and we couldn't finish any of the sessions. How bad can that be? Would they even consider him? I felt like whatever we answered was right, however I feel like it was impossible to finish it with the time given so I wonder if that would affect him. I applied to a company before and didn't get to complete some sessions for the assessment, and still manage to get an interview. So how serious the take this test. Thanks in advanced
sillyboy_16117
Member
I was wondering the same thing vrodriguez about the assessment test for CSX although i only couldnt finish one section. crossing my fingers
andyyoder
Member
Depending on what position you are applying for you will have different assessments. From what I was told about a conductors assessment is that they grade them off what you awnser. When I took mine there was 3 tests. I finished all assessments except for the middle one which was verbal reasoning (seems to be the one that everyone has trouble with) The best advice would to be is to call their HR department. They are the only ones who can help you out. They told me what to study and what to "google"
fastvsix
Member
I called csx's hr about this back in December. They told me its graded on how many you answer. The questions not answered are not considered wrong. The conductor verbal section (5 min test in the middle) should be the only one that is difficult to finish. You are given about 45 mins each for the 1st and 3rd part which is plenty of time. They haven't changed those two sections in the last two years. I can answer all of them without even reading the sections anymore....although I still do just to make sure I come up with the same answers. I can get through about 2/3rds of the 2nd test. Its the test where they give you a question like: the library is taller than the store. City hall is taller than the library. The school is shorter than city hall....question: is the library taller than the school? Then you answer true, false or not enough info.
vrodriguez
Member
In All of the sessions they just gave him about 3 minutes the most....
vrodriguez
Member
And by the way it was about five test. Two were coding. You have to use the right code for the correct situation..like if you traveling by train how do you need to book your ticket and so on. Second session I believe it was math, third was same, or different. Where you need to be able to identified if the number are the same or different. And it had two typing test, and I a test that ask you questions like does everybody steals.from the job if given the opportunity.
The assessment is pretty easy but you don't have much time to complete them and they give you a whole lot of questions
Thank you any information given would be of great help...
Searail I am not sure for mechanical positions but I don't imagine it is that rigorous... mainly they are looking for previous injuries that are not healed.
vrodriguez
Member
the position is Intermodal Service Rep. at CSX
lightl
Member
dont't know if this is a vailid question, but after reading Sean book, and a few other places they all say to to use strongly agree or disagree, but I have read else as well that choosing those 2 to much cause a faking profile, I think that why I failed the API test the last time, I guess what I am asking is ther anyway to strike a balance at all?
Just be honest is the easiest...
EliM2010
Moderator
vrodriguez i'm an INTERMODAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE and there are no testing .... its just your run of the mill average interview ... just as tho your going for an interview for home depot ... NO STRENTGH TESTING at all ... those are more for mechanical jobs within the network of jobs thru CSX ... its just a simple drug test and regular job interview :) ... dont be scared ... but PLEASE RE-READ sean's book and prepare for some questioning from the interviewer ... YES you dont have to be a rocket science to answer questions but u DO have a to be a BIT on your toes ... thier looking for someone whos gonna stay at that job for many many YEARS to come make a CAREER out of it and NOT just any old fart thats there for a paycheck!!!! Hope that answers yout question!!!
EliM2010
Moderator
I'm gonna be posting sometime this week CSX's STRENGTH TESTING as some of my friends underwent the process about a week ago to become CARMEN thru CSX and i have spoken to a couple of CONDUCTOR'S as im i the process of switching crafts from a ISR commonly known as a clerk or an INTERMODAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE to a FREIGHT CONDUCTOR myself so ... one step away in a progression so to speak from becoming an ENGINEER (HOPEFULLY).. SOOOOO be on the lookout all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Elim!
vrodriguez
Member
hey Elim the assessments that I was referring to are part of the application. this wasn't after or during the interview. it was just part of the application process. hey can I ask you for a solid. would you share your resume with so I can use it as a guide thank you. you can email it to vlrodriguez125@gmail.com thank you
MIXERMAN78
Member
I just got hired and I didn't even do a resume
vrodriguez
Member
for what position did you apply?
MIXERMAN78
Member
Conductor
MIXERMAN78
Member
That was for csx and I am an alternate for track laborer for bnsf
vrodriguez
Member
hey Elim My friend just got invited for an interview session for csx for the intermodal service worker, or intermodal service rep. position. He applied for both and don't know which one he got called for, so he wants to be ready for both. what should he be expecting. what he needs to know? any tips and suggestions will be appreciated. are there any test in the in the interview? thanks
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