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What Is the BNSF Assessment Test?
The BNSF Conductor Test is a 2-section pre-employment assessment that is the first stage in the company’s hiring process for most hourly jobs: conductors, maintenance, operators, etc.
Therefore, this assessment is also referred to as “BNSF Conductor Test”, “BNSF Conductor Trainee Test” or the “BNSF Pre Employment Exam”.
The test is conducted by test provider AON (G.A.T.E), and consists of the following 2 sections:
- Mechanical Aptitude – 21 questions in 16 minutes total.
- Personality Questionnaire – 35 questions, untimed.
In the next section, we will review these two sections in detail.
In the Free Practice section, you can find free sample questions with answers and explanations.
Test Structure and Question Format
Section 1 – Mechanical Aptitude
This section contains 21 short questions about basic, everyday mechanical scenarios. Topics are varied, and cover fluids, forces, heat, rotation, and more. Each question has a time limit of 45 seconds, but you are expected to solve it as fast as you can.
All questions follow this format:
Section 2 – Personality Questionnaire
The second section of the BNSF Conductor Test focuses on your behavioral traits and past experience, and whether your profile suits that of a train driver.
All questions follow this format:
The 35 questions in the personality section can be divided into 2 types:
Type 1 – Personality Profiling Questions
These questions aim to measure how you think and what you believe – and as a result, how you are likely to behave. This type of questions measures 5 main traits:
- Adherence to Rules
- Dependability
- Leadership
- Neuroticism
- Thoroughness
Further below we describe each of these traits in more detail.
Type 2 – Job-Related Questions
These questions will attempt to explore your performance in past jobs. They cover 4 main topics:
- Attendance (e.g., “How many times did you miss a working day in the past year?”
- Experience (e.g., “How much experience do you have in this type of job?”)
- Performance (e.g., “How would your supervisor rate the quality of your work?”
- Stability (“How long have you worked in your most recent job?”
In the Personality Guide section we give a more detailed description of the traits measured and how it is recommended to approach questions.
What Jobs Require the BNSF Assessment Test?
If you applied to one or more of the jobs on the list, you will be taking the BNSF assessment described in this page:
- Conductor
- Conductor Trainee
- Construction
- Mechanical Shop Laborer
- Signal Apprentice
- Telecom Maintainer
- Track Maintainer
Your assessment results will apply for all positions listed above, for 6 months. Note that if you have applied for a Clerk or Dispatcher position, you will be taking a different assessment.
Excerpt from the BNSF Test Invitation
What Does the BNSF Online Assessment Measure?
The BNSF Conductor Test measures two aspects – mechanical aptitude (section 1) and personality (section 2).
Mechanical Aptitude
Mechanical aptitude (or mechanical reasoning) is your ability to understand basic mechanical concepts and principles and apply them to new situations.
Personality
The second section of the BNSF assessment is designed to map your profile based on 5 personality traits and compare it with that of an “ideal” candidate.
Since the desired profile depends on the role, it is important to carefully consider the expected traits from the job you are after.
Pro Tip
In the dedicated Personality Guide section, we give more details on this section and how to ace it, including an example analysis of a conductor’s desired profile.
Test Invitation
The test invitation will be sent to you very shortly after applying on BNSF’s website. It will be sent via email from the BNSF staffing team and will include a link to the assessment on the testing platform (AON G.A.T.E) and some answers to important questions.
Once you have received the invitation, you will have 5 days to complete the assessment.
Test Completion Notification
After completing the assessment, you will be notified via email in case you have passed:
Free BNSF Assessment Sample Practice Test
This free practice is aimed at getting you familiar with the types of questions on the BNSF Assessment, as well as their level of difficulty.
The test contains 8 questions: 3 mechanical (section 1) and 5 personality (section 2).
Good luck!
Question 1
Answer and Explanation
The correct answer is A.
Each of the loads creates a torque that is equal to:
Torque = Load x Distance
- Left Load = 100 x 5 = 500
- Right Load = 200 x 2 = 400
Since the torque created by the left load is higher than that created by the right load, the swing will tip to the left, so its right side will rise.
Question 2
Answer and Explanation
The correct answer is A.
Since the balloon is hovering, it means that its overall density is lower than that of the air around it. Similarly, objects will float in water when their overall density is lower than that of the water.
Question 3
Answer and Explanation
The correct answer is B.
Since the vessel is wider on top, there is more water per height unit in the top area of the vessel than in the bottom. As such, the lines (noting a set amount of water) will be closer on the top than on the bottom.
Question 4
How should I Approach This Question?
This question assesses the Leadership trait. This trait may be required to be low or high, based on your desired job.
Example for Conductors: Conductors carry out tasks independently and are not expected to lead employees or teams. As such, the leadership trait in a conductor’s profile is expected to be rather low, so an ideal candidate would be less likely to actively assume a leader’s role. For more details, see the Personality Guide section on this page.
Question 5
How should I Approach This Question?
This question assesses the Thoroughness trait. This trait may be required to be low or high, based on your desired job, although in most cases, hourly jobs candidates are expected to be thorough and meticulous.
Example for Conductors: Conductors are expected to work diligently and pay close attention to minute details. As such, an ideal candidate is expected to have a high level of thoroughness and to agree with this statement. For more details, see the Personality Guide section on this page.
Question 6
How should I Approach This Question?
This question assesses the Dependability trait. This trait is expected to be high across all jobs.
Example for Conductors: As previously mentioned, a conductor’s work is solitary, and they are expected to be highly reliable and be able to make decisions on their own. As such, an ideal candidate is less likely to need feedback from others to perform their tasks. For more details, see the Personality Guide section on this page.
Question 7
How should I Approach This Question?
This question assesses the Adherence to Rules trait. This trait is expected to be high across all jobs.
The adherence to rules traits is expected to be exceptionally high in a conductor’s profile, as the safety and regulatory requirements of the job are very high and well-defined. Therefore, a desirable candidate will strongly disagree with the given statement. For more details, see the Personality Guide section on this page.
Question 8
How should I Approach This Question?
This question assesses the Neuroticism trait. This trait is expected to be low across all jobs.
Example for Conductors: Conductors may often find themselves facing stressful situations and be able to withstand the pressure. Stress should not affect a conductor’s judgment. Therefore, an ideal candidate is likely to agree with the given statement. For more details, see the Personality Guide section on this page.
A Brief Guide for the BNSF Assessment Test Personality Section
This brief guide dives a bit deeper into section 2 of the BNSF Assessment, including measured traits and recommended profiles.
These 5 Traits Measured in the BNSF Assessment
These personality traits will be assessed by the 35 questions on section 2 of the assessment:
Adherence to Rules
The extent to which you take rules seriously and abide by them, especially in the context of safety.
Dependability
How independent are you in your work, and how well can others trust you and count on you to meet their expectations.
Leadership
The level of influence you have on others, and how keen you are to take the lead.
Neuroticism
How affected you are by emotions such as stress, anxiety, and self-doubt.
Thoroughness
How careful and attentive to details you are, and how often do you finish what you started.
EXAMPLE: Conductor – Recommended Profile for Section 2
This is how an ideal conductor’s profile will look after taking section 2 of the BNSF Assessment Test:
Adherence to Rules
As conductors operate equipment that costs millions of dollars and may affect the lives of hundreds of people, this trait is expected to be very high.
Dependability
As conductors do most of their job alone and are constantly under a tight schedule, this trait is expected to be high.
Leadership
As a conductor’s work does not involve leading others, and requires the execution of prescribed protocols and procedures, this trait is expected to be low.
Neuroticism
As conductors are expected to operate calmly and responsibly under time pressure and across long hours, this trait is expected to be very low.
Thoroughness
Conductors are required to maintain focus and attention for long periods of time. However, they may need a certain degree of flexibility and ability to adapt to changes. Therefore, this trait is expected to be high.
