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ICT Specialists (Executive Officer level) in Civil Service

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    #152
    Moocifer
    Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭Moocifer


    I have my test first thing Monday morning and it seems to be going on all week so my guess would be there's a huge number going for this. I'l be posting Monday evening let ye know what it's like!


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    #153
    fxotoole
    Registered Users Posts: 1,661 ✭✭✭fxotoole


    Moocifer wrote: »
    I have my test first thing Monday morning and it seems to be going on all week so my guess would be there's a huge number going for this. I'l be posting Monday evening let ye know what it's like!

    Yeah looks like they got swamped with applications alright. I'm pencilled in for wed afternoon myself.


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    #154
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    fxotoole wrote: »
    Yeah looks like they got swamped with applications alright. I'm pencilled in for wed afternoon myself.

    I'm Tues morning myself...


    Mightn't be too many really... Morning and afternoon sessions...50 in each...x say 5 days...500
    Interview 100......maybe....


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    #155
    stevenmu
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 9,689 Mod ✭✭✭✭stevenmu


    The_Conductor wrote: »
    - and indeed, even as an EO ICT- you are expected to be mobile and willing to move into completely different areas at your managers discretion. For example- a Manager could walk into a room and point at the first 3 people and say- You, you and you- you're going on a Java course next week- and are going to be trained up on Java- and then point at the next 3 people- and say 'You, you and you- are going on a SQL course- and are going to be my sql programmers.......'

    That's a really important point that people should be aware of. I actually know of one case where an EO was promoted to HEO and then told that they had to leave ICT and move to a policy area.


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    #156
    Moocifer
    Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭Moocifer


    That happens it depends on the competition you do. If you do a standard HEO you have to go back to general service but if you a HEO Analyst one you would stay in ICT. Actually that scenario applies to someone I know. Got the standard HEO last year and had to move out of ICT.


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    #157
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    Anyone been in yet?


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    #158
    Moocifer
    Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭Moocifer


    Yep done and dusted but the first thing they make you do is sign a disclaimer stating you won't discuss it.


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    #159
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    Moocifer wrote: »
    Yep done and dusted but the first thing they make you do is sign a disclaimer stating you won't discuss it.

    And ?


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    #160
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    Is it actually two hours long?
    Curious as I'll be heading straight to work.....


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    #161
    Moocifer
    Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭Moocifer


    Out in under two hours. It wasn't too bad the example will definitely set people on the right track.


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    #162
    fxotoole
    Registered Users Posts: 1,661 ✭✭✭fxotoole


    I'm curious as to the difficulty level / complexity / trickiness of both exams. Don't suppose you'd be willing to provide some pointers?


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    #163
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    Moocifer wrote: »
    Yep done and dusted but the first thing they make you do is sign a disclaimer stating you won't discuss it.

    But you're anonymous on here :D


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    #164
    Moocifer
    Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭Moocifer


    If you do the sample tests on the site it's very like that. Honestly no great surprises from what they sent us already. The only thing that might trip people is the time because it was tight getting the numerical reasoning done.


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    #165
    westmeath11
    Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭westmeath11


    Zipppy wrote: »
    But you're anonymous on here :D

    Hi
    The examples will put you on the right track. The results will be out at the end of the month so we don't have to wait that long


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    #166
    delricyo
    Registered Users Posts: 447 ✭✭delricyo


    Here is a bit of advice:
    Bring a couple of pencils for the numerical rough work.
    Also bring a pen for signing the back of your photo.

    There was no instruction to bring pens or pencils in our original email


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    #167
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    Done and dusted this morning...
    TBH I thought it was all pretty straight forward...numerical are easy enough..just the time gets to ya ..

    About 40 being assessed this morning...

    As for pencils and pens . no hassle as they will give you a lend if stuck..


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    #168
    westmeath11
    Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭westmeath11


    Zipppy wrote: »
    Done and dusted this morning...
    TBH I thought it was all pretty straight forward...numerical are easy enough..just the time gets to ya ..

    About 40 being assessed this morning...

    As for pencils and pens . no hassle as they will give you a lend if stuck..

    Yes I agree, I brought no stationary other than a calculator, they will lend you the stuff. I find it strange that we all did the same test, for example I work in the networking side of the industry, I have the CCNA, I could never do a whole lot even with simple java programmes, I find it strange that programmers and network people would be assessed the same as they are two very different jobs.


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    #169
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    westmeath11 wrote: »
    Yes I agree, I brought no stationary other than a calculator, they will lend you the stuff. I find it strange that we all did the same test, for example I work in the networking side of the industry, I have the CCNA, I could never do a whole lot even with simple java programmes, I find it strange that programmers and network people would be assessed the same as they are two very different jobs.

    Interview will assess those competencies...tests are simply to assess your overall suitability for a roel within ICT in Civil Service...Its just a culling / short listing exercise..


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    #170
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    Was just thinking about the diverse age range of attendees this morning at the assessment...from young to 'mature'....
    i wonder will any particular age bracket be favoured at interview or is it open house really?


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    #171
    westmeath11
    Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭westmeath11


    Zipppy wrote: »
    Was just thinking about the diverse age range of attendees this morning at the assessment...from young to 'mature'....
    i wonder will any particular age bracket be favoured at interview or is it open house really?

    I think the PAS service are very fair in that regard, they really don't care if you only met the necessary standard since last week of if you are 5 years from retirement, if they feel you are suited to the job from what I hear they hire you.


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    #172
    Moocifer
    Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭Moocifer


    It's always open house. I know both young, middle and mature people who've got in. It's very fair that way


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    #173
    Nucular Arms
    Closed Accounts Posts: 237 ✭✭Nucular Arms


    Due to a moving house type situation I have not received an address for the test centre, anyone fancy posting up the details?


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    #174
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    Nucular Arms wrote: »
    Due to a moving house type situation I have not received an address for the test centre, anyone fancy posting up the details?

    Its 26/30 abbey st upper . its chapter house just at the outbound stop for the Luas opposite jervis SC.

    For those wanting to know more...heres what I can tell you. If you can answer the question, you get the job(whatever it is)

    There are 3 sessions per day with between 30 - 40 each time for a period of 5 days.

    True -false- cannot say.

    There are 600 people doing the same test for an unspecified number of positions.

    They also cant say if they use negative marking on the instructions of the psychologists conducting the tests.:confused:


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    #175
    Nucular Arms
    Closed Accounts Posts: 237 ✭✭Nucular Arms


    Great stuff, thanks!


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    #176
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    Sean Embarrassed Scrap wrote: »

    They also cant say if they use negative marking on the instructions of the psychologists conducting the tests.:confused:

    :eek:
    I hope not...I guessed a few at the end....

    Surely if they Do use negative marking and don't inform candidates beforehand it would be a breach of recruitment regulations?


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    #177
    fxotoole
    Registered Users Posts: 1,661 ✭✭✭fxotoole


    Zipppy wrote: »
    :eek:
    I hope not...I guessed a few at the end....

    Surely if they Do use negative marking and don't inform candidates beforehand it would be a breach of recruitment regulations?

    Why would it be?


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    #178
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,278 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    In the other recent competitions- they have explicitly stated that they do not use negative marking. Maybe ring someone in Graduate Recruitment- they should be able to tell you on the phone.


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    #179
    bennyineire
    Registered Users Posts: 2,466 ✭✭✭bennyineire


    The_Conductor wrote: »
    In the other recent competitions- they have explicitly stated that they do not use negative marking. Maybe ring someone in Graduate Recruitment- they should be able to tell you on the phone.

    This isn't a graduate role though


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    #180
    westmeath11
    Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭westmeath11


    The_Conductor wrote: »
    In the other recent competitions- they have explicitly stated that they do not use negative marking. Maybe ring someone in Graduate Recruitment- they should be able to tell you on the phone.

    Someone asked about negative marking in my exam session and the lady replied that she was not allowed to answer either way.
    I also applied for the CO position and the question was asked and they did answer it so there seems to be a change in ploicy


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    #181
    Zipppy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,054 ✭✭✭Zipppy


    The_Conductor wrote: »
    In the other recent competitions- they have explicitly stated that they do not use negative marking. Maybe ring someone in Graduate Recruitment- they should be able to tell you on the phone.
    bennyineire wrote: »
    This isn't a graduate role though

    Rang PAS...'Whatever it states on the paper'

    'So if it doesn't states negative marking, one can assume it's not used?'

    'Whatever it states on the paper'


    Arrgghhh


    Garda tests from last year explicitly state negative marking is used...so we really just dont / won't know...which isn't good enough TBH


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