Executive Officer Campaign 2016

Barraldo

I did mine Monday afternoon. I am not confident at all. The verbal reasoning wasn't as clear cut and the numerical was just ridiculous. I did the recent HEO tests and passed both verbal and numerical twice. For the EO test to be so difficult is mad. It's done now and I'm hoping to get through but if I don't I won't be surprised.

WoolyJumper

I thought the verbal reasoning seemed easy enough compared to the practice tests, but that makes think I missed something. It felt a little too easy. The Maths on the other hand didn't go so well. I really refreshed my knowledge on %'s so I could do them without even thinking about it but the ratios got me. Haven't done them in about 10 years. Wasn't expecting them and when they popped up I couldn't think clearly when I knew time was ticking. Ah well, worst comes to worst it was still good practice.

Crunchymomma

i did CO aswell and it was def the same test i sat in Dub that i did at home

xDisneyDivax

I did both CO and AO tests- both were same for 2 stages

Crunchymomma

i always hate the waiting in between stages for results.....not exactly confident that part a went fantastically so just want to know as soon as possible if im in with a shot or not!

ongarboy

I think the problem for some with the Numerical reasoning is that people either have an aptitude for maths or they don't. Anyone who typically did honours Maths for the Leaving would have found the Numerical test pretty ok I would think but those who always found Maths in school tough would have struggled with the EO numerical test particularly as it was about speed as well as accuracy.

Verbal Reasoning is more manageable for most but at the same time is less black or white as there can be an argument against a True, False or Cannot Say depending on how you interpret the text passage. I struggled with some as to whether False or Cannot Say was the "right" answer....

Remember the sample question about overhearing a colleague criticising a manager and whether you should intervene. It wasn't clear in the passage whether you were actively eavesdropping on a private conversation or innocently hearing someone loudly complain in an open plan office. I would have needed that additional information to determine what course of action I would have taken...

caarp

yabadabado wrote: »

py2006 wrote: »

Same test again?   That doesn't make sense.

similar type but not the exact same questions.

Its a bit of a joke situation,you have to do numerical and verbal twice and situational once.
Numerical just needs a pass and doesnt effect your final score but the situational isn't tested again and does go towards your placing.

I realise they are done this way to save money but there has to be a better system.I don't see why they won't time the situational test and have it as a supervised test again.

Just wondering, I've seen a few people say the same thing as you, that the numerical score doesn't count.  How do you know that?

caarp

yabadabado wrote: »

py2006 wrote: »

Same test again?   That doesn't make sense.

similar type but not the exact same questions.

Its a bit of a joke situation,you have to do numerical and verbal twice and situational once.
Numerical just needs a pass and doesnt effect your final score but the situational isn't tested again and does go towards your placing.

I realise they are done this way to save money but there has to be a better system.I don't see why they won't time the situational test and have it as a supervised test again.

Sorry, meant to say, how do you know that all is needed is a pass score?

eroc79

caarp wrote: »

Sorry, meant to say, how do you know that all is needed is a pass score?

I've been told it's only a pass required in numeric to help keep the gender balance because it's assumed that women aren't as good at maths as men.

ongarboy

eroc79 wrote: »

I've been told it's only a pass required in numeric to help keep the gender balance because it's assumed that women aren't as good at maths as men.

Ah of course...and once the women join the civil service, they will be allocated the typing and filing roles while the men will do the important work like counting numbers...

I think you've been watching too much Mad Men!!:rolleyes:

vinegarhill98

ongarboy wrote: »

Ah of course...and once the women join the civil service, they will be allocated the typing and filing roles while the men will do the important work like counting numbers...

I think you've been watching too much Mad Men!!:rolleyes:

Well Numerical hasnt counted towards final score in any recent Applications ive completed. You just have to make the pass grade

eroc79

ongarboy wrote: »

Ah of course...and once the women join the civil service, they will be allocated the typing and filing roles while the men will do the important work like counting numbers...

I think you've been watching too much Mad Men!!:rolleyes:

As a female who is normally better at numeric than verbal, I'm not thrilled about the idea that this could be the reason it's discounted but it's the reason I've been given.

Wheety

eroc79 wrote: »

As a female who is normally better at numeric than verbal, I'm not thrilled about the idea that this could be the reason it's discounted but it's the reason I've been given.

By PAS?

eroc79

Wheety wrote: »

By PAS?

No but it would be interesting if they'd give a straight answer about it.

Wheety

eroc79 wrote: »

No but it would be interesting if they'd give a straight answer about it.

They won't as it's part of their process.

The reason you've been told is not true. I'd imagine the Unions had something to do with it.

eroc79

Wheety wrote: »

They won't as it's part of their process.

The reason you've been told is not true. I'd imagine the Unions had something to do with it.

I hope it's not true and yes I do think the unions had a say in the process

Wheety

Oh, and they could decide to use this year. They have the option, but as has been said, they haven't done it in a long time so I would be very surprised if they changed.

splendid101

I suppose it doesn't matter why they only count the maths as pass or fail, the only thing that matters is that they do, and that it's the same for everyone.

You're not at a disadvantage if you're good at maths and it's only pass/fail. Being good at maths is an advantage regardless. If you have really good maths skills I'm sure you can utilise them somewhere (it might not be in the civil service however). If you're good at maths you can capitalise on that cos you know you'll pass and can concentrate on the Verbal Reasoning.

You still need to be good at verbal reasoning, it's no good being just great at maths/numerical.

It is kind of strange when you go to do the supervised tests as your position will always be limited by part A, and all you can improve is your verbal score.

jfrmbray

splendid101 wrote: »

I suppose it doesn't matter why they only count the maths as pass or fail, the only thing that matters is that they do, and that it's the same for everyone.

You're not at a disadvantage if you're good at maths and it's only pass/fail. Being good at maths is an advantage regardless. If you have really good maths skills I'm sure you can utilise them somewhere (it might not be in the civil service however). If you're good at maths you can capitalise on that cos you know you'll pass and can concentrate on the Verbal Reasoning.

You still need to be good at verbal reasoning, it's no good being just great at maths/numerical.

It is kind of strange when you go to do the supervised tests as your position will always be limited by part A, and all you can improve is your verbal score.

So the situational judgement thing isn't assessed again? We're just brought in for two twenty minute exams? At least it'll be quick.

yabadabado

caarp wrote: »

Sorry, meant to say, how do you know that all is needed is a pass score?

It has been pass mark only for the last number of years,PAS could change it now for EO exams but it's unlikely.
Results will be out within the next few weeks so all will be revealed then.

blackstar72

If it is the same as two years ago then people who pass the 1a and 1b will be called to do a supervised test in PAS Offices in Dublin. The test will just be a re run of 1b, with different questions of course. Your score for 1a stays constant, no re-run. If there is a discrepancy between your score for 1b between the supervised test and the unsupervised one you may be disqualified. Interviews and e tray test after that if you finish high enough in the order of merit after the unsupervised test.

Mc4hire

I wonder if a high score in the numerical test is taken into consideration at all.
Perhaps later on before placing people they might tailor the high Numeric scorers to Figures related jobs.

If not it seems a bit mathsist to me.

blackstar72

Unless they have changed tact you just need to pass the Numerical. Doesn't matter whether you get full marks or just scrape the pass.

chrippy

Mc4hire wrote: »

I wonder if a high score in the numerical test is taken into consideration at all.
Perhaps later on before placing people they might tailor the high Numeric scorers to Figures related jobs.

If not it seems a bit mathsist to me.

It's positive discrimination, as women were deemed to be worse at maths than men, so you just need to pass it, and the scores don't count towards any part of the process

doc11

Funny how this is used to favour women in CO comps yet women make up over 70% of clerical grade in civil service. Why do they need the favours

chrippy

doc11 wrote: »

Funny how this is used to favour women in CO comps yet women make up over 70% of clerical grade in civil service. Why do they need the favours

It's just a hangover from a different time

caarp

yabadabado wrote: »

caarp wrote: »

Sorry, meant to say, how do you know that all is needed is a pass score?

It has been pass mark only for the last number of years,PAS could change it now for EO exams but it's unlikely.
Results will be out within the next few weeks so all will be revealed then.

Thanks Yabadabado.  So when given our results, PAS will break down how we scored in the 3 tested areas?

splendid101

caarp wrote: »

Thanks Yabadabado. So when given our results, PAS will break down how we scored in the 3 tested areas?

Yeah, you'll get the total available, the pass mark, and your own result.

I wonder if a high score in the numerical test is taken into consideration at all.
Perhaps later on before placing people they might tailor the high Numeric scorers to Figures related jobs.

Nope. Definitely not.

caarp

splendid101 wrote: »

caarp wrote: »

Thanks Yabadabado.  So when given our results, PAS will break down how we scored in the 3 tested areas?

Yeah, you'll get the total available, the pass mark, and your own result.

I wonder if a high score in the numerical test is taken into consideration at all.
Perhaps later on before placing people they might tailor the high Numeric scorers to Figures related jobs.

Nope. Definitely not.

Thanks Splendid.

Aluap77

Hi, I was just wondering does anyone know of any centres which specialise in the aptitude tests? I'd be willing to spend some money on test preparation.

whatlliwear

Aluap77 wrote: »

Hi, I was just wondering does anyone know of any centres which specialise in the aptitude tests? I'd be willing to spend some money on test preparation.

Me too!

heffomike54

Any idea when results of this part of the process will be available???

archie199

heffomike54 wrote: »

Any idea when results of this part of the process will be available???

I presume it'll be before the end of next week, usually takes around two weeks...

Crunchymomma

heffomike54 wrote: »

Any idea when results of this part of the process will be available???

I would imagine mid-end of next week. Last EO stage 1 results took exactly two weeks and last year's Co results took three weeks but there is always much higher application numbers for CO than EO

Copper_pipe

Thank you for your email, please note the results will be issued during this week.

Regards,

keepkeyyellow

Copper_pipe wrote: »

Thank you for your email, please note the results will be issued during this week.

Regards,

Just logged in to say I got the same email. Fingers crossed now...

eimaj18

Hopefully they will, but I've been following threads here for different competitions I've applied for and different people get different answers from PAS. Sometimes wildly different answers! I know it's hard (I'm in exactly the same boat), but the results will be out when they're out! In the meantime, I would be practising the sample tests and any other you can get your hands on - better to be prepared and not get through to the next round, than not be prepared and get through to the next round, if you know what I mean? You'll still get a bit of time to practice when you're notified of the tests though.

Best of luck everyone!

JJayoo

Where did everyone place as their number one choice?

Mine was 1) Sligo 2) galway

archie199

JJayoo wrote: »

Where did everyone place as their number one choice?

Mine was 1) Sligo 2) galway

(1) Dublin (2) Limerick

Dublin will get the majority of these positions, maybe some to Cork and Galway. A few in the midlands too I presume.

Crunchymomma

JJayoo wrote: »

Where did everyone place as their number one choice?

Mine was 1) Sligo 2) galway

1) Galway
2) Limerick

Galway seems like a slower mover in these comps than limerick but would prefer to get back there. Got placed off co comp to limerick as couldn't possibly have afforded to live in Galway on those wages

xDisneyDivax

Donegal and Sligo. Probably be extremely slow in Donegal

WoolyJumper

I put down (1) Cork and (2) Dublin tbh though, I think Cork is the only option for me at the moment

Anongeneric

1) Sligo, 2) Waterford.
Cost of living is better than most places

kildareash

1) Carlow and 2) Kilkenny

whatlliwear

Hi,
At what stage do you get to pick locations?
Have you received your results?

Elliot192

whatlliwear wrote: »

Hi,
At what stage do you get to pick locations?
Have you received your results?

I was just wondering that, too. I could only select one county?

xDisneyDivax

whatlliwear wrote: »

Hi,
At what stage do you get to pick locations?
Have you received your results?

On initial application form at start. I didn't get results yet- they're meant to be released this week though.

Shuttle666

Having done a number of competitions with PAS in the last 12 months, results of various stages tend to come out on a Friday evening 5-6pm, hopefully it will be a nice start to your weekend for everyone on here.

eroc79

JJayoo wrote: »

Where did everyone place as their number one choice?

Mine was 1) Sligo 2) galway

Cork and Tipperary

Jakeren7

eroc79 wrote: »

Cork and Tipperary

Meath and Louth