The_Conductor wrote: » Yep- and its a lot easier to fill in the AO form (they don't ask for examples for the competencies until later). Filling out the AP form was a chore- the AO, in comparison, is a breath of fresh air.
WAW wrote: » Did you apply The Conductor for the AO test? I don't know a great deal about civil service but is AO more policy oriented than HEO? The grades look similar. I'd be more interested in the policy than people/section management tbh.
disland wrote: » Hi I just did some shl sample tests. Does it only give you the results and not show the questions you got wrong? Seems a waste of time just getting the result with no idea what questions I got wrong for both the numerical and verbal samples. Also the situational sample doesn’t give any result at all - no indication whatsoever as to how i did? Is it the same for everyone or maybe I’m doing something wrong? Thanks
narwog81 wrote: » Looking ahead here to the next stage as I'm working abroad and have to get organised, what is the likely next step after the shortlisting from the online aptitude testing? Will there be an assessment centre day similar to other competitions or reading the AP booklet information on Stage 2 it sounds as if the next step is an interview? Is this likely to take place in November based on the current timelines?
Crunchymomma wrote: » I think it will be an assessment centre day like 2016 campaign. No idea on a timeline though. If like last time it was 3.5 weeks for results of Stage one and then three weeks notice on stage two date. I'm hopeful they will let us book in our own time for stage two also as was done with the most recent pas comps
duffman13 wrote: » disland wrote: » Hi I just did some shl sample tests. Does it only give you the results and not show the questions you got wrong? Seems a waste of time just getting the result with no idea what questions I got wrong for both the numerical and verbal samples. Also the situational sample doesn’t give any result at all - no indication whatsoever as to how i did? Is it the same for everyone or maybe I’m doing something wrong? Thanks I spent a while doing situational test today and got no results or feedback. I obviously clicked the wrong link, at least you got a result
narwog81 wrote: » Thanks for that, I thought that would be the case but the information booklet is worded a little ambiguously. "Candidates will be ranked on the outcome of their on-line assessment tests and will be shortlisted in accordance with their ranking. In this respect, the Public Appointments Service provide for the employment of a short listing process to select a group for interview who, based on an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position." This reads like they'll examine the application forms for whoever makes the grade on aptitude tests and then call for interview based off that. Time will tell I suppose, I'll get the online test under the belt first and then worry about flights home I guess.
Josey Wales wrote: » The Situational Judgement Test sample on the SHL site is hardly worth doing. I know they said in the preparation material it was for a lower level of management but it also doesn't actually give any feedback when you submit your answers. Waste of time. Does anyone know what the pass mark is in the maths test?
lapua20grain wrote: » Did one of the SHL tests 2 weeks ago for a job flew through all and then had a major brain fart in the middle of the maths one couldn't get my head around 4 questions and ended up not answering 4. It can be a bit off putting that it can go pear shaped so easily.
never_mind wrote: » Hi all it says that we shouldn't use a work/college computer to do the test but I was hoping to do it at work during my lunch (flexi two hour lunch). Anyone know if that would be OK? Thanks
The_Conductor wrote: » Sure- the majority of prospective candidates will be applying for both- however, the trick is- if you have choice- take the interdepartmental rather than the open- so you don't have to mark time on the payscale once you're appointed (pre-existing civil or public sector employees who get a post in an open competition are appointed at the point on the salary scale closest to their current salary- however, they must then mark time on that point- until the external candidates who come in at point 1 catch up with them on the scale. So- if you have choice- always take the Interdepartmental over the Open- however, you'd be silly not to apply for both........
Ahshurlookit wrote: » Can you point me in the direction of a HR circular or similar that states that those promoted on an Interdepartmental competition don't have to mark time? Thanks in advance.
never_mind wrote: » Did one of the numerical sample tests... jesus... no way I will be able to pass this.
redarse wrote: » Does anyone know what the pass mark for the aptitude tests is? If you're getting 20/30 on the verbal reasoning are you there or there abouts etc. I'm aware you should get as much as possible right. The pass standard probably varies from competition to competion I assume...
Crunchymomma wrote: » but they will set the pass mark to whittle down the numbers to what they want
Sir Ophiuchus wrote: » They shouldn't really need to, though. It doesn't matter much to them if one thousand or ten thousand people meet the minimums, they'll use shortlisting to decide how many off the top to call to interview regardless.
willthiswork wrote: » But the fewer people pass, the fewer applications they need to read!
channelsurfer2 wrote: » those full test examples on the shl website are awful alright. I doubt they will be the same level as they seem to be geared towards an American audience. hopefully not anyway!!
TaurenDruid wrote: » You'll be getting pretty much exactly the same type of questions, and yes, they are American-centric. The only concession they make is using the metric system.
WAW wrote: » Haven't looked at it yet. Jeeze not looking forward to it. My maths is rusty!
