Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

NEW 2018 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

13468956

Comments

  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    You going again?

    I'm a right glutton for punishment! At least the form gets easier to complete- though it is a bit different this time around. Having the feedback from the recent interview- gives you a better roadmap- and an idea of what the weaknesses were/are- and how to mitigate them..........

    I'm giving it my best- I'll see how it goes- worse case scenario- its another learning experience.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma




  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Was it shl last time around?

    Yes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    Yes.

    Thats great news, I tend to do well with their tests, although I hace never applied for a job at this level


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    I wonder when we will get an update on the first stage?


  • Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭BobCat123


    I wonder when we will get an update on the first stage?

    It’s over a week now,thought we might have heard something by now whatever the reason is


  • Registered Users Posts: 316 ✭✭sureitsgrand


    Anyone heard anything about the HPLG Wexford competition?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 915 ✭✭✭never_mind


    Just applied to another AP role in CS (not the general one). Wonder will it be the same process as it is a specific hire not a general one? E.g. communications role.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    BobCat123 wrote: »
    It’s over a week now,thought we might have heard something by now whatever the reason is

    Anyone feel like emailing?? Think they will start blocking me if I email again ha


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    Anyone feel like emailing?? Think they will start blocking me if I email again ha

    Strike that, I emailed.... They said they would issue an update "soon"


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭Sir Ophiuchus


    You're doing Trojan work, Crunchymomma. Thanks for emailing so I don't have to!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    You're doing Trojan work, Crunchymomma. Thanks for emailing so I don't have to!

    No problem, I'm just so impatient


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,540 ✭✭✭tigger123


    Just got a message, tests are to be completed between Thursday 27th and Tuesday 2nd.

    Very short notice.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,299 ✭✭✭djPSB


    Does everyone get called to this stage?


  • Registered Users Posts: 89 ✭✭Max Mustermann


    djPSB wrote: »
    Does everyone get called to this stage?

    I'd say so. I did anyway. Good luck to all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 229 ✭✭WAW


    Just saw the message. Did I also see there is a nationwide AO competition?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,082 ✭✭✭duffman13


    tigger123 wrote: »
    Just got a message, tests are to be completed between Thursday 27th and Tuesday 2nd.

    Very short notice.

    Got an email, fly out Thursday morning and back Tuesday from an extra long weekend away. I'll have to bring the laptop :( anyone know if the ly go at live at 00:01 on Thursday morning? Might do them as soon as they go live if I can


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    WAW wrote: »
    Just saw the message. Did I also see there is a nationwide AO competition?

    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,564 ✭✭✭quad_red


    duffman13 wrote: »
    Got an email, fly out Thursday morning and back Tuesday from an extra long weekend away. I'll have to bring the laptop :( anyone know if the ly go at live at 00:01 on Thursday morning? Might do them as soon as they go live if I can

    The last few competitions I've done the link to the live tests was sent at just after noon on the opening day of the window.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 89 ✭✭disland


    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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 229 ✭✭WAW


    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.

    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,783 ✭✭✭Aglomerado


    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.

    Depends on the department. I'm a HEO and I work in policy analysis. I don't have a section under me either!
    I applied for AP but as luck would have it I'm going to be in Spain on the dates of the test window...I'll have to search for a library ....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,082 ✭✭✭duffman13


    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 :)


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    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.

    Hi- yes, I did.

    I've applied for both the AO and the AP this time round again- given my experience thus far- and the lack of staff I have had reporting to me- it would probably be better if I ended up as a section manager for a while to better equip myself- however, my personal choice would be for a more policy orientated role.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,191 ✭✭✭narwog81


    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?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    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?

    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


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,191 ✭✭✭narwog81


    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

    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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 377 ✭✭ThumbTaxed


    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 :)

    Are they tests where you can get the answers?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    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.
    This section is from the stage one info booklet :

    "please note that while candidates complete these assessment tests online in an unsupervised environment, those who qualify and are placed highest on the order of merit may be required to sit similar tests in a supervised environment at a later stage in the process. If a candidate’s performance at the supervised test is outside the expected scoring range from their unsupervised test, they may be excluded from subsequent stages of the selection process".

    I can't remember a pas campaign in recent times that didn't have stage two as supervised testing. It's definitely possible though that they will shorlist from application forms between stage one and stage two


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,437 ✭✭✭Josey Wales


    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?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 29 Luckyduck78


    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?

    the last time was 40 out of 80 I think.
    can't find any shl tests online, I suppose given that organisations pay to use them to test candidates, it defeats the purpose somewhat if we can access them online to practice :(


  • Registered Users Posts: 822 ✭✭✭lapua20grain


    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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 29 Luckyduck78


    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.

    Anyone can just have a bad day doing one of these tests.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 915 ✭✭✭never_mind


    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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭Sir Ophiuchus


    It's not that you're not allowed to, it's just that the work firewall or internal IT setup might cause problems with the test system, in which case you'd be a bit stuck.

    I wouldn't chance it personally, but I have a PC and a good connection at home.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    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

    I did recent pas tests on work computer and it was grand but maybe it wouldn't work everywhere


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 915 ✭✭✭never_mind


    Did one of the numerical sample tests... jesus... no way I will be able to pass this.


  • Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭Ahshurlookit


    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........

    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    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.

    I think (but am definitely open to correction) that circular 34/77 refers to both promotion from open competition and from interdepartmental


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,629 ✭✭✭channelsurfer2


    never_mind wrote: »
    Did one of the numerical sample tests... jesus... no way I will be able to pass this.

    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!!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 68 ✭✭redarse


    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...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    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...

    In 2016, the pass marks were verbal 42/80, numerical 40/80 and situational 40/80
    .but they will set the pass mark to whittle down the numbers to what they want


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭Sir Ophiuchus


    but they will set the pass mark to whittle down the numbers to what they want

    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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 73 ✭✭willthiswork


    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.

    But the fewer people pass, the fewer applications they need to read!


  • Registered Users Posts: 22 Aitor


    But the fewer people pass, the fewer applications they need to read!

    I’m pretty certain it’s a bell curve. They don’t whittle down the numbers based on application forms. The forms only provide background for the interviewers if you get that far.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,540 ✭✭✭tigger123


    Anyone know if you can spread the three assessments out over a few days between Thursday and Tuesday? I.e., do one a day for three days or something similar?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,094 ✭✭✭TaurenDruid


    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!!

    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 229 ✭✭WAW


    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.

    Haven't looked at it yet. Jeeze not looking forward to it. My maths is rusty!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    WAW wrote: »
    Haven't looked at it yet. Jeeze not looking forward to it. My maths is rusty!

    It's the exact same practise link as we got for EO


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 43 irumudikkilli


    The Information booklet says "This exercise is designed to assess your ability to understand numerical information. You will be presented with a series of tables and graphs, each followed by several questions." The practice questions at SHL site seems to have other types of word problems as well.


Advertisement