NEW 2022 Assistant Principal Competition - Open and Interdepartmental

I think you might be right, for the most part. However, I have seen some HEO position get advertised as 'open competition' for specific state agencies. I know my current place of work that operates as an aegis under a Department did this... although, this is public service as opposed to civil service. SEO vs HEO; however, same pay scale.

I'm in the middle of preparing my application at present, I got through to the in centre tests the last time I applied in 2018 and only missed out by 3 points then so I'm hopeful for this round. The space for responses is very long (4,000 words). Just wondering are people getting close to that figure, personally I feel a quality response to the question posed is better than trying to reach a long word count. What way are others approaching it? When they ask for a specific example are you limiting your response to a specific example addressing all areas of the question, or providing specific examples for different areas?

Thanks.

Thank you, someone else pointed that out to me - I'm glad to find out at this point and not as I go to cut and paste into the application. Characters makes total sense, 4000 words on each question is a long essay! Best of luck!

First time going for AP. Only about 2 and a half years since getting the HEO.

Have to say I'm struggling a bit with the proposed length of some of the competency based questions. Still just over 1,000 characters left on question 3 and nearly 1,800 left on question 4 for example, and I've nothing left to say. I'd be adding rubbish material for the sake of it. Quality over quantity I suppose, but 4,000 characters does seem quite a long essay. Doesn't particularly help that I've only ever worked in the one Department.

3rd times a charm! Submitted application there today.

I applied before and when I went to add my employment history and education this time it gave me the option of auto completing. Submitted mine last night, relief to have it in, test prep starts now, hate those things!

I had the same issue, and sent an email as well.

Same here! Have also sent an email. Fell into the age old trap of reviewing the application....then tweaking....then realising the time! What a horrible feeling when it doesn't go through after all that work! Hopefully will hear something positive back.....

Hi All, only decided last minute to throw in an application for this... not sure if i'll get past the short listing but sure its all experience. My examples are only about 150 - 180 words but was told not to bulk them out once i hit all the criteria they don't want to see essay's 🤷🏻‍♀️

Best of luck to everyone

Any recommendations for test prep? Had a look around today and can't really find anything.

To all the people who couldn't submit on time, I mistakenly didn't reply in time to my interview confirmation for AO and I immediately e-mailed PAS and they put me back in the competition. I would imagine you will all be fine.

If you have a few quid spare, buy a month of this. Has a bunch of tests I'm doing now and gives breakdowns of all the answers. I must say it's very difficult, a lot harder than I remember the actual AO tests being. Haven't done the AP tests before so I don't know if the difficulty is comparable.

Good luck all

I am contemplating doing this. However, I don't want to waste money if I won't get to use it. Are the initial applications looked at or does everyone who applies get to do the assessments?

Does anyone want to split the cost of exams with me ? Used below for HEO and I got 100% on the Math and 70/80 on the verbal so am going to go with them again. 58e for 4 weeks which should be plenty of time to practice ! Send me a message about it and I'll figure out what the split is after a day or two.

https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/irish-civil-service-assistant-principal-prep

Interested. Drop me a pm.