The Assistant Principal competition 2022 has gone live on PublicJobs.ie today.
Link is here: https://publicjobs.ie/en/index.php?option=com_jobsearch&view=jobdetails&Itemid=263&cid=166412&campaignId=22434207
Closing date for initial applications is 17/11/22.
The information Booklet for the Open competition is below, if you need to refer to it at a later stage in the competition.
Best of luck everyone!
Total score = results from Situational judgment + verbal reasoning added together.
OOM is where you rank on the list for total score compared to everyone else.
Assuming you passed all three tests, your OOM will dictate where on the list you are for consideration in the short listing process.
If you have total score of 1159 higher, you will be in batch 1 for short listing, below this you may be in a batch 2, 3, etc assume there is requirement for that number of people.....
So once you passed the test, I don't think test scores are that relevant now, i assume your OOM may provide some high level indication of potential waiting time.
Different but similar context, had applied to a PAS competition before taking on a new job in the private sector after some time unemployed so it wasn't on my application form. When I got to interview and the panel were asking me about my career, I mentioned that I had gone back to work since applying for the PAS competition and it was fine. Wouldn't worry too much as I've found most PAS panels to be very understanding that life moves fast but the PAS process moves slow.
The total score creates the OOM, which is then revised after the assessment of application forms, and again after the interviews.
How long do you think it will take to shortlist the application forms?
PAS said they hope to have shortlisting circulated by end of this month.
There is a lot to go through in the application forms so it's understandable that it might take some time.
Results are in!!
I only scored 99 on the shortlisting which is both surprising and extremely disappointing. I've been one grade below this for many years with a lot of relevant experience (albeit public sector experience). The cutoff is a score of 113 so I'm way off. I'm not at all certain where I went wrong on the application form.
I was in the top 120 OOM but this makes me wonder if I'm a good fit at all if they scored my experience so badly. Really odd how consistently bad my scores are when I definitely have strengths and weaknesses. They are all mid20's
I missed the cut too with a score of 95, so you did better than me. I thought I made my application form relevant to the competencies so I'm disappointed too.
I assume they will create a second and third batch for interview though, so hang in there. Good luck.
Chin up I suppose. I wonder if there are many people getting help with this process for example with putting on the form exactly what is needed. There seems to be a whole industry based around helping people tick the boxes.
I missed out too, my leadership one let me down, which considering I'm already at heo level managing a large team i can't fathom how my example was soo poor. Gutted
Disqualified 😥
Very disappointed, I got feedback from a lot of people on my form, I thought it would be good enough to at least get to the interview.
As long as you received the minimum pass you will be called in subsequent batches its just a matter of time so I wouldn't worry too much.
Also like everything some times its just a matter of did you get you're examples out better than the person above/below you, its a super competitive process with thousands of applicants each competition.
Does it mean disqualified or not being called for interview yet?
How did they get through them all accurately in the few days between 30th January – 3rd February 2023?
I'm disappointed but I just have to laugh I got 16 in a competency that I've previously gotten 36.
Who said consistency is the key?
Just got my score, 188, with this note: We are currently inviting those candidates who achieved a total score of 114 or higher to Stage 3 of the selection process - Main Interview and Strategic Analysis Exercise. Candidates who achieved a total score lower than 114 will be called forward in due course.
I was 145 on OOM, does this now mean I might have moved up?
Does anyone have any information on the strategic analysis exercise? Or main interview tips?
Going by the Stage 2 results of the 2021 competition, it doesn't push you're rank up. It only counts to get you into the Batch they interview unless they break the batches up into smaller chunks if too many scored above 114.
You only get a revised OOM after all the interviews of the Batch are done which is based on you're score at interview and presentation
Ah, this means I will be called for an interview, but there are no dates when. Do they call in OOM order or points on experience order? Then they re-calibrate everyone based on interview + presentation (so these points or previous points no longer count?)
You would have to ask PAS directly how they assign interview dates ie. by original OOM or score initially. But I would think that as the end result is the same, it shouldn't matter as they don't post results individually but at the end of the Batch interviews.
If you are worried about holidays, getting time off etc. you could ask PAS when they hope to run the interviews. From memory they do interviews over 3-4 weeks.
Also the OOM you get assigned is based only on you're interview and presentation.
Is the interview and presentation generally held in one session or split over two sessions?
Is there no final interview for this competition i.e. preliminary interview first and if you pass that a final interview and presentation.
The interview and presentation should be all one session it was in 2021. Presentation first then the interview straight after with the same board.
just one interview and combined presentation no preliminary interview.
Short listing based on your form, no one way video interview and a single combined interview and presentation sounds fantastic 👍
I am familiar with PAS' process. I'd be happy to help you adapt your application next time or help you with a Section 7 Review now if you think it's warranted.
As I said above to @Board.surf, I can help you write and word your Section 7 appeal. It sounds like you were unfairly or inconsistently judged if you received 36/50 for the same competency in another AP competition. DM if you want.
I am in a very similar situation to @Board.surf , scores of 24, 24, 25, 25, and I was a bit surprised at the lowness of the scores and the evenness of them (was in the 80’s on the open and 50’s on interdepartmental, and thought my experience strong. I have not heard of the section 7 appeal, but would like to appeal I think, just to see how they applied their process. Would it be ok to contact you? Might anyone else have advice, e.g. is it a good idea to appeal? Thanks.
Page 18 onwards of the AP hand book covers informal reviews/rechecks, Section 7 and 8 reviews. Section 7 reviews have a very short time window to be applied for, 5 days from notification of result I believe.
The pass mark was 21 for each competency, so you will be interviewed but just not in the first batch (likely multiple batches). As always you run the risk you could be marked upwards, downwards or no change. I’m not sure you will get a more favorable out come but you may get some minor insights through a Section 7.
From my own experience of a Section 7 review in the past for failing a stage, the decision didn’t change and I was more or less told the reviewers were highly experienced, trained by PAS in what to identify and that they relooked at the matter and were satisfied not to change their outcome. Maybe some one else on here had a more positive outcome from a review but I didn’t glean much from my Section 7 review other than I needed to change my approach.
Let us know how you get on if you go ahead with one.
Thank you, that’s very helpful and informative, I think prob best to leave it regards a section 7 so. It seems all is to very set formula/criteria that are more defined than the competences in the booklet, wonder is that info out there in detail? Wondering now if interview/cv coaches would have been a better approach than just my own interpretations, it seems there might be a “formula” for each part, and once you know that and tailor for it, you do better. Perhaps that’s gaming it, but if they have set it up this way, then that looks to be the best way to hit the marks? Thank you for your help.
I missed out too, my leadership one let me down. Although I have previous managerial experience outside of the Civil Service, they seem to have only considered my current role. I’m an AO in a Department where AOs don’t normally manage EOs, COs. Would anyone have any ideas on how to get the management experience they want? I am considering asking for mobility. Would anyone know which Departments I would be more likely to have staff to manage?
I’ll try and cover all your queries and I welcome any one else rowing in too. Hopefully this is of help to you and others on here.
