PSNI Recruitment - Stage 1 - The Initial Selection Test

MarkDev · 04-05-2009 01:02PM

Hi...Was just wondering if anyone from the south is doing their IST exam up north?I was reading the forum a few pages back and found that there is people doing it in Dublin.I got my date for a place up north and was just wondering how come?

MrsGeneHunt · 04-05-2009 01:33PM

MarkDev wrote: »

Hi...Was just wondering if anyone from the south is doing their IST exam up north?I was reading the forum a few pages back and found that there is people doing it in Dublin.I got my date for a place up north and was just wondering how come?

I think its just a case of first come first served to be honest.

Double Oh Seven · 05-05-2009 12:07AM

My IST is just around the corner. I was wondering, do you do Section A, have a break, leave the room, then come back for Section B...or do they say 'ready steady go' and you work through the entire test in one swoop?

everhopefull · 05-05-2009 01:24AM

They sit you down and explain the whole process and tell you thats your last chance to go to the loo etc.
then they let you do a sample question for the 1st part and then go through the answers...then you do the 1st part.
they collect your answers and then its straight on to the 2nd part.
same again...practice question, answers and then the paper itself.:)

Double Oh Seven · 05-05-2009 10:45AM

Cheers mate, I've just finished the test.

I found Section A very easy and got it finished in good time.

Section B...total nightmare. :mad:

Section A had 48 questions and Section B had 30, which obviously adds up to 78 questions.

When people talk about the pass mark being approx 50, does that simply mean, 50 correct answers out of 78? Or is it not that straightforward...?

Bifbert · 05-05-2009 11:09AM

Double Oh Seven wrote: »

When people talk about the pass mark being approx 50, does that simply mean, 50 correct answers out of 78? Or is it not that straightforward...?

If thats the case I think thats quite a high pass mark but also quite reasonable. I should be getting results in about two weeks, the wait is killing me.

This is my first time so not really expecting to get in. However if I can get through this part and have a crack at the AC it will give me a bit of hands on experience. Good luck to everyone

edzzy · 05-05-2009 03:15PM

Just done my IST....mmmmmmmm

Thought it worse than last year.....but who knows, I have to be say that I found second part awful as usal.....not the questions but time management.

I guesed a high percentage....hope those comments about guessing and trained monkeys are correct......:(

Anyone elese do it today? how you all find it?

RoscoPColtrane · 05-05-2009 08:18PM

Hey folks... Sat the IST there at the beginning of last week. Honestly left with a bad feeling. I doubted everything in section A. Being new to it last year I read every passage and ran out of time. Finished it in time this year but didnt find it as easy at all. And dont even get me started on Section B. Guessed the last 10. Time time time. The only one on the front row with a stopwatch. Teachers pet. Brought an apple for deloitte. I thought it would be easier this year knowing what to expect. JOG ON!!!! Have been under a cloud of depression ever since...

MrsGeneHunt · 05-05-2009 08:40PM

RoscoPColtrane wrote: »

Hey folks... Sat the IST there at the beginning of last week. Honestly left with a bad feeling. I doubted everything in section A. Being new to it last year I read every passage and ran out of time. Finished it in time this year but didnt find it as easy at all. And dont even get me started on Section B. Guessed the last 10. Time time time. The only one on the front row with a stopwatch. Teachers pet. Brought an apple for deloitte. I thought it would be easier this year knowing what to expect. JOG ON!!!! Have been under a cloud of depression ever since...

I was a nerd and brought a stopwatch too, would have been lost without it. The two clocks on either side at the front of the room were showing different times so I'm glad I did. I also asked to sit at the front, less distractions that way...!!! The woman from Deloitte looked at me like I had two heads when I asked her if I could sit at the front.
I thought this year would be slightly easier in the sense that I knew what to expect so maybe I was a bit calmer but I still found the test difficult, not so much the first part but definitely the second part. Hats off to those who think its easy. Wish I was you!

MrsGeneHunt · 05-05-2009 08:46PM

Double Oh Seven wrote: »

When people talk about the pass mark being approx 50, does that simply mean, 50 correct answers out of 78? Or is it not that straightforward...?

I dont think anyone knows what the pass mark will be this year. It was 52 last year and then lowered as not enough got through to AC.

This is just my opinion but I think it will be 52 or possibly even higher this year as there are an awful lot of candidates. (9800+) As a wise man once told me, its a De-selection test, they want to wipe as many out at this stage as possible.

RoscoPColtrane · 05-05-2009 08:46PM

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

I was a nerd and brought a stopwatch too, would have been lost without it. The two clocks on either side at the front of the room were showing different times so I'm glad I did. I also asked to sit at the front, less distractions that way...!!! The woman from Deloitte looked at me like I had two heads when I asked her if I could sit at the front.
I thought this year would be slightly easier in the sense that I knew what to expect so maybe I was a bit calmer but I still found the test difficult, not so much the first part but definitely the second part. Hats off to those who think its easy. Wish I was you!

Nerds of the world unite. At least we're not Christopher Biggins. No offence Chris if youre watching. Easy? Easy? Id like to meet that ONE person. Bet they failed....Its not easy but sorts out the wheat from the chaff for sure. Put it like this... Stalking of royal mail employees has ceased. Im not hopeful. Wonder are there many more Ist's or when do they end..

RoscoPColtrane · 05-05-2009 08:49PM

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

I dont think anyone knows what the pass mark will be this year. It was 52 last year and then lowered as not enough got through to AC.

This is just my opinion but I think it will be 52 or possibly even higher this year as there are an awful lot of candidates. (9800+) As a wise man once told me, its a De-selection test, they want to wipe as many out at this stage as possible.

But does anyone know if its 52% or 52 out of 78. If the latter is the case then Im amazed... neigh shocked that I got through last year....

MrsGeneHunt · 05-05-2009 08:50PM

RoscoPColtrane wrote: »

Nerds of the world unite. At least we're not Christopher Biggins. No offence Chris if youre watching. Easy? Easy? Id like to meet that ONE person. Bet they failed....Its not easy but sorts out the wheat from the chaff for sure. Put it like this... Stalking of royal mail employees has ceased. Im not hopeful. Wonder are there many more Ist's or when do they end..

Think the ISTs run until the end of May? There's a timeline for the campaign on the JoinPSNI website.
I came out of the test feeling better than I did last year but as time wears on I'm feeling less and less hopeful and trying not to think about it doesnt bloody work when you're surrounded by police all fecking day!!!:eek:

RoscoPColtrane · 05-05-2009 08:51PM

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

Think the ISTs run until the end of May? There's a timeline for the campaign on the JoinPSNI website.
I came out of the test feeling better than I did last year but as time wears on I'm feeling less and less hopeful and trying not to think about it doesnt bloody work when you're surrounded by police all fecking day!!!:eek:

Pure HEAVEN...;)

MrsGeneHunt · 05-05-2009 08:55PM

RoscoPColtrane wrote: »

Pure HEAVEN...;)

Nah, thats going to GV for lunch and ogling fine trainee officers ar$es.
One in particular, me likey a lot!:o
Anyway I digress, back on topic, I'm expecting results sometime after 21st May. Bleugh. Makes me feel queasy...:p

DC Dibble · 05-05-2009 10:36PM

IST done today, first part ok, second part aaarrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh. Not too hopeful now though hopefully the first part will save my ass

RoscoPColtrane · 05-05-2009 10:45PM

DC Dibble wrote: »

IST done today, first part ok, second part aaarrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh. Not too hopeful now though hopefully the first part will save my ass

You never know Dibble..You just never know.. It was all hard. Very difficult. It depends what youre up against I suppose but you have a good a chance as any. Good luck. And all the very best. Hope you get good news. Its a great experience anyway.

Double Oh Seven · 06-05-2009 02:14PM

RoscoPColtrane wrote: »

does anyone know if its 52% or 52 out of 78....?

That's what I'm wondering too.

Slave_To_Sound · 06-05-2009 02:22PM

I would say its 52 out of 78 which is 67% . 52% would be too easy and wouldn't knock out enough people me thinks. Anyway 2 weeks to go until i get my results can't wait!

integra1 · 06-05-2009 05:54PM

Slave_To_Sound wrote: »

I would say its 52 out of 78 which is 67% . 52% would be too easy and wouldn't knock out enough people me thinks. Anyway 2 weeks to go until i get my results can't wait!

No way is it 52%, most def 52 out of 78 guys....:eek::D

GazeeboBrown · 06-05-2009 05:55PM

So it's 2 weeks after the IST that we get our results? Roll on 100%

MrsGeneHunt · 06-05-2009 06:52PM

GazeeboBrown wrote: »

So it's 2 weeks after the IST that we get our results? Roll on 100%

Nah its a month for the results, some of us have already waited 2 weeks as we did test pretty early on.

DC Dibble · 06-05-2009 07:16PM

RoscoPColtrane wrote: »

You never know Dibble..You just never know.. It was all hard. Very difficult. It depends what youre up against I suppose but you have a good a chance as any. Good luck. And all the very best. Hope you get good news. Its a great experience anyway.

Thanks for that, still think I done SH1T in the data analysis part, though I could be lucky enough with my guess work. I suppose its like you say "you just never know". I'll soon find out in the fullness of time

PapaYankeeGirl · 06-05-2009 07:58PM

A month is nothing. LOL. Try waiting over 3 months to hear if you have passed the Initial Part of Greater Manchester's police recruitment!!! Just got results today. Not going to persue a career with them anymore.:) PSNI baby!!!!!

bc84 · 06-05-2009 08:21PM

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

A month is nothing. LOL. Try waiting over 3 months to hear if you have passed the Initial Part of Greater Manchester's police recruitment!!! Just got results today. Not going to persue a career with them anymore.:) PSNI baby!!!!!

jesus your intent on being a peeler pyg. handcuffs appealing to you?:p

PapaYankeeGirl · 06-05-2009 08:39PM

bc84 wrote: »

jesus your intent on being a peeler pyg. handcuffs appealing to you?:p

Yes I am indeed. Yes they are indeed!!;):D

bc84 · 06-05-2009 08:46PM

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

Yes I am indeed. Yes they are indeed!!;):D

egggggsellllenttttt ~in mr burns from the simpsons styleeee~

PapaYankeeGirl · 06-05-2009 09:33PM

bc84 wrote: »

egggggsellllenttttt ~in mr burns from the simpsons styleeee~

I do, of course, own a pair of black fluffy handcuffs at home, but thats another story.;)

bc84 · 06-05-2009 10:04PM

is it me or is it hot in here?

im blushing :eek:

Bifbert · 06-05-2009 10:39PM

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

I do, of course, own a pair of black fluffy handcuffs at home, but thats another story.;)

Well we have plenty of time to wait for results to hear your story

! Just kidding. I'm also intent on becoming a police officer, but I'm a bit of a home bird so want to stay here. Results two weeks away for me, will let you all know how i get on. Good luck to anyone doing their test soon, just stay focused.

PSNI Recruitment - Stage 1 - The Initial Selection Test

Comments