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NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

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Comments

  • #452
    Nicole2020
    Registered Users Posts: 99 ✭✭Nicole2020


    Rainbowstar wrote: »
    Same as that - I found numerical much harder than last year. Doubt I passed. Best of luck with it!

    Sure all we can do now is wait. You too!


  • #453
    plasticheart
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭plasticheart


    Just finished the tests. Found the verbal OK but the numerical was tough for me. I had 3 questions to go on the numerical and 5 mins left so rushed a bit at the end. I'd be very surprised if I passed but it's my first time going for AP so it'll be a learning curve.

    Best of luck to everyone!


  • #454
    Mervyn Skidmore
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,133 ✭✭✭Mervyn Skidmore


    Done and dusted. Found all 3 tough enough to be honest. I really don't do well doing the PAS exams but have been doing fairly well in my department. I'm hoping to get the AP internally this year, came very close last time.

    Interestingly for HEO I had a PAS interview and an internal interview 1 week apart. Failed the PAS one badly and was in the top 5 in my department internally. A head scratcher.


  • #455
    Brera
    Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭Brera


    Rainbowstar wrote: »
    Oh I wish that was all Dublin Board!!
    If you progress through this and then short-listing (that was the next stage last year - based on your application)
    Then you sit the supervised tests AGAIN, PLUS an e-tray exercise.
    It's basically a work scenario where you are asked to write a brief/ memo based on info given. You then get interrupted with a demand from your boss to do another task e.g. an email to the Minister.
    In the middle of all this you get lots of lots of questions with work case scenarios you have to answer - multiple choice.
    There is prep work etc sent before-hand so you'll get it if you progress that far.

    I found it extremely challenging and it overwhelmed me on top of the other 3 tests. I was 8 months pregnant which didn't help!!

    Like they now do these initial tests for PO online with a webcam active to supervise you. Why not do this for AP and then only bring us in for the e-tray.
    I don't understand it - it's very demanding on that day - in my experience.


    I did the EO a couple of years back and they did the E-Tray and the interview on same day. The whole thing was a lot for one day.

    Lots of people were passing the interview and then failing the e-tray lol

    Needless to say for the next competition they did the e-tray first and did the interviews on another day.


  • #456
    Brera
    Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭Brera


    dee75 wrote: »
    And here's a separate post on how the 2018 competition worked (for me). Again, this is no guarantee as to how it will operate this time around. You will see changes between the 2016 and 2018 competitions.

    Stage 1 Home Aptitude Tests
    Tests - held between 27 September and 2 October 2018
    Results - on 25 October 2018. Gave order of merit based on verbal and situational judgment scores. You just had to pass numerical. Qualifying score on all 3 was 40 points.

    Stage 2 Shortlisting
    This was different from 2016 competition.
    Anyone who scored more than 106 points in Stage 1 (i.e. combined verbal and situational judgment score exceeding 106 points) then had their application form reviewed by a panel who decided if it met the standard or not. I don't know how many were knocked out here, but I'm aware that at least a few appealed the decision to PAS.

    Stage 3 Supervised Tests
    Tests - I think tests were spread out over a long period with several batches. Mine was in early March 2019
    Results - on 20 March 2019. Order of merit was determined by Job Simulation and Etray results only.
    Verbal - qualifying score 38 points
    Numerical - qualifying score 38 points
    Job Simulation - qualifying score 41 points
    Etray Exercise - qualifying score 40 points

    Stage 4 Interview
    Interviews - held over several weeks in April 2019 (again may have been different for others - depends what batch you were in).
    Results - 23 April 2019. Gave order of merit for your First Chosen Region, and separate message later giving you OOM for your Second Chosen Region. Gave breakdown of scores for each competency. Qualifying score was 41 points per competency, with a maximum of 100 points for each.

    Thanks for that.

    It will be interesting to see this time how the video interview plays out.

    They have listed it after shortlisting in the information booklet.

    I wonder is it a replacement for the e tray / simulation exercise or just an additional step added to server as a filter before the interview round.


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  • #457
    poundhound
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,064 ✭✭✭poundhound


    Jesus, the numerical test?
    Lord have mercy!


  • #458
    Toulouse
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭Toulouse


    Audreyly wrote: »
    Yeah I have gotten a reply but it’s more of a brush off and they are saying the questions are linked to the paragraph, I replied back explaining as simply as possible what the problem was as I thought maybe they don’t understand me and again the reply seemed to be trying to brush me off and indicating that I was the one that didn’t understand the question and they didn’t even look at the paragraph or the questions (I had sent a screen shot of the paragraph and the first two questions), my original messages wasn’t replied to until after 11.30 last night which I am assuming the help desk is not in England. Maybe if more people who have the same problem send them a message they might look into it

    I thought the same as you, emailed them and got the same response. However looking at it again I can see that they are correct. Pretend that you are saying those sentences directly to someone in relation to the scenario, I was relating them to myself, which I think was why they didn’t seem to fit. Hope that helps!


  • #459
    griffid
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭griffid


    Are we assuming that, considering social distancing etc, they are still going to go ahead with elements that require groups of people in a confined space for a period of time? The interview panels couldn’t sit for more than what, 2 hours a day?

    I wonder how it’ll all work, just extend the amount of time the process takes by some more weeks so that smaller groups can be brought in?

    Or skip the supervised tests and go straight to the video round before holding interviews by zoom.


  • #460
    Cheeseplant
    Registered Users Posts: 336 ✭✭Cheeseplant


    griffid wrote: »

    Or skip the supervised tests and go straight to the video round before holding interviews by zoom.

    Next stage could be the online competency recordings, then shortlisting, then zoom interview?
    Really don't want an online interview. I think it would be very difficult to build rapport and get energy from the board.


  • #461
    Anonire
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭Anonire


    Cheeseplant wrote: »
    Next stage could be the online competency recordings, then shortlisting, then zoom interview?
    Really don't want an online interview. I think it would be very difficult to build rapport and get energy from the board.

    I think they will cut some people before the online video.
    I would hate an online interview too. Much rather in person but if needs must. Don't think the supervised tests will happen unless they do them online.


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  • #462
    Mervyn Skidmore
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,133 ✭✭✭Mervyn Skidmore


    Next round is the swimsuit round.


  • #463
    Rainbowstar
    Registered Users Posts: 98 ✭✭Rainbowstar


    poundhound wrote: »
    Jesus, the numerical test?
    Lord have mercy!

    I feel your pain. I thought I may have failed it last year but scraped by. This was far worse for me. No way I could've passed unless it's 2 out of 18 for a pass!!


  • #464
    Aglomerado
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,780 ✭✭✭Aglomerado


    Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »
    Next round is the swimsuit round.

    Then the Bush Tucker trials ..."I'm a civil servant get me out of here!":D:D


  • #465
    Audreyly
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭Audreyly


    Toulouse wrote: »
    I thought the same as you, emailed them and got the same response. However looking at it again I can see that they are correct. Pretend that you are saying those sentences directly to someone in relation to the scenario, I was relating them to myself, which I think was why they didn’t seem to fit. Hope that helps!

    Yeah after I had another look back on it last night I realised the same, I think by that stage I was so use to the other questions that I didn’t notice the curve ball that was thrown on this one


  • #466
    runjb
    Registered Users Posts: 456 ✭✭runjb


    Did anyone else hear of some people not been invited through to complete these tests? I have heard of one person, which sounds out of step with the screening process as discussed up until now, where everyone does the tests and screening takes place afterwards at some stage.


  • #467
    Audreyly
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭Audreyly


    griffid wrote: »
    Are we assuming that, considering social distancing etc, they are still going to go ahead with elements that require groups of people in a confined space for a period of time? The interview panels couldn’t sit for more than what, 2 hours a day?

    I wonder how it’ll all work, just extend the amount of time the process takes by some more weeks so that smaller groups can be brought in?

    Or skip the supervised tests and go straight to the video round before holding interviews by zoom.

    My own opinion is that the next stage will be supervised test done online(this was done for recent PO) then the 3 questions asked and you video record your response, after this I would think depending on how many have gotten through they may do an e-tray and then finally the online interview, again this is only my thoughts on it, it’s my first time to do PAS AP so could be totally off the ball


  • #468
    Brera
    Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭Brera


    Audreyly wrote: »
    My own opinion is that the next stage will be supervised test done online(this was done for recent PO) then the 3 questions asked and you video record your response, after this I would think depending on how many have gotten through they may do an e-tray and then finally the online interview, again this is only my thoughts on it, it’s my first time to do PAS AP so could be totally off the ball

    I would say your probably about right.

    I’m just hoping they have the online supervised testing perfected. It was done last year for the internal EO competition for the Gardaí and it was a disaster. In the end the whole thing had to be redone in the offices in Abbey Street.


  • #469
    iuil1999
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 88 ✭✭iuil1999


    Hey all. I did the test yesterday and it said I had completed 100%...grand.
    Did anyone get an acknowledgement email after that or do I assume it's done and dusted?


  • #470
    Hippo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,880 ✭✭✭Hippo


    That numerical test was ridiculous, easily the worst I've participated in.

    This time, in an attempt to be clever, I signed up with the provider to practice tests. None of the practice tests provided resembled what we were given.


  • #471
    Dublinboard
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Dublinboard


    Would anyone have a link to the PO thread to read about the online videos. Can’t find it anywhere


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  • #472
    Brera
    Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭Brera


    Hippo wrote: »
    That numerical test was ridiculous, easily the worst I've participated in.

    This time, in an attempt to be clever, I signed up with the provider to practice tests. None of the practice tests provided resembled what we were given.


    I was the same. The practice tests seemed like they were from a totally different competition


  • #473
    Brera
    Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭Brera


    iuil1999 wrote: »
    Hey all. I did the test yesterday and it said I had completed 100%...grand.
    Did anyone get an acknowledgement email after that or do I assume it's done and dusted?

    You don’t get an acknowledgement email. Once it says 100% your done


  • #474
    jones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,061 ✭✭✭jones


    Brera wrote: »
    You don’t get an acknowledgement email. Once it says 100% your done

    I was wondering the same my assessment is 100% but there's a line saying see below for information that you need to proceed but i'm assuming that just means the 3 assessments. Imagine going through all of this and then it doesnt submit :eek:


  • #475
    *Gaijin*
    Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭*Gaijin*


    Did them over the weekend. I too found the numerical tough going. Barely scraped it last time. I recognized a few of the questions in both numerical and JS from 2018, including the one that seemed to throw a few people.


  • #476
    trigger26
    Registered Users Posts: 332 ✭✭trigger26


    done and dusted now, I was a bit unmotivated to finish the rest after doing the numerical first, that was tough out. Verbal and the situational part were a pleasure compared to it! Best of luck everyone.


  • #477
    Rainbowstar
    Registered Users Posts: 98 ✭✭Rainbowstar


    Brera wrote: »
    I would say your probably about right.

    I’m just hoping they have the online supervised testing perfected. It was done last year for the internal EO competition for the Gardaí and it was a disaster. In the end the whole thing had to be redone in the offices in Abbey Street.

    I know it was used fine in the recent PO so they must've gotten it right.


  • #478
    John Hutton
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭John Hutton


    Numerical was horrific. Had to guess a chunk of them. Ah well


  • #479
    Rainbowstar
    Registered Users Posts: 98 ✭✭Rainbowstar


    Hippo wrote: »
    That numerical test was ridiculous, easily the worst I've participated in.

    This time, in an attempt to be clever, I signed up with the provider to practice tests. None of the practice tests provided resembled what we were given.

    Totally agree. Same as that.
    Working from home with kids I didn't get time to practice at all but I didn't actually get some of the calculations required. That has happened to me before on some questions and I've passed - but I found that on many more questions this time. Maybe this was a lack of practice but I don't think so.
    It's awful to have such a barrier to getting forward.


  • #480
    quad_red
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,563 ✭✭✭quad_red


    bxyMEyh

    https://imgur.com/bxyMEyh

    I got the error below constantly the last few days. I did all 3 exams last night when I finally got in. Wanted to go in today to double check everything was done but just keeping getting that error.

    On chrome, IE, firefox and edge. On my personal laptop (pc), my friend's imac and a HP laptop. On my wifi and tethered to 4G. With cookies cleared. In incognito mode.

    Wtf is wrong with that site?

    Can other people log into it after they complete the tests?

    Did you get an email confirming all the tests were done? ( edit: i see that's been answered above )


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  • #481
    Anonire
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭Anonire


    I didn't notice the questions in the sj that put some off maybe I wasn't paying enough attention. I just found 100 questions to be so long.


  • #482
    Crimson_Ghost
    Registered Users Posts: 20 ✭Crimson_Ghost


    quad_red wrote: »



    I got the error below constantly the last few days. I did all 3 exams last night when I finally got in. Wanted to go in today to double check everything was done but just keeping getting that error.

    On chrome, IE, firefox and edge. On my personal laptop (pc), my friend's imac and a HP laptop. On my wifi and tethered to 4G. With cookies cleared. In incognito mode.

    Wtf is wrong with that site?

    Can other people log into it after they complete the tests?

    Did you get an email confirming all the tests were done? ( edit: i see that's been answered above )

    Log back in via the link in your message from PAS on publicjobs.ie. If you try to go to the site directly it won't let you log in.


  • #483
    doc22
    Registered Users Posts: 890 ✭✭✭doc22


    runjb wrote: »
    Did anyone else hear of some people not been invited through to complete these tests? I have heard of one person, which sounds out of step with the screening process as discussed up until now, where everyone does the tests and screening takes place afterwards at some stage.

    The didn't get a link or told they weren't good enough?


  • #484
    runjb
    Registered Users Posts: 456 ✭✭runjb


    doc22 wrote: »
    The didn't get a link or told they weren't good enough?

    I heard that they were told that they weren't invited to the testing stage but I don't have further details. I just wanted to check if anyone else heard if this happened to anyone else.


  • #485
    Vologda69
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 925 ✭✭✭Vologda69


    Found SJT and verbal fine. But my brain went to mush with numeric. Questions might as well have been in Swahili. Guessed the last 6 or 7 of them


  • #486
    Vologda69
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 925 ✭✭✭Vologda69


    Hippo wrote: »
    That numerical test was ridiculous, easily the worst I've participated in.

    This time, in an attempt to be clever, I signed up with the provider to practice tests. None of the practice tests provided resembled what we were given.

    I thought I was reasonably intelligent. But feeling rather dumb after that numeric : ) Next time round maybe


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  • #487
    CS_longshot
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭CS_longshot


    Vologda69 wrote: »
    Found SJT and verbal fine. But my brain went to mush with numeric. Questions might as well have been in Swahili. Guessed the last 6 or 7 of them

    You are not alone in that one! Same thing happened to me and maths is generally my strong suit.


  • #488
    billyhead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭billyhead


    The numerical was a disaster. I would predict I wasn't the only one who guessed some of the answers.


  • #489
    Pdbtsi
    Registered Users Posts: 32 ✭Pdbtsi


    billyhead wrote: »
    The numerical was a disaster. I would predict I wasn't the only one who guessed some of the answers.

    Nope. Was guessing wildly by the end. Awful.


  • #490
    CanIFindOut
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭CanIFindOut


    Numeric test would be fine if time limit was 1 hour - 25 minutes is nuts!


  • #491
    Tomjim
    Registered Users Posts: 1,353 ✭✭✭Tomjim


    does it normally take long before the results issue?


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  • #492
    Gadgetman99
    Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭Gadgetman99


    Tomjim wrote: »
    does it normally take long before the results issue?

    Normally with these kind of test anywhere from 2-3 weeks but going by other competitions its more likely 2 weeks.


  • #493
    griffid
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭griffid


    I see they’ve extended the deadline for tests till 11pm this evening because of the technical issues with the website.


  • #494
    griffid
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭griffid


    griffid wrote: »
    I see they’ve extended the deadline for tests till 11pm this evening because of the technical issues with the website.

    Sorry meant to say tomorrow evening.


  • #495
    Cheeseplant
    Registered Users Posts: 336 ✭✭Cheeseplant


    griffid wrote: »
    Sorry meant to say tomorrow evening.

    Really?? I didnt get any notification of this. I wonder if that's because I've completed them though??:rolleyes:


  • #496
    griffid
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭griffid


    Cheeseplant wrote: »
    Really?? I didnt get any notification of this. I wonder if that's because I've completed them though??:rolleyes:

    Possibly. No point telling us if we already have them done.


  • #497
    Milenauno
    Closed Accounts Posts: 96 ✭✭Milenauno


    jones wrote: »
    I was wondering the same my assessment is 100% but there's a line saying see below for information that you need to proceed but i'm assuming that just means the 3 assessments. Imagine going through all of this and then it doesnt submit :eek:


    What???? Where is that line? I logged back in on my mobile and it just says 100 complete no line for submitting. I’m bit worried as for EO competition it was just the same , if you haven't submitted at the end it wouldn’t count.


  • #498
    griffid
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭griffid


    I’m sure I read somewhere that you just need to remember to log out after you have finished?


  • #499
    jones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,061 ✭✭✭jones


    Milenauno wrote: »
    What???? Where is that line? I logged back in on my mobile and it just says 100 complete no line for submitting. I’m bit worried as for EO competition it was just the same , if you haven't submitted at the end it wouldn’t count.

    I contacted PAS they said once it says 100% it means it's submitted


  • #500
    Zulu Art
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭Zulu Art


    runjb wrote: »
    I heard that they were told that they weren't invited to the testing stage but I don't have further details. I just wanted to check if anyone else heard if this happened to anyone else.

    There will always be people who don't meet some criteria but apply anyway.

    There will also always be rumours. If you heard it second hand it means nothing. It's not even worth thinking about. That's the entire point of the verbal reasoning assessments.


  • #501
    Zulu Art
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭Zulu Art


    griffid wrote: »
    I’m sure I read somewhere that you just need to remember to log out after you have finished?

    That reflects what it says in the email inviting us to the assessments

    "Completing the Tests

    A. Your personal link to the tests is outlined below. Once you have entered the system, your tests will be displayed.

    B. The Verbal and Numerical tests are timed and the accuracy of your responses will be taken into account when your score is being calculated. In addition to the practice questions there are examples questions at the beginning of the verbal and numerical tests. Once you have completed the example questions click on "Take Assessment" to complete the live tests. Answer the questions steadily with no distractions or input from any other person.
    Please note that due to a recent update from SHL the wording and layout are slightly different to previous tests. As a result there is no reference to “Abort” in the tests as was outlined to you in the pre-test information. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

    C. The Situational Judgement Questionnaire has no set time limit but typically this Questionnaire should take you no longer than 40 minutes to complete.

    D. Once completed, please sign out.

    F. You may take breaks between the Verbal test, Numerical test and Situational Judgement test if required. However, we recommend that you complete each test in one sitting.

    G. Give yourself sufficient time and do NOT wait until the final hours of the testing deadline to complete the tests.  

    H. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are able to access and complete the Aptitude tests before the deadline. Once the deadline for your testing window has passed, you will not be able to commence the tests. No extensions will be given".

    -- it would appear from the last sentence has been withdrawn in practice.


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