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Administrative Officer 2020 in the Civil Service

13567…27

Comments

  • #102
    Nekro Man
    Registered Users Posts: 390 ✭✭Nekro Man


    I've run through the sample questions for the situational and can't break above middle band for the life of me.

    Can anyone offer any pointers for it?


  • #103
    MrsBean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 312 ✭✭MrsBean


    Read the competencies over and over. Put yourself in the mindset of an AO when you do the tests. Ask yourself 'what would/should an AO do in this instance?.


  • #104
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    mulligja wrote: »
    Thanks for tip! Have bit the bullet and am practicing with them. Quick question for you though - do you happen to remember whether there were any deductive-reasoning or inter-relations question on the very first online assessment? Or are these done in a later assessment?


    Hi Mulligja, you mentioned that you bought the course. Can you say if it looks worth it? Does it have enough deductive reasoning and chat assess options? I wasn't clear from the website if they will actually be the same ones in the training pack that match the examples we've been set in the familiarisation. Grateful for any insight before I click purchase!


  • #105
    Nekro Man
    Registered Users Posts: 390 ✭✭Nekro Man


    MrsBean wrote: »
    Read the competencies over and over. Put yourself in the mindset of an AO when you do the tests. Ask yourself 'what would/should an AO do in this instance?.

    Tried it with them open beside me and still middle band.

    I sent the link to an AO friend and they also got middle band.

    Must be a huge band :P


  • #106
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    Hi Mulligja, you mentioned that you bought the course. Can you say if it looks worth it? Does it have enough deductive reasoning and chat assess options? I wasn't clear from the website if they will actually be the same ones in the training pack that match the examples we've been set in the familiarisation. Grateful for any insight before I click purchase!

    I bought the CS thing and I find the verbal reasoning great. there is a verbal reasoning lesson. (this is basically teaching you how to do the test in a stratigic manner etc. and explains it in detail), then two guided exercises, 7 exercise tests. Each has a practice and time test (both the same). I have't looked at any other test yet.

    I think the verbal reasoning alone is fantastic! But just make sure you set a few hours aside to use the material each day.


  • #107
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    job seeker wrote: »
    I bought the CS thing and I find the verbal reasoning great. there is a verbal reasoning lesson. (this is basically teaching you how to do the test in a stratigic manner etc. and explains it in detail), then two guided exercises, 7 exercise tests. Each has a practice and time test (both the same). I have't looked at any other test yet.

    I think the verbal reasoning alone is fantastic! But just make sure you set a few hours aside to use the material each day.


    Ace, thanks for the review, it's hard to tell from the website if it would be worth it but I love a real life review!


  • #108
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    Ace, thanks for the review, it's hard to tell from the website if it would be worth it but I love a real life review!

    No problem! Glad to be of service! I think personally for me, it has been well worth it for anyway. :)


  • #109
    FenFlynn
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭FenFlynn


    job seeker wrote: »
    I bought the CS thing and I find the verbal reasoning great. there is a verbal reasoning lesson. (this is basically teaching you how to do the test in a stratigic manner etc. and explains it in detail), then two guided exercises, 7 exercise tests. Each has a practice and time test (both the same). I have't looked at any other test yet.

    I think the verbal reasoning alone is fantastic! But just make sure you set a few hours aside to use the material each day.

    That's brilliant! I was in two minds on purchasing it or not, I don't think the AO job is for me and I find the selection process really tough. Even after stage 1, there are 2 or 3 more stages to go through, including a presentation which I'm terrible at. Having said that, I wouldn't like not to give it my best either.
    Trying to make sense of whether we got practice material with the familiarisation material or not, couldn't find any for verbal, numerical and deductive.


  • #110
    belgowho
    Registered Users Posts: 148 ✭✭belgowho


    Does the CS provide CUT-E style questions with the 6 tab format?


  • #111
    Thrillhouse11
    Registered Users Posts: 52 ✭✭Thrillhouse11


    So the tests are from Aon, the same place the recent ICT specialist role tests were from. Those turned out to be a lot easier than the EO assessment oddly enough, for verbal and numerical at least, so hopefully that's the case here too. EO was unreasonably difficult.


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  • #112
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    belgowho wrote: »
    Does the CS provide CUT-E style questions with the 6 tab format?

    The verbal reasoning has a question and 6 tabs with separate paragraphs of text. Is that what you're wondering?


  • #113
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    FenFlynn wrote: »
    That's brilliant! I was in two minds on purchasing it or not, I don't think the AO job is for me and I find the selection process really tough. Even after stage 1, there are 2 or 3 more stages to go through, including a presentation which I'm terrible at. Having said that, I wouldn't like not to give it my best either.
    Trying to make sense of whether we got practice material with the familiarisation material or not, couldn't find any for verbal, numerical and deductive.

    CS is very good IMO. Sure give it a go and see what happens. :)


  • #114
    mulligja
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭mulligja


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    Hi Mulligja, you mentioned that you bought the course. Can you say if it looks worth it? Does it have enough deductive reasoning and chat assess options? I wasn't clear from the website if they will actually be the same ones in the training pack that match the examples we've been set in the familiarisation. Grateful for any insight before I click purchase!

    Can 100% recommend to you. It has the tab-style verbal reasoning questions and some deductive reasoning practice exercises too (about 60 questions). Doesn't have anything for the chatAsssess thing unfortunately and doesn't give a whole lot of prep material for situational judgement in general but does give some advice on how to pass that section.


  • #115
    mulligja
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭mulligja


    Nekro Man wrote: »
    I've run through the sample questions for the situational and can't break above middle band for the life of me.

    Can anyone offer any pointers for it?

    Where are you finding these sample questions? The only thing I can find are the two example questions for the chatAssess thing?


  • #116
    belgowho
    Registered Users Posts: 148 ✭✭belgowho


    job seeker wrote: »
    The verbal reasoning has a question and 6 tabs with separate paragraphs of text. Is that what you're wondering?

    Exactly it. Thanks


  • #117
    MT0
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭MT0


    Thrillhouse11 wrote: »
    So the tests are from Aon, the same place the recent ICT specialist role tests were from. Those turned out to be a lot easier than the EO assessment oddly enough, for verbal and numerical at least, so hopefully that's the case here too. EO was unreasonably difficult.

    Hi can you tell me how you know the test provider is Aon and not Sova which was the EO test provider?


  • #118
    MT0
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭MT0


    MrsBean wrote: »
    Read the competencies over and over. Put yourself in the mindset of an AO when you do the tests. Ask yourself 'what would/should an AO do in this instance?.

    Hi thanks for all the advice. When completing the questionnaire do you put yourself in the mindset of being a new AO who would obvs have to run things by the AP or are you in the role already so making your own decisions?


  • #119
    MT0
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭MT0


    FenFlynn wrote: »
    That's brilliant! I was in two minds on purchasing it or not, I don't think the AO job is for me and I find the selection process really tough. Even after stage 1, there are 2 or 3 more stages to go through, including a presentation which I'm terrible at. Having said that, I wouldn't like not to give it my best either.
    Trying to make sense of whether we got practice material with the familiarisation material or not, couldn't find any for verbal, numerical and deductive.

    Hi guys thinking of buying this but can you tell me if it is any use for the job sim/questionnaire i.e does it give you guidance on the correct answers?


  • #120
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    mulligja wrote: »
    Can 100% recommend to you. It has the tab-style verbal reasoning questions and some deductive reasoning practice exercises too (about 60 questions). Doesn't have anything for the chatAsssess thing unfortunately and doesn't give a whole lot of prep material for situational judgement in general but does give some advice on how to pass that section.
    MT0 wrote: »
    Hi thanks for all the advice. When completing the questionnaire do you put yourself in the mindset of being a new AO who would obvs have to run things by the AP or are you in the role already so making your own decisions?

    As above. No questions..


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  • #121
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    job seeker wrote: »
    As above. No questions..

    I bought it too. Re deductive at least 3 of the answers in the samples are incorrect, I had a friend who is a math teacher also do them to make sure. Basically they plot the method to the answer in their answers but if you complete out the grid there are mistakes in a few. It's still great experience to try them though but they only seem to have 4x4 and I think the guidance note says it may go up to 5x5 and 6x6.

    Have not tried the verbal/ numeric yet.


  • #122
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    I bought it too. Re deductive at least 3 of the answers in the samples are incorrect, I had a friend who is a math teacher also do them to make sure. Basically they plot the method to the answer in their answers but if you complete out the grid there are mistakes in a few. It's still great experience to try them though but they only seem to have 4x4 and I think the guidance note says it may go up to 5x5 and 6x6.

    Have not tried the verbal/ numeric yet.

    I didn't do the deductive yet.. That's quite disappointing.. :(

    The verbal reasoning is quite good as far as I'm concerned. The maths, seems quite easy in the lesson. However, I have not yet progressed far enough to make a fair judgement..


  • #123
    FenFlynn
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭FenFlynn


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    I bought it too. Re deductive at least 3 of the answers in the samples are incorrect, I had a friend who is a math teacher also do them to make sure. Basically they plot the method to the answer in their answers but if you complete out the grid there are mistakes in a few. It's still great experience to try them though but they only seem to have 4x4 and I think the guidance note says it may go up to 5x5 and 6x6.

    Have not tried the verbal/ numeric yet.

    Does it also have presentation and interview tips or not?
    Or is it just preparation for the 1st stage?


  • #124
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    FenFlynn wrote: »
    Does it also have presentation and interview tips or not?
    Or is it just preparation for the 1st stage?

    There are interview video tips. But I didn't watch them yet.


  • #125
    Thrillhouse11
    Registered Users Posts: 52 ✭✭Thrillhouse11


    MT0 wrote: »
    Hi can you tell me how you know the test provider is Aon and not Sova which was the EO test provider?

    The familiarisation doc they sent to your public jobs portal a few days ago contains this link:

    https://assessment.aon.com/en-us/online-assessment/practice-assessments


  • #126
    BellaCiao
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭BellaCiao


    Hi guys,

    When I opened the email from PublicJobs on Friday the familiarization booklet attached had no hyperlink so I couldn't download it. I have emailed them but they have yet to get back to me, would anyone be able to post the Familiarization booklet up here in the meantime?

    Would really appreciate it.


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  • #127
    Ernesto Guevara
    Registered Users Posts: 149 ✭✭Ernesto Guevara


    BellaCiao wrote: »
    Hi guys,

    When I opened the email from PublicJobs on Friday the familiarization booklet attached had no hyperlink so I couldn't download it. I have emailed them but they have yet to get back to me, would anyone be able to post the Familiarization booklet up here in the meantime?

    Would really appreciate it.

    Copy and paste the link in your browser, that will open it.


  • #128
    BellaCiao
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭BellaCiao


    Ahh I was certain I had tried that already but obviously not!

    Thanks :)


  • #129
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    belgowho wrote: »
    Exactly it. Thanks

    Just a hesds up.. The numerical reasdoning is a similar layout of 6 tabs with a choice of True, False or Cannot say.


  • #130
    Nekro Man
    Registered Users Posts: 390 ✭✭Nekro Man


    Anyone gotten their link to the tests yet?


  • #131
    tgdaly
    Registered Users Posts: 942 ✭✭✭tgdaly


    Nekro Man wrote: »
    Anyone gotten their link to the tests yet?

    Just got it moments ago


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  • #132
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Nekro Man wrote: »
    Anyone gotten their link to the tests yet?
    Yup. Got them there. Probably do them this evening and get it out of the way.


  • #133
    Aleece2020
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭Aleece2020


    job seeker wrote: »
    Just a hesds up.. The numerical reasdoning is a similar layout of 6 tabs with a choice of True, False or Cannot say.

    If you did the EO, would you say they’re the same or very similar in difficultly or style?


  • #134
    Nekro Man
    Registered Users Posts: 390 ✭✭Nekro Man


    tgdaly wrote: »
    Just got it moments ago

    same!
    exitstageleft wrote: »
    Yup. Got them there. Probably do them this evening and get it out of the way.

    I'm getting an AP application out of the way first tomorrow, could push these off until Thursday/Friday possibly...


  • #135
    FenFlynn
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭FenFlynn


    Does anyone know if you click start, is it straight to the tests or do we get to practice some first? And if there are practices, could you just do the practice and leave the test for another time?
    I'm afraid to click start and going straight to the test


  • #136
    mulligja
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭mulligja


    Aleece2020 wrote: »
    If you did the EO, would you say they’re the same or very similar in difficultly or style?

    I did EO. These tests are a different format, they actually seem a bit easier.


  • #137
    FenFlynn
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭FenFlynn


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    I bought it too. Re deductive at least 3 of the answers in the samples are incorrect, I had a friend who is a math teacher also do them to make sure. Basically they plot the method to the answer in their answers but if you complete out the grid there are mistakes in a few. It's still great experience to try them though but they only seem to have 4x4 and I think the guidance note says it may go up to 5x5 and 6x6.

    Have not tried the verbal/ numeric yet.

    I see what you mean about the deductive test being incorrect, I just encountered one, no matter which way I looked it didn't work out. It's a shame really, spent 120 to get something that is incorrect


  • #138
    La Bamba
    Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭La Bamba


    Has anyone purchased the jobtestprep one by any chance?
    Its a lot cheaper than the other course shared so am curious on the quality of it


  • #139
    tgdaly
    Registered Users Posts: 942 ✭✭✭tgdaly


    Just did all my tests there, was in a frame of mind and wanted to get them out of the way. While the actually questioning for the verbal and numerical was fine, I thought the time limit was tighter than ever. It always feels every time I do these tests that they are asking more and more questions but only giving you 12 minutes to answer.

    I was a bit thrown off by the deductive -logical thinking, not knowing how many questions I should be at least aiming to answer was difficult. Not sure if I answered enough. The chatAssess was fine I thought.

    Usually alway pass the first go of tests for these competitions but not feeling too confident this time. Won't be too disappointed if I don't progress, hoping for a shot at HEO next year if they run a comp


  • #140
    FenFlynn
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭FenFlynn


    tgdaly wrote: »
    Just did all my tests there, was in a frame of mind and wanted to get them out of the way. While the actually questioning for the verbal and numerical was fine, I thought the time limit was tighter than ever. It always feels every time I do these tests that they are asking more and more questions but only giving you 12 minutes to answer.

    I was a bit thrown off by the deductive -logical thinking, not knowing how many questions I should be at least aiming to answer was difficult. Not sure if I answered enough. The chatAssess was fine I thought.

    Usually alway pass the first go of tests for these competitions but not feeling too confident this time. Won't be too disappointed if I don't progress, hoping for a shot at HEO next year if they run a comp

    Hi thanks for sharing that.
    Were you given a chance to do any practice beforehand? I remember vaguely last year there were a few practice questions before actually doing the test. I'm reluctant to click start now as I can't commit to finishing it now.


  • #141
    tgdaly
    Registered Users Posts: 942 ✭✭✭tgdaly


    FenFlynn wrote: »
    Hi thanks for sharing that.
    Were you given a chance to do any practice beforehand? I remember vaguely last year there were a few practice questions before actually doing the test. I'm reluctant to click start now as I can't commit to finishing it now.

    Yeah there were a few practice questions beforehand to explain how it works. The format was slightly different to past one's I had done but nothing confusing about it


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  • #142
    PurpleRainx
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭PurpleRainx


    Hi there, just catching up on thread now and wodnering what CS stands for? When I google search "CS practice tests" no suitable options are appearing. Thinking of purchasing practice tests. Thanks for your help :-) !


  • #143
    rostalof
    Registered Users Posts: 330 ✭✭rostalof


    PurpleRainx wrote: »
    Hi there, just catching up on thread now and wodnering what CS stands for? When I google search "CS practice tests" no suitable options are appearing. Thinking of purchasing practice tests. Thanks for your help :-) !
    If you are hired by the CS, you'll soon realise that theres an abbreviation or an acronym for absolutely everything. CS is just Civil Service.


  • #144
    KRedzer
    Registered Users Posts: 50 ✭✭KRedzer


    PurpleRainx wrote: »
    Hi there, just catching up on thread now and wodnering what CS stands for? When I google search "CS practice tests" no suitable options are appearing. Thinking of purchasing practice tests. Thanks for your help :-) !

    Probably the course given by CareerServices.ie that has been discussed previously. I purchased it, and have begun working away at it. It's helpful for the numerical anyway so far.


  • #145
    Artemisia87
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭Artemisia87


    Hi all, good luck to everyone this week :)

    Does anyone know if points are deducted for incorrect answers (or is it worth doing a mad dash of guessing at the end!)?

    Also does anyone know how many correct answers we need to pass?

    Thanks so much everyone!


  • #146
    FenFlynn
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭FenFlynn


    Artemisia87 wrote: »
    Hi all, good luck to everyone this week :)

    Does anyone know if points are deducted for incorrect answers (or is it worth doing a mad dash of guessing at the end!)?

    Also does anyone know how many correct answers we need to pass?

    Thanks so much everyone!

    Don't think there is any negative marking, but not sure how many are needed to pass, I think depending on the amount of people attending a mark is set for each aptitude. We probably won't know now how many questions are needed to be correct to pass.


  • #147
    Em2157
    Registered Users Posts: 102 ✭✭Em2157


    La Bamba wrote: »
    Has anyone purchased the jobtestprep one by any chance?
    Its a lot cheaper than the other course shared so am curious on the quality of it

    I did. It's pretty good :)


  • #148
    Em2157
    Registered Users Posts: 102 ✭✭Em2157


    La Bamba wrote: »
    Has anyone purchased the jobtestprep one by any chance?
    Its a lot cheaper than the other course shared so am curious on the quality of it

    I should probably elaborate on this. Job Test Prep tailors their practices for each test by provider of the tests, and there are plenty of tips, lessons and enough practices to get you confident. I practiced the SOVA tests for EO recently on it, and extended my membership to practice AO in cut-e/AON format. It's simple, goes through what they are looking for with you, and explains what you did wrong if you get it wrong.


  • #149
    Seesee
    Registered Users Posts: 306 ✭✭Seesee


    I recently did the EO tests and found them difficult but doable and scored reasonably well. However, the format of these AO tests scares me a bit and the deductive logic really scares me from looking at the AON videos!! Anyway, I'll give them a shot tomorrow or Thursday.

    Is the chatAssess the same thing as an eTray test which people are talking about over on the EO thread? I'm a first-timer!

    Good luck to everyone doing the tests.


  • #150
    job seeker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭job seeker


    Aleece2020 wrote: »
    If you did the EO, would you say they’re the same or very similar in difficultly or style?

    I was referring to the career services material as opposed to the actual tests. I have not even attempted the practice tests on AON that we were sent yet..

    I did the EO and failed it miserably. So I can't really compare them to anything, due to leaving it all to chance.. :o


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  • #151
    Em2157
    Registered Users Posts: 102 ✭✭Em2157


    Seesee wrote: »
    I recently did the EO tests and found them difficult but doable and scored reasonably well. However, the format of these AO tests scares me a bit and the deductive logic really scares me from looking at the AON videos!! Anyway, I'll give them a shot tomorrow or Thursday.

    Is the chatAssess the same thing as an eTray test which people are talking about over on the EO thread? I'm a first-timer!

    Good luck to everyone doing the tests.

    The etray is different to chat assess. The chat assess is basically a situational judgement test where you pick an answer and submit from a list. Its formatted like an email inbox if it's the same as last year and is designed to see how you would react to different situations. You should study the AO competencies, as this is what they are looking to see. The ETray for the EO comp I am yet to complete, but as far as I know its completing different tasks whilst queries from different levels come in to you to reply to. It aims to test your skills and prioritisation. Hope this helps :)


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