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Third Secretary & Development Specialist Campaign 2020

24567…14

Comments

  • #52
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    Hey everyone. Applied to the 3rd Sec competition a few weeks ago but only spotted this thread now.

    Haven't a lot of hope I'll get in but willing to give it a go and looking forward to the process!

    Here's hoping we all hear back soon about the next stage :)


  • #53
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    Anyone know if the exam stage would be similar to the recent EO one? Should I assume it would be much harder as it's AO level?


  • #54
    completedit
    Registered Users Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭completedit


    blithe wrote: »
    Hey everyone. Applied to the 3rd Sec competition a few weeks ago but only spotted this thread now.

    Haven't a lot of hope I'll get in but willing to give it a go and looking forward to the process!

    Here's hoping we all hear back soon about the next stage :)

    I hate this kind of thing where its so hard not to be outcome dependent. It just seems like such a cool position and tailor made for a type of person. If I don't get this, it'll be back on the Brussels train for me.


  • #55
    Aleece2020
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭Aleece2020


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    Anyone know if the exam stage would be similar to the recent EO one? Should I assume it would be much harder as it's AO level?

    I don't think any exam they could throw at us would be harder than the maths exam they made us do for EO.


  • #56
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    Aleece2020 wrote: »
    I don't think any exam they could throw at us would be harder than the maths exam they made us do for EO.

    Ha!!!! I'm so impressed I passed it. That was unexpected given it was bloody awful


  • #57
    Aleece2020
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭Aleece2020


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    Ha!!!! I'm so impressed I passed it. That was unexpected given it was bloody awful

    God. Same. I was convinced I failed numerical reasoning. Let's hope these alleged retirements in November/December come through and clear some room for us!


  • #58
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    Aleece2020 wrote: »
    God. Same. I was convinced I failed numerical reasoning. Let's hope these alleged retirements in November/December come through and clear some room for us!

    My county has hardly any Depts though so prob no vacancies..... But the DSO would be ace if that was any way possible.


  • #59
    mulligja
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭mulligja


    Has anyone ever done a Third Sec recruitment campaign before? I'm looking to prepare a bit for the aptitude tests. Will it be the usual verbal and numerical reasoning questions or something else?


  • #60
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Another question: do you think the numeric test is pass or fail? Or will it combine with your situational judgement and verbal tests for an overall score?

    I expect we'll get more info from PAS soon enough.


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  • #61
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Great stuff. Tests are happening next week. Good luck to everyone!


  • #62
    completedit
    Registered Users Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭completedit


    Yeah, just got the email.

    Need to focus now over the weekend. Best of luck to everyone. Tests will be tough I'd imagine.


  • #63
    timmy99
    Registered Users Posts: 30 ✭timmy99


    Hi, does anyone know of any good websites or free apps to practice for these tests. Cheers.


  • #64
    completedit
    Registered Users Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭completedit


    timmy99 wrote: »
    Hi, does anyone know of any good websites or free apps to practice for these tests. Cheers.

    Man, I can link you. I got some nice info from the dfa for the Commission Epso exams back in March. Similar structure of questions. The situational questions will be interesting to say the least.


  • #65
    onthemaas
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭onthemaas


    timmy99 wrote: »
    Hi, does anyone know of any good websites or free apps to practice for these tests. Cheers.

    I would also be interested in knowing this as I have little to no idea of what to expect.


  • #66
    PurpleRainx
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭PurpleRainx


    Hi All, does anybody know where/if we can practice the messaging situational judgement test?

    In the booklet they say:

    "Two practice items are included in the link below:

    Situational Judgement Practice Information"

    But I can't for the life of me find these practice items! Can anybody point me in the right direction?

    Also-has anybody experience of these aon tests? are they as tough as they seem? Any advice on where to access extra practice tests etc.?

    Good luck everybody, let's hope this is one of the few good things to come out of 2020! :)


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  • #67
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    completedit wrote: »
    Man, I can link you. I got some nice info from the dfa for the Commission Epso exams back in March. Similar structure of questions. The situational questions will be interesting to say the least.

    If you could link these I would be so grateful also. The tests sound very different to the EO if the math answers are true/ false. And the test times are very short.


  • #68
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    LadyLabyrinth wrote: »
    If you could link these I would be so grateful also. The tests sound very different to the EO if the math answers are true/ false. And the test times are very short.

    I'd also appreciate a link to this, thanks very much @completedit!

    Good luck with the study everyone :)


  • #69
    completedit
    Registered Users Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭completedit


    Hey guys,

    I'll just leave it here for people to click on it. I have no idea which are more damanding but the questions at least provide a guide that we can use to help ourselves prep. Abstract, Verbal and Numerical sample questions provided as you scroll down the page.

    https://www.dfa.ie/eujobs/eu-concours-prep/


  • #70
    completedit
    Registered Users Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭completedit


    PurpleRainx wrote: »
    Hi All, does anybody know where/if we can practice the messaging situational judgement test?

    In the booklet they say:

    "Two practice items are included in the link below:

    Situational Judgement Practice Information"

    But I can't for the life of me find these practice items! Can anybody point me in the right direction?

    Also-has anybody experience of these aon tests? are they as tough as they seem? Any advice on where to access extra practice tests etc.?

    Good luck everybody, let's hope this is one of the few good things to come out of 2020! :)

    They just provide two sample questions that lays out the simulated scenario you may encounter in the test. A manager messages you about two issues and you have to pick the best response. One involves you having to attend a conference "in Europe" in place of your manager. And you have to pick the most appropriate e-mail response. The second question follows on from that and again, you pick the most appropriate response. I am being vague but I am shattered haha.
    What stood out for me is that none of the responses are woefully inappropriate like you sometimes get on things like this.
    As far as I can see, they don't give the correct answer.


  • #71
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    completedit wrote: »
    Hey guys,

    I'll just leave it here for people to click on it. I have no idea which are more damanding but the questions at least provide a guide that we can use to help ourselves prep. Abstract, Verbal and Numerical sample questions provided as you scroll down the page.

    https://www.dfa.ie/eujobs/eu-concours-prep/

    Really nice of you, thanks very much.


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  • #72
    PurpleRainx
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭PurpleRainx


    Has anybody else noticed they have not advised in the booklet how many deductive logical thinking qs there will be in 6mins? Strange I find. Wishfully hoping this means very few

    Also I cannot find the 3 minute practice tests with 6 questions on the AON website they refer to in the booklet. Am I just being silly?

    Good luck with the prep everybody!


  • #73
    ticklemonster
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21 ✭ticklemonster


    PurpleRainx wrote: »
    Has anybody else noticed they have not advised in the booklet how many deductive logical thinking qs there will be in 6mins? Strange I find. Wishfully hoping this means very few

    Also I cannot find the 3 minute practice tests with 6 questions on the AON website they refer to in the booklet. Am I just being silly?

    Good luck with the prep everybody!

    I think these practice questions are available before the actual test online as a warm up. Could be wrong though...


  • #74
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    PurpleRainx wrote: »
    Has anybody else noticed they have not advised in the booklet how many deductive logical thinking qs there will be in 6mins? Strange I find. Wishfully hoping this means very few

    Also I cannot find the 3 minute practice tests with 6 questions on the AON website they refer to in the booklet. Am I just being silly?

    I'd have to double check to be sure but I thought the practise questions would arrive in the next email with the link to the actual test.
    I did scan over the videos on the AON site but asides from explaining the format they're not a huge pile of help.


  • #75
    completedit
    Registered Users Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭completedit


    I'm loving getting to grips with the deductive reasoning ones. Gets so addictive.

    Numerical reasoning up next.


  • #76
    5p9arw38djv2b4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 245 ✭✭5p9arw38djv2b4


    completedit wrote: »
    I'm loving getting to grips with the deductive reasoning ones. Gets so addictive.

    Numerical reasoning up next.

    Any ideas where to find practice ones for 5x5 grids? I can find loads of 4x4 but not the others, have Google everything I can think of!


  • #77
    ticklemonster
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21 ✭ticklemonster


    Just curious if anyone has any idea how having a health condition might affect an application? I have type 1 diabetes so need to manage that and unsure how it would be affected by placement in a developing country :/


  • #78
    Brusselswizard
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭Brusselswizard


    Hi all, my first post here but really wanted to know how people outside of Dublin or even Ireland for that matter feel about moving to Dublin? As far as I know, it is a minimum of 6 months??

    Rent prices are just ridiculous - 1,000 euro for a single bed in a studio flat!


  • #79
    newbie18892
    Registered Users Posts: 491 ✭✭newbie18892


    Brusselswizard wrote: »
    Hi all, my first post here but really wanted to know how people outside of Dublin or even Ireland for that matter feel about moving to Dublin? As far as I know, it is a minimum of 6 months??

    Rent prices are just ridiculous - 1,000 euro for a single bed in a studio flat!

    I thought the booklet said 1-2 years in HQ in Dublin. I do feel bad for anyone moving here to rent. It's woeful.


  • #80
    HayleyOD95
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭HayleyOD95


    Hey, New to the thread but I have applied for the DSO, wondering If anyone else has applied for this in Limerick? I have advanced to the test phase which is going to be released on Tuesday, Bit nervous about the numerical but does anyone else think that its odd that we have 12 minutes to do over 30 questions or is this normal for these positions ?


  • #81
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    HayleyOD95 wrote: »
    Hey, New to the thread but I have applied for the DSO, wondering If anyone else has applied for this in Limerick? I have advanced to the test phase which is going to be released on Tuesday, Bit nervous about the numerical but does anyone else think that its odd that we have 12 minutes to do over 30 questions or is this normal for these positions ?

    Hey, welcome to the thread :) I didn't apply to that position but it sounds super interesting, best of luck with it!
    I'm a bit nervous of the numerical reasoning too but I'm going to practice as much as I can and just give it my best shot.

    Regarding the number of questions, I've just been reading through the document they sent/watching the videos and they make it clear that most people do not complete all questions in that time. This applies to the other reasoning tests too. All you can do is work as quickly as you can manage while ensuring you are giving the best possible answer. Trying to get them all done in a rush will just lower the quality of your answers, so just try to do as many as you can.

    Hope your study goes well :)


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  • #82
    Brusselswizard
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭Brusselswizard


    Thanks - it is a nightmare but I wonder if the situation of working from Dublin has changed during covid?


  • #83
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    HayleyOD95 wrote: »
    Hey, New to the thread but I have applied for the DSO, wondering If anyone else has applied for this in Limerick? I have advanced to the test phase which is going to be released on Tuesday, Bit nervous about the numerical but does anyone else think that its odd that we have 12 minutes to do over 30 questions or is this normal for these positions ?


    Whatever about the numerical questions I'm finding the 12 minutes to answer 49 questions in the verbal reasoning just ridiculous. It'd take me longer than that just to read the 6 passages and all the questions; nevermind actually finding the right answers!


    I think this format is way harder than the old, one new paragraph for every 3 or 4 questions.


  • #84
    Paladin_
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭Paladin_


    Brusselswizard wrote: »
    Thanks - it is a nightmare but I wonder if the situation of working from Dublin has changed during covid?

    I know some friends in the department were able to give up their apartments in Dublin and move home working remotely for the time being, but that situation will probably change by the time the competition closes and new TS are being onboarded idk.


  • #85
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    So the test links are out - who's gonna bite the bullet first and tell us all how easy / difficult they are this year?


  • #86
    KRedzer
    Registered Users Posts: 50 ✭✭KRedzer


    exitstageleft wrote: »
    So the test links are out - who's gonna bite the bullet first and tell us all how easy / difficult they are this year?

    They’re the same tests as the Administrative Officer 2020 competition, and people are discussing their experiences with the tests in the associated thread for that, if you want to check that out.


  • #87
    ddpas
    Registered Users Posts: 61 ✭✭ddpas


    Hey does anyone know for the verbal reasoning test - is there just one data table (with tabbed sheets) for all 49 questions? Or will there be a new data table every couple of questions? :) also, anyone hear if there's negative marking or if guesses are worth it near the end haha


  • #88
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    ddpas wrote: »
    Hey does anyone know for the verbal reasoning test - is there just one data table (with tabbed sheets) for all 49 questions? Or will there be a new data table every couple of questions? :) also, anyone hear if there's negative marking or if guesses are worth it near the end haha

    Hey, I just completed the tests and there is just one data table (with tabbed sheets) for all of the questions in verbal reasoning.

    As far as I'm aware there are negative marks for wrong answers....so don't do what I did and panic on the deductive logic test hahaha


  • #89
    ddpas
    Registered Users Posts: 61 ✭✭ddpas


    blithe wrote: »
    Hey, I just completed the tests and there is just one data table (with tabbed sheets) for all of the questions in verbal reasoning.

    As far as I'm aware there are negative marks for wrong answers....so don't do what I did and panic on the deductive logic test hahaha


    Ok cool thanks a mil for that, was the numerical just one table too?! :) Aw that's the worst haha I hope the others went well!


  • #90
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    ddpas wrote: »
    Ok cool thanks a mil for that! :D Aw that's the worst, hopefully the others went well!

    No problem :D

    The others were fine actually...or I think they went fine hahaha

    Best of luck! :)


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  • #91
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    blithe wrote: »
    No problem :D

    The others were fine actually...or I think they went fine hahaha

    Best of luck! :)

    Edited: sorry, forgot to say that yes, numerical is just one table too (with tabbed sheets) :)


  • #92
    ddpas
    Registered Users Posts: 61 ✭✭ddpas


    blithe wrote: »
    Edited: sorry, forgot to say that yes, numerical is just one table too (with tabbed sheets) :)

    Haha no worries, I edited mine as I forgot to ask it too!! That's great thanks a mil, glad to hear yours went well! :)


  • #93
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    On another board someone was suggesting that if we make it to the interview stage, it'll be one interview for all the streams we applied for. Can anyone here shed light on whether or not that's true?

    If it is, how would you present your competencies?
    The DSO looks for slightly different competencies from the TS, while another AO stream is quite different again.


  • #94
    completedit
    Registered Users Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭completedit


    That verbal reasoning test was not what I was expecting whatsoever. I'm normally good at comprehension but having to trawl through the various sheets under a time constraint was very difficult. I got to 26 and that was me actually flying through it. Bit demoralizing but que sera


  • #95
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    completedit wrote: »
    That verbal reasoning test was not what I was expecting whatsoever. I'm normally good at comprehension but having to trawl through the various sheets under a time constraint was very difficult. I got to 26 and that was me actually flying through it. Bit demoralizing but que sera


    Seems like everyone is struggling with that one! Probably not as bad as you thought though - 26 is quite a few in the time limit.


    Were the questions hidden when you were reading through the tabs? I'm not sure if that was down to a particular browser or if it's set like that. It's a pain anyway.


  • #96
    Ramnavk2
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭Ramnavk2


    Just completed the assessments there, thought the deductive logic in particular was challenging. Like others have said, the layout of the verbal & numerical threw me a little at first, but once you got into it it was fairly straightforward.

    the chatAssess too was interesting, tbh probably went through it a little too quickly as I wasn't sure how many responses would be needed for each part.

    best of luck to everyone!


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  • #97
    mirrorball13
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭mirrorball13


    Hey guys,

    I just did the assessment and got through okay with most things, however, I did run out of time on the numerical reasoning and now it’s showing as blocked?
    This is my first time taking these tests, is this normal? Should it be showing as completed and sent or is it blocked because I ran out of time?

    Thanks!


  • #98
    mulligja
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭mulligja


    mirrorball13 wrote: »
    Hey guys,

    I just did the assessment and got through okay with most things, however, I did run out of time on the numerical reasoning and now it’s showing as blocked?
    This is my first time taking these tests, is this normal? Should it be showing as completed and sent or is it blocked because I ran out of time?

    Thanks!

    In the familiarisation material it says to contact the Help Desk if it shows up as 'Blocked'. Details for help desk is also there and in the messages on public jobs.


  • #99
    mirrorball13
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭mirrorball13


    mulligja wrote: »
    In the familiarisation material it says to contact the Help Desk if it shows up as 'Blocked'. Details for help desk is also there and in the messages on public jobs.

    Yeah, I sent them an email just to be on the safe side but was wondering if anyone had the same issue, thank you though!


  • #100
    mulligja
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭mulligja


    Anyone happen to know if negative marks are also given for skipped questions?


  • #101
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Well, finished up the assessments this morning but they were a bit of a disaster really. I can't say I felt confident about any section.
    Most of my verbal answers were only slightly better than educated guess. It really feels like there just isn't time for comprehension, just scan and guess.
    The logic was slightly harder than I expected too.

    I wonder if the SJT would be slightly easier if you already had some experience in the civil service. It might be clearer how much authority you have yourself, and how often you should revert to your boss. I found that often the answers were all reasonable but I could've done with more context.

    Anyway, guess the dream's not dead until the results come back in a few weeks!


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