Executive Officer Campaign 2016

JJayoo · 01-02-2017 5:54pm

py2006 wrote: »

Just got an email and text there now about the tests. Link and log on details provided.

Can you take the test now? Or do you have to wait until midnight when it's officially thursday

py2006 · 01-02-2017 6:13pm

JJayoo wrote: »

Can you take the test now? Or do you have to wait until midnight when it's officially thursday

I'm not sure. I think the tests will be made available from tomorrow. So here may be a further text in the morning.

Gickyk · 01-02-2017 10:09pm

Quote:
Originally Posted by ó Fíach View Post
Im a CO have about 15 months now and established now, it's 1 year for internal competitions is it?
Quote:
Monife
2 years as far as I know but you can apply for the open.

Just wondering where you read this - Couldn't see anything in information booklet?

Monife · 02-02-2017 10:48am

I emailed PAS to ask if they are treating the numerical scores the same as the last competition (where you just have to pass, but the score is not taken into account when determining your panel number) and I got the below joke of a response!

Dear Monife,

Thank you for your email, we cannot divulge the marking scheme at this stage but you will receive further details once the results are issued.
Regards,

Large Volume
Recruitment

How is that fair or transparent? If we knew beforehand, we could spend less time preparing for the numerical and more time on the verbal. It's also really annoying because I do much better in the numerical tests.

Monife · 02-02-2017 10:51am

Gickyk wrote: »

Quote:
Originally Posted by ó Fíach View Post
Im a CO have about 15 months now and established now, it's 1 year for internal competitions is it?
Quote:
Monife
2 years as far as I know but you can apply for the open.

Just wondering where you read this - Couldn't see anything in information booklet?

From the information booklet.....

Essential Requirements for Executive Officer:
Candidates must, on or before 8th January, 2015

have obtained a recognised degree or hold a qualification in that in the opinion of the Public   Appointments Service, is of a standard in terms of both level and volume of learning that is of at least an equivalent or higher standard;

      or

(ii) have obtained in the Leaving Certificate Examination a minimum of grade D at Ordinary (or Pass) level in Mathematics and Irish or English, having obtained a minimum of Grade C in at least five subjects at Higher (or Honours) level papers;

            or

          hold a qualification, that in the opinion of the Public Appointments Service, is of a standard in terms of both level and volume of learning that is of at least an equivalent or higher standard to the Leaving Certificate (this will only be determined during the selection process or if a candidate comes under consideration for a position);
or
          have passed the first year examination of a course leading to a recognised degree;

            or
(vi)               be serving as a Civil Servant with at least two years service and have obtained at least five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (including Mathematics and Irish or English), three of which should be minimum Grade C at higher level, the others should be a minimum Grade D at ordinary level. Or have passed an examination(s) which would be acceptable to the Public Appointments Service as being of at least an equivalent standard of the Leaving Certificate.

You can still apply for the open competition but if you have less than two years' service, you cannot apply for the interdepartmental competition.

MuffinTop86 · 02-02-2017 11:11am

That numerical practice test was unbelievably hard!

Monife · 02-02-2017 11:18am

MuffinTop86 wrote: »

That numerical practice test was unbelievably hard!

The example questions and answers on their website are extremely easy yet their practice (and actual) tests are so difficult. Very misleading!

Did the practice test tell you which questions you got wrong?

MuffinTop86 · 02-02-2017 11:22am

No, but in fairness there weren't many that were right.
I did better in the verbal. but again I don't know which answers were wrong.
It's annoying because they're usually the answers that veer on the cannot say side. God I hate this stuff.

Copper_pipe · 02-02-2017 11:22am

https://www.publicjobs.ie/publicjobs/advice/test/assess.htm

Are the sample exams here any use?

xDisneyDivax · 02-02-2017 11:47am

Those who have completed actual tests, can you say if they were similar to practice ones?? They are a lot more difficult than ones for AO!! :O

misslemon · 02-02-2017 12:11pm

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

Those who have completed actual tests, can you say if they were similar to practice ones?? They are a lot more difficult than ones for AO!! :O

I haven't completed the actual tests, I'm far too scared.

I can't believe how difficult this brand of tests are! I thought the cut-e tests for AO were bad enough, but holy God and all the angels and saints these are worse! :eek:

God I miss the halcyon days of Saville tests.

phatkev · 02-02-2017 1:49pm

Anybody else having difficulty opening the numerical reasoning part of the test? Cant open the practice or the test, the verbal reasoning part is working fine

ilovethistles · 02-02-2017 2:12pm

phatkev wrote: »

Anybody else having difficulty opening the numerical reasoning part of the test? Cant open the practice or the test, the verbal reasoning part is working fine

No, mine opened fine, but that was hard!!!

Maybe send them an email

Wheety · 02-02-2017 3:11pm

Monife wrote: »

I emailed PAS to ask if they are treating the numerical scores the same as the last competition (where you just have to pass, but the score is not taken into account when determining your panel number) and I got the below joke of a response!

How is that fair or transparent? If we knew beforehand, we could spend less time preparing for the numerical and more time on the verbal. It's also really annoying because I do much better in the numerical tests.

This is how they've always done it. For the last few the score didn't count. I doubt they will change that but they can if they need to.

greenb · 02-02-2017 3:38pm

Wheety wrote: »

This is how they've always done it. For the last few the score didn't count. I doubt they will change that but they can if they need to.

What determines your place in the panel if the score doesn't count? Do you mean how well you do in these tests doesn't matter so long as you pass?

eroc79 · 02-02-2017 3:48pm

greenb wrote: »

What determines your place in the panel if the score doesn't count? Do you mean how well you do in these tests doesn't matter so long as you pass?

Last time each part was marked out of 800 but it was only the verbal and questionnaire that were used to determine your placing.

eimaj18 · 02-02-2017 4:03pm

eroc79 wrote: »

greenb wrote: »

What determines your place in the panel if the score doesn't count? Do you mean how well you do in these tests doesn't matter so long as you pass?

Last time each part was marked out of 800 but it was only the verbal and questionnaire that were used to determine your placing.

Yes that was the same in the recent HEO. I can't imagine them changing, although they could.

ongarboy · 02-02-2017 4:07pm

I did one of the SHL mock tests earlier this week that were also timed and found them extremely difficult, so much so I wondered was there any point in me doing the actual PAS tests today. However, I found today's official tests (both the practice and actual tests) much less difficult (still challenging though!!). I was still caught for time in both verbal and reasoning and missed out on being able to answer the last set of questions (3) for both.

[Removed]

ilovethistles · 02-02-2017 4:13pm

ongarboy wrote: »

I did one of the SHL mock tests earlier this week that were also timed and found them extremely difficult, so much so I wondered was there any point in me doing the actual PAS tests today. However, I found today's official tests (both the practice and actual tests) much less difficult (still challenging though!!). I was still caught for time in both verbal and reasoning and missed out on being able to answer the last set of questions (3) for both.

[Removed]

[Removed] I feel I did ok in the verbal, but will be lucky to pass the numerical... I had quite a few cannot say in numerical

ongarboy · 02-02-2017 4:28pm

ilovethistles wrote: »

Did you think there were a lot of cannot say ones in the numerical? I feel I did ok in the verbal, but will be lucky to pass the numerical... I had quite a few cannot say in numerical

I think I found only one or two in Numerical. In Verbal, I was never sure if False or Cannot say were the right answer and I didn't want to take too long deliberating as the clock ticked.....

partay pooper · 02-02-2017 4:32pm

ok logged in to do the test it asked me changed the password, now there is no test there.....seriously pissed off

ilovethistles · 02-02-2017 4:38pm

Another question... did everyone have to confirm their personal details? I added gender, age etc. But the email address they had for me was a SHL one, i didn't change it to my gmail as I assumed this was their own internal thing.. now I'm not so sure? Should I have changed it?

Ugh! These tests!!

py2006 · 02-02-2017 4:42pm

Do you have to register yourself to do the practice ones?

misslemon · 02-02-2017 5:00pm

py2006 wrote: »

Do you have to register yourself to do the practice ones?

Yep you do. I work in data protection so it bothers me more than it should.

ilovethistles · 02-02-2017 5:20pm

misslemon wrote: »

Yep you do. I work in data protection so it bothers me more than it should.

Is this the part where I confirmed my personal details? Do you know if I should have put my correct email address?

Should I email PAS about it do you think? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just worried now ðŸ˜ž

misslemon · 02-02-2017 5:34pm

ilovethistles wrote: »

Is this the part where I confirmed my personal details? Do you know if I should have put my correct email address?

Should I email PAS about it do you think? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just worried now ðŸ˜ž

I'm talking about the practice tests, I'm not sure about the actual tests themselves. No harm giving PAS a call if you're worried - they're really nice and it might put your mind at rest

py2006 · 02-02-2017 5:34pm

If the time I spent on the first 3 practice questions is any indication I may as well give up now

misslemon · 02-02-2017 5:37pm

py2006 wrote: »

If the time I spent on the first 3 practice questions is any indication I may as well give up now

Don't give up. We're all finding them hard which is a good sign, and we're all marked against each other so that's all that counts.

py2006 · 02-02-2017 5:52pm

misslemon wrote: »

Don't give up. We're all finding them hard which is a good sign, and we're all marked against each other so that's all that counts.

I did appallingly and only got about 10 done.

If I was still at school I would have done better. If there was a longer timeframe I would have done better maybe!

ilovethistles · 02-02-2017 5:59pm

py2006 wrote: »

I did appallingly and only got about 10 done.

If I was still at school I would have done better. If there was a longer timeframe I would have done better maybe!

I agree with misslemon, don't give up, we're all in the same boat... the trouble is there is such a fine line between scoring well or not... it could be one or two wrong answers that swings it.

partay pooper · 02-02-2017 6:00pm

Hi all, got te test done.

I did all the verbal ones in the time, but only 16/18 in the numerical....

Copper_pipe · 02-02-2017 6:01pm

Is the Verbal or Numerical first

partay pooper · 02-02-2017 6:02pm

Copper_pipe wrote: »

Is the Verbal or Numerical first

verbal

py2006 · 02-02-2017 6:14pm

partay pooper wrote: »

Hi all, got te test done.

I did all the verbal ones in the time, but only 16/18 in the numerical....

Well done! How did they compare to practice ones in terms of difficulty?

baba_bear · 02-02-2017 6:19pm

I'm in the same boat as you py2006 - the numerical reasoning questions are way more difficult than the ones for the AO campaign. I'm disillusioned. It's going to be a long weekend of practice runs. . .

py2006 · 02-02-2017 6:21pm

baba_bear wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as you py2006 - the numerical reasoning questions are way more difficult than the ones for the AO campaign. I'm disillusioned. It's going to be a long weekend of practice runs. . .

Think you are right, I was going to do mine today but I think I will leave it for a couple days. With the practice one, my hands were shaking and I was getting panicky as I was spending too much time on each question and not certain I was right.

partay pooper · 02-02-2017 6:21pm

py2006 wrote: »

Well done! How did they compare to practice ones in terms of difficulty?

I got all numerical right on the practice and 1 incorrect on the verbal

py2006 · 02-02-2017 6:22pm

partay pooper wrote: »

I got all numerical right on the practice and 1 incorrect on the verbal

Jaysus. You really are a partay pooper! Fair play!

Have you done a lot of these type of tests before?

baba_bear · 02-02-2017 6:24pm

We'll get there py2006. I'm going to hit the Rescue Remedy for the real tests and keep doing sample tests in the mean time! Best of luck to everyone :-)

partay pooper · 02-02-2017 6:25pm

py2006 wrote: »

Jaysus. You really are a partay pooper! Fair play!

Have you done a lot of these type of tests before?

Yes, but failed last EO one, I found the verbal test somewhat confusing for one or two, and the numerical straight forward.

partay pooper · 02-02-2017 6:26pm

py2006 wrote: »

Jaysus. You really are a partay pooper! Fair play!

Have you done a lot of these type of tests before?

I reckon though I fubbed up last weeks 1a test though.

:mad::(

py2006 · 02-02-2017 6:30pm

partay pooper wrote: »

I reckon though I fubbed up last weeks 1a test though.:mad::(

Ah I doubt it. Besides sounds like you did very well in this test so you should be a certainty for next stage.

starlit · 02-02-2017 7:16pm

Monife wrote: »

They really are. Did your report at the end say which questions you got wrong? Mine only said I got X out of 30 wrong and didn't tell me where I went wrong, so much for practising if you don't know where you went wrong!

Ya got that as well for report at the end of SHL practice test. Only showing the number of questions got correct and wrong.

Did other practice ones and sample ones online some very hard and others not too bad. You probably have to pass so many questions to get through speed and accuracy be important. Its handy if they can feedback the answers after completing tests and see where you went right/wrong.

For example a numerical one I did you had to get 8 correct out of so many was 30 qs which I thought was odd as I got exactly that and the verbal you had to get 29 correct out of what it was can't remember now but might have been out of 56 qs. My result was 27 missed by two!

Usually do well in the verbal and only practice verbal qs nearer the time whereas the numerical be my weak point. I'd have to practice over and over for a few days.

Without timed limit I do a bit better but the timer makes trying to answer the numerical qs harder when figuring out what formulas to use and correct figures/answers for the questions. Just even how to answer them you are under pressure. You either good at them or not!? I find i'd do better in them if working with figures a lot more often say in college/work.

I was going to do the actual tests today and get them out of the way but maybe give more time to prepare. I see how the evening goes and prep a bit more and see then if I do it by tonight or wait till the weekend. Internet glitchy earlier so wasn't sure if I'd do tests and hang on a bit.

Best of luck with tests everyone!

Mrsec · 02-02-2017 7:39pm

After the tests are done can we just log out or do we need to change email address or anything??

Micsween12 · 02-02-2017 8:30pm

Is the official test as difficult as the shl preparation test??

Francescoli · 02-02-2017 11:05pm

"You must complete the Verbal test to release the Numerical test thereafter"

Does that mean I can do one test first (verbal) and then do the numerical at a later date?

I was thinking of doing the verbal tomorrow morning and then the numerical Monday.

Gickyk · 02-02-2017 11:10pm

Monife wrote: »

From the information booklet.....

Essential Requirements for Executive Officer:
Candidates must, on or before 8th January, 2015

have obtained a recognised degree or hold a qualification in that in the opinion of the Public   Appointments Service, is of a standard in terms of both level and volume of learning that is of at least an equivalent or higher standard;

      or

(ii) have obtained in the Leaving Certificate Examination a minimum of grade D at Ordinary (or Pass) level in Mathematics and Irish or English, having obtained a minimum of Grade C in at least five subjects at Higher (or Honours) level papers;

            or

          hold a qualification, that in the opinion of the Public Appointments Service, is of a standard in terms of both level and volume of learning that is of at least an equivalent or higher standard to the Leaving Certificate (this will only be determined during the selection process or if a candidate comes under consideration for a position);
or
          have passed the first year examination of a course leading to a recognised degree;

            or
(vi)               be serving as a Civil Servant with at least two years service and have obtained at least five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (including Mathematics and Irish or English), three of which should be minimum Grade C at higher level, the others should be a minimum Grade D at ordinary level. Or have passed an examination(s) which would be acceptable to the Public Appointments Service as being of at least an equivalent standard of the Leaving Certificate.

You can still apply for the open competition but if you have less than two years' service, you cannot apply for the interdepartmental competition.

I know this is irrelevant now but where does it say - (to be considered for internal comp?) - Ergo if you have a degree (vi) does not apply.. I didn't see anywhere where it states for external you need x and internal you need y.. I am suggesting once you,re in - any of the above could see you fit to take part in internal comp...No?

Copper_pipe · 03-02-2017 12:23am

Completed test there.

Got it all completed in the time. Thought maths wasn't too bad

armadillo86 · 03-02-2017 7:20am

Gickyk wrote: »

I know this is irrelevant now but where does it say - (to be considered for internal comp?) - Ergo if you have a degree (vi) does not apply.. I didn't see anywhere where it states for external you need x and internal you need y.. I am suggesting once you,re in - any of the above could see you fit to take part in internal comp...No?

There's a circular that states you cannot apply for interdepartmental unless you have 2 years service, regardless of educational qualifications. It was sent separately by our HR dept when the competition first opened. Can only apply for the open competition.

T1986 · 03-02-2017 9:42am

Gickyk wrote: »

I know this is irrelevant now but where does it say - (to be considered for internal comp?) - Ergo if you have a degree (vi) does not apply.. I didn't see anywhere where it states for external you need x and internal you need y.. I am suggesting once you,re in - any of the above could see you fit to take part in internal comp...No?

(vi) be serving as a Civil Servant with at least two years service and have obtained at least five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (including Mathematics and Irish or English), three of which should be minimum Grade C at higher level, the others should be a minimum Grade D at ordinary level. Or have passed an examination(s) which would be acceptable to the Public Appointments Service as being of at least an equivalent standard of the Leaving Certificate.

You can still apply for the open competition but if you have less than two years' service, you cannot apply for the interdepartmental competition.

It clearly says it here that you cannot apply for internal comp if you have less than two years' service.

Executive Officer Campaign 2016

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