PSNI Recruitment - Stage 1 - The Initial Selection Test

WannabePC

I did my test today and my brain failed to get going for the T,F and CT at the start. Hopefully I'll scrape through incase I don't get in with the C2 bunch. PCA in a couple of weeks to look forward to now!

Midgetgem84

What stage you at in C2 wannabe?

Homer01

IST completed today. Pretty much a full house; just over 100 applicants.

Again even though it specifically states on their email 'you must bring a print out not show it on your phone' they let people in. If you can't follow a simple instruction at this stage...

One guy had no print out and couldn't show the email and he was sent away and told to reschedule.

My best advice for passing the IST is...
answer all the questions correctly in the time given

I think I did alright but time will tell.

NeeeeNaaaaw

Found it a little sad to see someone fill in answers as the examiners were going around picking up the sheets. You would think honesty would prevail in such a situation, obviously not.

Just trying to recall, how many questions were in each section? I remember the first being 20, but the next two elude me. Just trying to work out what I might have achieved. Absolutely gutted, nerves took over and I left 5 out on the first and 5 on the last as I ran out of time!

Mop a top

NeeeeNaaaaw wrote: »

Found it a little sad to see someone fill in answers as the examiners were going around picking up the sheets. You would think honesty would prevail in such a situation, obviously not.

Just trying to recall, how many questions were in each section? I remember the first being 20, but the next two elude me. Just trying to work out what I might have achieved. Absolutely gutted, nerves took over and I left 5 out on the first and 5 on the last as I ran out of time!

Honestly don't panic. C1 and C2 I never got the last section finished and the middle one I guessed the last few answers cos I seen them getting up to say pencils down but I still passed. You've probably done better than you think.

Last campaign at my IST they refused 2 peoples tests as they were still filling in answers after the time.

Btw I love the user name :P

emk192

Also had my IST today. Found the T-F-CT tricky and didn't have time for the last 6 questions had to just quickly fill in some random boxes in the hope of some marks. Does anyone know what sort of marks will get you a pass, from previous years??

WannabePC

Midgetgem84 wrote: »

What stage you at in C2 wannabe?

Vetting forms sent away mid October, Online Learning completed and I have my PCA at the end of this month bud. Looking forward to getting it over and done with and getting on to the medical etc. You?

WannabePC

emk192 wrote: »

Also had my IST today. Found the T-F-CT tricky and didn't have time for the last 6 questions had to just quickly fill in some random boxes in the hope of some marks. Does anyone know what sort of marks will get you a pass, from previous years??

It's usually somewhere between the 48 and 52 mark for a pass. It all depends on how many people pass as they'll want a certain number to go to the AC so they'll just go down the list of scores to whatever the cut off mark is for the number they want. I think...

Pmac773

Reading this is making me nervous for mine lol would love to have it out of the way! I'm sure you all done great though!!

Homer01

emk192 wrote: »

Also had my IST today. Found the T-F-CT tricky and didn't have time for the last 6 questions had to just quickly fill in some random boxes in the hope of some marks. Does anyone know what sort of marks will get you a pass, from previous years??

I have done the T/F/CT questions with other job applications. You could spend ages deciding which answer is right. Some are pretty black and white while others are very grey.

As Wannabe said they set the pass mark once all tests are completed. If this year we are all smart cookies then it will be higher or if we're as thick as a plank of wood then it be lower.
Ultimately they'll have to get so many through. Usually the IST 'gets rid' of about half.

Homer01

You would think there wasn't a live campaign on!!

All the buzz is over on the waiting and intake threads. Come on 1509er's get posting and that includes all you lurkers!

The folk you chat with here could well be your bunk buddy in GV.

So who has completed their IST? Did anyone else see some very dodgy Movember taches?

Timetravel

Homer01 wrote: »

You would think there wasn't a live campaign on!!

All the buzz is over on the waiting and intake threads. Come on 1509er's get posting and that includes all you lurkers!

The folk you chat with here could well be your bunk buddy in GV.

So who has completed their IST? Did anyone else see some very dodgy Movember taches?

I've mine done thank god. Very quiet on here!

Momc82

IST completed also.
Really p***ed off to see people still colouring in frantically after time. Honestly felt like putting my hand up and squalling on them!

Johannes_Cabal

Did my IST over a week ago and expected a lot more to be posting throughout the week.

Noticed a wider variety of applicants this time around, loads more younger folk and women.

Homer01

Johannes_Cabal wrote: »

Did my IST over a week ago and expected a lot more to be posting throughout the week.

Noticed a wider variety of applicants this time around, loads more younger folk and women.

I remember the 1309 campaign and the boards were on fire. I'm sure it was mostly because it was the first campaign in three years but it is deathly quiet in here at the minute.

Perhaps most folk have been through this enough times to have all queries answered or maybe they're more security conscious. Who knows?

Normally after the results from the various sections arrive you get an influx of noobs. This seems to apply all the way through to intake calls.

I started as a lurker but then couldn't help myself so signed up and started posting lol

Best of luck to those waiting to do their IST

Pmac773

Have my IST soon enough, getting quite nervous for it to be completely honest! Hopefully do the business and get through to AC, won't be getting my hopes up though!

Life_On_Mars

As a newbie to this forum, I'm also looking forward to the IST and really enjoying looking at everybody at the various stages of the application process and their rollercoaster of emotions.

Queenie34

Did my IST last week. Not as bad as I thought it was going to be! Made it to AC last campaign but missed passed mark by 2 points so really hoping I get another crack at it. I'll be better prepared this time!! Good luck to everyone who has to do the IST yet.

azure

I did it a few weeks ago for the first time. I think I did ok on the grammar and verbal reasoning. It was the numerical reasoning that I hadn't a clue about. I guessed every answer for it! Its just the timing that makes it hard.

Timetravel

Life_On_Mars wrote: »

As a newbie to this forum, I'm also looking forward to the IST and really enjoying looking at everybody at the various stages of the application process and their rollercoaster of emotions.

I don't think the IST is too bad. The AC is the big problem lol

azure

Timetravel wrote: »

I don't think the IST is too bad. The AC is the big problem lol

It depends. If your interpersonal skills are better than your analytical skills, then AC should be easier.

Timetravel

azure wrote: »

It depends. If your interpersonal skills are better than your analytical skills, then AC should be easier.

It should, but I think everyone finds it tough to be honest. The IST is straightforward but the AC is not really.

Midgetgem84

It's different for everyone in my opinion. I found the IST alot harder than the AC

Queenie34

I found the AC ok tbh I passed the role plays with 2 bs and 1 c. It was the last section that I messed up and lost a heap of points. Really hope I pass Ist to give it another go.

RedmondHR

Queenie34 wrote: »

I found the AC ok tbh I passed the role plays with 2 bs and 1 c. It was the last section that I messed up and lost a heap of points. Really hope I pass Ist to give it another go.

I was the same, found the first two sections went pretty well....the last section though. Finished it, and just thought to myself 'You messed this up pretty well...Kudos Man..Kudos'

Homer01

My last AC seemed to follow a similar pattern. I started poorly, did well in the middle and ended in disaster.

To summarise I peaked too early! :rolleyes: :pac::pac:

Timetravel

Would any of you prepare for the AC? I did a lot of work for it last time and it didn't work. I was well below the pass percentage. I seem to do better on IST when a do just a bit of prep for it too.

Queenie34

Timetravel wrote: »

Would any of you prepare for the AC? I did a lot of work for it last time and it didn't work. I was well below the pass percentage. I seem to do better on IST when a do just a bit of prep for it too.

Yes I think prep for the AC is a must. For those of us who have been there, we know now what to expect and we should use this to our benefit. Study your feedback scores and work on the areas you didn't do so well in. Fingers crossed we all get a second chance ðŸ˜႒

Daisy76

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here. I have my IST next week. I wasn't nervous until I read the comments on here lol! How long do you get for the IST?

Timetravel

Daisy76 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here. I have my IST next week. I wasn't nervous until I read the comments on here lol! How long do you get for the IST?

Not long enough lol. You'll be fine. Good luck

Homer01

Daisy76 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here. I have my IST next week. I wasn't nervous until I read the comments on here lol! How long do you get for the IST?

To be honest it's of no benefit know how long you've got or how many questions.

Once you do it you'll understand. Good luck

Queenie34

Daisy76 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here. I have my IST next week. I wasn't nervous until I read the comments on here lol! How long do you get for the IST?

To be honest the last couple of times I took the IST I was too worried about time and how much I had left!! This time I never looked near the clock and just worked flat out until they said pencils down!! Try not to panic and you'll be fine.

shanevendrell

What do we reckon the pass mark will be for this the 1509 campaign?

Just wondering will it be up or down what with less applicants than previous years.

WannabePC

shanevendrell wrote: »

What do we reckon the pass mark will be for this the 1509 campaign?

Just wondering will it be up or down what with less applicants than previous years.

They want a certain number to get through to the AC so it'll depend how everyone does. It's usually around 48-52 to pass

rndj

Hi everyone, it's been some time since I posted here. I got through my IST last week, it's the third time I've done it having passed it once before only to miss out at AC. Personally I found the IST as difficult as previous attempts simply due to lack of time to answer the questions. I went into this one knowing that I wouldn't answer them all and I estimate that I answered around 58-60 (including around 18 in part one) if I thought it would take more than a minute or so to answer, I skipped it and moved on with the hopes of answering as many as possible as quickly as possible. So, hopefully I've answered enough correctly to get through. My advice to anyone taking the test for the first time is not to beat yourself up if you don't answer all of the questions, 99% of us are in the same boat. Good luck to everyone yet to take the test and for those of us that have, fingers crossed for some good news in December.

Momc82

How does everyone feel after the IST?
I can't get the bloody thing out of my head!
I found it as hard as ever. It really doesn't get easier with practice - in my opinion.

Mop a top

From what folk are saying on here I'm assuming that it's not the same paper as previous campaigns

blui2

It's not the same paper as last time. Same format, but not the same paper. C1 and C2 were the same paper. C3 is different.

Mop a top

Was it really bad I was hoping they'd be the same again :P

Momc82

I had hoped that too!
But, no such luck!

Ayechihuahua

Just out of it. Seemed to be the exact same exam from 2 years ago, maybe I'm wrong though. Just time to wait now for results. On a side note, I feel old in that test room with all the kids applying and I'm only 29!!

ColourArcade

Ayechihuahua wrote: »

Just out of it. Seemed to be the exact same exam from 2 years ago, maybe I'm wrong though. Just time to wait now for results. On a side note, I feel old in that test room with all the kids applying and I'm only 29!!

Me too, quite alright to be honest. The third bit got me a bit stumped. Good luck everyone and hopefully see some of you at the next stage!

Pmac773

Had mine this morning as well, was probably one of those kids that you noticed considering I'm only turning 18 lol, first two parts were alright, the third part was difficult I thought!

Mop a top

Ayechihuahua wrote: »

Just out of it. Seemed to be the exact same exam from 2 years ago, maybe I'm wrong though. Just time to wait now for results. On a side note, I feel old in that test room with all the kids applying and I'm only 29!!

FFS I'll be practically prehistoric!!!!

Ayechihuahua

Maybe it was the dress code..... I was suited ready for work straight after. Had to sprint from city centre to test site and came in drenched in sweat... I'll call it fitness training.

Typhoonf2

Had mine today as well. Thought the first two sections where straightforward enough but that last section through me and didn't get a good bit of it finished.

Ayechihuahua

Typhoonf2 wrote: »

Had mine today as well. Thought the first two sections where straightforward enough but that last section through me and didn't get a good bit of it finished

Add your reply here.

I'm feeling an urge to underline the through

Mop a top

Ayechihuahua wrote: »

Add your reply here.

I'm feeling an urge to underline the through

Lol you're bad!!!! I like you :P

soalpy

Anyone else think it was the same exam as last few times? 3rd bit very difficult?

Ayechihuahua

soalpy wrote: »

Anyone else think it was the same exam as last few times? 3rd bit very difficult?

It was the exact same I think