Civil Service Clerical Officer Campaign 2017 (Dublin)

dreadlymm

Coddlemonster wrote: »

I found the practice tests a great help obviously the questions and figures are all different but the format is exactly the same.
best of luck with it

Thanks for that

2016claire

Coddlemonster wrote: »

I found the practice tests a great help obviously the questions and figures are all different but the format is exactly the same.
best of luck with it

where did you practice? what website?

Coddlemonster

2016claire wrote: »

where did you practice? what website?

go to your public jobs message for the test and follow the links

DMcL1971

Did they say if they were using negative marking? In other words do you lose points for incorrect answers or do you just get no points for incorrect answers.

davydoc

DMcL1971 wrote: »

Did they say if they were using negative marking? In other words do you lose points for incorrect answers or do you just get no points for incorrect answers.

I did mine this morning at 11.45 - the sitting I was at made no mention of negative marking, but then again, no one asked about it either. I'd guess it would have been brought to our attention if it was being used though.

DMcL1971

It would be interesting to know from anyone who might be taking the test tomorrow. Could make a difference in terms of guessing answers if you run out of time.

davydoc

DMcL1971 wrote: »

It would be interesting to know from anyone who might be taking the test tomorrow. Could make a difference in terms of guessing answers if you run out of time.

Someone should definitely ask about it ðŸ‘

vinegarhill98

davydoc wrote: »

Someone should definitely ask about it ðŸ‘

I asked before i sat the 2016 campaign tests and they wouldnt confirm if it was or wasnt. I do t think it is as far as i know although could be wrong

QC2711

Hi there
Well done to all who’ve made it through tests so far. I have a question, hoping somebody might be able to answer. Does time spent as TCO count at all with regard to starting salary? Ie new entrants start at bottom of scale, I take it TCO experience doesn’t make a difference?

Thanks a lot.

Sharon2017

Hi !

I am 529 on the order of merit and have a few questions. I saw earlier in the thread there was mention of the starting salary being 22,000, I just wondered if this has gone up because I can see on Impact’s website that the lowest entry point for CO is listed as 23,565. Its still quite low either way but the 1 and a half grand bump would make quite a difference.

Also I wanted to know if anybody could tell me how long you have to work as a CO before you can get a promotion to a higher grade. I am using this opportunity as a way in to the civil service but would like to get promoted as quickly as possible.

I have also applied for the AO grade but, I have just received those results and seem to be 813 on the OOM, which although it was a pass, seems quite low as I believe there was less interest in this campaign, though I could be wrong. I understand they are calling around 200 people in the first round so maybe I won’t get called at all for that.

I am taking my test tomorow by the way and have NOT practised! Does the practice help and would taking a few tests on the 3 hour bus journey up help me?

I wouldn’t say I’m nervous but I wish I put more effort in and prepped a bit.

One last question. I presume I don’t have to dress formally tomorrow since there is no interview or group exercise? I don’t fancy having to wear a stuffy lined suit on the long coach trip up to Dublin!

Good luck to everyone else.

DMcL1971

Doing some practice certainly won’t do any harm and seeing as how you have three hours to kill, why not. There is no need to dress up at all, it is completely informal. Best of luck.

angeb

Did test today. Did some practice and to be honest, if I'd have had a year to practise I still wouldn't have had enough. I found the language in the numerical test very tough but the verbal quite straight forward, I'd time at the end to go back and read over the more difficult ones. But be careful of the time in the numerical, it goes so quick. I guessed a few of the harder questions. Remember to bring ID and a photo. Good luck.

Sharon2017

angeb wrote: »

Did test today. Did some practice and to be honest, if I'd have had a year to practise I still wouldn't have had enough. I found the language in the numerical test very tough but the verbal quite straight forward, I'd time at the end to go back and read over the more difficult ones. But be careful of the time in the numerical, it goes so quick. I guessed a few of the harder questions. Remember to bring ID and a photo. Good luck.

Thanks, fingers crossed. I read they’re only counting our scores for the verbal test in this round so you just need to pass the numeracy minimum requirement.

Crunchymomma

Sharon2017 wrote: »

Hi !

I am 529 on the order of merit and have a few questions. I saw earlier in the thread there was mention of the starting salary being 22,000, I just wondered if this has gone up because I can see on Impact’s website that the lowest entry point for CO is listed as 23,565. Its still quite low either way but the 1 and a half grand bump would make quite a difference.

Also I wanted to know if anybody could tell me how long you have to work as a CO before you can get a promotion to a higher grade. I am using this opportunity as a way in to the civil service but would like to get promoted as quickly as possible.

I have also applied for the AO grade but, I have just received those results and seem to be 813 on the OOM, which although it was a pass, seems quite low as I believe there was less interest in this campaign, though I could be wrong. I understand they are calling around 200 people in the first round so maybe I won’t get called at all for that.

I am taking my test tomorow by the way and have NOT practised! Does the practice help and would taking a few tests on the 3 hour bus journey up help me?

I wouldn’t say I’m nervous but I wish I put more effort in and prepped a bit.

One last question. I presume I don’t have to dress formally tomorrow since there is no interview or group exercise? I don’t fancy having to wear a stuffy lined suit on the long coach trip up to Dublin!

Good luck to everyone else.

Definitely do some practice tests on the way

Regarding the promotion time. If you apply internally or interdepartmentally you have to have completed 2 years service by closing date of the campaign you are applying for to be eligible. There are however open comps for some grades that you can apply for whenever they come up. I only started as a CO in Feb but then started as an SO in October as I applied for the open psnel. I think the next EO comp should open toward the end of 2018

Crunchymomma

Sharon2017 wrote: »

Hi !

I am 529 on the order of merit and have a few questions. I saw earlier in the thread there was mention of the starting salary being 22,000, I just wondered if this has gone up because I can see on Impact’s website that the lowest entry point for CO is listed as 23,565. Its still quite low either way but the 1 and a half grand bump would make quite a difference.

Also I wanted to know if anybody could tell me how long you have to work as a CO before you can get a promotion to a higher grade. I am using this opportunity as a way in to the civil service but would like to get promoted as quickly as possible.

I have also applied for the AO grade but, I have just received those results and seem to be 813 on the OOM, which although it was a pass, seems quite low as I believe there was less interest in this campaign, though I could be wrong. I understand they are calling around 200 people in the first round so maybe I won’t get called at all for that.

I am taking my test tomorow by the way and have NOT practised! Does the practice help and would taking a few tests on the 3 hour bus journey up help me?

I wouldn’t say I’m nervous but I wish I put more effort in and prepped a bit.

One last question. I presume I don’t have to dress formally tomorrow since there is no interview or group exercise? I don’t fancy having to wear a stuffy lined suit on the long coach trip up to Dublin!

Good luck to everyone else.

Oh and the salary is 23565

Claireyy

Anybody else get a message with feedback from the questionnaire? Don’t remember asking for it...

RachelDDD

Claireyy wrote: »

Anybody else get a message with feedback from the questionnaire? Don’t remember asking for it...

Just received it too, I think it's just a general thing they are sending out as probably bombarded with queries from people wondering if they will get called.

cornel08biz

Yes.. We have all received it.
Are they going to start calling the rest of us ?
How was last year ?

Claireyy

RachelDDD wrote: »

Just received it too, I think it's just a general thing they are sending out as probably bombarded with queries from people wondering if they will get called.

Ah right, have applied to a few campaigns now and never got feedback on anything unless I directly asked for it so was just wondering!

hdowney

Yup just got it too.

davydoc

Just to clarify - the message we received today doesn't have our own scores on it , or order of merit, or anything that relates to us personally or our scores, it's just a general benchmarking that they will be using - am I right ?

et101

Sharon2017 wrote: »

Thanks, fingers crossed. I read they’re only counting our scores for the verbal test in this round so you just need to pass the numeracy minimum requirement.

Where did you hear/read that? Did mine this morning and as with all these tests, it's very hard to say how it went. I didn't find either test a doddle!!!

RaoisleMcK

et101 wrote: »

Where did you hear/read that? Did mine this morning and as with all these tests, it's very hard to say how it went. I didn't find either test a doddle!!!

I think it said in the "Familiarisation Material" link that only the verbal and assessment contribute to OOM. But you still have to achieve the min score in numerical to advance to Stage 3.

Coddlemonster

RaoisleMcK wrote: »

I think it said in the "Familiarisation Material" link that only the verbal and assessment contribute to OOM. But you still have to achieve the min score in numerical to advance to Stage 3.

I really hope you're right about that.

vinegarhill98

Coddlemonster wrote: »

I really hope you're right about that.

Yeah it says in familiarisation booklet and it was same for 2016 campaign

YourOOM is a combination of assessment questionaire and verbal

RaoisleMcK

Coddlemonster wrote: »

I really hope you're right about that.

Just checked to make sure. Here's the quote from pg 2 of that link

"...ranking on the order of merit will be determined by performance at the supervised Verbal test (taken at stage 2) and the Assessment Questionnaire (completed as part of Stage 1). In addition, you must also reach the required standard in the Numerical Reasoning test at Stage 2."

Sharon2017

I had mine today and found the verbal test the easier of the two. I think I did well on this and had extra time to go over my answers but who really knows. As for the numerical it was certainly more difficult by comparison and had some trick questions in there but was not totally mind boggling or horrific , like some numeracy tests I have seen. I should note I rushed the last two sections of this and didn’t get everything answered, so I won’t have done ‘well’ I’m sure, but I’m thinking I surely scrope a pass.

I think in order to get to the first set of interviews, verbal would want to be really high and I can’t say for sure that mine will be.

Results will be released in December they’ve said.

Does anybody who went through the same process before know how soon the first set of interviews in 2018 could likely be?

rachaelworld

I just got my invite to stage 2! That was bit of a surprise after the false alarm of the feedback arriving yesterday :rolleyes:

My OOM is in the 1350s by the way

dottynic

Hi guys does anybody know how far up the line they will call in order of oom for stage 2 I'm quite high up the line compared to everyone here I'm 2100 oom. Quite high so I probably shouldn't get my hopes up.

fin12

rachaelworld wrote: »

I just got my invite to stage 2! That was bit of a surprise after the false alarm of the feedback arriving yesterday :rolleyes:

My OOM is in the 1350s by the way

How much notice have u been given till u have to sit the exam?

Gaffer78

has anyone out there with a lower OOM than 1350 been called for stage 2 ? Just trying to gauge how far down they have now called

rachaelworld

dottynic wrote: »

Hi guys does anybody know how far up the line they will call in order of oom for stage 2 I'm quite high up the line compared to everyone here I'm 2100 oom. Quite high so I probably shouldn't get my hopes up.

It is possible you could scrape into this batch as they called up to about 1100/1150 in the first batch IIRC, so if they call the same number this time then that would bring them up to about 2200/2300 but that is just guessing. But I'd say you'll know by early next week if how many they're calling. It might have more to do with your score and which third you fell into on the feedback chart. My guess is they'll call everyone in the top third to stage 2 first and then see how many they get out of that before moving on to the middle third and so on.

rachaelworld

fin12 wrote: »

How much notice have u been given till u have to sit the exam?

It's next Thursday at 15.30 so just under a week

rachaelworld

Gaffer78 wrote: »

has anyone out there with a lower OOM than 1350 been called for stage 2 ? Just trying to gauge how far down they have now called

I would imagine so as they called up to 1100ish last time, also they seemed to call people in alphabetical order not order of OOM and my surname starts with B so I'm near the front of the queue in that regard. The message only came this morning so I'd say many are still at work and you'll get more answers this evening on that front.

tweniebaby

I'm early 2100's and I haven't heard anything yet

Gaffer78

rachaelworld wrote: »

I would imagine so as they called up to 1100ish last time, also they seemed to call people in alphabetical order not order of OOM and my surname starts with B so I'm near the front of the queue in that regard. The message only came this morning so I'd say many are still at work and you'll get more answers this evening on that front.

Given they called 1100 initially they would hardly only go as far as 1350 if they were to call another batch. Unless it was a case of 'we called 1100, 250 have now got back to say they are no longer interested so we will call up 250 more"

AC19

Hi Guys

I am new to boards great to find this thread. very helpful. I got the mail today to sit the supervised exams next week. just wondering if anyone could shine any light on how difficult the numerical part is? I struggle bad with maths so I was just wondering will I stand a hope in these exams.. TIA

dottynic

rachaelworld wrote: »

It is possible you could scrape into this batch as they called up to about 1100/1150 in the first batch IIRC, so if they call the same number this time then that would bring them up to about 2200/2300 but that is just guessing. But I'd say you'll know by early next week if how many they're calling. It might have more to do with your score and which third you fell into on the feedback chart. My guess is they'll call everyone in the top third to stage 2 first and then see how many they get out of that before moving on to the middle third and so on.

I fell into group A so maybe fingers crossed but best of luck to you all

rachaelworld

AC19 wrote: »

Hi Guys

I am new to boards great to find this thread. very helpful. I got the mail today to sit the supervised exams next week. just wondering if anyone could shine any light on how difficult the numerical part is? I struggle bad with maths so I was just wondering will I stand a hope in these exams.. TIA

That would be pretty subjective, what is hard for one person is not for another. I would just start doing the practise tests over and over and that's the best you can do. They allow you to use a calculator in the test and supply them too so you won't be doing mental calculation at least. Also, would you mind telling the board your OOM so that people can gauge roughly what number they're calling up to?

I've just looked at the familiarisation materials that are linked to in the invitation message and it gives you some examples of test questions and also various other details that are helpful. So you should check those out if you haven't already

tigerwoods

I am in the low 1400's and got called for test next week,fingers crossed.

dottynic

tigerwoods wrote: »

I am in the low 1400's and got called for test next week,fingers crossed.

Best of luck

AC19

rachaelworld wrote: »

That would be pretty subjective, what is hard for one person is not for another. I would just start doing the practise tests over and over and that's the best you can do. They allow you to use a calculator in the test and supply them too so you won't be doing mental calculation at least. Also, would you mind telling the board your OOM so that people can gauge roughly what number they're calling up to?



I've just looked at the familiarisation materials that are linked to in the invitation message and it gives you some examples of test questions and also various other details that are helpful. So you should check those out if you haven't already

Great thanks for the advice!!! My OOM is low 1300's

hdowney

I shall cross my fingers that I get called early next week

2016claire

Gaffer78 wrote: »

has anyone out there with a lower OOM than 1350 been called for stage 2 ? Just trying to gauge how far down they have now called

got invited to stage 2 as well 1298

2016claire

any one here did the stage 2 what its like? any advise please

Sharon2017

2016claire wrote: »

any one here did the stage 2 what its like? any advise please

Hi, I did my stage 2 tests on Thursday. All I would say is don’t be nervous and read the questions very carefully for numerical because some of them are sort of trick questions.

I did not do any prep and found them okay but you do have to concentrate. The numerical was not extremely complicated like other tests I have taken recently with scary ratios and complicated calculations. It’s bascually just percentages and adding and subtracting. So know how to do percentages and minus and add percentages etc.

I think I did do okay in it, would be surprised if I didn’t pass that part. Keep in mind that you only need to pass the numerical part, it’s the verbal score they’ll be adding so the only requirement for numerical is passing.

So all in all not to bad, the main thing is don’t get overwhelmed during the test. To put it in context, maths was my worst subject in school, I mean worst! I did my leaving cert in 2005 and got a D1 in ordinary maths and have not practiced since. I hope this helps

busymammy

Can people who have already done aptitude test advise if there are any other parts apart from numerical test? I.e. checking, categorizing, verbal interpretation... like the ones online...

DMcL1971

There are only two tests, numerical and verbal.

busymammy

DMcL1971 wrote: »

There are only two tests, numerical and verbal.

Thanks. I hope that verbal test is not like the one publicjobs.ie website. Found them much harder than numerical..

Sharon2017

busymammy wrote: »

Thanks. I hope that verbal test is not like the one publicjobs.ie website. Found them much harder than numerical..

I didn’t think it was too bad just try and have time to double check answers