Third Secretary Campaign 2022

Brooklyn94

Hi all,

As the online assessments have just been released for the Third Secretary competition 2022, I thought we could use this forum to discuss the process.

It appears the format is slightly different this year? More time and questions.

agoodusername

I applied, first time going for 3rd sec but I'm doing it mainly for the experience. I'm only out of college recently so this campaign is possibly a bit early for me.

bichonfrise7

Can anyone find the information booklet for this year?

tomjmsn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119566001#Comment_119566001

22302204_Final_Junior_Diplomats_DFA_2022.pdf

Do you mean this one? There is a new information booklet for the tests. There should be a link to it in your messages on Public Jobs

bichonfrise7

Yes thank you! Every time I googled it it was only the 2020 one coming up!

christinxcat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058261482/third-secretary-campaign-2022

Thanks for starting the thread Brooklyn94! Have trawled through the 2020 thread here and found it very useful, but yes, seems the format is a little different this year. I imagine in general the whole process will have been slightly adapted, since COVID regulations were lifted.

Best of luck to all in the first round!

Brooklyn94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119566257#Comment_119566257

No worries, it was useful for sure!

Can anyone confirm if we are allowed a physical calculator for the numerical reasoning? The familiarisation material mentions a calculator but the information booklet states we have to use our computers inbuilt calculator.

bichonfrise7

In other comps I think your allowed, however that’s the first time I’ve seen that there’s an inbuilt calculator, mightn’t be any harm to ask PAS

tomjmsn

Does anyone know if we have already gotten through a first stage? As in, were the 500 word statements and application forms sifted or is everyone through to this test stage?

bichonfrise7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119570499#Comment_119570499

I think it's like a rough sifting of applications, I was removed from a comp once because my degree didn't match the criteria, but as far as I know, after interviews they double-check everything, like references, qualifications etc - that's my understanding of it anyways

Smoochs!

I am so worried about the self assessment questions and the situational judgment ones. I have no idea how to approach the self assessment, and ive being practing the AO situational judgment and cant seem to score higher than the middle band, any advice for me

R2020C

Does anyone have any good recommendations for practise test websites that might be good?

Also, sorry if this is a stupid question, but, if you have a friend who works as a third Secretary and you ask them for any tips, does that count as canvassing and then disqualification? Or is it only canvassing if you email DFA?

Thanks and good luck everyone!

Shield

Moderator note: Identical discussion deleted in Newbies & FAQ

niallkenny83

Hi Smoochs,

Where are you practicing the AO tests? Can you pls send a link?

Many thanks

Smoochs!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119577049#Comment_119577049

I'm not allowed to post or even send links, just google Test Advice for Public for public jobs, click the titled page, and you'll find links in the bottom. Let me know how you get on. I cant seem to get higher than the middle band

delricyo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119576537#Comment_119576537

As long as your friend isn't involved in the selection process for 3rd Sec, it wont be considered as canvassing. And given that he/she is a 3rd Sec, they definitely wont be involved in the process

KRedzer

Does anyone know how grading for the Self-Assessment Questionnaire works? It doesn't really explain it in the booklet, but surely if you're assessing your own capabilities you can't do badly (unless of course you're extremely honest).

felixs981

Hi guys,

didn't apply on time this year, def going to try the next one.

I heard the provider of the assessment is now "Assessment Intelligence", can anyone confirm?

Also, did you get some example questions or additional info about the assessment you can share?

When the time comes, I would like to practice!

R2020C

Thanks so much! No they aren’t involved at all with recruitment

felixs981

can someone post the booklet?

test portal opens today ... good luck!

christinxcat

Just completed the tests - will be very interesting to see my OOM. Here's the order I did them in:

NR gave me PTSD to failing leaving cert maths 😂 But I managed well otherwise with it. Didn't manage to finish that section, but got to the last question in the second last sheet.

VR was grand, finished with 15mins to go, so looked back over some of my answers - definitely recommend doing this if you have time to spare.

SAQ was really nice to finish on. Practiced the situational judgment-style Qs quite a bit, so felt very prepared.

Wishing everyone the best of luck in the first round! Definitely take breaks after completing each test if you intend to do it all in one sitting.

christinxcat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119570499#Comment_119570499

A colleague of mine told me that everyone who applies gets through to the first round. She was offer TS years ago, so the process may have changed slightly, and yes I imagine if qualifications jump out as not suitable for the position, that these applicants may not progress to the testing stage.

However, my colleague also flagged that the initial applications may be considered in more detail upon progressing to later stages, i.e. interview.

TravelMoon

Just completed the tests now.

Have to say I didn't enjoy the new testing system/application.

The verbal reasoning seemed atrocious to me, numerical was grand, as was the situational.

However, I found the room scanning awkward with a laptop... I would say if you've not done them yet take a second look at the instructions beforehand.

Anyway, time will tell!

Brooklyn94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119600381#Comment_119600381

Thanks for all the info, sounds like it went well!

Where did you practice the situational judgement style questions?

Also, can you see the questions at the same time as the material they are based on?

Thanks!

Brooklyn94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119600512#Comment_119600512

Thanks for the update! Do you mind maybe elaborating on what was so bad about the VR aspect?

It seems that it is not as time constrained as previous assessments.

Good luck with your results!

nsauce

Any tips for the self assessment part? I've done the other two parts but I've left this one till last. It's the part I'm most dreading because I'm not sure how best to approach it.

nsauce

For anyone who still hasn't done them, I thought the verbal reasoning and the numerical reasoning were grand and pretty straight forward. I got both finished with a couple of mins to spare. There were a couple questions in the verbal reasoning I wasn't sure of but had no trouble with the numerical.

ConsRoxMySox

I did my assessments on Sunday, took longer than I expected. Numerical was grand, verbal was alright but I hate the self assessments because it's one thing that no matter how many of these comps I do I can just never figure out what they want, so wouldn't be surprised if it takes me out of it haha.

Protoman

Allah be praised they finally changed the verbal and numerical test provider. Evergreen corp and their detergent lines in Munich and the accompanying tiny graphs appear to be gone for good! Something to be thankful for. They persisted with that for so long.

Don't know why they got rid of the e-tray simulated scenario response. That was quite good.

LegallyAbroad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119626174#Comment_119626174

There hasn't be an etray for TS for years (if there was ever one).