Executive Officer 2024 Competition (Nationwide)

SNNUS

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524379#Comment_122524379

Unfair to ask people that Do the tests to the best of your ability, it's the only way.

mrsdewinter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524379#Comment_122524379

As @SNNUS said: just dive in when you're ready. You probably know the answer - the hard work is explaining your rationale.

Also worth noting that if it's like last year's competition, PAS has a number of different scenarios going, so you could get a briefing on one particular problem... then find a completely different scenario after you log on.

crinkley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524574#Comment_122524574

yes this! I saw someone mention names in a previous post and they were different to mine

coop142

About to do the written and wanted to ask did anyone feel under pressure time wise for this or have you got a bit to actually think about what it is you’d like to say.

conscious I don’t want to word vomit on the page!

laff87

You've a decent bit of time for the written I thought. I got my train of thought and once I knew what I wanted to write the word count flies up. A few sentences to explain your rationale could end up being 50+ words, I tried to avoid the word vomit!! (Still done a bit towards the end though, I'm a waffler!)

Moyglish

Hoping to do the online tests this evening, just a Q in regards to the room scan however - unfortunately I'll be doing the tests on a desktop iMac, which is very large and heavy and is going to be very difficult to do a room scan with.

Presumably everyone has been doing the tests on a laptop, anyone done them on a desktop that is very hard to move and angle about?

EO2019

I did last time and was so out of breath by the time I was done it was ridiculous. holding it facing down but over the desk was the worst.

coop142

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524642#Comment_122524642

Haha glad I’m not alone just did the same myself!

I was actually about 20 words over the word count not sure if that’ll matter much considering it will just be used for the interview process… We shall see

summersun23

I wonder how long they will take to come back to us with results ? I know a few did dublin last year how long for the results? In the 2022 comp it took 23 days...so that would be 14th sept I think . Obviously could be totally different but I just had a nose back to see how long last time.

laff87

I went 3 words over!!! And was just like "I can't be arsed going back to change this for the sake of 3 words!".

CMH1967

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524674#Comment_122524674

I'm in the same boat using a desktop iMac I don't want to have to keep lifting and turning it each time to do room scan is there any options? Obviously I can turn it to left and right but it's the in front of me and the desktop I'd have concerns about :(

littlepanda111

Just finished the written I ran out of time and didn't get to 300 word count on the second question so I'll probably fail 😔have the verbal left will do it tomorrow anyone any tips on it I find that tricky with the wording and I get all flustered

crinkley

but a cheap webcam in dealz and use that maybe

Tupence

As per the booklet:

“You will be given one scenario with two questions related to the scenario. A text box is provided to type your answers for both questions – the maximum word count for this exercise is 500 words and the minimum is 300 words. There is a word count indicator below the text box.”

laff87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524854#Comment_122524854

Don't stress too much over that one, from what I've read it's referred to in the interview and doesn't count towards score for OOM. (Could be wrong, but that's my understanding of it).

Just to clarify : it's 500 word count total. Not 300 words per answer, yeah?

Verbal isn't too bad, if you don't understand the wording of it (and there are a few long winded ones) don't take too long over it and waste time, just make a note of it (I had pen and paper and wrote down ones I had to go back to) and submit an educated guess at the end.

HiggieL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524884#Comment_122524884

Yes it's for both

louloubb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524931#Comment_122524931

I done 300 words each I don't care at this stage I tried ha

Moyglish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524852#Comment_122524852

I wonder if we could do the room scan with a phone or tablet and then do the assignments on the iMac?

shmeee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122524412#Comment_122524412

I've it posted on page 1 of this thread. Boards is awful site to reshare/copy post so you've to just go back to page 1 and scroll down, image is there attached.

Tupence

Thanks

Podgesull1

Hi just a question. How many written excersise in the written exam. Would anyone who done it

Thanks

Podgesull1

What type of questions were in it

ramblerandgambler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122525231#Comment_122525231

There are two parts to the question, all to be answered in the same box within the same 500 word limit. There is one question, then a follow up to it. Basically a scenario, how you'd resolve it and what led you to that answer.

Moyglish

Do our scores from these tests form where we end up in the merit list, or is that only based on the interview stage?

Marie43

I’ve just done all four after a long weekend working at Electric Picnic, was going grand happy enough with them and then sat the numerical and had a complete meltdown. Mind went blank after calculating first one and answer wasn’t there. Totally panicked then and messed up second question finally decided to guess the whole lot of them. I always fluster when doing maths when it’s clocked. Gutted now should have left numerical and done it tomorrow when I wasn’t as tired. My colleague and I had different scenarios in the written so hard to give advice only that you will be asked to show leadership skills and how you dealt with a tricky situation. I found it easy enough, did 420 word count. Plenty of time too. Not that it matters much now as I definitely failed the numerical. Always next year. My best advice don’t do numerical when your tired and do a few practice ones before you start to wake up the brain.

Moyglish

Just done the verbal reasoning test, I think my brain is bamboozled after all that! :D

Were we supposed to be answer them all? I just about finished with a few secs to spare!

Moyglish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122525378#Comment_122525378

I'm sure you did a lot better than you think you have. From reading on here it appears that you only need to get just under half to pass so I reckon you're still in with a shot. Best of luck!

mrsdewinter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122525378#Comment_122525378

I don't know if this will help but maths is not my friend, but I did fairly OK in the numerical assessment last year (and, from memory, the pass score was quite low AND didn't count towards the OOM for round 2). To be honest, just like last year, I found the verbal test the hardest.

Marie43

I think if you finished it you’ll be fine, very hard to know on those ones but the fact you finished is a good sign

Marie43

I hope that’s true that it doesn’t count to get to stage 2 as I think I did ok on the other 3.

Larryduff2018

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122525638#Comment_122525638

Yes agree verbal was the worst for me. Lost concentration too. Situational, written were ok just numerically to go now.

Paris123

What does count for OOM for stage two?? Is it verbal reasoning and situational🙈

iarmhii

Hi All ,

Just couple of quick questions,any help appreciated .

How long would you need to give yourself time wise to complete these tests ?

And also for Executive Officer role do you need experience in a management level role ?

Marie43

you will need to give yourself the allocated time some people seem to fly through them others struggle so no definitive answer I’m afraid. No you don’t need experience just try to think of situations where you have acted like a leader and what you would do if you were managing a team. Most people going for EO have never been in a management position before.

Moyglish

Just finished the Situational Judgement Test now.

I found it OK, hard to know though are they're are varying degrees of rightness or wrongness, so just time to play the waiting game now.

I'll try to do the numerical and written tomorrow, I get so knackered after working all day though!

ramblerandgambler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122525896#Comment_122525896

About 3 hours at least I would say in total. With little to no breaks in between.

It asks about previous experience which led to your conclusions in the situation, so management is a plus but not 100% a must I would say. 'Leadership' can take many forms.

Moyglish

What's the next step after these online tests, provided you pass them OK?

Did I read something about another set of tests having to be done in person? If so, will these be held in the county you applied for, or in Dublin?

whoOwnTheHam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122526048#Comment_122526048

The next steps involve three parts:

Brainwave Monitoring: You’ll be asked to wear a helmet that measures your brainwaves while you view various images, statements, and ethical scenarios. This helps them gain insight into your honesty, integrity, and moral values.

Advanced Lie Detector Session: After that, you’ll be connected to an updated lie detector machine. Instead of the usual yes or no questions you will face real life scenarios where you’ll need to make quick decisions. The machine will monitor your heart rate, skin reactions, and facial expressions to see how truthful and calm you remain under pressure.

Thought Alignment Exercise: Lastly, you’ll enter a room (101 maybe?) where you’ll go through an exercise designed to align your thoughts with the core values of the Civil Service. During this, you’ll receive feedback on how closely your thinking aligns with what’s needed, and you’ll need to reach a certain level of alignment to move forward.

Once you’ve successfully completed these tests you can move on to the interview stage.

Rich_73

Hi, I'm doing the 4th test this afternoon, the written one, how do you approach that? don't even know were to start.

Iseedeadpixels

It's a lil upsetting seeing people here struggling with these tests when I know someone who got someone else to do their exams a few years ago and got the job before all the room scanning stuff, I hope we all get what we deserve.

2016claire

I would start by outlining the steps you would take, one by one. I’m going to be doing this myself this afternoon. I also have math to do, so I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed 🤦‍♀️.

Good luck to everyone 🙏😊

2016claire

If you pass the online test, I thought the next step was the interview. Am I wrong in thinking this?

Iseedeadpixels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122526494#Comment_122526494

It is once you get your OOM.

2016claire

What’s next after the test, please? 🙏

ShaneU

My webcam decided to go AWOL for two of the tests. Emailed the helpdesk and they confirmed it, no idea what happened. Expecting to be docked points due to it. Only questions I struggled on were the maths questions about the printing, feels like it wasn't explained properly.

jaffa20

People keep asking the same questions on this thread without even reading the last few posts! 🙄

Stranger Things

Anyone know where I should be placing on OOM for an interview within 6 months?

Would guess top 2000?

2016claire

I’m sorry if I’ve asked the same question again. I did read the last comment, but honestly, I thought it was a joke. I mean, this test is only for an EO, not for an AP or anything else higher. It’s just very hard, and it doesn’t define any of us.

Sonics2k

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122526910#Comment_122526910

That's quite a lot. I did the 2023 CO competition and placed in the top 200 in Cork and it took about 10 months to get to the interview stage.

Stranger Things

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122527165#Comment_122527165

I am going for Dublin sorry!

Believe it’s a lot but do think it goes to around that anyways.