NICS aptitude test - what to wear?

jenny-wren

Does anyone know do they let you know how you did in the test or do you only get a letter if you've got through to the Assessment Centre stage?

Anyone heard anything back yet?

thriftyminx13

I got my letter to go to the assessment centre at Stormont. can't believe it!! anyone know what format it takes? I see that there are in-tray tests and role plays....how cringeworthy are these?

Golden_Anemone

Well done thriftyminx. It's quite a few years since I did the Assessment centre - 2001 - it was being run by PWC then. The format went like this:

1. A policy in-tray test. Given a bundle of documents relating to early years education provision and asked to prepare a draft response from the minister of education to a query from a member of the public.
2. A group discussion. Broken into group of about 6 people and asked to discuss a topic and come up with draft recommendations. Exercise was timed so needed to keep an eye on time too. Was handed an extra instruction in middle of exercise to test if could cope with "surprise".
3. Role-play. This was basically a test of your managerial / leadership skills. The candidate was a head coach for a hockey team and had to deal with a player whose performance had dipped. You got some information beforehand and then an actor took the part of the player.
4. Interview. A fairly standard competency based interview.

Hopefuly someone who did this more recently will post as I just don't know if the format has changed any since then.

Good luck.

thriftyminx13

Thanks Golden Anemone; can't believe you remember all that in so much detail. You either did very well, or were left traumatised!!! :rotfl:

The format now is In-tray exercise; written exercise; role play and group exercise.

From what someone else told me the group exercises can be the worst with people shouting over each other and talking over people. At least there doesn't seemed to be an interview as such, I get too nervous at them.

For those who were successful can I ask if you enjoy your jobs? I am in the civil service but at a lower grade, more on the scientific side of things which I really enjoy. I suppose I'm just asking for feedback.

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

Well done thriftyminx. It's quite a few years since I did the Assessment centre - 2001 - it was being run by PWC then. The format went like this:

1. A policy in-tray test. Given a bundle of documents relating to early years education provision and asked to prepare a draft response from the minister of education to a query from a member of the public.
2. A group discussion. Broken into group of about 6 people and asked to discuss a topic and come up with draft recommendations. Exercise was timed so needed to keep an eye on time too. Was handed an extra instruction in middle of exercise to test if could cope with "surprise".
3. Role-play. This was basically a test of your managerial / leadership skills. The candidate was a head coach for a hockey team and had to deal with a player whose performance had dipped. You got some information beforehand and then an actor took the part of the player.
4. Interview. A fairly standard competency based interview.

Hopefuly someone who did this more recently will post as I just don't know if the format has changed any since then.

Good luck.

jenny-wren

Looks like I didn't make the cut - no letter when I got home. Ah well.
Anyone else heard yet?

For those who were successful can I ask if you enjoy your jobs? I am in the civil service but at a lower grade, more on the scientific side of things which I really enjoy. I suppose I'm just asking for feedback.

I know 3 Graduate entry SOs. One was promoted within 2 two years and from what I know seems to enjoy it, the other two - one loves it, the other hates it! It's the same with being a Civil Service at any grade I guess, you'll either love it or hate it.
I know people that would sell their granny to get in and others that would sell their soul to get out. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

thriftyminx13

jenny-wren wrote: »

I know people that would sell their granny to get in and others that would sell their soul to get out. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

giggle that it is so true.......

Golden_Anemone

Sorry jennywren.

The thing about the civil service is every job is different so it's impossible to advise without actual experience of the particular post thriftyminx. I know that sounds like I'm avoiding answering but I'm not. I've had 3 different posts in the 7 years since I started and have enjoyed all but 1 (which I stuck out for a year because I was advised that it was expected of me by my senior managment - it didn't kill me so must have made me stronger . When the year was up Personnel arranged a move at my request.)

I did get through and I was fairly surprised at some of the other successful candidates in the end - there isn't a "one size fits all" policy. One very bossy and intimidating guy in my group exercise made the cut so I guess he must have shone in other areas. That's actually a key point to remember - they're looking at candidates in the round so don't worry too much if you feel something didn't go well. On the day be yourself - nobody can keep up an act for the whole day under pressure. And good luck again. When is it?

thriftyminx13

I know that there's only a slim chance of getting through but its probably my best chance, because I am so rubbish at interviews.

However, my idea of hell would be put in benefits or somewhere where people are very desponent. was there any resentment to you going in at that level? and what kind of training did they give you at the start?

i think i',m more worried about the written exercises and all that.

what do you wear to the assessment day? thanks again everyone, its at the end of april. Has anyone else had word that they are through?

jenny-wren

Well, the letter arrived and I didn't get through. Ah well, not surprising considering one of the tests was entirely guess work!

Just out of interest, does anyone know if you can ask for the score you achieved in the test?

chunter

jmcateer wrote: »

Good Luck we need loads of staff.

Probably the funniest comment I've seen on this board this year.