NHS Interview Assessment

mem8942

I have an interview for a job with the NHS next week which includes a 25 minute excel test. Does anyone know how these tests work? Not so much the content, but is it a computer marked assessment, or do you have someone standing behind you watching you work? Is it functional questions like 'What does a red triangle in a cell mean?' or is it an actual exercise to complete?
Thanks

polgara

What job is it for?

I've seen a wide variety from simple formatting to very complex lookups/formulae/formatting depending on the role

mem8942

Assistant management accountant, band 3.

polgara

I'd expect that it would be an actual exercise then - it could be observed or marked at the end. For our finance department it can either be a in-tray scenario using budgets, emails and asking for a report (higher level) but lower levels might be asking for an updated budget report looking at outturn

mem8942

That's really helpful, thanks. I'm a bit worried about having someone looking over my shoulder while I work, but if it happens, I'll just have to pretend they're not there.

polgara

I doubt they'd be looking over your shoulder, more that they may be in the room (generally doing their own work). In the past we have also blocked internet so that people can't google how to do something (mainly how to use certain formula).

Guest101

polgara wrote: »

I doubt they'd be looking over your shoulder, more that they may be in the room (generally doing their own work). In the past we have also blocked internet so that people can't google how to do something (mainly how to use certain formula).

That seems redundant - allowing the use of Google would presumably be part of the role and showing ability to do quick research and adapt to a situation would be paramount in the day to day

Manxman_in_exile

There won't be a standardised NHS assessment for Excel skills. Each trust's finance department will come up with their own format depending on how (un)imaginative they are, what sort of work issues they currently have, and whether any of them have done any interesting Excel courses lately.


I participated in NHS management accountant appointments over 15 years and polgara's advice looks good to me.

tomtontom

mem8942 wrote: »

Assistant management accountant, band 3.

Is that definitely the correct title? An AMA is usually a band 4, with a Management Accounts Assistant being a band 3. There's quite a difference in responsibilities (and required qualifications) between the two roles. Either way at band 3 I wouldn't expect the test to be too taxing, little more than some inputting and basic calculations.

Manxman_in_exile

I'd missed it was a band 3.


Low band for what I'd consider an Assistant Management Accountant. Grade inflation or deflation, whatever.


OP - go to the interview and do your best. Whether you're somebody who'll fit in may be more important than your excel skills. That happened to me and I enjoyed working in the NHS for 25 years.


Tip - join a union. If your job is really as an assistant MA's duties then grade 3 may be too low. It's easier to argue a regrading issue with a union rather than without