How is this fair?

GrandiaKnight

So I recently was turned down for a job as a Court Usher with HCMTS. This is a role I have experience in so I am applying for any similar jobs in my local area. However I am almost always being turned down for them so I decided to see if I could try and get some feedback on my applications. After a bit of research I was told that the reason I didn't succeed was that I failed the online test portion of my application. However this didn't make a lot of sense to me as I had given the same answers in previous applications from which I had gotten interviews so I must have passed the online test.

So I queried this and this is what I was told

"The pass mark, and subsequent progression to interview, varies and is determined by the number of applicants, their marks on the online test, and the number of posts/interviews available. For example, there may be 50 applicants but only one post available and ten candidates are to be interviewed. The pass mark would be set to include the top ten scoring applicants. If there were only, say, six applicants, the pass mark may be set to progress all six to interview"

So basically what they are saying is that my success in getting an interview is based on some arbitrary pass mark. It has nothing to do with my experience or qualifications which is what it should be based on. It is purely based on some random number developed by some formula they have. How is that fair? How is that getting you the best candidate? All it means is that you can pass a multiple choice test whose questions have nothing to do with the job itself.

[Deleted User]

It means you scored lower than others on the test. They then use those test results as a criterion for interview.

It's a not a random number and it's not unfair for them to use it as a criterion.

IAmWales

Having done the job before does not mean you will be the best candidate for the job, or even one of the best. All it means is that you know what the job entails, it doesn't automatically follow that you're any good at it.

GrandiaKnight

But they are changing the pass mark every time. How am I supposed to pass if they keep moving the goalposts especially if I don't know where they are? It doesn't make any logical sense. The questions and the answers are the same every time so why is the pass mark changing? The questions don't even have anything to do with the Court Usher role. These are a few examples

Imagine that you are working as part of a team that handles customer records. You currently have paper filing system. There is budget available to buy a digital document scanner, which would significantly increase your team’s efficiency and make cost savings. Several of your colleagues would prefer to stick with the paper system, as they say the current system works fine and they are against using ‘new technology’ due to problems they have had in the past.
Carefully read the options below and rank them in the order that most closely matches the behaviours you would display in this situation.
A) Tell your line manager that the current document storage system is inefficient. Suggest that she buys a digital document scanner, and introduces suitable training for the team.
Email your line manager, saying that the old system should be left in place to avoid upsetting your colleagues.
C) Tell your colleagues they are being old-fashioned, and that they are holding the team back by not making the effort to understand new technology.
D) Do not mention the idea of buying a digital document scanner to your line manager.

Imagine that you are part of a team that has just bought a document scanner in order to digitise its paper customer records. The document scanner has been installed and is ready to use. Your team members are grumbling about how difficult it will be to use. Your line manager is out of the office and has asked that the team familiarises itself with the document scanner so team members know how to use it on her return.

A) Read the scanner’s manual thoroughly, learn how to use the scanner, and practise using it so that you are an expert at using it by the time your line manager returns.
Read the scanner’s manual thoroughly, learn how to use the scanner, and show your colleagues how to use it. Tell your line manager how it went when she returns.
C) Wait for one of your colleagues to learn how to use the scanner and instruct you how to use it.
D) Read the scanner’s manual and write a list of the difficulties you can see with using the new scanner to show your line manager on her return.

Imagine that your line manager has given you a report she has written for you to check over. You notice that there are some irregularities in the data she has used.

A) Plan to tell your line manager about the irregular data you have found in your next one to one meeting.
Highlight the irregular data in the report and inform your line manager straight away.
C) Edit the data yourself.
D) Let your line manager know there are problems with the data in the report.

How are they supposed to tell if a person is able to do the job if the test has nothing to do with the role itself and they are not looking at your experience or qualifications? It makes no sense.

Ozzuk

They need a method of quickly whittling down applicants, they decide to only interview those who meet a certain mark. If the mark is higher, it means a general availability of higher calibre applicants.

Not unfair in the slightest I'm afraid.

marliepanda

Its not a pass fail test, its clearly to see who is the best out of that pool.

Maybe when you got interviewed before, you got say 15/20, and everyone else got 12/20.

This time, lots of people got 19/20, so suddenly your 15/20 seems pretty average in comparison.

It makes complete sense, you just seem to be annoyed you didnt get an interview.

IAmWales

It makes complete sense. They are testing key competencies using common workplace scenarios, they don't have to relate directly to the role.

There is nothing wrong with the pass mark changing. If you want to interview 10 applicants then the pass mark will be the lowest of the top ten. It's not arbitrary, it's entirely the opposite.

I can understand that you're disappointed you did not get an interview, but your complaint is illogical.

LilElvis

If the test remains the same, and you've taken it several times, then why aren't you achieving 100%? Improve your test scores and you will get to the interview stage.

ohreally

Score a higher mark, job done.

pmduk

GrandiaKnight wrote: »

But they are changing the pass mark every time. How am I supposed to pass if they keep moving the goalposts especially if I don't know where they are? .

It isn't a pass/fail situation. Those who demonstrates the most likely attributes in the test (ie with the highest scores) get through to the next round.

spadoosh

If youve done this test severl times (more than once) ive got to ask why and how are you getting the same mark?

It doesnt exactly scream competence if someone sits the exact same exam twice and doesnt improve their score?!

It seems like a perfectly reasonable way of reducing down the number of interviewees. Yes they might miss out on someone that is really good at the job but its the risk theyre willing to take, they clearly have enough success with their current methods to not be overly concerned about letting a few good ones slip through.

If you plan on going for the same/similar job again i would advise you learn and remember the answer you got wrong ont he las ttest you did.