DWP Selection tests...

KimYeovil

It's nigh impossible to score much less than one hundred percent in any of the numeracy or literacy tests.

Is it any wonder that the advice one receives from the DWP is so poor when the qualifying bar for employment is set so low?

sportfan

Hello All

I am hear to ask about the selection tests (Literacy and Numeracy) as I have to take them very soon!

How are the questions? How long do we have to answer them? Has anyone gone on to the interview stage and passed and got the job for AO?

Also if a person passes Interview stage, are they offered the job immediately or even the successful people are on a waiting list? - (Very Important - Please someone answer)?

Any help is appreciated..Please respond

Thanks

sportfan

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Please Anyone????

singlehouseholder

KimYeovil wrote: »

It's nigh impossible to score much less than one hundred percent in any of the numeracy or literacy tests.

Is it any wonder that the advice one receives from the DWP is so poor when the qualifying bar for employment is set so low?

What a pig ignorant statement to make when all people are looking for is help and encouragement. Shame on you!

singlehouseholder

sportfan wrote: »

Hello All

I am hear to ask about the selection tests (Literacy and Numeracy) as I have to take them very soon!

How are the questions? How long do we have to answer them? Has anyone gone on to the interview stage and passed and got the job for AO?

Also if a person passes Interview stage, are they offered the job immediately or even the successful people are on a waiting list? - (Very Important - Please someone answer)?

Hi there, can't answer all your questions but I know that there will be a specific amount of staff needed, often there will be a reserve list if the number of those that passed exceeded the number needed. So even if you pass and aren't offered a start straight away you may get a start date in the future. You should be able to find out start dates and number of staff required from the contact details you have. I will warn you to be prepared to take a lot of insults from people, working for the DWP seems to suggest to some that they have free rein to blame you for every change in policy the govt make or any bad experience with the DWP they've had, as if its your fault.
Good luck.

sportfan

Thanks ever so much for your reply singlehouseholder

Have you taken these literacy and numeracy tests before?

It says pass rate you need is 10 for numeracy and for literacy for AO is pass mark 9

Are they multiple choice questions for numeracy?

Please help anyone!

singlehouseholder

I haven't taken the tests, joined before the tests. I close friend took the tests and found they were ok. Infact, I later found out that the pass mark was slightly lowered because so many just missed out. You should be able to ring and ask you know, don't be shy. I'll try and find out for you tom. Also, if you get through tests and have a telephone test, just be relaxed about it, if you can. My manager did some of the telephone tests, it was a basic tick list for her, its all about having the right attitude. Working for the DWP cam be incredibly stressfull at times, but if you can demonstrate that you can cope with stress, you've got a good chance.

MIMI123_2

The tests are basic maths and percentages and multiple choice questions asking what you would do in a certain situation. You also have to spot spelling mistakes. You are told the result straight after the test. Good luck!!!!

KimYeovil

For some practice, Sportfan, you can always try finding the mistake in your post 23 and the mistakes Singlehouseholder made in posts 26 and 28.

Unstoppable_2

sportfan wrote: »

Thanks ever so much for your reply singlehouseholder

Have you taken these literacy and numeracy tests before?

It says pass rate you need is 10 for numeracy and for literacy for AO is pass mark 9

Are they multiple choice questions for numeracy?

Please help anyone!

I took the tests and interview in December.

You get 8 minutes for the literacy test and 18 for the numeracy. The literacy test involves checking for spelling mistakes, incorrect word usage ( using affect instead of effect for example) and basic grammatical errors. There are 15 things to find. Despite going through it 3 times, I only found 14.

The numeracy test is a bit involved. You are given a sheet with some information on about a conference centre which has the times rooms are open, how many computers are in some of them, which have disabled access etc. You then have to give answers like to questions like "Which rooms which have computers in are open from 8am-6pm". It gets quite involved and as you go on, involves working out percentages and ratios such as "Work out as a percentage, the amount of hours rooms with more than 3 computers which are open from 8-6pm are of the total number of hours all rooms with computers are open". I finished mine in the time but going back through to recheck, only got about 3-4 questions in before running out of time. I got full marks.

From there, if you're successful, you go to interview. Take something to read as you could be waiting some time.

In your letter inviting you to the test session, you should have had a sheet which tells you about what questions are asked in the interview. THESE ARE WHAT THEY ASK YOU. Prepare in advance and write some answers down. You are allowed to take notes into the interview. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO ROLE PLAYING AT ALL. They are looking for key competencies which they work out whether or not you have from the answers you give to how you've approached example situations you've given for the four questions they ask. These situations can be home based, they don't need to be work situations.