Internal Promotion for the position of
Higher Executive Officer
Office of the Revenue Commissioners
Pre-Test Information Booklet
This is an important document so please set some time aside to read it in advance of the test session.
Public Appointments Service Page 3
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your application for internal Higher Executive Officer in the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
This purpose of this document is to introduce you to the format of the tests that you will be sitting in Stage 2 of the HEO selection process. This document contains information about each of the tests being used and the time limits allowed. Practice questions, similar to the types of questions that you could expect to see on the day, are also presented where possible.
The aim of this document is to ensure that you are comfortable with the test format and are aware of how to do your best in a test situation.
Please read this material carefully, as it is your opportunity to prepare for the supervised tests that you will shortly sit.
Stage 2 will comprise a Verbal Test and a Numerical Test, which will be administered and taken on-line. There will also be a Job Simulation Exercise, which will be paper-based.
We are supplying you with this pre-test information material to introduce you to the format of the tests. By working with this information, you can ensure that you perform to the best of your ability.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for applying and to encourage you once again to take time to read through the documentation carefully.
Thank you.
PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS SERVICE
Practice Tests
Practice test material for the Verbal and Numerical Tests is available online at:
http://getstarted.cut-e.com
We strongly recommend that you sit the practice tests. This will allow you to see the format of the tests in advance and become comfortable with what you will be required to do.
Note: practice tests are similar in structure and format to the tests you will be invited to take, but all are not identical in terms of number of questions, timing, or content. They are designed to give you an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the tests.
There are six questions in the practice tests. These tests are timed; you will have 3 minutes to complete the practice questions, the timer will be on the top right hand side of your screen. You will be told at the end of the practice test the number of questions you answered correctly and incorrectly.
You can access the practice tests as often as you wish.
Stage 2: The Test Session
When you come to the test session the format of the session will be explained after which the tests themselves will be introduced. You will be sitting 3 tests. Each test will be preceded by some practice questions to help you feel comfortable with what you have to do. During the examples and explanations you will have the opportunity to ask any questions before starting the tests.
As previously stated you will be required to sit supervised Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning tests, as well as an additional Job Simulation Exercise.
Measurement of Verbal Reasoning
This test measures your ability to draw logical conclusions from verbal information and analyse and evaluate data. You will have 12 minutes to complete the 49 tasks in this test. The timer is on the top right hand side of the screen.
In this assessment you will be presented with statements that need to be evaluated against information provided within a number of data sheets. These are accessed via labelled tabs.
Your task is to evaluate the validity of each statement based only on the information provided in the data sheets.
· Select TRUE if the statement must be true based on the information in the sheets.
· Select FALSE if the statement is definitely false given the information in the sheets.
· Select CANNOT SAY if you cannot say whether the statement is true or false without further information.
Base your answers only on the information given in the passages of text.
For each question there are a number of different answer options. There is one, and only one, correct answer to each question. Click on the answer that you think is correct. When a response has been selected click the ‘Next’ button on the bottom right hand of the screen to go on to the next question.
We recommend that you do the questions in order but you may skip a question if you are unsure and come back to it at the end if you have time. To go back to a question, or to change an answer, click on the question number on the right hand side of your screen.
Do not use the ‘back’ button on the browser.
Try to work quickly but accurately. Do not spend too long on any question. If you are not sure of an answer mark your best choice and go on to the next question.
Sample Question:
Measurement of Numerical Reasoning
In this test you will need to answer questions which require you to critically analyse and evaluate data from tables and diagrams. You will have 12 minutes to complete 37 questions. You may wish to have a calculator and rough work paper to hand to answer the questions. You will be provided with 1 sheet of rough work paper at the test session.
Your task is to evaluate the validity of each statement based only on the information provided in the data sheets.
· Select TRUE if the statement must be true based on the information in the sheets.
· Select FALSE if the statement is definitely false given the information in the sheets.
· Select CANNOT SAY if you cannot say whether the statement is true or false without further information.
Base your answers only on the information given in the data sheets.
We recommend that you work through the questions in sequence, but you can go directly to any question by clicking on its number on the right of the screen. You can also use the 'Next' button to move forwards through the test.
Try to work quickly but accurately. Do not spend too long on any question. If you are not sure of an answer mark your best choice and go on to the next question.
Please note:
· You may use a calculator if you wish.
Sample Question:
Job Simulation Exercise
In this exercise, candidates are asked to review a series of 10 scenarios, each of which are followed by five possible actions. The task is to rate each of the actions in terms of their appropriateness based on the information presented in the scenario only. You will have 30 minutes to complete this exercise.
The following scale will be used when reviewing each action:
Highly Inappropriate / Inappropriate / Slightly Inappropriate / Slightly Appropriate / Appropriate / Highly Appropriate-3 / -2 / -1 / +1 / +2 / +3
Each action should be rated in isolation to the other actions, i.e. you may feel all of the actions for one scenario are ‘Highly Inappropriate’ or all the actions are ‘Appropriate’ etc and therefore you should rate accordingly. Do not spend too long rating any one action; make your best choice as to the appropriateness of the actions.
A sample scenario is set out below:
You have been leading a large-scale project for the last fifteen months and all the milestones and deadlines have been met. The project is finally coming to fruition. Your contribution is coming to an end and you are preparing to move on to your next piece of work, which your manager tells you is high profile and interesting. You are keen to take up this opportunity. However, you get a phone call from a colleague who informs you that the project team, of which you are both members, needs to carry out an additional piece of work that was documented in early meetings, but has not been followed up on and included in the project plan. Completing this last piece of work would mean having to pass up on the high profile project.
Rate each of the following action using the -3 to +3 scale.
1 / Accept this extra task in order to finish the project yourself before seeking new work. /2 / Arrange for others in the project team to cover the extra task, whilst you move on. /
3 / Agree to take responsibility for completion of the extra task whilst allocating the work to other project team members to free you up. /
4 / Leave the extra task until a later date so that you can do it when there is a space in your new work commitments. /
5 / Ask your colleague for the background to the omission and suggestions for a solution. Tell them you are about to take charge of another project and will have limited time to implement any additional work. /
If in this scenario you feel that Action 1 is ‘Slightly Appropriate’, you should select ‘+1’. If you feel that Action 2 is ‘Highly Appropriate’, you should select ‘+3’ If you feel that Action 3 is ‘Inappropriate’, you should select ‘-2’ etc.
Please note, the answers above are just to show you how to complete the test.
Answer Sheets
The Job Simulation test is paper-based and you will be given an answer sheet. There is a space for your name and candidate ID on the answer sheet – you must sign your name in the box provided and insert all 9 digits of your candidate ID.
When completing the answer sheet please remember the following:
· Listen carefully to the instructions for the test and ensure that you are completing the correct answer section on the answer sheet for the test that you are doing.
· Within the test answer sections, each question has a corresponding answer line. As you go through the tests you should check that you are filling in the right answer line for the question that you are answering. You should carefully follow the instructions that are printed in the booklet itself.
· While these points may seem obvious, it is possible to lose your place on the answer sheet and fill in the wrong box in a test situation. Unfortunately, errors such as these will not be picked up by the computerised scoring process.
· You must fill out the answer sheet with pencil.
· You should make sure that the mark you make is dark enough to be picked up by the computer which scores the answers and you should fully erase any answers that you wish to change.
Test Day Checklist:
Before you arrive at the test centre, please ensure that you have the following items with you:
1. A print out of your exam notice.
2. Photographic ID – this should have your date of birth on it.
3. Two soft pencils.
4. White eraser.
5. Pencil sharpener.
6. Calculator.
NOTE:
Candidates should note that in order to avoid anyone achieving unfair advantage through practice effect at future competitions, scores achieved on any test(s) taken as part of this campaign may be carried forward to subsequent campaigns. This will be determined by the PAS on a case by case basis.
Please note that all test materials are subject to copyright and all rights are reserved.
Public Appointments Service Page 3