Pre-Registration Degree Programmes in Nursing/Midwifery

Pre-Registration Degree Programmes in Nursing/Midwifery

Public Appointments Service

Test Familiarisation Booklet 2012

Selection Testing

This is an important document so please set some time aside to read it in advance of the test session

Contact Details:

Address:Public Appointments Service

General Service Recruitment Unit

Telephone:00353 (0) 1 858 7480 (business hours only)

Email:

1

______

The Office of the Civil Service &Nursing Careers Centre

Local Appointments CommissionersTest Familiarisation Booklet, 2000

Dear Applicant

With reference to your application for the Pre Registration Degree Programme in Nursing/Midwifery, we are supplying you with this year’s test familiarisation booklet.

The purpose of this test familiarisationbooklet is to introduce you to the tests that are being used in the written assessment of the 2012 Pre Registration Degree Programme in Nursing/Midwifery.

This booklet contains information about the different tests being used, how the actual test booklets and answer sheets work, the time limits for each test and how the tests are scored. By familiarising yourself with the exercises in advance of the testing session, you can help optimise your performance on the day.

The aim of this familiarisationbooklet is to ensure that you are comfortable with the testing format and are aware of how to do your best in the test situation.

Please take the time to read this booklet carefully as it is your opportunity to prepare for the tests that you are about to sit and it should also help to reduce the additional time spent clarifying instructions before the tests. Please note that in order to ensure that you will not be detained for any longer than necessary on the day of the test, there will be a limited amount of time allocated for instructions and examples on the test day.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for applying for the competition and to encourage you once again to take time to read through the documentation carefully. We look forward to seeing you on the test day.

Thank you

Nursing Careers Centre

Table of Contents

Page

Background Information

• The Tests Being used...... 4

The Testing Format

• Test Booklet & Answer Sheet Formats...... 4

• How to complete the Answer Sheets...... 5

• Sample Answer Sheets...... 6

• Information about Practice Questions...... 7

Practice Questions, Answers and Suggested Explanations

• Paper 1: Skills/Experiences Questionnaire...... 7

• Paper 2: Verbal Test...... 8 - 9

• Answers to Practice Questions for the Verbal Test...... 10

• Suggested Explanations for the Verbal Test...... 10 - 11

• Paper 3: Numerical Test ...... 12 - 14

• Answers to Practice Questions for the Numerical Test...... 15

• Suggested Explanations for the Numerical Test...... 16 – 18
• Paper 4: Job Simulation Test………………………………………………………….19 – 20

Final Points

• Suggested Test Taking Tactics...... 21

• Equality Monitoring...... 22
• Further Information About Selection Tests...... 22

• Nursing Career Centre General Rules...... 23
• Test Day Checklist & Directions to Venues...... 24

The Tests Being Used

On the day of the test you will be required to undertake four obligatory competitive pencil and paper tests which will be in multiple choice short-answer format. They have been designed so that they are fair to all candidates, and are objectively scored.

Paper 1: Skills/Experiences Questionnaire:

This questionnaire is about you and your experience, interests and achievements. The purpose of collecting this information is to compare your preferences with characteristics that we have identified as being necessary for this profession, in a way that is fair and consistent with everyone.

Paper 2: Verbal Test:

This test is designed to measure the ability to understand relationships between pairs of words.

Paper 3: Numerical Test:

This test is designed to measure the ability to work out the relationships between numbers.

Paper 4: Job Simulation Exercise

This exercise attempts to identify your likely response when presented with scenarios typical of what could occur in a job situation. It measures a range of skills and qualities required in the student nurse role, ranging from taking care of someone, through to taking responsibility in a situation. In this test you will be required to read through a number of scenarios and then choose which action you would take, based on the information presented in the scenario. You will be given a list of possible actions and will be required to select only ONE.

Test Booklet & Answer Sheet Formats

Each test is presented in an individual test booklet each of which contains brief test instructions and example questions. The test questions will follow on the other pages. In order to ensure that you will not be detained for any longer than necessary on the day of the test, there will be a limited amount of time allocated for instructions and examples. The test administrator will call out the basic instructions before each actual test commences. This will give you a chance to adjust to the test situation.

You will be using three answer sheets at the test session. A space for your name and Candidate ID will be contained on each of the answer sheets. Answer sheet 1: Side A - Test 1 ‘Skills/Experiences Questionnaire’Side B - Test 2 ‘Verbal Test’. Answer sheet 2: Side A - Test 3 ‘Numerical Test’. Answer sheet 3: Test 4 - ‘Job Simulation Exercise’.

The answer sheets are computer scored, this means they are put through a computer and are scanned– the marks you make on the answer sheet are picked up and your scores are automatically calculated. It is your responsibility to ensure that the marks you make are dark enough to be read by the scanner and that any marks you erase are fully deleted.

Please remember to bring:

• two soft pencils for marking your answer sheets as only pencil marks can be read by the computer scanner;

• a pencil sharpener & a white eraser to correct any mistakes.

How to Complete the Answer Sheets:

When you receive your answer sheets you should enter your Candidate ID, and sign your name, in the spaces. As in the example overleaf, when you are entering your Candidate ID you should enter the numbers in the boxes and then mark the corresponding box in the column below. You will be given specific instructions about how and when to do this at the examination.

All of the questions are presented in multiple choice format, which means that you will have to choose from a set of answers labeled [ A ] [ B ] [ C ] and so on, depending on the number of answer options given for the questions in each test. You must mark the boxes with heavy marks [] that fill the box completely, in order for the computer scanner to read it. This is very important as check marks [/] or crosses [X] cannot be interpreted by the computer scanner.

Here are some helpful tips for completing the answer sheets:

• Listen carefully to the instructions for each test and ensure that you are completing the correct answer section on the answer sheet for the test that you are doing;

• Within each test, each question has a corresponding answer line. As you go through the tests check that you are filling in the answer that corresponds with the question;

• While these points may seem obvious, it is possible to lose your place on an 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;

• Paper 1, The Skills/Experiences Questionnaire is about “your preferences”. Marks are available for most answer options. The marks awarded are driven by preferences, with the least marks being awarded to the least preferred responses and the most marks being awarded to the most preferred responses;

• A minimum standard is required on each of the four tests.

Sample Answer Sheet

Nursing Applications Centre
Signature: Sam Lynch / Candidate ID
1 / 1 / 4 / 1 / 2 / 8 / 6 / 9 / 3
Important directions for completing the answer sheet

• Use only soft pencils. Do not use ink or ballpoint pens.

• Make heavy black marks that fill the box completely.
  EXAMPLE [ A ] [] [ C ] [ D ] [ E ]

• Fully erase any answers you wish to change.

• Please make no stray marks on the answer sheet.

/ [0]
[]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9] / [0]
[]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9] / [0]
[1]
[2]
[3]
[]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9] / [0]
[]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9] / [0]
[1]
[]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9] / [0]
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[]
[9] / [0]
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[]
[7]
[8]
[9] / [0]
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[] / [0]
[1]
[2]
[]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
Verbal Test / Practice Test Section
P1 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / P3 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
P2 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / P4 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
1 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 14 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 27 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
2 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 15 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 28 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
3 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 16 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 29 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
4 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 17 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 30 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
5 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 18 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 31 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
6 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 19 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 32 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
7 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 20 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 33 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
8 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 21 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 34 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
9 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 22 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 35 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
10 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 23 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 36 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
11 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 24 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 37 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
12 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 25 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 38 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
13 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 26 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] / 39 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]

Information about Practice Questions

Practice questions for each of the tests are presented over the next few pages. These practice questions are similar in format to what you could expect to find in each of the tests. You should try the practice questions for each of these tests using the mini answer sections presented directly after the questions.

When you are finished, refer to the relevant page numbers indicated in the table on the next page to see how many you got right. If you had any difficulty and you want to see how you could improve your performance, then refer to the pages for suggested explanations to these practice questions. There is no mini-answer or suggested explanations sections for the Skills/Experiences Questionnaire as this paper is about your own personal experiences, interests and achievements.

Remember, these practice questions are only intended to help you familiarise yourself with the format of the test questions. Please do not be alarmed on the test day if you find that the questions are more difficult.

Paper 1 Skills/Experiences Questionnaire

This Questionnaire is about you and your experiences, interests and achievements. The purpose of collecting this information is to compare your preferences with characteristics that we have identified as being necessary for this profession, in a way that is fair and consistent with everyone.

This questionnaire will be scored the same way for all applicants. The scoring system is designed to avoid discriminating against groups within the applicant population e.g. males, females, people of different ages, etc.

Not all the questions score. There is no obvious way of determining which responses will attract the most points. The marks awarded are driven by preferences, with the least marks being awarded to the least preferred responses, and the most marks being awarded to the most preferred responses. Please be as honest as possible when answering the questions.

Instructions:

For many of the questions in the booklet, only one answer is required. Where the questions ask for one answer, please mark one box only on the answer sheet. For some questions you are allowed to mark more than one box. If so, this will be indicated in the answer booklet. Please make sure that you understand the instructions for each question before making any marks on the answer sheet.

At the test you will have 35 minutes to complete the 68 questions of the questionnaire.

The following is an example of the type of question you will find in the questionnaire.

Which one of the following do you enjoy the most?

1. AGoing to the cinema.
2. BListening to music.
3. CReading novels.
4. DSocialising with friends.
5. ENone of the above.

In this example, and for many of the questions in the questionnaire, only one answer is required.

Paper 2: Verbal Test:

This test is designed to measure the ability to understand relationships between pairs of words.

Instructions:

In this test you are presented with a pair of words. Your first task is to decide in what way thesetwo words are connected. You will be presented with an ‘incomplete’ pair of words,where the missing word is marked with a question mark (?). You are required to select a word, from the list provided,which completes this pairsimilar to the way in which the original pair of words were connected.

On the day of the test you will have 15 minutes to complete the 36 questions in this test.

See how many of the following 5 example questions you can answer in 2 minutes. Remember to work quickly as well as accurately. You should mark your answers on the mini answer section given at the bottom of page 9.

Ready to proceed: - take a look at the time and write it down here:
Good Luck ……. and begin NOW…. 

Q1

/ Keyboardcomputer
/ Drawer?
A officeD chair
B typistE desk
C softwareF handle

Q2

/ Bedpillow
/ Couch?
A legsD cover
B cushionE comfort
C quiltF armchair

Q3

/ Childadult
/ Seed?
A leavesD branch
B growthE planting
C plantF birth

Q4

/ Waterflow
/ Rain?
A floodD frozen
B streamE fall
C splashF hold

Q5

/ re-routedivert
/ pick-up?
A chooseD reject
B leaveE collect
C reduceF extend
Verbal Test Practice QuestionsMini Answer Section
Q1 / [ A ] / [ B ] / [ C ] / [ D ] / [ E ] / [ F]
Q2 / [ A ] / [ B ] / [ C ] / [ D ] / [ E ] / [ F]
Q3 / [ A ] / [ B ] / [ C ] / [ D ] / [ E ] / [ F]
Q4 / [ A ] / [ B ] / [ C ] / [ D ] / [ E ] / [ F]
Q5 / [ A ] / [ B ] / [ C ] / [ D ] / [ E ] / [ F]

Answers to practice questions for the Verbal Test:

Here are the answers to the practice questions for the Verbal Test. Check to see how many you got correct.

Q1 = E

Q2 = B

Q3 = C

Q4 = E

Q5 = E

Suggested Explanations for Paper 2 – Verbal Test Practice Questions:

These questions involve identifying relationships between pairs of words and deciding on what way two words of a completed word pair are connected.

Q1

/ Keyboardcomputer
/ Drawer?
A officeD chair
B typistE desk
C softwareF handle

The words keyboard and computer are connected to each other because a keyboard is part of a computer. Working with this relationship a drawer is part of a desk. The answer is therefore E.

Q2

/ Bedpillow
/ Couch?
A legsD cover
B cushionE comfort
C quiltF armchair

The words bed and pillow are connected to each other because a pillow can be found on a bed. Working with this relationship a cushion can be found on a couch. The answer is therefore B.

Q3

/ Childadult
/ Seed?
A leavesD branch
B growthE planting
C plantF birth

The words child and adult are connected to each other because a child grows into an adult. Working with this relationship a seed grows into a plant. The answer is therefore C.

Q4

/ Waterflow
/ Rain?
A floodD frozen
B streamE fall
C splashF hold

The words water and flow are connected to each other because the verb commonly associated with water is the verb flow. Working with this relationship the verb commonly associated with rain is fall. The answer is therefore E.

Q5

/ re-routedivert
/ pick-up?
A chooseD reject
B leaveE collect
C reduceF extend

The words re-route and divert are connected to each other because they both have the same meaning. Working with this relationship, the word ‘collect’ has the same meaning as ‘pick-up’. The answer is therefore E.

Paper 3: Numerical Test:

The Numerical Test measures the ability to work out the relationships between numbers.

Instructions:

In this test you are presented with incomplete sets of numbers. All the questions have an arrangement of numbers in a grid with one or two numbers missing. Your task is to select the correct missing number(s). The missing number(s) are indicated by question marks (?). Select your answer from the options given (A, B, C, D, or E). On the day of the test you will have 20 minutes to complete the 36 questions in this test.

Note: The use of a calculator for this test is NOT permitted.

Try the following example questions - you should allow yourself approximately 3 minutes to complete these questions. You should mark your answers on the mini answer section presented at the bottom of page 14.

If you are ready to proceed - take a look at the time and write it down here:
Good Luck ……. and begin NOW…. 

Test 3 Numerical Test
Mini Answer Section
Q1 / [A] / [B] / [C] / [D] / [E]
Q2 / [A] / [B] / [C] / [D] / [E]
Q3 / [A] / [B] / [C] / [D] / [E]
Q4 / [A] / [B] / [C] / [D] / [E]
Q5 / [A] / [B] / [C] / [D] / [E]

Answers to the practice questions for Paper 3 – Numerical Test:

Here are the answers to the practice questions for the Numerical Test. Check to see how many you got correct.

Q1 = B

Q2 = D

Q3 = A

Q4 = B

Q5 = C

Paper 4: Job Simulation Test:

The Job Simulation Exercise

In the Job Simulation Exercise you are presented with a range of questions related to a variety of work related scenarios, which attempt to identify what you would most likely do in a situation which you could face as a Student Nurse. These situations may involve taking responsibility, caring and helping others, communicating and dealing with others, teamwork, motivation to doing things well and your ability to make decisions.

This exercise does not attempt to measure your knowledge of hospitals or their procedures nor does it attempt to measure your knowledge of what a Student Nurse does. It attempts to identify what you would be most likely to do when presented with a scenario typical of what could occur in a work situation. The scenarios have been chosen to reflect the variety of work found in the different areas of nursing.

Instructions:

Your task is to choose a course of action you would most likely carry out, based on the information presented in each scenario.

Please read through the following two scenarios and then choose which one of the five possible actions you would be most likely to carry out based on the information presented in the scenario. You might want to do all five actions in some scenarios and in others you might not want to do any of the suggested actions. However, you are asked to choose one action only in each case. Each answer option presented is a realistic course of action. There are marks available for each answer option presented, with the marks varying in relation to the appropriateness of the action for each particular scenario.