"Online Selection Test - Awaiting Results - The initial high "Successful" and low "Unsuccessful" marks have now been set leaving an "amber band", so if you are still "Awaiting Results" after more than 24 hours, you may not receive your result until the final pass marks are set, which may be after the Scheme closing date. Message dated 18 October 2007".
VSW,
This was the message on the application homepage which I interpret as follows:
The application process opened on Sept 17th so, by this stage it had been open for a month and had probably taken thousands of applications. This enabled them to identify those who would definitely pass and those who would definitely fail (based on their online results) without the need to establish the actual pass mark. Consequently, on the 18th Oct some people (say top/bottom 20%) were informed they had passed/failed. As the deadline for applications approaches, they have a greater sample of the final population upon which to base the actual passmark and consequently, those remaining in the 'amber band' will progressively be informed of their progess. That said, the only two people I know who are through to the e-tray are yourself and Andy Mckenzie.
The problem I had last time at the FAC was not so much to do with the policy exercises etc per se rather that, in the interviews they were concerned that (straight out of uni) I had not had a great deal of "life experience". Of course, there will be those graduates who walk straight in to the Faststream, but I am aware of several people who have had to reapply before they eventually get through.
Whilst the stats show Oxbridge dominate the Faststream, this is more likely due to the fact that they are the most able candidates and secured a place at the more selective universities as opposed to there being some inherent bias towards to the colleges. Anyway, it does not matter who got in last year or which uni they went to, we are through to the next stage and as long as we meet the standard we will be headed to the FAC.
Ciao,
Charlie
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tempus fugit