[GA001]

Hi,

Basically I've just done a numeracy practise test and I've scored 45%. This is awful and I know that I wont be able to pass the real FS test in September/October. This has made me really nervous. FS is so competitive, I just don't think I will be able to do the numeracy test. I think I can manage the E-Tray and verbal reasoning tests, but the numeracy exercise worries me greatly, which is stupid as a received a B at GCSE, but that was a good 4 years ago.

I'm just wondering what other routes are there to get into the Civil Service? I have a politics degree and joining the CS has always been a dream. Is there any way of getting into the CS without going through FS? I really want to be a CS, working in Whitehall in the corridors of power, but I just know that there is no way that I can pass that numeracy test. I hate failing, so the thought of that scares me greatly.

Eek any help about FS, advice or alternative ways of getting in will be helpful.

Thanks

[Johnny Luk]

There are not many routes due to the recruitment freeze beyond the Civil Service:

But do not panic yet!!!
You can still do it with practise! Just lots and lots and lots of practise.
Check out:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/tests/mathstest.htm
http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/aptit...numerical.htm/


if you need more practise buy the package for the latter link too. I sucked at it before, but with practise you learn to see what information you need to absorb and that saves time.
Also try rounding some of the figures and make a educated guess if you begin to run out of time.

Learn the following: additions, averages, divisions, multiplications, percentages, ratios and subtraction. You can also go to WHSmith and buy a book to practise. Incidently I am writing a ebook on getting job interviews, so ill keep you updated when it is complete =)

good luck and stay confident. I know it seems intimidating but you can do it! Its worth doing as most grad schemes have this too!

Regards,

Johnny

[GA001]

Thank you! I'm just really nervous as I have no idea what these tests will be like. FS don't even provide a sample paper just to see if its worth applying.

[lovers in japan]

(Original post by GA001)
Thank you! I'm just really nervous as I have no idea what these tests will be like. FS don't even provide a sample paper just to see if its worth applying.

Honestly, just keep practising: I did GCSE Maths, got an A and nothing since then, ie 2006, practised a lot and made it through! You can do it

[GA001]

(Original post by lovers in japan)
Honestly, just keep practising: I did GCSE Maths, got an A and nothing since then, ie 2006, practised a lot and made it through! You can do it

Hi thank you for your advice. I think I'm just nervous because this test seems really 'alien', I wish they had a practise test or something. I was reading the FS 'Online Test Advice' information and they quoted this website to practise for the numerical reasoning test http://practicetests.cubiks.com/default.htm - I answered all the questions correctly, which is good, but they seemed quite easy. I was wondering will the real test be something similar to this? Also how many questions do we have to answer and how much time do we get?

Thank you for your help