Ngdp lga 2015/16

OP

Awesome cheers! That is a lot clearer now.

Reply 3

OP

Just wondered in employment history if anyone had a rough idea how much to write for the outline of duties and responsibilities. My thinking was that the assessment questions will be what they are really testing you on, so there probably isn't much need to write too much here? I've but about 70 words. Any ideas??

Reply 4

Hey, just wanted to say good luck folks. I am part of cohort 17 (started this year) and it's an excellent scheme.

At the application stage where you're putting in your job history etc, the first time that will crop up again (at least in my experience) will be at the council interview stage, which is quite a way down the road. Don't stress too much about it, be honest about your history, motivations and goals, and you'll be fine.

Reply 5

OP

Original post by Tlex

Hey, just wanted to say good luck folks. I am part of cohort 17 (started this year) and it's an excellent scheme.

At the application stage where you're putting in your job history etc, the first time that will crop up again (at least in my experience) will be at the council interview stage, which is quite a way down the road. Don't stress too much about it, be honest about your history, motivations and goals, and you'll be fine.

Cheers for the encouragement pal, which council are you working with?

Reply 6

One in the North West :smile:

, sorry I can't be more specific. If I was everyone here would be able to pull up some cringey graduate portfolios produced by my council, and trust me, they are not flattering!

Best of luck!

Reply 7

Hey guys,

I have applied too. Good luck to everyone! Was suprised that you get an immediate email about online tests - I had assumed they already sort people out based on the 250 words answers.

Reply 8

OP

Original post by Marwin123

Hey guys,I have applied too. Good luck to everyone! Was suprised that you get an immediate email about online tests - I had assumed they already sort people out based on the 250 words answers.

Hey, do you mean that you got an email with a link to the tests straight away??

I just got
"The next stage of the process is to take three online tests: one numerical, one verbal and one situational judgement questionnaire.Further information will be sent to you via email within the next 2 working days so please keep an eye out for this. If you do not receive an email please check your “junk” or “spam” folders before contacting us at the email address below."

I've not actually received any further information yet though.

Reply 9

No, no panic! I received exactly this. But I expected a waiting period and then either a pass or fail before there is any tests.

Reply 10

OP

Original post by Marwin123

No, no panic! I received exactly this. But I expected a waiting period and then either a pass or fail before there is any tests.

True, I guess they must look at the assessment questions at some point, but I don't know when.

Reply 11

Got closer information now - we got ages for the tests, nearly two months. Going to tackle that in the Christmas holidays when I have time to practice, there seems to be no advantage in finishing them earlier.

Reply 12

OP

I had a go at the practice one on the cut-e site, they were easily the hardest I've had a go at, there seemed to be barely any time to answer. Hopefully the real ones will be a bit different. I think I might try and get them done sooner rather that later, can put it out of my mind then.

Reply 13

Now that's discouraging haha. Maybe some of the people who applied last year can say anything about how the online tests were?

Reply 14

OP

I know right?!!! I'm sure I read on last years post that ten go teats were supposedly easier than the fast stream ones. Maybe the practice is therefore not representative, or maybe they'd changed the provided of their tests, if that is the case might be misleading to get hopes up based on last years people. Anyway finger crossed it'll be a walk in the park!!!!

Reply 15

Original post by Marwin123

Now that's discouraging haha. Maybe some of the people who applied last year can say anything about how the online tests were?

Hey. I'd personally say I found the NGDP tests easier than the Fast Stream ones, but more difficult than any of the practice tests commonly available online (at least that I could find). I would recommend that all candidates do plenty of timed practices though, because while the difficulty might not be exactly the same it is vital to get you attuned to the format of the questions, and used to doing online tests under pressure.

Ensure that you are doing these tests at least a week prior to the deadline (last thing you want is everyone slamming their servers on the last day and it resulting in technical difficulties) and ensure you have a stable internet connection and a distraction free environment.

Finally, don't get stuck on a question and miss out potentially easier ones because you've timed yourself out. Obviously, you've all done a lot of exams to graduate and it's a basic point, but I have no doubt it's a common mistake. You'll have time to prep before the timer starts, so ensure you have a clear idea of how much time you'll be spending on each question, and when you're over that time (say, 2 minutes) give a moment's thought to whether it is a valuable use of your time.

Reply 16

Thank you so much, Tlex. The Fast Stream tests were not as hard as I thought (but then I still have two "results awaiting" and only passed for Communications so far. I will take my time to practice when it gets quieter university-wise, and then hopefully do well :smile:

Reply 17

OP

Original post by Tlex

Hey. I'd personally say I found the NGDP tests easier than the Fast Stream ones, but more difficult than any of the practice tests commonly available online (at least that I could find). I would recommend that all candidates do plenty of timed practices though, because while the difficulty might not be exactly the same it is vital to get you attuned to the format of the questions, and used to doing online tests under pressure.

Ensure that you are doing these tests at least a week prior to the deadline (last thing you want is everyone slamming their servers on the last day and it resulting in technical difficulties) and ensure you have a stable internet connection and a distraction free environment.

Finally, don't get stuck on a question and miss out potentially easier ones because you've timed yourself out. Obviously, you've all done a lot of exams to graduate and it's a basic point, but I have no doubt it's a common mistake. You'll have time to prep before the timer starts, so ensure you have a clear idea of how much time you'll be spending on each question, and when you're over that time (say, 2 minutes) give a moment's thought to whether it is a valuable use of your time.

Awesome. Thanks.

Do you have any idea if the test provider is the same as last year? Test provider is now cut-e. It's just that on the practice the format was very different from other tests I have done, having to consult several "pages" of information to find the right bit to answer the question. You also had 3 minutes to answer 6 questions I think, so wouldn't be able to devote 2 mins to a question if the real test is the same.

No worries if you don't know. Cheers.

Reply 18

Original post by Nightwing_

Awesome. Thanks.

Do you have any idea if the test provider is the same as last year? Test provider is now cut-e. It's just that on the practice the format was very different from other tests I have done, having to consult several "pages" of information to find the right bit to answer the question. You also had 3 minutes to answer 6 questions I think, so wouldn't be able to devote 2 mins to a question if the real test is the same.

No worries if you don't know. Cheers.

Sounds like a different format I think.

Reply 19

OP