Civil service fast stream 2014/2015

This is so important. I almost missed out on a job last year despite a very high FSAC score, so if you really want to work in Europe this must be your first choice!

It is worth noting as well that the European stream has its own Diplomatic option.

Hi everyone,
the civil service website seems to have changed in the space of like a week and so I can't find all the information I originally saw can someone please clarify which one out of Generalist and European has to be put first if you want to be considered for it?

Thanks for this advice, for us language types the decision between Generalist and a tiny shot at DS and EFS seems almost impossible! I didn't apply last year as I'm still a student but I followed the thread and I remember you Happy to hear that you only *almost* missed out!

I'm applying for GCS, just waiting for feedback on the online tests - a surprisingly long time actually, guess not many have applied for this scheme

Good luck How did you find the tests in general? Have you applied before?

Surprisingly I haven't applied before, though I considered it a couple of years ago. The numerical tests are significantly easier than the verbal tests - which are often contradictory, 'x may mean y' is True in one question, but 'x may mean y' is False in another. The competency based questions were almost entirely 4s, it wasn't a good way of doing it in my opinion - they should have ranked from 1 to 4 really.

I will be doing my tests for this stream on saturday! Dragged my practise and real tests out to basically the full two weeks so I could get some trial ones done. I find that verbal are like that whoever you take them for, some it' just a 50/50 guess.

Oh that's great to hear, let me know how you get on.

Unfortunately (maybe?) I didn't drag the practice out so hopefully it will be fine. Have you done the 'official' practice tests? Where did they place you?

I only dragged them because this year is the first time i've ever had to do these tests so I was starting from having never see one before. In the official practise I was placed at the very bottom for literacy and then the middle for math. I would have passed the math but not literacy according to them. However, I did them in a cafe because I didn't have wifi at home and ran out of time, so hoping for great improvements when I take the real things haha.

Did another lot today for another program and passed so there's hope! Where did you place?

Middle 35% for verbal (whatever that means, I think it's a pass though), and top 35% for math. They're so wide though I could essentially be anywhere.

I'm guessing there are three ranges, lower 30, middle 35, and top 35?

Economists - I've just found out I've passed the application form stage, no email just logged into the fast stream site and had a new message. So might be worth a check if you haven't heard already!

Ohh lucky you! Been waiting since last week, still nothing... A bit worried about my chances now. When is your EAC?

Is there anywhere you can practice the type of tests before you apply? Or in general how are people preparing?

I'm going to start the practice test (not the self-assessed) ones tomorrow, just wondering, do they give out your average at the end for that one as well?

You can try the companies websites that run these types of online tests so try Cubiks (which provides the fast stream one) and SHL. There's also a practice one here: https://www.gov.uk/civil-service-fast-stream-how-to-apply under "open access tests".