Civil service fast stream 2014/2015

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Finally bit the self-assessed bullet and did pretty well. Amazed by the numerical result which felt like a car crash. Are the real ones much harder than that?

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 181

modzy78

Original post by LucyJane

This is for the analytical application form so not sure if its the same as the HR. For jobs you need: the employer name, address, dates employed, position held and responsibilities. Your salary is just needed for your current/ most recent job. It doesn't say how far back you have to go just says wants details of current/previous employment. For analytical stream you need one academic referee (two if you've done a masters).

That really helps. I think I have all that employment information. The academic referees will be a bit tricky if I need them. I got my undergraduate degree in 2000 and my masters in 2006. Knowing this does give me a bit of time to see if any of my former professors are still at the schools. But I am hoping the HR stream will not require that, or that I can substitute more recent work referees.

Reply 182

ManifoldManifest

Original post by TritonSails

Finally bit the self-assessed bullet and did pretty well. Amazed by the numerical result which felt like a car crash. Are the real ones much harder than that?

Nope, they're pretty much drawn from the same question bank, so the difficulty is pretty consistent across the self-assessed/practice/real tests.

Reply 183

Slowbro93

Original post by modzy78

This is my first time applying to the Fast Stream. I've completed the online assessments for the HR Fast Stream and am waiting for my results. I have a question about the application, for those of you that have completed it before (or are currently completing the application for the Analytical Scheme). What information do you need to give about previous jobs? And do you need to cover your entire employment history, or just the last so many years or jobs? If addresses and salary information are required, I'd really like to start gathering this before my results are ready. Also, how many references are required? I want to make sure I can complete everything in time if I make it to the next step.

I think its everything from the past 3 years

Reply 184

hm13

Hi all,

Just about to do the online selection tests and currently practising numerical like crazy.
(Really hoping this does not breach any rules - doesn't seem to be the case from what I've read on the FS website)
I just can't seem to work out how to get a solution to the following question. I have a fair idea of how to work out ratios - but the numbers involved are so large that they can't possibly expect you to sit there and work out all the common factors to boil the two down to a simple ratio. Most things I try and divide the numbers down to reduce them result in numbers with decimals, and not whole numbers. Maybe my whole approach to the question is wrong.

Here's a link to the screenshot. http://www.clipular.com/c/5462960931602432.png?k=3cwavE8eJBBg2jWUXx97z0W6M-A
FYI from my calculations I'm trying to reduce 1359:2162 (year 1 A-B difference: year 2 A-B difference) to a simpler ratio.

Apologies to those who are not expecting to be asked for maths lessons :albertein:

Use a calculator?

i have!

I've got the same issue with that question. Could be an error in the question, could be we're making the same error, could be they really want you to round the number off... . My suggestion would be don't get hung up on one question. It doesn't matter in the great scheme of the process.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 188

GManTheGMan

The approach I would take is to break down the Ratio to 1:X and then multiply it by 2,3,4,6,7 to see what gave the best answer.

Reply 189

hm13

Original post by GManTheGMan

The approach I would take is to break down the Ratio to 1:X and then multiply it by 2,3,4,6,7 to see what gave the best answer.

or could it be that we have to work out the percentage difference?
So for year two it's exactly 10%
and for year one it's (1359/22715*100=) 5.98, so virtually 6.

Reduce the 6:10 to 3:5, which is one of the answers..

Does it make mathematical sense to do this wit percentages?

(PS I would just move on and not focus on this one, but seeing as I'm not so brilliant at the other ones either I thought I'd practice getting every answer whilst I still can)

thanks guys!

Reply 190

Vrstar

Original post by hm13

i have!

Ah I see, I've just properly looked at the question and the way I'd suggest is to compare each of the ratios to the ratio you get, because it does say 'approximately'. So trying to divide it by whatever won't help.

Reply 191

GManTheGMan

If that's the answer they were going for, the question is not well worded.

Reply 192

Vrstar

Original post by hm13

although the the answer is correct you generally cannot do that with percentages, there is not a 10% difference between 5902.26 and 3740.26.

Reply 193

hm13

Original post by Vrstar

although the the answer is correct you generally cannot do that with percentages, there is not a 10% difference between 5902.26 and 3740.26.

Ah I see. This is what a non-numerate degree drives you to XD

Reply 194

Vrstar

Is there anyone here applying to the analytical stream? I've done the online tests and now filling in the application form.

Reply 195

godd

Original post by Vrstar

Is there anyone here applying to the analytical stream? I've done the online tests and now filling in the application form.

Wait, how are you filling in the application form?

I thought they took basic details, then you did the tests and now everyone is waiting till october for everyone else applying to apply.

Reply 196

Vrstar

Original post by godd

Wait, how are you filling in the application form?

I thought they took basic details, then you did the tests and now everyone is waiting till october for everyone else applying to apply.

Maybe it's different for each stream but I completed the verbal and numerical tests and I've now got to complete the application form by Friday.

Reply 197

modzy78

Original post by godd

Wait, how are you filling in the application form?

I thought they took basic details, then you did the tests and now everyone is waiting till october for everyone else applying to apply.

Registration for the analytical stream closes at the end of this month. So their tests are being scored now. I imagine some will have to wait a bit after the deadline to see if they've made it.

Those of us in other streams should start hearing from late September until sometime in November. I'd imagine those who've scored pretty high or pretty low will hear sooner. The rest of us will have to wait. Last year, my husband applied for 2 streams and took his online tests in mid October. He found out he passed one stream that day or the next. He had to wait until the final results were sent (November) to find out he hadn't passed the other. It's kind of frustrating.

Reply 198

LucyJane

Original post by Vrstar

Is there anyone here applying to the analytical stream? I've done the online tests and now filling in the application form.

Hi, Congratulations on passing the online tests! I've also applied for the analytical stream (Economist) which scheme(s) you applying for?

Reply 199

Vrstar

Original post by LucyJane

Hi, Congratulations on passing the online tests! I've also applied for the analytical stream (Economist) which scheme(s) you applying for?

Thanks, I've applied for the statistician and operational research schemes. I'm still 'awaiting results' for the statistician scheme though. I imagine I'll be waiting until October now though to find out if I've passed to the next stage for that one though.