Civil service fast stream 2014/2015

Are you absolutely sure about that? I did the etray last year (and got through with a very high score) and I was under the impression it was a graded system. I've just had a quick search and I can't find any information readily available (I can't get the quote in your next post to work?)

Not necessarily doubting you, but can't find any information at the moment confirming either way!

It's purely my own clue. I could be wrong! But, I wrote what I felt. This is my first time to apply under Fast Stream Scheme.

Is this your second time? Do they give the written task, and if, how?

It's probably more useful to those reading the thread to present your impressions as that and the facts as facts.. Otherwise it becomes difficult to ascertain the reality amongst all these posts!

Does anyone know if we will be repeating the verbal reasoning/ numerical tests if invited to an assessment centre or is it all different tasks? Thanks!

I found this on the Fast Stream Facebook page, hope it helps!


Alice Hi Rachael, I have applied for HR Fast Stream too and also wondered if you have any advice for the e-tray exercise? Also, do you know if we will be required to repeat the verbal reasoning/ numerical tests if successful and put through to an assessment centre or is it different tests? Thank you

Civil Service Fast Stream (UK) Hi Alice,
Great to hear you are looking at the HR Fast Stream. For advice on the e-tray exercise, please see my answer to Amy.
The detailed information regarding the application process can be found on the gov.uk website. The assessment centre itself does not ask you to do the verbal and numerical tests again however, there is a written exercise, group exercise, interview and role play so it's still a busy day!

Wow, that is different from last year (perhaps it depends on the Streams?) I did FSAC and we had to do shortened versions of the tests there. I did my FSAC for EFS, s could be different for HR!

Final assessmentYour e-Tray test is assessed, and shortlisted candidates are invited to a 1-day assessment at the Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) in London. The event consists of a written exercise, leadership exercise, group exercise and interview.

(From the Fast Stream website)

This implies that there is no further tests, but I know that in previous years that there has been a brief re-test of the numerical and verbal tests, simply to ensure that your scores match up with your online results.

Can anyone clarify?

I'm a huge nerd but if I were to get to FSAC, it would help to calm me don if there was a maths test first as I like numbers

Are you absolutely sure about that? I did the etray last year (and got through with a very high score) and I was under the impression it was a graded system. I've just had a quick search and I can't find any information readily available (I can't get the quote in your next post to work?)

Not necessarily doubting you, but can't find any information at the moment confirming either way!

It's my understanding you sit the tests again to verify your scores. I.e. to ensure you sat them the first time and didn't get help from anyone else.

How long do they take to process results for the online tests?

I have to say a lot of these questions seem to be looking for detail that's not really important.

The best thing to do is practice, practice, practice and then finally carry out the exercise.

Don't try to fake out the psychometric tests, for all you know they may be comparing your FSAC performance against them.

Don't worry about resitting written and verbal tests (although I'd be surprised if they don't do this) because there's no extra preparation that requires. They'll most likely just be checking you didn't ace the first test and fail the second.

there's a whole range of people who get through with various levels of skill in verbal and numerical, and similarly people may bomb one section of FSAC but still get through because you have multiple chances to show competencies.

Try not to over think this stuff. All the information you need should be on the FS pages (I know the stuff from last year is still archived, I'm not sure what stuff is contained on this year's application page).

At the end of the day it's an assessment. It's not a certificate to be gained, but it's an assessment of how you would perform in the real situations that you would be put into.