Civil service fast stream 2014/2015

To those who already had their EAC: was it more or less challenging than you had expected it to be? I am freaking out a bit as I know I won't be able to revise all of the micro and macro and 'best area' in time for my AC so can either focus on SAQs or the favorite bit of economics... Any advice would be hugely appreciated (even general remarks can calm me down ).

Hi PatristicFields

I did my etray yesterday and there was a chance to take a break between the three sections.

There was no countdown, so I don't think there's a limit on the breaks - I had time to pop to the loo and make a cup of tea and had no problems at all. You wouldn't want to break for too long though, because you'd forget everything you'd read! It's very like the practice - when you finish one section, you get a screen up telling you that the section is over and you have to press a start button before the next bit begins.

You get about 20 minutes to read the information, an hour on the email answering section and another hour for the written exercise - but they make all that very clear on the exercise instructions when you start and tell you how many e-mails there are to answer in total etc. The instructions are really good - and there's no time limit on them, so my advice is to take your time and read them carefully and make sure you fully understand how it works - save yourself any unnecessary stress!

Hope the etray goes okay for you. It was interesting - and actually weirdly enjoyable - but very hard and I have no idea how well I've done. I slightly messed up the timing on my multiple-choice section, but not too badly. Am now trying really hard not to second guess all my answers while I wait for the results!

All the best, Liz

Not yet. Did my e-tray yesterday for commercial and finance. Having not heard one business day after, I think I've survived the sudden chop!

To those who already had their EAC: was it more or less challenging than you had expected it to be? I am freaking out a bit as I know I won't be able to revise all of the micro and macro and 'best area' in time for my AC so can either focus on SAQs or the favorite bit of economics... Any advice would be hugely appreciated (even general remarks can calm me down ).

Hi there,

Apologies if this is a stupid question (I'm new to all this) but I was wondering if anyone knew if you needed to have any particular qualifications for the Digital and technology fast stream? I read about it on the Civil Service site and I'm thinking of applying for it but my BA and MA were both in History and I'm not sure if they are really looking for people with computing related degrees?

Again sorry if this sounds stupid but any help would really be appreciated

Many thanks

Generalist and D&T. I'm still at the 'awaiting results' stage for the selection tests on the Generalist scheme though (#middling), so I guess I could potentially be invited to an assessment centre for DAT before knowing if I've passed the first stage for the Generalist scheme.

Like I say though, none of us really know how well we did, or when we'll find out how well we did, so my recommendation is to try your hardest at each stage, and then sit back and relax while waiting (potentially for quite some time) before getting your results back. Once it's out of your hands there is literally no benefit from stressing over it.

Hi Lily, from my experience last year it was challenging in the sense that it was a pretty intense day but the exercises are straight forward enough and as long as you demonstrate you can apply economics and communicate it well you'll be fine! I was freaking out a lot before mine but managed to get through.

In terms of the best area to focus on, I guess it's the one you feel you need more work revising.

I did not revise micro/macro at all and did fine on the SAQs. I'm not sure if you know this already but the assessors in the interview bit have already marked your SAQ and will try and get you to give the right answer for any you've missed out/got wrong. So don't panic if they start trying to do this it doesn't mean anything they're just trying to get you extra marks. If you haven't already have a quick go at the practice SAQs which I think is on the GES website and that will at least give you some idea whether you need more practice.

I think as long as you know which area of Economics is your favourite and you can answer questions on this then you should also be fine with that! I had a bit of a struggle deciding which area to choose for mine but once I'd decided I just read through some lecture notes we'd done on the subject and that was enough preparation for me. You could maybe think of questions they might ask you on your chosen subject.

I think the area to focus on is the question they have given you to answer... make sure you practice typing this under a time constraint and don't use jargon for the one to non-specialists! And then if you have time just focus on the area you feel least prepared for.


Good luck!

I did mine last week and found out I passed yesterday. My advice would be to focus on specialist as the SAQs - although important - only require 40% to pass, whereas you'd look quite silly not revising a specialist area. If you can, cover the basics like elasticities, indifference curves, monetary vs fiscal, etc., but just the basics if you don't have time.

There is so much to cover that I was panicking about time too, but despite finding it really intense on the day, it was actually quite fun. The reports are okay, just remember to cover all your main points briefly before going into things in great detail. The SAQs were also okay, as anyone who has studied economics should be able to answer enough of the questions. The interview was the toughest part, as you're faced with two experts who really do know their stuff, but they are there to give you marks, so don't hesitate to ask for clarification.

Best of luck.

I was wondering if people would be willing to share what other grad schemes and such they are thinking of applying for? Would appreciate some food for thought re: what other positions seem appropriate to the kind of people interested in the civil service. Thanks!

Many thanks to both of you for your replies! One final question as I can't find the answer on the GES website or in the extra notes on EAC: when writing our policy report, do we also have access to the technical one we've just typed? Would make the process a bit quicker!

They've been getting through the applications quite quickly, some of us have already had our EAC (mine was last Wednesday and I know a few friends that had theirs during the start of the month).

I'd just keep checking your page daily, as as soon as you pass you'll be offered an EAC date.

Good luck!

Ahh thank you! Found out today that I didn't get through sadly

How did yours go? Good luck with it all!

Hi All!

Just wondering if anyone has heard back about GES applications? I've completed the online tests and application form but still awaiting results to see if I am invited to the EAC. From the previous posts I gather I've been amber-banded, I'm so anxious!

I can see you are an applicant under GES Fast Stream Scheme. Sorry to hear, you're unsuccessful. Wish you best of with your future endeavours.

Sincerely,
Shahbaz Ahmad!


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Hi Shahbaz,

Thank you, good luck with your applications; which stage are you at now?
I'll give it another go next time!

Just completed the e-tray - found it challenging not sure if I'll get through but definitely did not like that written exercise - went pretty awful anyone else find the topic's questions much tougher than previous years?