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Civil service fast stream 2014/2015

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Reply 640
Original post by Slowbro93
Thursday next week, sorry mate :console:


Oh right, stats is next Friday in London so it would be a bit of a rush if someone had them both... Good luck anyway :smile:
Original post by zoe_v112
I'm applying for the Generalist Fast Stream and I'm part way through my online selection tests, but have just realised that the 'competency questionnaire' is actually a marked test! (I got it confused with the situation judgement test which isn't marked).

I haven't prepared for this, and have to take it tomorrow.

Does anyone have any advice of where to find the key competencies for the graduate entry job level? Any advice would be really useful!



Here's the competency framework, very long but very useful:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/307630/Civil-Service-Competency-Framework-Jan2013.pdf

Don't be modest on the questionnaire! That was where I went wrong last year. Good luck :smile:
I just completed the verbal reasoning practice test and failed to complete every question within set time limit how quick do you have to be lol?
Reply 643
If you got onto the Generalist stream, would you be able to switch at a later date to the EFS internally?
Original post by Black Cat
I just completed the verbal reasoning practice test and failed to complete every question within set time limit how quick do you have to be lol?


That's not a dealbreaker--I and others didn't finish one or the other in the real thing and still got through that stage.
Original post by TritonSails
That's not a dealbreaker--I and others didn't finish one or the other in the real thing and still got through that stage.


Thanks, this somewhat reassured me
Original post by Gales
If you got onto the Generalist stream, would you be able to switch at a later date to the EFS internally?


The short answer is no, you can't. If you successfully applied for one scheme, you can't later switch to another scheme internally. If you want to join another scheme, then, you will need to apply externally and go through the entire recruitment process for that scheme!

Outside the Fast Stream, you could apply for any Civil Service position, but it's usually harder for generalist to successfully apply for specialist roles outside their profession. For instance, it's easier for a HR Fast Streamer to secure a generalist/policy Grade 7 role as a Private Secretary than it is for a Generalist Fast Streamer to secure a Grade 7 role as a HR Business Partner or as an Economic Adviser.
Reply 647
Original post by dj_macky
The short answer is no, you can't. If you successfully applied for one scheme, you can't later switch to another scheme internally. If you want to join another scheme, then, you will need to apply externally and go through the entire recruitment process for that scheme!

Outside the Fast Stream, you could apply for any Civil Service position, but it's usually harder for generalist to successfully apply for specialist roles outside their profession. For instance, it's easier for a HR Fast Streamer to secure a generalist/policy Grade 7 role as a Private Secretary than it is for a Generalist Fast Streamer to secure a Grade 7 role as a HR Business Partner or as an Economic Adviser.


Okay - thank you!

For example, if you got on the generalist scheme and you applied for the EFS the following year externally, could you leave the Generalist scheme and join the EFS as a "fresher"? Or are you stuck with a contract for a certain number of time?
Original post by Gales
Okay - thank you!

For example, if you got on the generalist scheme and you applied for the EFS the following year externally, could you leave the Generalist scheme and join the EFS as a "fresher"? Or are you stuck with a contract for a certain number of time?


Contractually, Fast Streamers and most Civil Servants below Grade 7 only need to give 4 weeks/one month notice to leave their employment. So, yes, you could join the generalist scheme one year, and then compete for another scheme the following year.

If you're successful, all you need to do is give them at least one month's notice, and as long as there's no break in your Civil Service employment, from a HR perspective, you could transfer to your new Fast Stream scheme in the same way as any existing Civil Servant moving to another government department, retaining your existing benefits, e.g, annual leave entitlement.

In my case, I left the mainstream Civil Service in one Department to join the Fast Stream in another Department. I retained all existing benefits and terms & conditions - pension scheme, leave entitlement, working hours, exemption from the new modernised terms and conditions, etc.
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 649
Just did the etray tonight for NI as I had a few free hours.

I applied last year and failed on the etray, not sure by how much.

Emails were interesting, however written exercise I found tough. Fingers crosses
Reply 650
I read somewhere that if you are succesfull after the eac or sac, that you go on to the fsac regardless of how well you do in the etray, and that the economist/statistician schemes only use the etray so that they have a written exercise for the fsac. Can anybody verify this?
Original post by savdahn
I read somewhere that if you are succesfull after the eac or sac, that you go on to the fsac regardless of how well you do in the etray, and that the economist/statistician schemes only use the etray so that they have a written exercise for the fsac. Can anybody verify this?



Hi,

I can't say I've read that anywhere, can you remember where you saw it? I'm applying for the Economist stream and I completed the e-tray towards the end of September, I would've thought if it was the case that you progressed to FSAC regardless of the e-tray result I would have been informed I'd made it to the next stage but I have still not heard anything. Last year, they did the written exercise at the EAC and we did not have to do the e-tray so if they are going to use the e-tray results then it will make it more difficult than last year to get to FSAC which is a bit unfair.
Reply 652
Hello :smile:

I have just passed the online selection tests and was wondering if anyone could clarify what happens next?
I am aware we have to select options (though I have applied for European and Generalist - do i have to choose within the latter too?) And then there is the application form. Am i right in thinking this is made up of competency questions based on our experience which will then be used to determine whether you sit the etray exercise or not?

I would be grateful for any advice at this stage!

:smile:
Reply 653
Original post by LucyJane
Hi,

I can't say I've read that anywhere, can you remember where you saw it? I'm applying for the Economist stream and I completed the e-tray towards the end of September, I would've thought if it was the case that you progressed to FSAC regardless of the e-tray result I would have been informed I'd made it to the next stage but I have still not heard anything. Last year, they did the written exercise at the EAC and we did not have to do the e-tray so if they are going to use the e-tray results then it will make it more difficult than last year to get to FSAC which is a bit unfair.

I couldn't find it again after I passed sac so that's why I tried asking on here. It could possibly be that they only want the written part then but we do the etray at home due to the time constraints at the assessment centres. I don't think they will worry about getting back to you just yet due to the fsac not being till December. In the mean time I might trawl through my history to see who wrote that and ask them.
Reply 654
Original post by E.Marie
Hello :smile:

I have just passed the online selection tests and was wondering if anyone could clarify what happens next?
I am aware we have to select options (though I have applied for European and Generalist - do i have to choose within the latter too?) And then there is the application form. Am i right in thinking this is made up of competency questions based on our experience which will then be used to determine whether you sit the etray exercise or not?

I would be grateful for any advice at this stage!

:smile:


Hi :smile:

You'll find out whether or not you have passed the tests within the next month or so, I believe the final pass mark will be set at the end of November once everyone on your schemes will have completed their tests.

Once you find out you're successful, you'll have a week for the form. I'm on the same two streams, but there are only questions about jobs, education, references, etc, and one small mini-essay about your choice to choose EFS. As I know, this form is only for HR purposes and will also be used in the final EFS paper sift after Assessment Centre.

From there you'll have two weeks to complete the e-tray.

As for options, I suppose you have already selected whether you wish to apply for the DS section of EFS at the initial stage as I did..?

For GFS, yes, the form is the place where you'll choose which options you would like to pursue. They are HoP, DS, Science and Engineering and CD. Which were you planning to apply for?

I'm also applying for EFS and GFS (DS for both) and awaiting e-tray results. Even though I know they haven't even set the initial pass/fail marks, I can't hep but feel rejected already, haha!
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 655
Original post by kat.lev
Hi :smile:

You'll find out whether or not you have passed the tests within the next month or so, I believe the final pass mark will be set at the end of November once everyone on your schemes will have completed their tests.

Once you find out you're successful, you'll have a week for the form. I'm on the same two streams, but there are only questions about jobs, education, references, etc, and one small mini-essay about your choice to choose EFS. As I know, this form is only for HR purposes and will also be used in the final EFS paper sift after Assessment Centre.

From there you'll have two weeks to complete the e-tray.

As for options, I suppose you have already selected whether you wish to apply for the DS section of EFS at the initial stage as I did..?

For GFS, yes, the form is the place where you'll choose which options you would like to pursue. They are HoP, DS, Science and Engineering and CD. Which were you planning to apply for?

I'm also applying for EFS and GFS (DS for both) and awaiting e-tray results. Even though I know they haven't even set the initial pass/fail marks, I can't hep but feel rejected already, haha!


Thanks for your reply. I passed the tests, so now have the form - i thought they would ask more than that. Does everyone get through to the etray exercise then? I didn't select DS section of the EFS, as i was slightly confused and thought this was separate - now i am worried i should have done. What is the difference between the DS route and normal EFS? For the GFS I am going to select central departments i think. Good luck with the etray results, I hope I get to that stage!
Reply 656
Original post by E.Marie
Thanks for your reply. I passed the tests, so now have the form - i thought they would ask more than that. Does everyone get through to the etray exercise then? I didn't select DS section of the EFS, as i was slightly confused and thought this was separate - now i am worried i should have done. What is the difference between the DS route and normal EFS? For the GFS I am going to select central departments i think. Good luck with the etray results, I hope I get to that stage!


No worries :smile:

As far as we know here, no-one gets knocked out by the form, it's just for HR purposes. The only way I can see that you wouldn't get through is if you failed on eligibility criteria or just didn't bother to submit it!

So e-tray will be next for you!

As for EFS DS, there is really nothing that gives much info on it.. So I feel like I'm a bit in the dark! But GFS DS is my first choice so I assumed it would be similar and I'm hoping someone will clear it up at some point!

Good luck with form and the e-tray!
Reply 657
Original post by kat.lev
No worries :smile:

As far as we know here, no-one gets knocked out by the form, it's just for HR purposes. The only way I can see that you wouldn't get through is if you failed on eligibility criteria or just didn't bother to submit it!

So e-tray will be next for you!

As for EFS DS, there is really nothing that gives much info on it.. So I feel like I'm a bit in the dark! But GFS DS is my first choice so I assumed it would be similar and I'm hoping someone will clear it up at some point!

Good luck with form and the e-tray!


So it turns out I have passed the online tests for the GFS, but am still awaiting results for EFS... Am i meant to fill in the form for GFS and then do another one if i meet the standard on the tests for EFS? Sorry for all these questions - i'm a little confused about the process now. I thought the tests/form/etray were the same for each stream so i don't know whether i should wait until i know if i have got through to the next stage for EFS too?
Reply 658
Original post by E.Marie
So it turns out I have passed the online tests for the GFS, but am still awaiting results for EFS... Am i meant to fill in the form for GFS and then do another one if i meet the standard on the tests for EFS? Sorry for all these questions - i'm a little confused about the process now. I thought the tests/form/etray were the same for each stream so i don't know whether i should wait until i know if i have got through to the next stage for EFS too?


On your applications page, it will give you the deadline! So fill in everything that it gives you..

If/when you get through to EFS, it will have logged your form and it will only present you with the extra questions for EFS.

Same for e-tray! Once you do the test, you won't have to do it again for EFS, your score will have been logged.

Although the streams use the same tests, each has different pass marks. So it seems EFS ask for strong numerical and verbal skills, whereas GFS looks more for a good score on the competency side! It's complicated..!
Original post by Vrstar
Is there no-one here that has been invited to a statistics assessment centre?

I've been invited (mine is on Tuesday) and there has been at least one other person who has posted that they have also been invited to Tuesday's SRAC. I'm currently trying to prepare and am searching for strong examples where social research has had a positive/negative impact as well as trying to freshen up my knowledge from my degree that I finished 4 years ago!

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