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HMRC Tax Specialist Programme (TSP) 2019

It's almost that time of year again, folks. I thought I'd get the ball rolling ahead of time. We know that the TSP will be opening again in mid-October so let's get a little discussion going in the lead up.

What do people expect to change? What do people expect to be the same? And lastly, will we all conquer the Judgement Test that took so many of us out last year?

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Reply 1

Bang.on

It opens the 3rd of october i think

Reply 2

Plydva

Original post by Bang.on

It opens the 3rd of october i think

Wow. So early? Where'd you hear that? I'm itching to get started so I hope so.

Reply 3

jay191

I just want to be offered an HO role. Don't really care about getting onto the actual TSP tbh.

Reply 4

Plydva

Original post by jay191

I just want to be offered an HO role. Don't really care about getting onto the actual TSP tbh.

I'm the same, but I'd happily take an EO role too.

Reply 5

SBTheMak

From someone who started on the programme in September I can say that the application process is pretty tough and it would be doubtful you would get offered an EO unless you got to the assessment centre

Reply 6

rebecca_:)

Original post by jay191

I just want to be offered an HO role. Don't really care about getting onto the actual TSP tbh.

I’m fairly sure they don’t give out HO roles any more to unsuccessful candidates, it’s just band O roles.

Reply 7

Plydva

Original post by rebecca_:)

I’m fairly sure they don’t give out HO roles any more to unsuccessful candidates, it’s just band O roles.

They gave out a few last year, but far less than previous years. With the mass recruitment HMRC are doing right now it could possibly make a comeback, but I wouldn't pin my hopes on it.

Reply 8

jay191

Original post by rebecca_:)

I’m fairly sure they don’t give out HO roles any more to unsuccessful candidates, it’s just band O roles.

Original post by Plydva

They gave out a few last year, but far less than previous years. With the mass recruitment HMRC are doing right now it could possibly make a comeback, but I wouldn't pin my hopes on it.

Really? I didn't know that. Oh that's unfortunate. But I guess that's to be expected some what with the separate recruitment campaigns for Os and HOs compliance caseworkers in recent years.

Reply 9

Charlie237

I got through to assessment for TSP18 but failed at that stage and they only offered band O roles this year to unsuccessful applicants that went to assessment which I declined as I'm already a HO. HMRC seem to be looking at capacity at present with some offices closing prior to moves to Regional Centres the redeployment pool is getting larger so simply hoping you might get offered a role if not accepted onto TSP might not happen the same as other campaigns.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 10

Plydva

Any time I'm getting impatient for a launch date I need to remember the wait times between stages. Puts things nicely in perspective, lol.

Reply 11

Charlie237

It's a long process and patience is needed between all stages as it's about 6 months in total. I was gutted to be told I hadn't got through as it had filled my head for so long!

Reply 12

Plydva

Original post by Charlie237

It's a long process and patience is needed between all stages as it's about 6 months in total. I was gutted to be told I hadn't got through as it had filled my head for so long!

I was the same last year. I was hoping to scrape by in the Judgement Test, but I ended up being 3% below the final pass mark of 65%. I've done a fair few of the Judgement tests at EO level (with one or two HO level) over the course of the past year so hopefully I can answer better this year.

Reply 13

CivilServant2018

Original post by Plydva

I was the same as you, I think I scored around 61% which was disappointing. My SJT results have been incredibly hit and miss - i'm talking between 9% and 85% - madness.

I've received a provisional offer for a role in UK Border Force recently however as a current EO in HMRC, this would take preference if i was successful.

Reply 14

zoedmc

This will be my second time applying made it to AC and have since started an O band role from it

Good luck to all applying 🍀

Reply 15

JohnPOR

I'll be applying again.

Made it to the AC and have bagged an O Band role from it (waiting for start date, still). I'm still worried bout the SJT and personality tests though. There desn't appear to be any consistency with them, based on the oes I've taken for variou roles.

Good luck to all

Reply 16

keeleyvic

Hey, I came into HMRC off the back of TSP a couple of years ago as an O band but I’m currently on a TP for HO. The situational judgement test seems to be the bane of most applications, however I have found i tend to score higher if I have the competency framework in front of me too. Considering the correct answers will be based on the framework, it makes sense. I know a lot of application processes within the civil service are changing but unfortunately I think the SJT is here to stay! Good luck

Reply 17

adil142

Hi all, I am new to this forum. I have applied for TSP couple of years ago and scored low on Situational Judgement Test. I am planning to apply again this year, any suggestions how to prepare? Any practice tests available online that can help me improve my score ?

Reply 18

bcglasgow

Original post by adil142

Best thing I can advise is to have the competency framework in front of you as you do it.

For each question, you should be able to tell what competency you are being marked on. You only have 4 to choose from!

Then by reading that competency, and comparing it to the answers, you should be able to work out what answer is most effective, counter productive etc.

Last SJT I did was for an EO role, and I scored 99% Remember to look at the HEO/SEO level for the TSP although there’s might still be clues to the correct answers in the EO framework.

Reply 19

adil142

Original post by bcglasgow

Thank you very much for advice, will certainly be looking at competencies carefully this time around. 99% is indeed great, did you get accepted at the program?