Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2013 20:47:19 GMT -5
Just finished SJT and the essay portion without technical issues. I read the instructions for the experience assessment and I am going to do that portion at a later time. Sounded convoluted and I have until Friday midnight.
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Post by ncatty007 on May 5, 2013 20:53:04 GMT -5
If I'm fortunate to make it that far, I pray it isn't a blue book. One look at my handwriting and the reviewer will just throw my book in the trash. :-\ Nah... this is 2013. It's on a computer. "Section 1: WD - The purpose of the WD is to evaluate an applicant's ability to prepare a clear, concise, and well-reasoned legal decision of the type that one might be expected to write if employed as an ALJ. The WD is scheduled for 5 hours to allow time for instructions and other administrative processes, but actual testing time is 4 hours. The WD is conducted in a proctored environment using a laptop computer provided by OPM, and will be administered in one location in the Washington, DC area." I suppose I'm dating myself. Between the computer and dictaphone my penmanship isn't what it used to be.
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frev
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Post by frev on May 6, 2013 14:58:31 GMT -5
Someone please assuage my anxiety:
1) On the Essay, what happens when it times out? Because I thought I had a few minutes left, then it just took me to the "certify your answer" screen. No idea if it saved what I had. I finished it and was beginning my final proof read when it went to the next screen, and I could not get back to it to see what happened. I am assuming a time out.
2) On the experience assessment. I did a great job on the text box. So great, in fact, that I can't remember if I checked the damn button. Please tell me it will not let you complete this portion without checking at least one of the boxes for your degree of experience.
I guess none of this matters since what's done is done, but, you know how it goes. Blugh. At least it's over!
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johnx
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Post by johnx on May 6, 2013 16:36:05 GMT -5
Someone please assuage my anxiety: 1) On the Essay, what happens when it times out? Because I thought I had a few minutes left, then it just took me to the "certify your answer" screen. No idea if it saved what I had. I finished it and was beginning my final proof read when it went to the next screen, and I could not get back to it to see what happened. I am assuming a time out. 2) On the experience assessment. I did a great job on the text box. So great, in fact, that I can't remember if I checked the d**n button. Please tell me it will not let you complete this portion without checking at least one of the boxes for your degree of experience. I guess none of this matters since what's done is done, but, you know how it goes. Blugh. At least it's over!
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johnx
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Post by johnx on May 6, 2013 16:37:40 GMT -5
Check out the essay question i submitted. I think we're ok there.
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Post by formeraj on May 6, 2013 19:04:31 GMT -5
Just in from OPM help desk, hope this helps:
You are able to complete the three sections of the ALJ exam on different days, should you choose to do so. Please note the following for each assessment:
Situational Judgement Test: You may complete this assessment in multiple sittings, although it is recommended you do it in one. If you close the browser window or choose to exit the assessment before it is complete, you can re-enter via your assessment link from your invitation email. The assessment will pick up where you have left off. Please note there is a time limit to complete the assessment (detailed in the instructions for this assessment) and if you leave the assessment, the next time you re-enter, not only will you pick up on the question you left off, but the timer will pick up where it left off, as well. You may not go back and edit responses to questions you have already completed.
Writing Sample: You must respond to the writing assessment in one sitting. You have a time limit to complete this assessment (detailed in the instructions for this assessment). Once you begin the Writing Sample, the timer will begin counting down, just as it did for the Situational Judgment Test. Should you exit the assessment, the timer will stop where the session has ended, and will pick up again when you re-enter. Please note for the Writing Sample, the system will NOT save any response you have input into the text field when you exit the assessment. You must enter your response in one sitting and submit in order for your answer to record. However, should your allotted time to complete the Writing Sample expire (run out), the system will automatically store what you have entered to the point where time expired and bring you to the certification page where you will certify your answer and complete this portion of the exam. Time expiration is the ONLY instance where the system will automatically store any text you have entered for the Writing Sample. Should you choose to exit the assessment before time expiration, then the system will NOT store any text entered.
Experience Assessment: There is no time limit to complete this portion of the exam. You may enter text for the Experience Assessment and click the ‘Record Answer’ button. If you are not ready to submit your answer, do NOT certify and click the ‘Continue’ button on the certification page. Simply exit the assessment (close your browser) and you may re-enter via your original assessment link at a later time. Re-entering the assessment will bring you to the certification page, where there will be a drop-down giving you the option to select the question (there is only one in this section), click ‘Go’ and you will be brought to the page where you can edit your response. Once you certify and hit the ‘Continue’ button, your assessment will be submitted and complete and you will NOT be able to go in and edit your response. You are unable to ‘Record Answer’ and move forward to the certification page on the Experience Assessment without selecting a response to rate your experience level and entering text in the text box.
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Post by hal3000 on May 6, 2013 19:50:26 GMT -5
great-- maybe they will add these excellent instructions the next time they refresh the register.
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Post by retusafjudge on May 7, 2013 15:22:34 GMT -5
Patiently - I agree. I have a couple of "processing questions." Q1: Do you need to proceed through the three sections in one sitting, or can you exit(save)and return later? Q2: For the experience section, do you need to come prepared to enter very specific contact info of persons who can verify the information? You can do the three sections in one sitting or at your leisure. However, as the directions state, if you leave the SJT section, as it is timed, you start back with only the original time you had remaining. If you do exit, your answers, as written so far, are saved. However, if you leave the writing sample portion, all work is gone. You don't need contact info like phone numbers or addresses. Good luck!
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Post by retusafjudge on May 7, 2013 15:27:13 GMT -5
For those who have completed the SJT, Essay, and Experience Questionnaire, did you receive an email notification advising you of any status change with your application? I ask because I am one of the unlucky folks who used Application Manager to submit their application and now have no way of checking the status due to the termination of that site. Thanks.
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Post by retusafjudge on May 7, 2013 15:29:46 GMT -5
FINISHED the SJT, Writing Sample and Experience Assessment and wasn't even too painful. Took all afternoon but at least it's done! Now the waiting begins.......
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Post by zebra51 on May 7, 2013 15:34:34 GMT -5
I too used application manager only. Did not get an email of status change. But did get a confirmation email that all three sections were completed (and waiting started)within about 5 minutes of certifying the last section (EA).
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Post by hopefalj on May 7, 2013 15:43:21 GMT -5
I too used application manager only. Did not get an email of status change. But did get a confirmation email that all three sections were completed (and waiting started)within about 5 minutes of certifying the last section (EA). It sounds like App Manager vs USA Jobs isn't going to be critical to receiving notice for advancement to the next stage or receiving a NOR. Everything will be emailed to us. At least that's how I read it. Maybe not having access to a site to constantly check for application updates will decrease anxiety. We can dream, can't we?
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Post by roggenbier on May 7, 2013 18:26:31 GMT -5
Not all that bad. Finished writing sample. Didn't find situational judgment tough, might be tougher for those without courtroom experience. Probably you dont want to skimp on the assessment page, really repetitive of other parts of the exam.
Felt i did well, probably my compass is pointing south.
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Post by robespierre on May 8, 2013 13:24:38 GMT -5
Done, and received confirming e-mail. No tech problems.
I thought the SJT was very difficult. I knew which courses of action were right and wrong, but had a lot of trouble deciding which one was MOST right and MOST wrong.
The essay, I said what I had to say at the 30 minute mark, which gave me a couple of minutes to check it over, which was a good thing because I had made some silly typos. This part went well.
Not at all sure about the third part. To some extent it was repetitive of the initial application.
Feel I did well, but can't help feeling that others with more administrative experience probably did better than I on the SJT, and that those with a more self-promoting bent did better than I on part 3.
Not too optimistic, but we'll see ...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2013 13:55:21 GMT -5
Done, and received confirming e-mail. No tech problems. I thought the SJT was very difficult. I knew which courses of action were right and wrong, but had a lot of trouble deciding which one was MOST right and MOST wrong. The essay, I said what I had to say at the 30 minute mark, which gave me a couple of minutes to check it over, which was a good thing because I had made some silly typos. This part went well. Not at all sure about the third part. To some extent it was repetitive of the initial application. Feel I did well, but can't help feeling that others with more administrative experience probably did better than I on the SJT, and that those with a more self-promoting bent did better than I on part 3. Not too optimistic, but we'll see ... I just finished the last part too. Agree with you on the SJT but I think you will get partial credit for some of the responses--clearly they have a response that they will grant you the maximum amount of points or whatever system they are using to grade the test. I kept one eye on the clock, during the writing sample and with the adrenaline, anxiety and concentration all going on at the same time it is very easy to run out of time--if you scuba dive think of it as being your first dive, keep checking your gauges. I was modest on part III, I would not like to have to explain myself if called to task or be accussed of hyping myself up. It is what it is and I realize that the competition for this job is extremely tough. I am happy to say that I gave it my best shot and if I make it great. If I do not I will take another run at it next time and be better prepared to tackle the selection process.
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gman
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Post by gman on May 8, 2013 14:25:55 GMT -5
Done, and received confirming e-mail. No tech problems. I thought the SJT was very difficult. I knew which courses of action were right and wrong, but had a lot of trouble deciding which one was MOST right and MOST wrong. The essay, I said what I had to say at the 30 minute mark, which gave me a couple of minutes to check it over, which was a good thing because I had made some silly typos. This part went well. Not at all sure about the third part. To some extent it was repetitive of the initial application. Feel I did well, but can't help feeling that others with more administrative experience probably did better than I on the SJT, and that those with a more self-promoting bent did better than I on part 3. Not too optimistic, but we'll see ... I finished mine this morning. I had no problems whatsoever with the tech. Like you, I thought the SJT was the hardest part of the three sections. I'm sure I made the mistake of over thinking it. That said, I felt I did very well on the essay and the third part. Regardless, it's done. Good luck to you, and to everyone else!
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johnx
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Post by johnx on May 8, 2013 16:24:21 GMT -5
I was modest on part III, I would not like to have to explain myself if called to task or be accussed of hyping myself up. It is what it is and I realize that the competition for this job is extremely tough. I am happy to say that I gave it my best shot and if I make it great. If I do not I will take another run at it next time and be better prepared to tackle the selection process.[/quote]
that's how i felt. i can explain every answer by being modest. might not be able to if I was trying to upsell.
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Post by mamaru on May 8, 2013 17:31:00 GMT -5
I completed the essay with minutes to spare. Started to edit and was immediately timed out, even though the clock showed that I had several minutes left. Emailed the help desk and they turfted it to the OPM help desk. Anyone else had that experience? What result?
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green
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Post by green on May 8, 2013 18:52:49 GMT -5
Aljseeker, Patiently, et al- As I recall, the instructions tell you how many questions there are, and you can view that page without starting the 75 minute clock, so I don't think it would be an issue to reveal that number. However, I honestly forgot, so I can't be the one to help. I will reveal the deep dark secret that the first part of the exam was, in a word, absurd. Yes! Yes it was!
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1234
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Post by 1234 on May 8, 2013 19:02:30 GMT -5
mamaru - I had the same experience. Maybe it just routed us to the affirmation page with like 2 minutes remaining to affirm.
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