1234
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Posts: 41
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Post by 1234 on May 20, 2013 20:22:37 GMT -5
For anyone who has taken the WD before, I am assuming the test question and materials provided are all on the computer, you are not given them on paper - correct? Also, you are expected to type your answers into the computer at that same terminal where the question and reference materials are provided to you, right? Is cut and paste enabled?
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Post by 71stretch on May 20, 2013 21:25:07 GMT -5
As I recall, the question is on a piece of paper. There are no "reference materials". It's like a bar exam question, except using a computer instead of blue books. I don't remember if you can cut and paste within the document as you edit what you wrote. I remember not having a lot of time left to do that if I wanted to.
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Post by moopigsdad on May 21, 2013 8:02:47 GMT -5
As I recall, the question is on a piece of paper. There are no "reference materials". It's like a bar exam question, except using a computer instead of blue books. I don't remember if you can cut and paste within the document as you edit what you wrote. I remember not having a lot of time left to do that if I wanted to. Was your question based on admiinistrative law or was it based on any possible area of substantive law (i.e. wills, trusts and estates or criminal law)? I am curious as to what to be ready for in anticipation of the WD should I get lucky enough to have the opportunity to take it. |
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Post by hopefalj on May 21, 2013 9:04:52 GMT -5
As I recall, the question is on a piece of paper. There are no "reference materials". It's like a bar exam question, except using a computer instead of blue books. I don't remember if you can cut and paste within the document as you edit what you wrote. I remember not having a lot of time left to do that if I wanted to. Was your question bbased on admiinistrative law or was it based on any possible area of substantive law (i.e. wills, trusts and estates or criminal law)? I am curious as to what to be ready for in anticipation of the WD should I get lucky enough to have the opportunity to take it. From what I've heard (and observer or anyone else can correct me), it's a lot like the MPT on the bar exam. You can find samples online, but the facts and law to be analyzed will be provided in the question. |
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Post by moopigsdad on May 21, 2013 9:24:05 GMT -5
I appreciate the information hopefalj as I didn't remember reading anything on it earlier.  |
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Post by philliesfan on May 21, 2013 9:46:03 GMT -5
Having done the WD three times, I can say that in the past, you did not have to know any substantive area of law, per se. You were given a fact situation and a body of law and regulations that apply to those facts, none of which may be actual law. You were then asked to be the ALJ hearing the case and draft a decision, applying that law to the facts. My recommendation is that you read Administrative Law in a Nutshell (I did it in one day) so that you can use the appropriate buzz words in your draft.
Unless it has changed, I did the draft the last time on a laptop provided by OPM in a word processing program that was not Word or Word Perfect and did not have spell check. We were given four hours to complete the WD the last time, if I remember correctly. The two other times that I did the WD, I wrote with pen and ink in a blue book, just like law school, but I think we had five hours to complete it. In fact, we broke for lunch.
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Post by 71stretch on May 21, 2013 9:51:23 GMT -5
I would expect the laptop method again this time. For those who hate laptop keyboards, in 2010 they had regular keyboards attached. Other than perhaps the buzzword issue, and perhaps finding and reading administrative decisions from several agencies to get a feel for the structure and some of the buzzwords too, there's no real way to prepare for this.
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Post by cafeta on May 21, 2013 15:08:56 GMT -5
I would expect the laptop method again this time. For those who hate laptop keyboards, in 2010 they had regular keyboards attached. Other than perhaps the buzzword issue, and perhaps finding and reading administrative decisions from several agencies to get a feel for the structure and some of the buzzwords too, there's no real way to prepare for this. Excellent news as I am greatly impeded by the laptop keyboard; I definitely need an attach board! |
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1234
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Posts: 41
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Post by 1234 on May 21, 2013 16:27:21 GMT -5
Was just curious if you got the question on paper because I thought it would be hard to flip between the question and writing your answer on the same computer screen. (Thanks Observer!)
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Post by philliesfan on May 21, 2013 17:41:34 GMT -5
We got the question, etc. on paper.
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1234
Full Member
Posts: 41
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Post by 1234 on May 21, 2013 17:45:56 GMT -5
Thanks Philliesfan
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Post by 71stretch on May 21, 2013 22:14:59 GMT -5
I would expect the laptop method again this time. For those who hate laptop keyboards, in 2010 they had regular keyboards attached. Other than perhaps the buzzword issue, and perhaps finding and reading administrative decisions from several agencies to get a feel for the structure and some of the buzzwords too, there's no real way to prepare for this. Excellent news as I am greatly impeded by the laptop keyboard; I definitely need an attach board! I had exactly the same concern, and didn't know about this board the day I did the WD. There was an audible sigh of relief when I walked in the room and saw the keyboards. |
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Post by mcb on May 31, 2013 22:50:34 GMT -5
Just remember, the rules of evidence may not apply for some administrative agencies, but do for others. As others have noted, the WD is like a bar exam essay.
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