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Post by elmerfuddgantry on Sept 4, 2013 21:29:05 GMT -5
Updating this thread from 2008, what accoutrements (if any) are allowed at the WD? For example, do they still provide pens, pencils, and scratch paper? If not, will OPM allow you to bring your own? How about a small (say 3"x3") analog clock to keep track of the time? Perhaps a Power Bar or other snack to munch on while testing? Are you physically searched upon entering the exam room? I test on 9/17 and, thinking back on the bar exam, LSAT, and other Big Tests, recall that the examiners could be quite picky about what was allowed into the testing room. I'd like to be comfortable and have all the tools I like to use, but don't want to show up with any contraband. OPM has (thus far) provided no guidance whatever concerning this topic. Also, I recall reading an old thread like this one that said you are not allowed to write or mark on the examination materials themselves. Does that prohibition still hold true? Finally, I heard a horror story from a prior exam about having to save your work to a floppy disk and then stand in line to print the file on a separate computer after completing the test. Is the computer equipment still that crude? I have no problem typing or working with computers, but I gather the software they provide is similar to Wordpad or Notepad without spell check or formatting capabilities. Unless otherwise directed, I plan to bring a polar fleece jacket, 10 sheets or so of blank scratch paper, several different colored pens and a highlighter, a small clock, and a couple of Power Bars. Any of that stuff verboten? |
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Post by papresqr on Sept 4, 2013 21:59:32 GMT -5
No scratch paper, but you are allowed to write in the exam booklets. They provide you with pencils, but I don't know offhand if there would be a problem with pens or highlighters. No, they don't search you. I guess you can bring in whatever you like, but they do tell you to move everything off the desk, so I don't think clocks are permitted. There is a big wall clock at the front of the room and they write the end time of the exam just under it. Somebody mentioned on here that there was a person who ate candy throughout the exam, so I would guess power bars or other snacks are fine. I know drinks were okay. Maybe somebody else can answer definitively about the pens or clock.
Absolutely bring warm clothing. The temperature seems to be variable from reports, but it was cold the morning I was there and frigid in the afternoon.
Finally, yes, your WD product does have to be copied onto a CD and given to the proctor when finished. They will give you a printout to review and initial each page. The software used is Word, but no spell check.
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Post by elmerfuddgantry on Sept 5, 2013 12:21:25 GMT -5
If I can see the official clock, I'm good. I will bring some ear plugs in case I wind up sitting next to someone who makes obnoxious noises, e.g., popping gum. I'll also bring colored pens and highlighter. If they won't let me use them, so be it. The only real problem I see is lack of scratch paper. While you can take notes on a computer, it is so much easier to jot notes on paper before starting to type. I gather that examinees are placed in walled-off spaces along tables?
Wonder why the spell checker is turned off? Iz speling an emportunt skil for ALJs?
If they use Word, which version is installed? 2003, 2007, or 2010? I'm familiar with all three but have used 2010 exclusively for the past several years and would prefer that version. It was a sad day when we converted from Wordperfect to Word, but that's another topic entirely ...
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Post by 71stretch on Sept 5, 2013 14:04:30 GMT -5
Based on my experience from three years ago, you wouldn't have time to be shuffling pages of scratch paper and messing with highlighters, etc. You will need almost all the time to just write.
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Post by elmerfuddgantry on Sept 5, 2013 19:20:44 GMT -5
>> You will need almost all the time to just write. << As we all do, I have a fair amount of experience with essay exams. I may feel differently after the WD, but my past experiences tell me that the absolute worst thing to do is start writing (or typing) "from the hip." Thought and organization go a long way towards minimizing actual writing time. >> I think the program is actually WordPad << Wordpad is very manageable. I suspect the reason they use it is because it comes free with every copy of Windows. I'll bet they don't want to pay licensing fees for Word on computers used only for testing. The spell checker is missing only because Wordpad does not have one; I doubt there is any test-related reason. Burning the final draft to a CD-ROM may present some challenges -- I use aftermarket software for that purpose ( InfraRecorder) and have never used the built-in disk burning tools in Windows. May have to bone up on that. |
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Post by BagLady on Sept 6, 2013 11:54:16 GMT -5
Superbonbon is right. They provide step-by-step instructions, as well as people who will answer any technical questions you may have (or deal with any technical difficulties that arise). You are going to be fine. You will see what they give you, and you will proceed with your approach accordingly. Next thing you know, four hours of your life has passed. The procedures are streamlined and efficient, and the people are friendly. Don't sweat the small stuff!  |
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Post by arkstfan on Sept 6, 2013 12:50:53 GMT -5
FWIW. I wrote an outline in Word Pad and then just built my answer around it without using much for notes other than circling some stuff in the exam book and jotting a couple thoughts in the margins.
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Post by zepplin on Sept 6, 2013 16:10:57 GMT -5
Alright. I'm going to ask again that test taking advice not be dispursed. Not fair to early testers.
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Post by elmerfuddgantry on Sept 6, 2013 17:30:46 GMT -5
@ zepplin :
>> Alright. I'm going to ask again that test taking advice not be dispursed. Not fair to early testers. <<
Where do you think this thread stepped over the line?
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Post by zepplin on Sept 6, 2013 20:33:27 GMT -5
Fudd:
I think it crosses the line when people are told what tools are and are not available to them. I think it crosses the line when people speak to the substantive matter of whether there is time to make an outline, what program is used, and the test taking methods they found most effective. Ideally, everyone should be on a level playing field. And this goes both ways. Too many individual tips could impede a late test taker's innate ability.
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Post by lildavey on Sept 6, 2013 20:52:15 GMT -5
Having just taken it, I have to say there is very little anyone could do or say to give anyone else an advantage, short of providing the booklet to you and they are confiscated and strictly counted before anyone leaves the room.
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Post by zepplin on Sept 6, 2013 21:03:20 GMT -5
Having just taken it, I have to say there is very little anyone could do or say to give anyone else an advantage, short of providing the booklet to you and they are confiscated and strictly counted before anyone leaves the room. I dunno--- the guy in front of me was pretty mad that he couldn't use his multiple highlighters. These details all provide an advantage. Next guy will be ready. Shrug. Good luck all. |
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Post by lildavey on Sept 6, 2013 21:11:22 GMT -5
Having just taken it, I have to say there is very little anyone could do or say to give anyone else an advantage, short of providing the booklet to you and they are confiscated and strictly counted before anyone leaves the room. I dunno--- the guy in front of me was pretty mad that he couldn't use his multiple highlighters. These details all provide an advantage. Next guy will be ready. Shrug. Good luck all. I'm sure his highlighters of many colors made him feel better, like a security blanket, but, IMHO, it comes down to one thing: either you can write or you can't. It's just that simple. |
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 7, 2013 7:56:22 GMT -5
Having just taken it, I have to say there is very little anyone could do or say to give anyone else an advantage, short of providing the booklet to you and they are confiscated and strictly counted before anyone leaves the room. I dunno--- the guy in front of me was pretty mad that he couldn't use his multiple highlighters. These details all provide an advantage. Next guy will be ready. Shrug. Good luck all. I haven't taken the exam yet (this upcoming week), but I would say nothing stated anywhere in this thread is helpful or useful other than "either you can write or you can't". Everyone has the same fears and apprehension going in to Phase 3. It will be good just to be done with it. |
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Post by crab on Sept 7, 2013 10:43:39 GMT -5
I am confident that much of what has been disclosed here - even the basic of the basics- is information that OPM would not dislcose to candidates in advance if they had asked because they want a level playing field for the testing procedure. Whether any of this crosses the line into breech of the confidentiality agreement is a different issue (I assume mgmt would have shut this thread down already if it was but who knows). It's lovely that folks are supportive of each other and want to help but it's a very fine line to walk. Just MHO. Good luck to everyone!
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Post by lildavey on Sept 7, 2013 20:43:49 GMT -5
I am confident that much of what has been disclosed here - even the basic of the basics- is information that OPM would not dislcose to candidates in advance if they had asked because they want a level playing field for the testing procedure. Whether any of this crosses the line into breech of the confidentiality agreement is a different issue (I assume mgmt would have shut this thread down already if it was but who knows). It's lovely that folks are supportive of each other and want to help but it's a very fine line to walk. Just MHO. Good luck to everyone! Are you saying I am out of line? If so, please give me the courtesy of knowing where and when and how I have been. |
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Post by crab on Sept 7, 2013 21:57:26 GMT -5
I don't see that you have posted anything about the testing lildavey so nothing was directed toward you. In fact, I wasn't speaking to anyone in particular, just giving my humble opinion about what OPM would, or rather would not, tell an individual who asked in advance about what seem to test-takers to be minor, non-substantive matters related to the testing logistics. I come in peace and fraternity.  |
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Post by elmerfuddgantry on Sept 7, 2013 22:33:06 GMT -5
>> These details all provide an advantage. Next guy will be ready. <<
Baloney. Nothing in this entire thread gives anyone "unfair advantage." It consists entirely of information that could (and should) have been disclosed by OPM in a testing FAQ (if they had given any thought to the matter). Remember the detailed information packets distributed by ETS prior to the LSAT, or by the bar examiners prior to the bar exam? Same stuff. OPM just never got around to writing anything down about their procedures. This information consists entirely of mechanics and has nothing whatever to do with the substantive content of the exam. I'm puzzled by OPM's apparent antipathy towards non-government-issued writing implements, but then this whole process is bizarre. Maybe they're afraid someone might conceal a secret decoder ring in his or her highlighter. There is nothing in this thread capable of raising anyone's score by a single point.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Sept 8, 2013 8:53:38 GMT -5
>> These details all provide an advantage. Next guy will be ready. << Baloney. Nothing in this entire thread gives anyone "unfair advantage." It consists entirely of information that could (and should) have been disclosed by OPM in a testing FAQ (if they had given any thought to the matter). Remember the detailed information packets distributed by ETS prior to the LSAT, or by the bar examiners prior to the bar exam? Same stuff. OPM just never got around to writing anything down about their procedures. This information consists entirely of mechanics and has nothing whatever to do with the substantive content of the exam. I'm puzzled by OPM's apparent antipathy towards non-government-issued writing implements, but then this whole process is bizarre. Maybe they're afraid someone might conceal a secret decoder ring in his or her highlighter. There is nothing in this thread capable of raising anyone's score by a single point. Actually, in my group someone asked about using their own writing instruments and the proctor said that there was an incident when someone had a thumb drive in the top of their pen. So I don't think they are out of line asking everyone to have exactly the same thing with nothing from the outside. They are just trying to make everything identical in circumstance. No doubt the minute someone gets to do something another person does not, that would be the basis for an appeal for someone. They are not out to get you--they are simply making it all equal, comfortable or not. OPM has never revealed all of the details about the mechanics of the testing as people are discussing here. Again, why would they? To make everything exactly the same for each and every person, they are doing the same way they have done it for years and years, with the exception of technology changes and new equipment through the years. After all, the process has apparently worked before--people do survive this process and do become ALJs as a result. I think that the reality of this whole process is that by the time the last person tests, he/she WILL have more information to feel a bit more relaxed about the whole thing. Is that an unfair advantage? I don't know. To me, ALL of this is just basic test taking information that anyone would (or should) know about taking any exam. They don't throw you to the wolves--they give instructions and they are nice people. But when we get into the specific details here...are we crossing the line? I don't know that either. Nothing substantive has been discussed but the confidentiality agreement covered the entire process, not just what was on the exams or the questions on the interview--it covered it all. Just sayin....(this is not directed at anyone in particular, just a general observation) nothing wrong with a little more caution about what we discuss rather than taking the chance of walking the thin line. Good luck to all who have tested and have yet to test! It will all be behind us soon! |
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Post by sealaw90 on Sept 9, 2013 8:14:43 GMT -5
>> These details all provide an advantage. Next guy will be ready. << Baloney. Nothing in this entire thread gives anyone "unfair advantage." It consists entirely of information that could (and should) have been disclosed by OPM in a testing FAQ (if they had given any thought to the matter). Remember the detailed information packets distributed by ETS prior to the LSAT, or by the bar examiners prior to the bar exam? Same stuff. OPM just never got around to writing anything down about their procedures. This information consists entirely of mechanics and has nothing whatever to do with the substantive content of the exam. I'm puzzled by OPM's apparent antipathy towards non-government-issued writing implements, but then this whole process is bizarre. Maybe they're afraid someone might conceal a secret decoder ring in his or her highlighter. There is nothing in this thread capable of raising anyone's score by a single point. Actually, in my group someone asked about using their own writing instruments and the proctor said that there was an incident when someone had a thumb drive in the top of their pen. So I don't think they are out of line asking everyone to have exactly the same thing with nothing from the outside. They are just trying to make everything identical in circumstance. No doubt the minute someone gets to do something another person does not, that would be the basis for an appeal for someone. They are not out to get you--they are simply making it all equal, comfortable or not. OPM has never revealed all of the details about the mechanics of the testing as people are discussing here. Again, why would they? To make everything exactly the same for each and every person, they are doing the same way they have done it for years and years, with the exception of technology changes and new equipment through the years. After all, the process has apparently worked before--people do survive this process and do become ALJs as a result. I think that the reality of this whole process is that by the time the last person tests, he/she WILL have more information to feel a bit more relaxed about the whole thing. Is that an unfair advantage? I don't know. To me, ALL of this is just basic test taking information that anyone would (or should) know about taking any exam. They don't throw you to the wolves--they give instructions and they are nice people. But when we get into the specific details here...are we crossing the line? I don't know that either. Nothing substantive has been discussed but the confidentiality agreement covered the entire process, not just what was on the exams or the questions on the interview--it covered it all. Just sayin....(this is not directed at anyone in particular, just a general observation) nothing wrong with a little more caution about what we discuss rather than taking the chance of walking the thin line. Good luck to all who have tested and have yet to test! It will all be behind us soon! sratty, I heard the about the same/similar incident when I took the test. I thought it was a camera of some sort, which I thought was bizarre, so the thumb drive makes more sense. Either way, the first thought I had was "How is that suppossed to help you in the exam?" Then I figured the person was not helping themselves, but helping someone else who was testing later on. THEN I figured it was one of those resume/headhunter types who wanted to charge folks a crapload of money and 'guarantee' great ALJ test results. In all, I was glad they caught the culprit. Lildavey is right - it all comes down to whether you can or cannot write. Not sure what the logic test is all about though.... |
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