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Post by 71stretch on Sept 30, 2013 21:35:56 GMT -5
Well, as some people (or maybe most) use the word "study" for a test, reading up on what OPM sent certainly makes very good sense, but whether it's study may just be a semantic issue. Hope we all do well, no matter what we do or don't do to prepare.
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Post by mcb on Oct 1, 2013 0:08:49 GMT -5
The whole time I was taking the test I kept thinking to myself how thankful I was to have prepared the way I did. I agree though, that because I did not know what the tests would be like, I did not study as much as I could have and should have. Had I spent more time doing what I did for preparation, I probably would have done even better. But I didn't because I didn't want to waste too much time studying for a test that most people on this board coming out of it had said you can't study for. Plus you were probably still mulling over the conundrum about leaving the $350K job, becoming a $12K per day mediator, or just moving over to the federal or state bench. So you had a lot to think about. In spite of the distractions, sounds like you crushed it. You carck [sic] me up, DD!
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Post by hopefalj on Oct 1, 2013 6:36:10 GMT -5
so, I am at my hotel in DC, trying to figure out if a test I apparently can't study for will or won't take place at 0800 tomorrow morning...I can't say I am overly stressed about it, I think in part because landing an ALJ offer seems like such a longshot to begin with. But this certainly adds an unwelcome level of uncertainty. I am a little perplexed why OPM can't send out an email telling those still waiting to take the test whether or not they will administer the tests this week in the event of a government shutdown. I mean, they must know, right? Thinking much the same. I just hope they let me in the door tomorrow. I'm anxious (for you and others this week) to see if OPM's doors are open today.
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Post by 71stretch on Oct 1, 2013 6:43:35 GMT -5
Thinking much the same. I just hope they let me in the door tomorrow. I'm anxious (for you and others this week) to see if OPM's doors are open today. Highlander (and minny) should be at OPM about now. The real question, to me, is their SI tomorrow. I think that is more in jeopardy.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Oct 1, 2013 7:04:44 GMT -5
I'm anxious (for you and others this week) to see if OPM's doors are open today. Highlander (and minny) should be at OPM about now. The real question, to me, is their SI tomorrow. I think that is more in jeopardy. Just got the official furlough notice paperwork at work. It just got very real.
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Post by moopigsdad on Oct 1, 2013 7:45:01 GMT -5
Highlander (and minny) should be at OPM about now. The real question, to me, is their SI tomorrow. I think that is more in jeopardy. Just got the official furlough notice paperwork at work. It just got very real. My sympathies go out to all those federal employees stuck as pawns in this process, as well as to those still in the middle of the testing process at OPM. There is no excuse for this to happen. My thoughts are with you and my hopes that this will get solved sooner rather than later. Sorry srarry about the furlough notice you received today.
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Post by lurker/dibs on Oct 1, 2013 7:57:00 GMT -5
Maybe those testing today will be told something at the end of the day regarding tomorrow's SI. I sure hope OPM doesn't tell them during lunch that SIs won't go tomorrow. That would distract them for the afternoon. Good luck all!
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Post by 71stretch on Oct 1, 2013 8:32:43 GMT -5
Highlander (and minny) should be at OPM about now. The real question, to me, is their SI tomorrow. I think that is more in jeopardy. Just got the official furlough notice paperwork at work. It just got very real. That is, indeed, the most real part of all this. Sorry, sratty, hope it all ends soon.
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Post by chinook on Oct 1, 2013 10:48:05 GMT -5
I think those scheduled for testing this week should take it as a good sign that it is almost noon and nobody has posted they showed up at OPM or the SI and were turned away. I wish everybody luck as I am about to leave after my 4 hours of shutdown time today.
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 1, 2013 13:31:07 GMT -5
Well, as some people (or maybe most) use the word "study" for a test, reading up on what OPM sent certainly makes very good sense, but whether it's study may just be a semantic issue. Hope we all do well, no matter what we do or don't do to prepare. Sorry, I was trying to vague so as not to wake the sleeping dragons on this board that start blowing fire every time someone shares something they wish they had known before the test. Examining the text of the OPM announcement and emails led me to search for specific preparation materials that I found that turned out to be very helpful but very time-consuming to go through. All public. I am not referring to the materials previously mentioned on this board. Since I can't talk about the test content or process, I can't really explain why they were so helpful. I felt the same way as you aljfaq about the materials I had.
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Post by epic0ego on Oct 1, 2013 14:27:53 GMT -5
I was wrong, and alas, the shutdown has occurred. I still think, however, that there will be hell to pay come next year's election. 'Nuff said about politics and I will also steer away from commenting on the tests/SI except to say that I have to give OPM credit. I think everything was handled well considering the advent of the suicide bombers who mascaraded for legislators over the past days and months. Are the ODAR ALJs able to work as effectively without staff support? I wonder. Some ALJs are considered "essential," while others are considered "non-essential." The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, EPA, and other agencies have their ALJs and AJs deemed "non-essential," while other agencies have their judges designated as "essential." I don't think a uniform "public safety," or "public interest" test is being applied in defining the term "essential." Rather, it appears to be left to individual agencies to make the determination. Agency operations are being compromised, the lives of millions of innocent families are being disrupted, businesses, the economy will soon begin to feel the impact . . . what a mess! The 1995 - 1996 shutdown lasted 28 days. Surely, as a country we learned from that fiasco.
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Post by epic0ego on Oct 1, 2013 15:30:55 GMT -5
the "why be an ALJ" thread has a good discussion on "essential" designation that I only just now read. the word is "arbitrary."
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Post by minny on Oct 1, 2013 16:39:00 GMT -5
Maybe those testing today will be told something at the end of the day regarding tomorrow's SI. I sure hope OPM doesn't tell them during lunch that SIs won't go tomorrow. That would distract them for the afternoon. Good luck all! They did indeed tell us that the SIs will go forward tomorrow. That was a relief although I think most of us were operating on the assumption that the interviews would be held. Glad today's testing is behind me. Wishing the lurker and all others good luck tomorrow.
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Post by trekker on Oct 1, 2013 16:56:27 GMT -5
We reps have been told that if there are computer glitches, etc that there will be no tech support. Considering that pro se claimants are rarely computer literate, this may end up a mess. During the 95-96 shutdown we had paper files. Yes they were cumbersome but at least a pro se claimant who could read had some chance. I really do feel badly for the ODAR ALJ's and skeleton staff. If this lasts for more than a few days .... I would count on no more hearings. IMHO.
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Post by Highlander on Oct 1, 2013 17:22:46 GMT -5
Yep test went as scheduled today...and SI is on track for tomorrow.
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Post by lurker/dibs on Oct 1, 2013 18:08:45 GMT -5
Congrats highlander! I'm glad things went smoothly for you today! Here's hoping they continue on the same track until the end of this process.......
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Post by eyre44 on Oct 1, 2013 18:36:01 GMT -5
We reps have been told that if there are computer glitches, etc that there will be no tech support. Considering that pro se claimants are rarely computer literate, this may end up a mess. During the 95-96 shutdown we had paper files. Yes they were cumbersome but at least a pro se claimant who could read had some chance. I really do feel badly for the ODAR ALJ's and skeleton staff. If this lasts for more than a few days .... I would count on no more hearings. IMHO. One of the three non ALJ staff members deemed excepted is the HOSA, who is the tech support for the office. However, that person is going to be spread thin also. Most judges are prepared for hearings coming up in the next few weeks, but as the work piles up with no staff to add evidence, write decisions, and mail out cases, it will eventually impact hearings and when the claimant's get their decisions.
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Post by lurker/dibs on Oct 1, 2013 19:25:24 GMT -5
We reps have been told that if there are computer glitches, etc that there will be no tech support. Considering that pro se claimants are rarely computer literate, this may end up a mess. During the 95-96 shutdown we had paper files. Yes they were cumbersome but at least a pro se claimant who could read had some chance. I really do feel badly for the ODAR ALJ's and skeleton staff. If this lasts for more than a few days .... I would count on no more hearings. IMHO. One of the three non ALJ staff members deemed excepted is the HOSA, who is the tech support for the office. However, that person is going to be spread thin also. Most judges are prepared for hearings coming up in the next few weeks, but as the work piles up with no staff to add evidence, write decisions, and mail out cases, it will eventually impact hearings and when the claimant's get their decisions. Which then effects when we, as reps, get paid. It trickles down to us all. But hurts the claimants ultimately.
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Post by 71stretch on Oct 1, 2013 19:27:20 GMT -5
Off to the WD tomorrow. Hoping the SIs stay on track as well.
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Post by privateatty on Oct 1, 2013 19:48:24 GMT -5
Off to the WD tomorrow. Hoping the SIs stay on track as well. May the Force be with you!
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