|
Post by sealaw90 on Apr 8, 2014 10:36:25 GMT -5
Alex's dad - did you mean 31 MARCH?
|
|
|
Post by plj2006 on Apr 8, 2014 13:08:50 GMT -5
I reapplied by March 31 and have heard nothing yet. So we wait...
|
|
|
Post by Alexandersdad on Apr 9, 2014 14:31:30 GMT -5
I meant to say 31 March. Late night foible.
|
|
|
Post by Alexandersdad on May 2, 2014 10:51:03 GMT -5
Just checking in to see if any 10 point re submitters that applied before 31 Mar have received any retest notice from OPM. Only 2 months left for this quarter. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by 71stretch on May 2, 2014 11:38:20 GMT -5
I'll bet they have been pretty busy with initial processing of the appeals and then with the certs. I'd expect something pretty soon now, though.
|
|
|
Post by ragnarov on May 2, 2014 12:40:09 GMT -5
I agree it is fair to add points. It's the re-taking without time limit that seems to weigh too heavily. My spouse will never be the same. I respect him and all other veterans. And I thank them. IMHO, I think the law was written to allow 10 pointers to apply at anytime and just was not written with any limits to it. I'm a 10 pointer and wished I had known about the law 5 years ago, but didn't until last March when this process opened. It's fair enough, it's not as if there are dozens of 10 pointers paying thousands of dollars to fly up to D.C. every 6 months to increase their score, to me, it basically gives a 10 pointer a mulligan and all of them have earned it to include your husband. I really believe it's used by a very small number of folks each year and it is there for those that have served their country. It also allows vets who were deployed or on orders during an open period (or otherwise unavailable due to military commitments) the opportunity to take the test.
|
|
|
Post by steelrain on May 5, 2014 11:17:30 GMT -5
So here is my issue: I am an outsider that stumbled upon the ALJ USA Jobs posting last year. While I understood that a wide open GAL obviously increased your odds at landing a position; I did not understand the transfer process, popular cities and "feeder city" system (for example places like Toledo are cities where folks go to get a position and look to transfer to a more desirable location ASAP). One of the four cities on my GAL could be considered as "desirable", but the other three are just average locations and one is even down right dangerous to walk in at night. But apparently they are all in a desirable Region. Using the disabilityjudges.com website and the recent redacted transfer list I was able to confirm that the cities in my small GAL have been filled by transfers from places like Toledo and Paducah. In fact, I have been able to trace transfers from Toledo to "scary city in my GAL" then to the more desirable cities in my GAL. There have been outliers in the past, but the last two years have been through this feeder system. And yes I have spent WAY too much time analyzing this So the last year plus has brought changes to my life and I am able and willing to accept a larger GAL, but with the plan of transferring back to my Region within 1-2 years. I have a very high score, but with my limited GAL I am on the sidelines watching. As a 10 point veteran I have the option of retesting, I have been seriously considering reapplying just so I can expand my GAL. I am not excited about going through the entire process again and spending the money to go to DC , but it might be my only chance for the next Cert. Am I crazy even considering this?
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on May 5, 2014 11:43:58 GMT -5
There is no telling which cities will be on the next cert. It could be one of your four cities. However, your odds increase if you re-test and increase your GAL. Remember your new testing could land you with a lower score but wider GAL or a higher score with a wider GAL, nobody knows for sure (or in the unlikeliest of situations even a failing score and then you would be off the register all together). So, be careful what you do. I say think it through and do a pro vs. con worksheet for yourself and then decide. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by Ace Midnight on May 5, 2014 11:47:24 GMT -5
Am I crazy even considering this? Perhaps - perhaps not. The question will hinge on how limited your limited GAL ultimately is - the next cert will almost certainly look vastly different - I expect more Region 4 and fewer Region 5 (but who knows?). If you only have have cities that rarely make any cert, you might want to restart the process with a broader GAL - however, if there is a good chance you will make a few cities next year - I might ride it out. It's not crazy, for example, if your GAL is Hawaii, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers. Not crazy at all.
|
|
|
Post by sealaw90 on May 5, 2014 12:32:39 GMT -5
So here is my issue: I am an outsider that stumbled upon the ALJ USA Jobs posting last year. While I understood that a wide open GAL obviously increased your odds at landing a position; I did not understand the transfer process, popular cities and "feeder city" system (for example places like Toledo are cities where folks go to get a position and look to transfer to a more desirable location ASAP). One of the four cities on my GAL could be considered as "desirable", but the other three are just average locations and one is even down right dangerous to walk in at night. But apparently they are all in a desirable Region. Using the disabilityjudges.com website and the recent redacted transfer list I was able to confirm that the cities in my small GAL have been filled by transfers from places like Toledo and Paducah. In fact, I have been able to trace transfers from Toledo to "scary city in my GAL" then to the more desirable cities in my GAL. There have been outliers in the past, but the last two years have been through this feeder system. And yes I have spent WAY too much time analyzing this So the last year plus has brought changes to my life and I am able and willing to accept a larger GAL, but with the plan of transferring back to my Region within 1-2 years. I have a very high score, but with my limited GAL I am on the sidelines watching. As a 10 point veteran I have the option of retesting, I have been seriously considering reapplying just so I can expand my GAL. I am not excited about going through the entire process again and spending the money to go to DC , but it might be my only chance for the next Cert. Am I crazy even considering this? No! You have not spent too much time analyzing this. If that was true then I would be considered crazy too! If I could trade my 5 points for a 10 point status, plus knowing how the transfer 'system' seems to work as you described (I've got my own crazy 'flow chart' of transfers in those 'feeder cities' for where I'd like to end up too) I would SERIOUSLY think about expending the time, effort, and money to sit for the test this year and expand my GAL and perhaps get a better score to boot. If you don't mind, let us know what you decide, or feel free to keep the conversation going. We'll support you either way
|
|
|
Post by steelrain on May 5, 2014 12:47:09 GMT -5
I am definitely concerned about capturing lightening in the bottle twice.
If I do request to retest does anyone know when my name gets removed from the Registry? Is it when I submit the new application package or is it when I receive my new score?
|
|
|
Post by sealaw90 on May 5, 2014 13:08:49 GMT -5
It says in the application package, which I do not have handy right now - perhaps someone has it and can add to this? I did not find anything in the appeal or reopen thread, but there is a small discussion in one of the threads about this very issue. I think the minute your application (email request with supporting documents) is accepted, they swipe you off the current register and you begin anew. Since it is already May, are you prepared to sit through the entire process NLT 30 June? If not, you could wait until July 1 to submit your request to retest, knowing it has to be done between then and September 30 - this gives you a real shot to prep yourself in the areas you feel you were weak in.
|
|
|
Post by papresqr on May 5, 2014 13:36:25 GMT -5
I'd make that June 30, since they have until the end of the following quarter (I believe...without actually looking it up) to complete testing. If that's correct, then applying by June 30 would require completing testing by September 30, versus applying July 1 and completing by December 31st. If you complete by September 30, then you'll be in line for the 2015 cert, no matter when it comes. The only concern would be getting a lower score, but unless you had an exceptionally great 2 days when you tested before, I don't imagine it would be significantly lower. Almost certainly not enough to cancel out the benefit of increasing your GAL. But only you can know that for sure.
|
|
|
Post by steelrain on May 5, 2014 13:51:16 GMT -5
Thank you Seelaw and Papresqr for the great information.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2014 15:25:23 GMT -5
I am definitely concerned about capturing lightening in the bottle twice. If I do request to retest does anyone know when my name gets removed from the Registry? Is it when I submit the new application package or is it when I receive my new score? Here's what the 2013 job announcement stated: (talking about 10 pointers reapplying) "You have this right even if you have received a final numerical rating and your name has been placed on the register. You will, be bound by the result of retaking the examination. In other words, once you start retaking the examination, in order to recieve a new final NOR and remain on the register, you must successfully complete all components of the examination." Sounds like if you retake it, you could blow something and then be removed from the register, if failing a part is what happens in the retest. Good luck whichever way you go!
|
|
|
Post by steelrain on May 5, 2014 16:58:35 GMT -5
Thank you for pointing that out Tigerlaw. I reread that section of the announcement and I think it is pretty clear that if I submit a request to retake the exam then I will be removed from the current Register immediately.
So the risk factors are (1) a Cert comes out before my new NOR is issued and one of limited cities are on it, (2) I fail to make the minimum score on one of the sub-parts the second time around and do not get a NOR or (3) I get a drastically lower score.
However, if my review/analysis is correct these factors are meaningless since I will just sit on this Register until it expires anyway.
|
|
|
Post by gary on May 5, 2014 17:03:38 GMT -5
Thank you for pointing that out Tigerlaw. I reread that section of the announcement and I think it is pretty clear that if I submit a request to retake the exam then I will be removed from the current Register immediately. So the risk factors are (1) a Cert comes out before my new NOR is issued and one of limited cities are on it, (2) I fail to make the minimum score on one of the sub-parts the second time around and do not get a NOR or (3) I get a drastically lower score. However, if my review/analysis is correct these factors are meaningless since I will just sit on this Register until it expires anyway. There could be a refresh which apparently would permit those already on the register to expand their GALs without going through the rest of the process. If that were to happen it might be a few years down the road, and there are no guarantees they will ever refresh the register.
|
|
|
Post by funkyodar on May 5, 2014 17:18:30 GMT -5
SR,
Think about this, this cert had to go down to 73.41 to find just 168 folks with the 44 cities where the hiring will occur. 73.41 is very close to the peak of the bell curve in our scoring poll. Thus, this new register apparently has so many more people with relatively narrow gals than register past, that they had to essentially take the whole top half of the register for 168 folks.
Some of those that missed this cert may make the second when different cities are listed. Some from this cert that aren't hired will be on the second. But I bet they have to dip pretty far down into the lower scores to fill cert 2 Next fiscal.
If that's the case, we may see a refresh where you could expand your gal earlier than expected. Hell, due to obviously a large number of registerees having narrow gals, we may even see opm do like they did in 2013 and allow a one time gal expansion. Both of those are possible and wouldn't expose you to the risk of having some idget reviewer decide you don't meet the minimum qualifications (which clearly happened to many this go round) should you decide to retest.
Also, while your limited gal may be popular places, you might get lucky and have one show up on cert 2. There are a few places on this cert no one expected (it was essentially deemed a "no way" for spokane and Eugene and no one ever even guessed Las Vegas).
Were I in your shoes, I would probably ride this out through cert 2 rather than risk all that could go wrong on a retest. If there isn't a refresh, or gal expansion or none of my cities were on cert 2, then I would probably retest as certs 3 and beyond will purportedly be for "smaller, more targeted" hiring and it would probably be worth the risk to broaden the gal.
Just my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by privateatty on May 5, 2014 18:34:24 GMT -5
Again, funky gets more than a like, his opinion gets a solid endorsement from this poster. Ride it out for now.
|
|
|
Post by anotherfed on May 6, 2014 6:53:48 GMT -5
I think this advice is overly conservative. Was it a fluke that you had a very high score this time around? Then what would make you think you would blow it on another attempt? If you wait for the next refresh, you may be waiting for a long while and have to sit out several certs. If you go for it and whiff, you can retake the test (as a 10 pointer). What do you have to lose? And I'm not convinced that someone is removed from the register while they retest. I think it must work like the appeals, eg you stay on it pending the outcome, but then you're bound by the new results. The language "remain on the register" seems to indicate that you stay on it during retesting. So what do you have to lose? Time and money for the trip to DC. If it shaves a few years off the process, wouldn't it be worth it to you? Just my 2 cents (and I haven't finished my first cup of coffee this morning, so what I just typed May be nonsense and should be disregarded).
|
|