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Post by owl on May 6, 2014 9:20:31 GMT -5
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. Agree 100%, FWIW. That is how I would read it, too. You earned your NOR and it is yours to keep unless and until you get a new NOR (which can be a score NOR at the end of the testing process or a "no register for you" NOR at any of the stages of the testing process). I don't have any personal experience with going through retesting, though, so it might be worth a help desk email to get clarification.
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Post by 71stretch on May 6, 2014 10:07:52 GMT -5
Agree with the above two about "remain" on the register. Words to be given their plain, ordinary meaning, etc. etc.
I think you stay on while you retest. That's not saying that you should or should not, just that that question is not part of the decision making process.
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Post by Ace Midnight on May 6, 2014 14:11:12 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. This is why many of us keep coming here - just solid analysis. (You forgot Albuquerque - how is that for a surprise from R6? - no Houston, no Dallas, but Albuquerque. And Richmond, I thought was a surprise, as well.)
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Post by juno64 on May 9, 2014 11:39:38 GMT -5
Has any of my fellow 10-pt "gluttons for punishment" vets heard anything back yet for a retest? I filed my application and got email acknowledgement - but then crickets.
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Post by Alexandersdad on May 11, 2014 17:18:29 GMT -5
Nothing yet here. They are cutting it close. I submitted virtually the same initial packet, but strengthened it some. Has to be in the next couple of weeks if we are going to proctor test by the end of June.
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Post by plj2006 on May 12, 2014 18:09:25 GMT -5
I submitted prior to March 31 and have heard nothing since the initial e-mail response.
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Xman
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Posts: 57
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Post by Xman on May 28, 2014 15:15:03 GMT -5
Has anyone heard anything?
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Post by 71stretch on May 28, 2014 15:25:48 GMT -5
Have any of you emailed the help desk?
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Xman
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Post by Xman on May 29, 2014 8:37:12 GMT -5
Great idea. I'm in DC working and am sending a query this morning.
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Post by moopigsdad on May 29, 2014 8:44:35 GMT -5
Ok, it's 28 May and still no email. How are they going to ask us to run the gauntlet in 30 days? I can't imagine they will make the 90 day requirement for those of us 10 pointers that refiled by 31 March. Has anyone heard anything? I am not so sure the testing has to be completed in ninety days, only that the 10-point veteran must start the testing within 90 days. The regulations for vet testing are vague at best and those regulations do not state when testing has to be completed, only that once every calendar quarter, testing for 10-point vets shall be held by OPM for any competitive testing ending in a possible addition to an existing or new register.
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Post by agilitymom on May 29, 2014 9:32:26 GMT -5
Keep in mind that the CFR is an OPM regulation...and OPM can provide itself a variance to the time requirements of the CFR, if necessary. Not saying that they've done that,but they could. This whole process is a marathon. Just stay the course and try not to overly worry about when you will actually get called for testing. it will happen. I will offer that on the last register I was in your situation and was not tested within the appropriate quarter. It was actually the next quarter. No explanations were given as to why there was a delay, but 12 vets tested at the same time I did so I'm thinking they may have been trying to be efficient with manpower and resources by grouping a bunch of us together. Just speculation though, because as I said, we were not provided with an explanation.
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Xman
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Post by Xman on May 29, 2014 11:43:52 GMT -5
Thanks. I hope you do well in the process.
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Post by moopigsdad on May 29, 2014 12:15:59 GMT -5
Thanks. I don't want to ask your personal situation and whether you did better the second time, but did you do both the "at home" and DC based testing on your second go? Was it a lot easier since you had been through the process? Any study tips? The last register for which agilitymom's post was in regards to, did not have the same testing as we did with this new register, so she probably couldn't really answer those questions for you.
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Post by plj2006 on May 29, 2014 12:55:47 GMT -5
This is what I received back from the help desk.
According to our records, you previously submitted supporting veterans’ preference documentation on March 21, 2014 with your request to reopen the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) examination, pursuant to 5 CFR 332.311(a). We acknowledged receipt of your information on the same day and have processed your veterans’ preference claim. In addition, you were sent the ALJ application/job opportunity announcement, number ALJ201-847661 to retake the examination, which you have since completed and returned. Please note that in accordance with regulation cited above, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will hold the closed ALJ examination for 10-point preference eligibles not later than the quarterly period succeeding that in which the application is filed. No further documents are required from you at this time. Sincerely, Administrative Law Judge Program Office
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Post by agilitymom on May 29, 2014 14:03:51 GMT -5
Thanks. I don't want to ask your personal situation and whether you did better the second time, but did you do both the "at home" and DC based testing on your second go? Was it a lot easier since you had been through the process? Any study tips? The last register for which agilitymom's post was in regards to, did not have the same testing as we did with this new register, so she probably couldn't really answer those questions for you. mpd was right. The testing process was totally different this time around. I personally think that there isn't a whole lot you can do to prepare yourself other than what you do everyday. For me the hardest part was the written demo. Not so much the analysis and writing the opinion, but composing on an unfamiliar laptop using wordpad. Also, the one thing that made the process easier the second time around is that I had already learned that there is no instant, or even near in time, feedback about how you did. I also learned that it is all a waiting game, so maybe my stress level has been a little bit lower because I had already been through the process once.
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Xman
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Post by Xman on Jun 6, 2014 16:03:08 GMT -5
Hope to be testing this summer.
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Xman
Full Member
Posts: 57
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Post by Xman on Jul 15, 2014 10:40:08 GMT -5
Just curious if anyone is taking the test again now. Any other 10 pointers hear anything? Good luck to all.
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Post by agilitymom on Jul 15, 2014 12:10:30 GMT -5
Just received my notice to retake the test. Same as last year. Initial on-line test has to be done for me from 21 July to 1 Aug. Assuming I make it through that hurdle again, it's the DC proctored test - and, I'll be ready this time. Any other 10 pointers hear anything? Good luck to all. Good Luck!
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 15, 2014 12:37:13 GMT -5
Just received my notice to retake the test. Same as last year. Initial on-line test has to be done for me from 21 July to 1 Aug. Assuming I make it through that hurdle again, it's the DC proctored test - and, I'll be ready this time. Any other 10 pointers hear anything? Good luck to all. Good luck and knock it out of the park this time.
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Post by beenlurking on Jul 15, 2014 12:46:49 GMT -5
Alex, I got the same initial response as you did and haven't received anything else at this time:
"In accordance with 5 CFR 332.311(a), the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has begun the examination process for the 10-point preference eligible applicants that applied for the closed Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) examination. These applications were received from the previous quarter for ALJ Job Opportunity Announcement, ALJ2013-847661. Because the comprehensive ALJ assessment and examination process contains multiple components and requires an extensive period of time to complete, OPM cannot provide a specific date of completion related to your particular application. The various assessment components and applicant notification processes are addressed in the ALJ JOA in the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, Basis for Rating Section.
Sincerely, Administrative Law Judge Program Office"
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