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Post by gary on Oct 6, 2015 11:27:49 GMT -5
I'm testing the week of Oct 26, and hoping to fly back to the West Coast the evening of my SI day. From the instructions it appears that you find out when your SI is at the end of your LBMT/WD day. Do you have any control over the time of your SI? And even if you don't, there are enough slots that it's a fair gamble that you will get an earlier time, vs., like, 4pm, that would preclude a 5:30pm flight. Right? Don't know. This learning your SI time the day before is brand new and only today's SI-ers have any experience with it so far.
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Post by 71stretch on Oct 6, 2015 13:48:17 GMT -5
I'm testing the week of Oct 26, and hoping to fly back to the West Coast the evening of my SI day. From the instructions it appears that you find out when your SI is at the end of your LBMT/WD day. Do you have any control over the time of your SI? And even if you don't, there are enough slots that it's a fair gamble that you will get an earlier time, vs., like, 4pm, that would preclude a 5:30pm flight. Right? I would send an email to the ALJ help desk at OPM and explain your situation and ask for a morning interview.
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Post by cafeta on Oct 7, 2015 1:51:25 GMT -5
don't assume you could get out on 5:30 flight.. too risky. 8:30 maybe and don;t know on your question on changing interview time. i'd be open to switching times with someone if opm would even allow for that if someone had a flight logistics issue. but opm being open to it is what matters. my best WAG is if you had a 3pm interview, you'd have a reasonable shot of making a 7PM flight. traffic in DC is horrendous during rush hour. i would not try a shorter time interval than this. what you may want to look at if you can't get an 8:30 or 9pm type flight is staying one more night near the airport at a less expensive but still decent hotel. i think Reagan and im almost certain Dulles has hotel options that fit that bill. I have a 7-something flight, and fingers crossed, white knuckles. Hoping for a midday SI; otherwise, it's reschedule, and take the hit!
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Post by cafeta on Oct 7, 2015 1:52:58 GMT -5
I'm testing the week of Oct 26, and hoping to fly back to the West Coast the evening of my SI day. From the instructions it appears that you find out when your SI is at the end of your LBMT/WD day. Do you have any control over the time of your SI? And even if you don't, there are enough slots that it's a fair gamble that you will get an earlier time, vs., like, 4pm, that would preclude a 5:30pm flight. Right? I would send an email to the ALJ help desk at OPM and explain your situation and ask for a morning interview. Thanks, excellent advice; I will take you up on that advice! Best to try and not assume defeat (or make room for it).
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Post by Judicially Imployed on Oct 7, 2015 22:19:20 GMT -5
I can tell you this story:
Someone who is testing in October and does not follow this board wanted to know where the SI was to schedule a hotel. He sent opm an email and they responded telling him the corect location. Not sure if that was because it had already been disclosed on opm or not. But it is evidence that it can't hurt to ask.
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Post by lawmom90 on Oct 8, 2015 8:07:00 GMT -5
I have been extremely blessed this week and throughout this process. I am very close to finishing this part of my adventure and I thank God for the guidance he has given me and for the great people who are admins and members on this board.
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Post by sealaw90 on Oct 8, 2015 8:16:46 GMT -5
I have been extremely blessed this week and throughout this process. I am very close to finishing this part of my adventure and I thank God for the guidance he has given me and for the great people who are admins and members on this board. And you are almost at the part where it is up to the almighty powers that be to decide your fate in all of this. But right now, kill your SI! Could you tell us how many folks were in the testing room with you? We have no other data for this week except for Monday, and yet 9 board members said they were testing this week. It would be much appreciated if you could pay it forward!
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avril503
Full Member
The Stick of Truth
Posts: 66
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Post by avril503 on Oct 8, 2015 17:45:43 GMT -5
I did have a chance to see something interesting about the numbers of folks doing testing October - December 2015. I am currently signed up to do my test on Monday November 30. Initailly, I signed up for a much earlier date, but I was stressed about some heavy work obligations and decided to change it. It was a little scary because I had to give up the date I scheduled without seeing what dates remained. I had initially signed up early on August 31, then I went back on later in the day and rescheduled. A few dates were full by then. All of the Mondays in October were gone and one or two in November. The date I chose (November 30) was still open. I think all of the Mondays in December were still open as were most of the weekdays. I regret I did not pay more attention to how many days still had openings, but I was focused on getting my date before that was gone as well. I suspect most people signed up well before the September 11 deadline, so that leads me to believe about 2/3 of the dates will not have a full class of 32.
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Post by wannabee on Nov 1, 2015 11:40:57 GMT -5
Not that I wait for the last minute or anything, but I fly into Baltimore tomorrow evening. I need to make hotel reservations. Can I get a quick recommendation on the closest place to stay? Thanks!
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Post by lizdarcy on Nov 1, 2015 11:48:57 GMT -5
The Marriott is across E street from OPM and a 20 minute walk to the Embassy Suites in Georgetown. I stayed there on a last minute reservation. It was fine.
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Post by Thomas fka Lance on Nov 1, 2015 14:20:44 GMT -5
The Marriott was completely booked for the week I wanted to go, but the State Plaza was also very close to OPM, and is also about a 20 minute walk to Embassy Suites for the interview. State Plaza's rooms are very large, include a kitchen (which saves food money), has a Whole Foods close by and a CVS is right next door. If you are a gov't employee, the $222 rate also includes breakfast (but doesn't start until 7 a.m., which is too late for testing day so other arrangements for breakfast would be needed that day)
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Post by lawmom90 on Nov 1, 2015 14:53:40 GMT -5
I stayed at the Hampton Inn and loved it
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Post by Malice Aforethought on Nov 1, 2015 15:22:18 GMT -5
Wannabee---good luck. It seemed to me that lot of places are booked and prices are a bit higher this week when compared to other weeks. Also, the gov't rate (if you are eligible) wasn't available, when I booked my rooms for this week.
If you use Google Maps for the area surrounding OPM, then just search for hotels. That will show you rates/avail, etc.
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Post by wannabee on Nov 1, 2015 19:08:21 GMT -5
Thanks - I booked at State Plaza. I'm renting a car. At this point, I don't care about prices, I just want something close for day one - testing. The gentleman on the phone said it was 2 blocks to the testing site, and I am just going to keep the car in their garage. Guess I'll take a 2nd mortgage on the house for this trip. LOL Thanks all. This discussion board is so helpful!
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Post by wannabee on Nov 1, 2015 19:09:44 GMT -5
So as I understand it, on day 2, the interview will be at Embassy Suites? I guess I can drive there from my hotel and then take off for Baltimore airport from there.
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Post by wannabee on Nov 1, 2015 19:12:45 GMT -5
Last question (maybe) ... I printed out my entrance docs for the WD/LBMT a looooong time ago. I'm not sure if the document I have in my folder is the right one, or if I have to go scramble and download something. The top of it says: ALJ WD/LBMT Appointment Appointment Information
Then it has my name, the date for testing, the start and end times, the duration, the Location, and a blank area for driving directions. Is that what I need to get in?
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Post by christina on Nov 1, 2015 19:32:07 GMT -5
I think so. I still have my email and it sounds like same one
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Post by aljwishful on Nov 1, 2015 19:35:28 GMT -5
OPM will send you "an appointment reminder" a week before you test giving the information you need.
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Post by madmansdad on Nov 2, 2015 0:04:09 GMT -5
The document you are referring to should say (approximately 5 paragraphs under the date/time of testing) that "You will be required to provide this Written Demonstration/Logic Based Measurement Test Admission Notice for entrance into each test session." The ALJ Scheduling Appointment Reminder will have the same language. In addition, it will inform you that you must bring a government-issued picture ID.
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Post by jiaalk on Nov 2, 2015 10:38:59 GMT -5
When I took the test in October they asked for 2 picture IDs, so be prepared.
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