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Post by weisstho on Jul 1, 2016 15:00:22 GMT -5
Can we talk about the specifics of the phase 2 test after midnight today? I'm pretty sure that all sections of the testing process are covered by the confidentiality agreement. That would mean you cannot discuss any specifics with anyone ever. By that standard anyone admitting that they took the test would be culpable. How is this a violation in any universe? Just trying to understand.
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Post by minny on Jul 1, 2016 15:01:17 GMT -5
So, I was just wondering about the level of experience others have. Have many been a lead attorney or trial judge in highly complex contested litigation? I think there are many who have been one or the other. Probably most trial judges have been both.
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Post by foghorn on Jul 1, 2016 15:01:49 GMT -5
I did purchase that ALJ Writing Guide, 2nd edition and was shocked that the WS advise to log out and work on the essay was wrong. Read the WS instructions and just kept typing on my essay until the last 45 seconds and submitted it. I just followed the EA format in the instructions. Folks OPM has so many applications to review, just make it easy for them. Made it pass phase 1 so hopefully works for phase 2 as well. Good luck everyone. Enjoy the Juky 4th holiday and the rest of the summer. Hope we have good news to share in the Fall. Yeah, how is that we can't anonymously discuss the specifics of the online phase, but this lady can publish a book detailing everything about it?
Also, who publishes a book whose target audience is like 5000-6000 people? I guess you can publish anything anymore, but I don't see how you'll make much money.
The ladies of that book don't discuss specifics because it looks like nobody has. They discuss those mechanics they are aware of second hand--possibly by reading this site--but of what is asked they say nothing beyond the same generalities we tip toe around. As to numbers I seem to recall a post saying there were 8 or 9,000 IJ applications so you have those plus many others. The book isn't cheap if purchased new; even used it's not small change.
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Post by sophie22 on Jul 1, 2016 15:02:54 GMT -5
So, I was just wondering about the level of experience others have. Have many been a lead attorney or trial judge in highly complex contested litigation? Some of have been lead counsel in such matters. I have been lead counsel in those types of matters as defined by the instructions (Although I would have never said that what I do is "highly complex" when speaking about it with other attorneys, but in terms of the specific definition we were given, I'm a 5, if that makes sense!)
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Post by minny on Jul 1, 2016 15:04:04 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure that all sections of the testing process are covered by the confidentiality agreement. That would mean you cannot discuss any specifics with anyone ever. By that standard anyone admitting that they took the test would be culpable. How is this a violation in any universe? Just trying to understand. I'm not following your logic. Admitting that you have taken the examination does not involve any discussion of the specifics of the examination itself.
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Post by montyburns on Jul 1, 2016 15:23:23 GMT -5
Yeah, how is that we can't anonymously discuss the specifics of the online phase, but this lady can publish a book detailing everything about it?
Also, who publishes a book whose target audience is like 5000-6000 people? I guess you can publish anything anymore, but I don't see how you'll make much money.
The ladies of that book don't discuss specifics because it looks like nobody has. They discuss those mechanics they are aware of second hand--possibly by reading this site--but of what is asked they say nothing beyond the same generalities we tip toe around. As to numbers I seem to recall a post saying there were 8 or 9,000 IJ applications so you have those plus many others. The book isn't cheap if purchased new; even used it's not small change. Interesting. So it's basically "here's what I heard/read on the internet about this test" + "This is how to do OPM speak." Now I'm jealous I didn't write it.
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Post by firehouse9 on Jul 1, 2016 15:52:56 GMT -5
So, I was just wondering about the level of experience others have. Have many been a lead attorney or trial judge in highly complex contested litigation? Some of have been lead counsel in such matters. For those of use who have not been to Phase 3 yet (hope, hope), there is no confidentiality agreement. There is just the Phase 2 rule that you can't get help from someone else, rules of ethics, and the Forum Rules. If you have a buddy who is also a first time Phase 2 applicant or a nonfuture applicant friend, you can probably talk about it all you want outside of the Forum.
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Post by phoenixrisingALJ on Jul 1, 2016 16:19:41 GMT -5
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Post by bayou on Jul 1, 2016 16:52:20 GMT -5
So, I was just wondering about the level of experience others have. Have many been a lead attorney or trial judge in highly complex contested litigation? I have been. However, the definition said you had to have spent the majority of your time for a 2 year period as the lead attorney in highly complex matters to be considered a 5.
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Post by firehouse9 on Jul 1, 2016 17:10:18 GMT -5
Re: The WS. I think I held my breath the final 60 seconds I spent trying to edit my response. Of course, like a rationale test taker, I approached it like a bar exam question. Divide up the time by (1) flashbang brainstorm/outline time, (2) furious typing time, and (3) eagle eye editing time. But I broke that promise like most of the other current posters. Thirty five minutes has never passed so quickly for me in years. I have no idea how my last paragraph will read, but I did enjoy breathing again after hitting the submit button with 2 seconds to go. An innocent natural high, I guess. ADVICE: Practice writing a few things on the clock. It could be anything: a too-long forum post like this one, a love letter to your spouse, or a thank you letter to your most ungrateful client. Try to feel the pressure of thirty-five minutes and sweat a ticking of a clock because it's been years since you embraced and danced with that feeling during all your law school / bar exams. I actually did the sample writing question before I did the real one. I found that really helpful, although the sample question has a spell checker on it so it wasn't exactly the same.
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Post by 3rdxacharm on Jul 1, 2016 17:59:15 GMT -5
Finished, after a rocky start. Had no idea emails were sent out for the second portion until June 18th. Sent an email, as the kind folks on this Board had mentioned and posted a link to. Received the golden ticket email on the 20th. I don't post much, as there are others much wiser than I among us, but thought I would post my update also.
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Post by Mjǿlner on Jul 1, 2016 17:59:30 GMT -5
Maybe its time to close this thread as the 2nd phase should be behind all of us. I'm off to find the "Twiddling my thumbs for the next two months while I wait to see if I get to go to DC testing"thread.
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Post by foghorn on Jul 1, 2016 18:14:34 GMT -5
to whoever's monitoring--I reflexively responded to a question about the self rating numbers--not sure i should have. It's on page 20. feel free to take it down if inappropriate description of question. My apologies.
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Post by southerngal on Jul 1, 2016 19:18:13 GMT -5
Need a little help please: I am working on the experience assessment at home today. I have written everything in the box except need to go get some citations from court records (downtown in Podunk City). I know the instructions said you can save your work but I don't remember how you do it. Afraid to go back to read instructions because my writing might be lost. I can redo it if necessary. There is a save button on the screen. It isn't called save but something like"preserve" Don't foget you can copy off the screen, paste it on your word page, so if heaven forfend that didn't work it's there anyay. You may find some court records online so before you charge out...... All the best Is the button "record answer" what you mean?? I have been afraid that might submit my unfinished answer!!! Timed out twice already.
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Post by firehouse9 on Jul 1, 2016 19:53:20 GMT -5
There is a save button on the screen. It isn't called save but something like"preserve" Don't foget you can copy off the screen, paste it on your word page, so if heaven forfend that didn't work it's there anyay. You may find some court records online so before you charge out...... All the best Is the button "record answer" what you mean?? I have been afraid that might submit my unfinished answer!!! Timed out twice already. Yes. To save your answer, hit record.
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Post by firehouse9 on Jul 1, 2016 19:58:39 GMT -5
I finished. I felt very good about the writing test, unsure about the SJT, and OK about the experience assessment. Personally, I felt the experience assessment was the less well written part of the test. I can imagine situations where someone with more high level experience overall, who performs at various levels of proficiency, is rated beneath someone with significantly less experience, simply because of the way the assessment is worded.
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Post by outlawswife on Jul 1, 2016 20:29:16 GMT -5
Glad that is done! Tried not to overthink it, and at times, my 1-year old and 4-year old kept interrupting me, but I finally made it through! Good luck to all those who have completed this portion of the race. For those who move on, time to gear up for the next leg...Carpe Diem!
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Post by pumpkin on Jul 1, 2016 21:53:06 GMT -5
Well, just about an hour to go...everybody finish all three sections of their online component? Not waiting until the 11th hour, are we?
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Post by littleorphanannie on Jul 1, 2016 22:55:03 GMT -5
Okay, I'll bite. As usual I found it so hard to say goodbye. So I finally finished at 11:05 pm. And yes, I had a moment of near panic when the screen advised me that there was an error and the page couldn't be found, or some such nonsense, when I tried to certify my response on the EA. I logged out completely and tried again. At that point I was asked to complete a short poll about the online testing process. Are they kidding? . All I could think about was the bottle of celebratory wine awaiting me in the next room. Then I received a brief unimpressive message that I was finished and they'd be in touch. I feel so cheap...so used. hah.
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Post by banks on Jul 1, 2016 22:59:50 GMT -5
Well, I was editing my EA and then realized it was EASTERN time so I hurried up and submitted it five minutes before the deadline!!!
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