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Post by DreamNalj on Aug 26, 2013 8:41:39 GMT -5
Sorry for the late report, but finally made it back overseas after taking the tests on 8/22 and being interviewed on 8/23! Felt pretty good about the morning's writing exam, but was totally blown out of the water by the logic test...good thing they did the written exam first or I would have been totally demotivated for it had the order been reversed. Don't even try to study for it...as someone else stated...studying is a waste of your time. They will surely have to grade that thing on a serious curve! Felt pretty good about the interview, which for me was shy one panel member and I had to sign a waiver to proceed with it or reschedule, which was NOT an option for me.
Testing demographics...there was a total of 27 folks in my group, 13 of which were female; 6 African-Americans of which 4 were female. Could not tell, from outward appearances, if any Hispanics were in the group. The SSN theory continues to hold fast...those that I spoke with were all from the Carolinas and VA, though not necessarily still living in that region.
The OPM room was cold and seemed to get colder as the day wore on. Even with my layers...t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, jacket, and cap, I was cold! I did not try to leave the building, but opted to graze with the herd in the cafeteria and then back to the testing room guided by our OPM shepherd.
All I can say at this point is what is done is done. Truly glad to have the it behind me at this point. And for whatever reason, all I keep thinking about the experience is "The Charge of the Light Brigade!"
Bon chance to those still to go!!!!!
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Post by moopigsdad on Aug 26, 2013 8:45:44 GMT -5
Sorry for the late report, but finally made it back overseas after taking the tests on 8/22 and being interviewed on 8/23! Felt pretty good about the morning's writing exam, but was totally blown out of the water by the logic test...good thing they did the written exam first or I would have been totally demotivated for it had the order been reversed. Don't even try to study for it...as someone else stated...studying is a waste of your time. They will surely have to grade that thing on a serious curve! Felt pretty good about the interview, which for me was shy one panel member and I had to sign a waiver to proceed with it or reschedule, which was NOT an option for me. Testing demographics...there was a total of 27 folks in my group, 13 of which were female; 6 African-Americans of which 4 were female. Could not tell, from outward appearances, if any Hispanics were in the group. The SSN theory continues to hold fast...those that I spoke with were all from the Carolinas and VA, though not necessarily still living in that region. The OPM room was cold and seemed to get colder as the day wore on. Even with my layers...t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, jacket, and cap, I was cold! I did not try to leave the building, but opted to graze with the herd in the cafeteria and then back to the testing room guided by our OPM shepherd. All I can say at this point is what is done is done. Truly glad to have the it behind me at this point. And for whatever reason, all I keep thinking about the experience is "The Charge of the Light Brigade!" Bon chance to those still to go!!!!! Thank you DreamNalj for the trip report and information. I guess layering of clothes is a necessity. Also, I appreciate the information on the LBMT. I didn't think it could be studied for much in the first place. Everyone will be at the same advantage or disadvantage as far as that goes. I am glad you made it back overseas safely.
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Post by funkyodar on Aug 26, 2013 8:48:10 GMT -5
Sorry for the late report, but finally made it back overseas after taking the tests on 8/22 and being interviewed on 8/23! Felt pretty good about the morning's writing exam, but was totally blown out of the water by the logic test...good thing they did the written exam first or I would have been totally demotivated for it had the order been reversed. Don't even try to study for it...as someone else stated...studying is a waste of your time. They will surely have to grade that thing on a serious curve! Felt pretty good about the interview, which for me was shy one panel member and I had to sign a waiver to proceed with it or reschedule, which was NOT an option for me. Testing demographics...there was a total of 27 folks in my group, 13 of which were female; 6 African-Americans of which 4 were female. Could not tell, from outward appearances, if any Hispanics were in the group. The SSN theory continues to hold fast...those that I spoke with were all from the Carolinas and VA, though not necessarily still living in that region. The OPM room was cold and seemed to get colder as the day wore on. Even with my layers...t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, jacket, and cap, I was cold! I did not try to leave the building, but opted to graze with the herd in the cafeteria and then back to the testing room guided by our OPM shepherd. All I can say at this point is what is done is done. Truly glad to have the it behind me at this point. And for whatever reason, all I keep thinking about the experience is "The Charge of the Light Brigade!" Bon chance to those still to go!!!!! Thanks Dream. Sure you rocked it. Now try and forget about so you don't go nuts with anticipation.
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tpm
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by tpm on Aug 28, 2013 0:12:43 GMT -5
One more thought: From speaking with other candidates, it was my impression that the typical candidate does NOT have a wide GAL. Could be wrong; I certainly didn't speak about this to anything even close to all the people being tested. But of those I did speak to, a ton only want the job in their own locality. Then they either don't understand the process or they really can't move anywhere else whether they understand the process or not. Anyone who has been on this board knows that if you want the job badly enough, you have to be willing to go elsewhere. Only those who are currently living in places that are not "popular" are still going to be OK with a narrow GAL, if the stars all fall in the proper configuration. Sorry oberver53, not picking on you individually, just that your point summarizes what seems common wisdom on this forum: if you want the job bad enough, you'll go far to get it. To me it just seems surprising how few people that have been practicing for at least the minimum 7 years are not in a relationship with a partner that has a career already that is not portable. Of course most people have narrow GAL's. Say you have 3 kids in school and a wife that's a tenured teacher at a very well paid school? I mean, not me. Me, ha, I'd wish for that... but if I'd have that, I would not move to Kensucky or Texass for any, literally ANY job. : ) All the best to all of you. Hope we each get what we want badly enough...
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Post by gunner on Aug 28, 2013 14:42:01 GMT -5
I'm in your position TPM in that I have a limited GAL and I think it's sensible for me. Though I agree with observer53. I'm perfectly willing to admit that I don't want this job bad enough to uproot my family--or leave them for an indeterminate amount of time until I can transfer back. But unlike you, I would do that for some jobs. Federal Circuit Judge comes to mind, or maybe CEO of large corporation with 8-digit salary and one of those golden parachute clauses I read about in the news.
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Post by trekker on Aug 28, 2013 14:50:43 GMT -5
Better call dibs on that 8-digit salary w/a golden parachute or Federal Circuit Judge. Lurker is out there laying dibs to all the good stuff.
But back to the thoughts on how much do I want the job? I really do want it and believe I would do well even in a dysfunctional office. However, I learned a tough lesson watching my spouse take a job that he really wanted but it was not in a location that either of us liked. For his sanity at the time, we compromised and he took the job. It turned out to not be what he thought it would be (he is a honorable guy and won't stoop to low tricks to get what he wants -- he believes that actions speak a lot louder than words -- but they rarely do). It has ended with us owning a really neat house we cannot sell in an area where we don't want to retire. We accept that we made a mistake and won't do that again (except for maybe one city on my GAL where my husband keeps asking why there?).
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Post by BagLady on Aug 28, 2013 16:19:28 GMT -5
Day One trip report...
I feel like I just lost my v-card and now know what "doing it" is really like. It's sort of like my friends (here) told me, but doing it was a little different than I imagined.
Some stats for those keeping score:
27 candidates; 14 men (2 Asian American), 13 women (1 Asian American, 2 African American, and 2 pregnant) Ages appeared to be mid-40's to 60+ Based on gov't ID's, many more "outies" than "innies"
The room this morning was c-c-c-cold! I wore pants with a short-sleeve shirt, and took a sweater and a fleece. The sweater lasted about three minutes and I wore the fleece the rest of the day. (Note to federal government: perhaps turning the A/C up a little will save us some money.) Lots of selections in the cafeteria, everyone was fantastic, and the SSN theory appears to hold.
Overall, I would say it was "sufficiently challenging."
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Post by justhinkin on Aug 28, 2013 19:22:59 GMT -5
Bag Lady,
My husband and I both applied. He made it to round 3 but I did not. He gave the exact same report as you, but did not notice the cold as much - He wore t-shirt, oxford, and blazer - thanks to this thread. And he runs warm. I would have been dressed in thermal. LOL.
He is early 50's and felt most men were his age and the women were younger - 30's to 40's based on the 2 women who were expecting. Said his brain was fried after 2/3 of the logic test and that there was no way to study for it - as mentioned previously on this site. No other news. His SI is early in the morning 8 or 9. Good luck tomorrow and then celebrate - you have done all you can and deserve some R & R. He is going to paint the kitchen at our cabin. I hope you come up with a better way to enjoy the long weekend!
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Post by sealaw90 on Aug 29, 2013 8:39:26 GMT -5
Baglady - "Based on gov't ID's, many more "outies" than "innies". That is AWESOME - much better than insiders and outsiders, and certainly less of a contentious title for all. Thanks for the laugh this morning!
Justhinkin - Good luck to your hubby. Actually, something mindless and repetitive like painting a cabin sounds very soothing after the mental beating he has just taken. Me personally, I stopped at Ikea on the drive home (no Ikea anywhere near me) and shopped for 2 hours. Shopping as therapy is sometimes just the medicine a person needs. I felt like I had some control over what I did in Ikea - as opposed to OPMland. LOL!
To everyone who tested this week - you did it! It's finished! Go back to your lives, but keep posting & lurking, whichever is your preference. Again, good luck to all who are going to ruin their holiday weekend because they are testing next week.
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Post by moopigsdad on Aug 29, 2013 9:30:05 GMT -5
Baglady - "Based on gov't ID's, many more "outies" than "innies". That is AWESOME - much better than insiders and outsiders, and certainly less of a contentious title for all. Thanks for the laugh this morning! Justhinkin - Good luck to your hubby. Actually, something mindless and repetitive like painting a cabin sounds very soothing after the mental beating he has just taken. Me personally, I stopped at Ikea on the drive home (no Ikea anywhere near me) and shopped for 2 hours. Shopping as therapy is sometimes just the medicine a person needs. I felt like I had some control over what I did in Ikea - as opposed to OPMland. LOL! To everyone who tested this week - you did it! It's finished! Go back to your lives, but keep posting & lurking, whichever is your preference. Again, good luck to all who are going to ruin their holiday weekend because they are testing next week. Sealaw90 the saying under your avatar is sort of disingenuous or you are just a gluttony for punishment if you "enjoyed the WD/SI" (Phase 3) of the testing. I guess some people might find a "kick in the gonads" just as enjoyable. LOL!
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Post by sealaw90 on Aug 29, 2013 10:15:17 GMT -5
As a few others have said on this board, it is a perverse sort of enjoyment. I like writing and I am not afraid of interviews. I'd rather be beat up by my opponent in the courtroom than sit on my arse all day behind a computer (which is what I do now) with zero human interaction. But, the real point of my avatar saying is about the Phase 3 test I left out of my quote. I am not that much of a glutton for punishment!!
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Post by BagLady on Aug 29, 2013 11:21:20 GMT -5
Justthinkin, I'm at the airport (drinking a giant beer) awaiting my return to the beach, a vacation I booked the week before getting the phase 3 email. Best wishes to your hubby. Tell him I was seated between the preggers...one in front and one behind me. They had to be miserable by the end of the day! And I echo an earlier comment...y'all are going to be just fine!
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Post by sealaw90 on Sept 4, 2013 11:29:43 GMT -5
I hope folks who are testing this week will post a trip report for the rest of us. Good Luck to all this week!
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Post by ginger on Sept 4, 2013 11:40:56 GMT -5
I am testing next Monday and Tuesday. I will post a report as soon as I am done. Mostly I just want to be able to post that I made it through it!
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Post by zebra51 on Sept 4, 2013 11:57:39 GMT -5
HMMM. Do we know if anyone is testing this week? With the holiday on Monday perhaps they took a break for the OPM folks and SI panelist.
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Post by papresqr on Sept 4, 2013 12:19:12 GMT -5
I think they may be taking a break. I seem to recall posts from people who were scheduled for every other week, but I don't recall anyone posting that they were testing this week.
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Post by ironmanlawyer on Sept 4, 2013 13:42:47 GMT -5
I am taking the phase 3 exams on September 12 and 13. Are any of you going to be there during that time? Is the WD a paper exam or do you use a word processor?
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Post by mikeinthehills on Sept 4, 2013 14:26:56 GMT -5
I think they may be taking a break. I seem to recall posts from people who were scheduled for every other week, but I don't recall anyone posting that they were testing this week. In another thread speculating on the number of people taking phase three, I raised the issue of whether OPM would have people in for testing the week of Labor Day, and put the question out there if anyone was scheduled for this week. No one responded, so I don't think OPM is doing testing this week. If someone is testing this week, by all means, let us know how it went. Also, if not, time to revise the numbers on the people in phase three.
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Post by BagLady on Sept 4, 2013 15:35:05 GMT -5
I am taking the phase 3 exams on September 12 and 13. Are any of you going to be there during that time? Is the WD a paper exam or do you use a word processor? Ironman, I think there are some posts on this (perhaps even early in this thread). The WD is on a laptop, but with a regular keyboard and mouse attached. It has limited word processing features; for example, no spell check.
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Post by useorlose on Sept 4, 2013 15:40:58 GMT -5
Is it just me or do others who've taken the test find themselves checking email compulsively for scores? Does anyone have a real idea when we're likely to get them?
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