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Post by minny on Aug 19, 2015 21:45:04 GMT -5
So I take it regardless how you do on the tests, everyone goes for the SI? Yes, the SI is just another part of the testing.
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Post by wannabee on Aug 19, 2015 23:07:34 GMT -5
When I read your post and your mention of USA.gov, I realized that months and months ago I received an e-mail that my USA.gov account had expired. Is it necessary to set that up again?
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Post by gary on Aug 19, 2015 23:12:24 GMT -5
When I read your post and your mention of USA.gov, I realized that months and months ago I received an e-mail that my USA.gov account had expired. Is it necessary to set that up again? Not necessary but useful. Copies of messages OPM sends you may be found in the Application Manager which can be accessed from your usajobs.com account. You can also see the copy of the ALJ Job Announcement there which can answer some questions for you.
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Post by christina on Aug 20, 2015 5:01:45 GMT -5
yes, can't hurt to reset usajobs account. but there is not a copy of last Friday's email in there or maybe i just haven't found it.
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Post by gary on Aug 20, 2015 7:03:59 GMT -5
My account does not include every communication OPM sent to me, but includes some very important ones. The first message was an acknowledgment of receipt of my *ssessment questionnaire responses. The next was my NOR about a year later. Shortly after my NOR were several important messages associated with it.
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Post by funkyodar on Aug 20, 2015 7:10:43 GMT -5
I agree! And I highly recommend going back to review some of Funky's historical/hysterical contributions. Although some of the fun/humor may be lost to history, cuz sometimes you just had to be there at the time to catch the spirit. But, believe it or not, I remember when he first joined (at least I think)and Funky has always been a strong board/community supporter, full of sage advice (usually ) and with a quick wit to boot! Indeed, he was the first to greet me after my extended absence. Of course, there is a lot of wisdom and valuable insight to be gotten, not to mention the humor and camaraderie, which an exploration of the many threads here will reveal. Enjoy!! ******************** Edit: Ok, this seems out of context. This was a response to Gaiden's comment yesterday morning. I thought my reply would include his comment, but I goofed somehow. But there you go, context! Thanks cafeta and Gaidin. You folks are gonna give me a complex.
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Post by hapi2balj on Aug 20, 2015 8:09:01 GMT -5
My account does not include every communication OPM sent to me, but includes some very important ones. The first message was an acknowledgment of receipt of my *ssessment questionnaire responses. The next was my NOR about a year later. Shortly after my NOR were several important messages associated with it. I agree that it doesn't hurt to keep an active USAJobs account and it may help, although probably not a whole lot. Mine still shows that I am ineligible for this go-round of the ALJ process because I didn't complete the online component in 2013. That's true, but only because I never got the e-mail invitation until May 2015! As far as correspondence from OPM, it's hit or miss - not really a whole lot there and it seems there's no rhyme or reason as to what's posted and what's missing. I do think the ALJ job description on the site is helpful, although I'm wondering if it's not available from other sources.
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Post by hapi2balj on Aug 20, 2015 8:32:20 GMT -5
OMG. Seriously -- its nothing like the bar exam!! No knowledge is tested or even assumed. It's a test of skills and aptitudes. It's not easy but its also nothing to make yourself crazy about. You will regret all that time wasted stressing about it. I appreciate this perspective, and that of the others on what to expect as far as the level of WD/LBMT difficulty, etc., is concerned. For the online component, besides looking at the few sample questions provided by OPM a time or two, my approach was to get a good night's sleep and that served me well. That'll be my primary prep for the WD/LBMT/SI as well. Folks, as I see it, we either have it or we don't. Good luck to all!
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Post by nj4096 on Aug 20, 2015 9:32:37 GMT -5
Since the post that it is harder than the Bar made me Sick all night, without asking for anyone to divulge particulars, does studying for the Bar help? So this brings up a point that I have wanted to make for a while. This is testing to become an ALJ. Not an ODAR ALJ, but an ALJ--capable of handling federal bench trials that could last months, with scores of attorneys and many motions. The "prejudice" that I see time and again from ODAR folks on this Board is: "Gosh I write for this moron ALJ and I KNOW I could do a better job than him/her." Well, you know what? You're right. But you miss the point and if you carry that prejudice and allow it consciously or sub-consciously to affect what and how you do the testing up to the moment of getting your NOR it will impact your chances. Fact is, a whole lotta folks never get this--trust me, I know. Yes, I understand that 90, maybe 95% of you will be hired by ODAR. But you have to get past OPM first. And therein lies the rub. As to preparation, my remarks above apply. OPM is choosing you for your skills as a potential Judge (I don't mean to be so obvious and pedantic, apologies)...and being the best lawyer in your future court-room is the aspiration. You either have it now or you don't. Hang loose and trust in your self. Break a leg.
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Post by nj4096 on Aug 20, 2015 9:42:07 GMT -5
I read somewhere maybe an online becoming an ALJ article that just practicing writing some essays like from state tests might help with the written demonstration. If it would calm your nerves it might be worth doing. I personally would do it; however, I spend all day writing (not at SSA) on a variety of legal issues so I figure I can just more actively write at work (to practice). (Actively write at work for me means trying to get some of the cases with the more interesting legal questions and ones likely to be challenged in district court on my docket, as opposed to many more routine matters on my docket).
Thanks also privateatty for reminder. There would be more of a learning curve with a non-ODAR ALJ position at some agency that I am not familiar with, and that is scary. So I need to reflect and assess before the interview the skills I bring to the table so that my mindset is beyond SSA.
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Post by gary on Aug 20, 2015 10:00:42 GMT -5
My account does not include every communication OPM sent to me, but includes some very important ones. The first message was an acknowledgment of receipt of my *ssessment questionnaire responses. The next was my NOR about a year later. Shortly after my NOR were several important messages associated with it. I agree that it doesn't hurt to keep an active USAJobs account and it may help, although probably not a whole lot. Mine still shows that I am ineligible for this go-round of the ALJ process because I didn't complete the online component in 2013. That's true, but only because I never got the e-mail invitation until May 2015! As far as correspondence from OPM, it's hit or miss - not really a whole lot there and it seems there's no rhyme or reason as to what's posted and what's missing. I do think the ALJ job description on the site is helpful, although I'm wondering if it's not available from other sources. Access to Application Manager also allows you to: 1. See your answers to the questions they asked when you applied. Especially helpful if you begin wondering what you put down for your GAL, email address, phone number, street address, or name. 2. Participate in the fun sport of speculating on just what it means when OPM starts changing your Application Statuses.
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Post by hapi2balj on Aug 20, 2015 11:30:15 GMT -5
I agree that it doesn't hurt to keep an active USAJobs account and it may help, although probably not a whole lot. Mine still shows that I am ineligible for this go-round of the ALJ process because I didn't complete the online component in 2013. That's true, but only because I never got the e-mail invitation until May 2015! As far as correspondence from OPM, it's hit or miss - not really a whole lot there and it seems there's no rhyme or reason as to what's posted and what's missing. I do think the ALJ job description on the site is helpful, although I'm wondering if it's not available from other sources. Access to Application Manager also allows you to: 1. See your answers to the questions they asked when you applied. Especially helpful if you begin wondering what you put down for your GAL, email address, phone number, street address, or name. 2. Participate in the fun sport of speculating on just what it means when OPM starts changing your Application Statuses. True, true. Good point (esp. #1 - #2 is a bit too frustrating for me!).
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Post by gary on Aug 20, 2015 11:39:15 GMT -5
Access to Application Manager also allows you to: 1. See your answers to the questions they asked when you applied. Especially helpful if you begin wondering what you put down for your GAL, email address, phone number, street address, or name. 2. Participate in the fun sport of speculating on just what it means when OPM starts changing your Application Statuses. True, true. Good point (esp. #1 - #2 is a bit too frustrating for me!). I think you underestimate the joys of 2. They don't change everybody's status at once and they don't explain what it means. It provided fodder for a grest deal of angst as we tried to scrute the inscrutable mind of OPM.
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Post by moopigsdad on Aug 20, 2015 11:47:52 GMT -5
True, true. Good point (esp. #1 - #2 is a bit too frustrating for me!). I think you underestimate the joys of 2. They don't change everybody's status at once and they don't explain what it means. It provided fodder for a grest deal of angst as we tried to scrute the inscrutable mind of OPM. Ahhh...the days of many a sleepless night worrying about what a particular code meant on the Application Manager. I am so happy I am done with that part of the exam and on the Register.
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Post by lizdarcy on Aug 20, 2015 12:04:19 GMT -5
I did not study for the WD or the logic test. I did buy a bar exam logic games book but never had time to look at it.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 20, 2015 13:02:25 GMT -5
So I take it regardless how you do on the tests, everyone goes for the SI? They don't grade the WD and LBMT that fast. So yes, everyone does the SI the next day. In the past, the WD and SI were scheduled differently, and multiple cities were used. At times, they were not on successive days. Now. it's all in DC, and one day after the other.
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Post by ba on Aug 20, 2015 18:41:16 GMT -5
So I take it regardless how you do on the tests, everyone goes for the SI? They don't grade the WD and LBMT that fast. So yes, everyone does the SI the next day. In the past, the WD and SI were scheduled differently, and multiple cities were used. At times, they were not on successive days. Now. it's all in DC, and one day after the other. I also believe all three of the components are part of the composition of your NOR score.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 20, 2015 18:54:19 GMT -5
They don't grade the WD and LBMT that fast. So yes, everyone does the SI the next day. In the past, the WD and SI were scheduled differently, and multiple cities were used. At times, they were not on successive days. Now. it's all in DC, and one day after the other. I also believe all three of the components are part of the composition of your NOR score. As I recall, the LBMT is not scored so as to figure into the NOR.
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Post by gary on Aug 20, 2015 19:09:10 GMT -5
The LBMT result is included in the final score. See:
"Final Numerical Rating: Applicants who complete all portions of the assessment process and achieve a minimum required score on both the WD and SI will be issued a final numerical rating on a scale of 1 – 100. The rating will be based on the scores assigned for the SJT/Writing Sample/Experience Assessment, WD/LBMT, and SI components of the examination with a maximum possible total score of 100, excluding veterans' preference. If you do not claim veterans' preference, this earned rating will be your final numerical rating. If you claim veterans' preference (other than on the basis of sole survivorship, as described below) and have submitted the required documentation, 5 or 10 points, as appropriate, will be added to your total earned rating to determine your final numerical rating."
The difference is that unlike the WD and SI there is no required minimum score on the LBMT to be placed on the register.
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Post by worrywart on Aug 20, 2015 19:40:27 GMT -5
Two things, are the people at the SI attorneys or are there non attorneys present asking questions? Also, this may be for another forum, but can you use non attorneys as references?
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