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Post by funkyodar on Jun 30, 2016 19:38:47 GMT -5
Happened to me neely. And several others I know. Don't fret.
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Post by montyburns on Jun 30, 2016 19:52:26 GMT -5
Well I submitted my EA, so I am done.
Some thoughts: 1. Gaiden had the best advice re: this phase (maybe all phases): focus on the competency tested. OPM is telling you exactly what they are looking for in each phase of the online phase. It is simple advice, but I found that as long as I refocused on what the competency being tested was, the clearer the approach to answering was. 2. The SJT: I did it in 2013. For all I can recall, it may have been exactly the same. Of course, even if it were (I don't really remember), it doesn't help me, since I did not get past this phase in 2013, and OPM gives no feedback, so there is no advantage there. Some people have suggested you can get 30/30 on this phase. I think this is erroneous. There are not right answers or wrong answers, the answers are probably scaled (i.e. answer A is 4 points, answer B 3 points, etc). Moreover, I think that pattern of answers are scored - i.e. are your answers suggesting relative weaknesses in one of the tested competencies, or an imbalance in the tested competencies. I think Funkyodar said it's like a personality test, which I semi-agree with: I think there are patterns of answers that weigh against you - e.g. you are too "decisive" to the detriment of being open minded. I would also not be surprised if the time you took to complete the SJT were considered in scoring it.
3. The writing sample - I took it down to the wire, but just as I proof read my least sentence I timed out. I think I did well on it. We will see. 4. In re: the discussion about the ethics in the writing sample/ signing out, composing an answer, and skirting the 35 minute requirement: well I did not do it. Who knows if they are looking at who signed out right after they read the question. I agree that, since you are applying to be a judge, you should take the most ethically rigorous approach. That said, of the 13 competencies being tested for the job, Integrity/Honesty is not one of them, despite being listed as one of the defined competencies in OPMs "comprehensive" list of competencies (MOSAIC). I find this strange.
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Post by marray on Jun 30, 2016 20:08:33 GMT -5
Long time listener, first time caller here. I just finished mine as well. I definitely used the kitchen timer for the writing sample, but surprisingly had time left over. I did not enjoy the SJT but...it's done. The various threads are amazing. Thanks to all. I registered a while back hoping to jump in at some point. Now...we enjoy the wait. Or at least, we wait.
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Post by montyburns on Jun 30, 2016 20:08:40 GMT -5
I'm going to try posting here before I create a new thread entirely for my freak out, but...then. Anyone want to reassure me? You shouldn't discuss specifics. That said: calm down, it's all good. EDIT NOTE BY PIXIE: I agree. Please don't discuss the specifics of the exam. Pixie.
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neely
Full Member
Posts: 35
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Post by neely on Jun 30, 2016 20:10:10 GMT -5
Happened to me neely. And several others I know. Don't fret. Thanks, that does make me feel better. The timer is a good idea, but it wouldn't have helped. I sized up the subject, outlined a start-to-finish answer in my head, I just cut it maybe a minute or two short. Overambitious... On the plus side, at least I got a few sentences in from my conclusion paragraph. Anyone who reads it should be able to tell that I was wrapping up and that the conclusion was coming "full circle". If I didn't get those few sentences at the end, the "theme" would not be apparent and the entire sample would have just seemed like a long-winded, pointless diatribe. It was incomplete, but not THAT incomplete, so maybe the (incomplete) glass is half full. Come to think of it, you wouldn't need a complete glass if it were only half full, so maybe I am ok!!
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Post by bayou on Jun 30, 2016 20:13:12 GMT -5
In case there is anyone left not having written the sample. Best advice on this Board concerning the writing: BRING KITCHEN TIMER AND SET IT FOR 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE THE TIME ALLOTMENT WOULD EXPIRE. I don't disagree with the concept of this thought but it didn't work for me. I used the timer on my phone and it went off with 7 minutes left. However, I still had plenty to say. At about 4 minutes, I was still blazing along and made the decision on the fly to leave little time for editing. I'm a pretty good first drafter, especially from a structure standpoint and I did spend about 5 minutes thinking about my response before I started typing. So, I typed away till about 2 minutes left, then skimmed back over it and fixed a few things. So, I'm on the opposite end from you. I got my full "story" in but it probably could have been a bit tighter. I know I was north of 680 words at one point but I'm not sure exactly where I ended up. We shall see.
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Post by pumpkin on Jun 30, 2016 20:20:23 GMT -5
So I just finished the writing sample. No way will they worry that I logged off, composed an outline/draft, then logged back in because.... I didn't finish. UGH! Thoughts? It would make my night if someone responded that in a prior application period he or she did not quite finish, but still made it through. My writing sample timed out without me actually clicking on anything for me to save or submit it (and without any time for proofreading). I took the same road in that once I started, I worked for 35 minutes to the end, without logging out to think or compose an answer then log back in. I just felt that was the most ethical path, personally. I panicked when I timed out, and had to send an email to OPM to see if an answer actually was submitted or not. The response to the email assured me that whatever I had typed before time ran out was saved and submitted as my response. I made it through to the next round, so no worries neely !
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Post by montyburns on Jun 30, 2016 20:21:32 GMT -5
In case there is anyone left not having written the sample. Best advice on this Board concerning the writing: BRING KITCHEN TIMER AND SET IT FOR 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE THE TIME ALLOTMENT WOULD EXPIRE. I don't disagree with the concept of this thought but it didn't work for me. I used the timer on my phone and it went off with 7 minutes left. However, I still had plenty to say. At about 4 minutes, I was still blazing along and made the decision on the fly to leave little time for editing. I'm a pretty good first drafter, especially from a structure standpoint and I did spend about 5 minutes thinking about my response before I started typing. So, I typed away till about 2 minutes left, then skimmed back over it and fixed a few things. So, I'm on the opposite end from you. I got my full "story" in but it probably could have been a bit tighter. I know I was north of 680 words at one point but I'm not sure exactly where I ended up. We shall see. 680? holy moly. I think it all depends on your style. I know I suck when typing, so I self-correct every few sentences. This slows my pace, but everything I have on the paper is usually correct by the end. My weakness is that I cannot adequetely proof read on a screen. My eyes just transpose letters to make them make sense when reading on a screen. If I have a hard copy, errors stand out easily. However, to correct for this, I am constantly self-editing and re-reading, and I did get a chance to slowly proof the whole thing before I got done. So I'm feeling OK.
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Post by bayou on Jun 30, 2016 20:29:53 GMT -5
I don't disagree with the concept of this thought but it didn't work for me. I used the timer on my phone and it went off with 7 minutes left. However, I still had plenty to say. At about 4 minutes, I was still blazing along and made the decision on the fly to leave little time for editing. I'm a pretty good first drafter, especially from a structure standpoint and I did spend about 5 minutes thinking about my response before I started typing. So, I typed away till about 2 minutes left, then skimmed back over it and fixed a few things. So, I'm on the opposite end from you. I got my full "story" in but it probably could have been a bit tighter. I know I was north of 680 words at one point but I'm not sure exactly where I ended up. We shall see. 680? holy moly. I think it all depends on your style. I know I suck when typing, so I self-correct every few sentences. This slows my pace, but everything I have on the paper is usually correct by the end. My weakness is that I cannot adequetely proof read on a screen. My eyes just transpose letters to make them make sense when reading on a screen. If I have a hard copy, errors stand out easily. However, to correct for this, I am constantly self-editing and re-reading, and I did get a chance to slowly proof the whole thing before I got done. So I'm feeling OK. Word count is not the end all be all. 300 well crafted words are often better than 600 loosely organized words. I had outlined what I was going to say before I started typing and was about 75% done. I couldn't stop because it would have been terrible. I didn't have enough time to both finish and closely edit and wasn't sure I had enough time restructure what I had into a complete article; especially without the ability to move around with cut and paste. So I doubled down and forged ahead. I'm comfortable with my results but again, not because of word count. Anyway, some of this early stuff is right in my wheelhouse. Wait till interviews. I will suck out loud at that. The flame out will be so spectacular that the President will probably be rushed to Air Force 1 because they will think a nuke has been set off.
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Post by christina on Jun 30, 2016 20:34:47 GMT -5
Hey, I just got promoted to a "full member." Does that mean that I am out of dog house with Pixie? Would not hold my breath on that
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Post by 2rvrrun on Jun 30, 2016 20:51:36 GMT -5
Hey, I just got promoted to a "full member." Does that mean that I am out of dog house with Pixie? LOL, No you have to earn it and she likes cats better anyway.
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Post by Pixie on Jun 30, 2016 21:11:18 GMT -5
Hey, I just got promoted to a "full member." Does that mean that I am out of dog house with Pixie? LOL, No you have to earn it and she likes cats better anyway. I wouldn't be so sure about that. As I type this, I am holding a Jack Russel next to me and a hound mix is at my feet. But yes the kitties are special, just as are the canines. I really can't choose one over the other. Pixie
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Post by shelldon on Jun 30, 2016 21:45:04 GMT -5
Now I'm spooked about the writing sample. I spent a minute or two trying to compose a coherent thought and jumped in after seeing the counter ticking away my time. I came up for air when my phone alarm went off with 5 mins to go. I'm fairly decent at proofreading on the fly -- at least that's how I do my writing in real life. Then I tried to come up with a conclusion. It ended too abruptly for my liking.
I'm worried that I puked all over the thing. 1,100+ words. I type fast, but I think I may have been a bit too haphazard in my structure. So, looks like I'm hoping that this is truly a typing test and not a brevity test.
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wb
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by wb on Jun 30, 2016 22:11:37 GMT -5
1000 words + !!??! O.M.G. 200 here. Btw, for those who may be doing experience assessment last... took me about 3 hrs to draft. Longer than I thought. Good luck to all.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2016 22:51:01 GMT -5
I'm done! I'm finally done!! Full to-the-last-minute procrastination AVERTED!!! WooHoo!!!!
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sobecharlie
New Member
Counsel . . . approach the bench
Posts: 7
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Post by sobecharlie on Jun 30, 2016 23:15:28 GMT -5
Well. I just finished the whole shebang. I found the button on the last section of the Experience Assessment that said "Brain Puree" It was quite the thing. I now have absolutely no recollection of anything involved with the questions in any of the three sections, except perversely the video content of the SJT.
I can't decide whether we all sound more like we did after we took our first semester law school exams or after we took the bar exam. It's summer, so I'll go with the latter. Does that mean we're entitled to our bar-exam-prep-summer tans again?
At the end of the day, after a long workweek, ALJ Smith sat back in her uncomfortable chair in chambers and heaved a sigh, a sigh so heavy it surprised her. Why was the air conditioning always set on "arctic blast" during the summer? And why was she, well, so sad? As she gathered her things to leave and go from the icebox to outside into the wilting heat and humidity, she felt a bit of a lift. Somehow she was transported back to that bar exam summer, when she and her buddies rented the beach house for the July 4th weekend, caught some rays, had a beer or two and laughed at the silly boys who were trying to hit on them. She remembered the camaraderie and the exuberance of youth, of endless possibility, of how walking barefoot on sand made the world seem better. She thought back to when she laughed more freely and took joy in a new hairstyle. More than anything, she longed to be called only Jenny rather than ALJ Smith for even a short while.
She picked up her phone and before she could even think about it, she was calling her friend Bev. It had been a while. But she had to call. She had to recapture that feeling of freedom and possibility, even with the anxiety that had come with that summer and still managed to inhabit her work life. Why had she waited so long, she wondered? But she knew it as a fact. She was definitely going to feel sand under her bare feet that weekend. And then Bev answered.
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Post by aljfisher on Jun 30, 2016 23:23:23 GMT -5
So I just finished the writing sample. No way will they worry that I logged off, composed an outline/draft, then logged back in because.... I didn't finish. UGH! Thoughts? It would make my night if someone responded that in a prior application period he or she did not quite finish, but still made it through. My writing sample timed out without me actually clicking on anything for me to save or submit it (and without any time for proofreading). I took the same road in that once I started, I worked for 35 minutes to the end, without logging out to think or compose an answer then log back in. I just felt that was the most ethical path, personally. I panicked when I timed out, and had to send an email to OPM to see if an answer actually was submitted or not. The response to the email assured me that whatever I had typed before time ran out was saved and submitted as my response. I made it through to the next round, so no worries neely ! Pumpkin, many thanks for sharing this. I was making a few edits on my writing sample conclusion and I must have lost track of time because I was suddenly transported to the certification box/screen. I was going down a road of angst/anxiety because I could not recall a save or record answer button and thought they "got me" by forgetting to hit that record button.
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sobecharlie
New Member
Counsel . . . approach the bench
Posts: 7
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Post by sobecharlie on Jun 30, 2016 23:30:34 GMT -5
" I'm concerned. She needs some joy in her life. Work-life balance, people . . . can you work on her for me?" She wasn't not looking forward to returning to the bench. (Had they ever, she wondered, been real wood? Oh well, if she cared enough she could see if there was some GSA warehouse where real benches from the 30's and 40's were stashed. Then she'd have to get a requisition and labor authorized......well, screw that she though). She was neutral. She liked her staff well enough. Her colleagues--well, they weren't exactly the Algonquain Round Table. Where were all the bright, insightful, supportive people that made up the ALJDiscussion ? Must have gotten their geographic preference in Hawaii or Denver. Sipping mai tais while Harvard trained attorney advisers pre-crafted their opinions for them. That was not her office. Instead she had to put up with the arrogance of the insufferable petitioner attorneys that seemed to think she wanted nothing better than to see them belittle the department's attorneys. She wondered sometimes if they were biding their time to apply for an ALJ position or did they shudder at the thought. At least most of them had windows. Where did claimant's counsel get his haircut? His mother? Hard to be detached and disinterested while he was being a snide little--couldn't go down that road. How do teachers do it when they get some right little s--t in their class and they have to be neutral to them for the whole year? Well if she didn't want to deal with hemorrhoids, being in the law wasn't the smart move. What'd that make her, legal proctologist? Reframe, she told herself, reframe. And get herself a new style while she was at it. Not the blocky 70's style that emotionally complemented her drab judge "uniform." (to be continued) (unfortunately, she thought)
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sobecharlie
New Member
Counsel . . . approach the bench
Posts: 7
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Post by sobecharlie on Jun 30, 2016 23:35:31 GMT -5
Nice Foghorn! I think it's your turn . . . (:
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Post by Thru Hiker on Jul 1, 2016 1:25:29 GMT -5
FWIW: I read this from a post by Stevil, under "More fun with math" thread:
"Although I was apparently in the next highest scoring sub- group in 2013, that did not stop OPM from sending me a FOAD e-mail and telling me I was done. I was stunned a year later when they sent me another e-mail saying I somehow now qualified to move on to the DC testing and interview!"
This resonated with what two told me who are now headed to ALJ training, and packing for their new posts. They had evidently gotten FOAD e-mails, then were surprised to be called to DC for the interview. Both are Outsiders, as am I. They thought someone told them the scoring had been messed up, but maybe they too were just lower-scored, and got DC invites after getting a FOAD e-mail.
I too just finished the Experience Assessment, was that all there was to it, a self-rate then a regurg of past work experience to support the self-eval, hopefully in sufficient OPM-ese? I have this nagging feeling i missed something. after the two timed tests, the Evaluation Assessment seemed ... anti-climactic.
So, I guess I'm waiting for either a FOAD email, or an invite to DC, and even if a FOAD is recieved, another DC invite might come later, down the road. anyone have any idea when the DC invites will issue to this cadre of hopefuls? I certainly will know when I get a FOAD email, but until then, I guess I just check in here to look for reports, and will provide same. Thanks all for help with what, for an Outsider, is a lonely odyssey....
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