DC Testing

[ARobeByAnyOtherName]

By my count, 90 proctored testing days over 23 weeks.

[gary]

That's a lot of available testing seats.

[Deleted]

Aug 13, 2016 10:37:09 GMT -5 subrosa said:

Aug 13, 2016 10:23:13 GMT -5 litigator52 said:

And my observation from  5 years working in close association with the AC (don't they choose the new ALJs?)  is that what they value in their own staff is productivity speed --  not accuracy, not depth of knowledge, not leadership skills or 'social function' skills, and certainly not extra-SSA experience. They can look up the productivity stats pretty quickly on the insiders and be shed of 250 in one fell swoop.   

LIT52 with my new game face

I don't think that's an entirely fair characterization of the AC, and I don't believe the AC has much to do with selecting ALJs.

The AC has nothing to do with selecting new ALJs.

[foghorn]

DC testing will be September 12 through March, 2017! 

[woodenships]

Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere - I've searched, but cannot find an answer, and perhaps given that this testing period is so long and not a repeat of the 2013 testing protocol it isn't answerable.  However, I will ask anyhow. 

It seems that there will be different interviewers conducting each week's interviews. Does it follow then that there is no advantage to testing in September versus, say, testing in January or March? Thoughts?

[gary]

There will be different interviewers. If there is an advantage to getting one panel as opposed to another I'm guessing it will not be dependent on when you interview, but rather will be luck of the draw.

I'm sure the interviewer training is designed to minimize the difference between interviewers. I'm also sure that they will not be able to entirely eliminate interviewer differences inasmuch as this is a human graded system.

[firehouse9]

So here are my questions:

1. Does it matter when you test in terms of getting on the register? That is, do they add people to the register on a semi-rolling basis or do they wait to see what everyone's scores are coms March or April?

2. Does anyone have any guess as to what days of the week or month would be optimum to test/interview on? In other words, do ALJs tend to be busier or more tired at certain points during the month or week?

3. For anyone who tested previously, if there was some aspect of the timing that you could change what would it be an why?

[woodenships]

Thanks for the information. Understanding, again, that information is limited. Does anyone know how many of the original applicants made it on the register from the 2013 testing? (Either the total from the first round or the total of all rounds from 2013).

[funkyodar]

I think you folks are over thinking this. The WD will be administered by OPM proctors. It's their job to do it and they will be professional whether you test in September, January of March.

As for the ALJs doing the interview...for one its structured so everyone gets the same questions regardless of when they do it. For two, the judges that sign up to do this are generally happy to be there. They get out of their own office, away from their own dockets and get to spend some time in DC on OPMs dime. Many only volunteer for one day, some the whole week. But they will be professional and take their jobs very seriously. I really don't think you will have to worry about them tanking you because they have a case of the Mondays or want to get out early Friday.

As for time of year...that may make a difference. As some have noted, hotels are more expensive at certain times. DC shuts down with the slightest snow dusting so if you go in January and February you may get stuck. October is usually the budget fight and if there is a shutdown its likely to be in that month.

But the biggest issue is what I posted the other day. you will not get your scores until all have tested. So, that likely means sometime in May or June. If you are the type that just needs to get it over with or you will obsess unhealthily, do it early. If you can put it out of your mind till March, do that and go late. that way you have less time between when you completed the test and when you get your scores back.

[niemekv]

Aug 15, 2016 14:41:56 GMT -5 firehouse9 said:

So here are my questions:

1. Does it matter when you test in terms of getting on the register? That is, do they add people to the register on a semi-rolling basis or do they wait to see what everyone's scores are coms March or April?

2. Does anyone have any guess as to what days of the week or month would be optimum to test/interview on? In other words, do ALJs tend to be busier or more tired at certain points during the month or week?

3. For anyone who tested previously, if there was some aspect of the timing that you could change what would it be an why?

1. Past history has been to release all results at once.  Also with this number of candidates, March or April is unrealistic.  With testing going into March, I'd be shocked to get results prior to June.

2. I believe interviewers are generally scheduled to interview on a weekly basis.  So it's not like they're squeezing in an interview in between hearings.  Your guess on best time to interview is as good as anyone else's.  IMO it's all luck of the draw on who you get.  I'd focus on what's best for you and when you'll be at your best and ignore what is out of your control.

3. I tested in 2013, so we didn't have the option to self-schedule, we were assigned a date.  I personally don't think the timing matters much.  I'm not a morning person so my preference would be not to have an 8:00 interview, but we don't get to self schedule the interview. 

I self scheduled for a Monday, it lets me travel on Sunday to save one day of leave and/or to get in earlier in the day to take travel stress out of the equation.  I also looked at the cost of hotel and flights in deciding on when to schedule my testing if that tells you anything on how much I think the date of your testing matters.

[Lawesome]

Is it bad that this was my first thought of government testing?   Sorry - had to share.   

[bayou]

Regarding rolling grading, the email you received clearly states that everybody will get their score after all testing has been complete and all will get their score at the same time. They very likely will be grading all along but no scores will be released until all are graded.

[Ready-Now!]

Bayou that is my thought too. I think it would be foolish of them not have rolling grading. Depending on how many test in 2017 will determine how long the release date will be extended. My WAG.

[Deleted]

I have not scheduled my proctored exam and interview yet. It looks like they are testing through the end of March 2017. I assume it doesn't matter whether you test early or late within the window. What percentage of initial applicants made it to this stage? What percentage of people who made it to this stage will make it to the next stage? Thanks.

[judgymcjudgypants]

I agree with you two. They may compile and rank the grades at the end of the grading process, but I am sure they start grading before the testing is done. They just wait to compile, rank, and then release results all at once.

Just like Santa's elves, making toys all year, even if everyone only gets to open their stockings on Christmas.

J

[ARobeByAnyOtherName]

Aug 15, 2016 15:03:29 GMT -5 funkyodar said:

I think you folks are over thinking this. The WD will be administered by OPM proctors. It's their job to do it and they will be professional whether you test in September, January of March.

As for the ALJs doing the interview...for one its structured so everyone gets the same questions regardless of when they do it. For two, the judges that sign up to do this are generally happy to be there. They get out of their own office, away from their own dockets and get to spend some time in DC on OPMs dime. Many only volunteer for one day, some the whole week. But they will be professional and take their jobs very seriously. I really don't think you will have to worry about them tanking you because they have a case of the Mondays or want to get out early Friday.

As for time of year...that may make a difference. As some have noted, hotels are more expensive at certain times. DC shuts down with the slightest snow dusting so if you go in January and February you may get stuck. October is usually the budget fight and if there is a shutdown its likely to be in that month.

But the biggest issue is what I posted the other day. you will not get your scores until all have tested. So, that likely means sometime in May or June. If you are the type that just needs to get it over with or you will obsess unhealthily, do it early. If you can put it out of your mind till March, do that and go late. that way you have less time between when you completed the test and when you get your scores back.

I went back to take a look at the schedule and it looks like the majority of us want to get it out of the way early...there are no dates left in September or October, but only 2 days gone in November and 1 day gone in December.  All of the dates are still available in January, February, and March.

[zebra51]

Aug 15, 2016 16:51:01 GMT -5 @falcons66 said:

I received an invite to participate in testing in DC. I have not scheduled my proctored exam and interview yet. It looks like they are testing through the end of March 2017. I assume it doesn't matter whether you test early or late within the window. Can anyone tell me how to best prepare for this portion of the application process? Do they ask you to write a hearing decision using the five-step sequential evaluation? What percentage of initial applicants made it to this stage? What percentage of people who made it to this stage will make it to the next stage? Thanks.

Doubt anyone will answer your question. To do so would violate the confidentiality agreement.

[gary]

Aug 15, 2016 16:51:01 GMT -5 @falcons66 said:

I received an invite to participate in testing in DC. I have not scheduled my proctored exam and interview yet. It looks like they are testing through the end of March 2017. I assume it doesn't matter whether you test early or late within the window. Can anyone tell me how to best prepare for this portion of the application process? Do they ask you to write a hearing decision using the five-step sequential evaluation? What percentage of initial applicants made it to this stage? What percentage of people who made it to this stage will make it to the next stage? Thanks.

1. We all signed Confidentiality Agreements about the testing. We can't tell you about it.

2. They will release all NORs--those with scores and those without scores--at about the same time after everything is graded. So far as I know when you test makes no difference in outcome or in the timing of getting your score.

3. In 2013/14 it appears that 25-30% did not achieve minimum scores on either the WD, the SI, or both. It appeared the percentage not making minimum scores was higher in 2015/16. There is no minimum score for the LBMT.

[Pixie]

Aug 15, 2016 16:57:32 GMT -5 floridaladylaw said:

Aug 15, 2016 16:51:01 GMT -5 @falcons66 said:

I received an invite to participate in testing in DC. I have not scheduled my proctored exam and interview yet. It looks like they are testing through the end of March 2017. I assume it doesn't matter whether you test early or late within the window. Can anyone tell me how to best prepare for this portion of the application process? Do they ask you to write a hearing decision using the five-step sequential evaluation? What percentage of initial applicants made it to this stage? What percentage of people who made it to this stage will make it to the next stage? Thanks.

Before Pixie lands with both feet,  no one is allowed to tell you whether they are going to ask you to write a hearing decision using the five step process because that would violate the confidentiality agreement that we all will sign when we get to DC.  I think it would be OK to tell you (and I don't know anything because I am in the class of 2016) that we are testing to get on the ALJ register, not necessarily to be an ALJ with ODAR.   I would suggest looking at the instructions that came with your congrats/scheduling mail which is all the detail you are going to get on the WD.   Because none of the NORs will be released until all the folks asked to Phase III have completed testing/SI,  it seems to be the consensus that going early or going late is of no moment, save for logistical concerns like weather, elections, etc.    If you look under the GEEKS thread, I think there is a good discussion about the numbers making it through from Phase II to Phase III.       

Thank you FLL. I imagine we will be having a lot of these coming down the pike. If you guys tell them what FLL (and zebra51 and gary) told falcon66 it will save me a lot of time, plus I may not see them soon enough.

Don't you new members read any of the posts before you start asking questions? I know it is a big board with a lot of stuff, but surely something like this has been posted time and time again. I remember seeing it at least 5 to 10 times with each class. But then I try and read every post. I realize new members probably have not done so. In fact many of them don't even know to fill in the white box. Speaking of the white box, here is what one of our new members wrote in the box: "Well, ostensibly I am interested in becoming an ALJ. In reality, I am just completing this box because I want to avoid making Pixie angry." I believe it was sean56321 So at least some of them can read and follow instructions. Pixie

[aljwishhope]

Aug 15, 2016 17:01:44 GMT -5 ARobeByAnyOtherName said:

Aug 15, 2016 15:03:29 GMT -5 funkyodar said:

I think you folks are over thinking this. The WD will be administered by OPM proctors. It's their job to do it and they will be professional whether you test in September, January of March.

As for the ALJs doing the interview...for one its structured so everyone gets the same questions regardless of when they do it. For two, the judges that sign up to do this are generally happy to be there. They get out of their own office, away from their own dockets and get to spend some time in DC on OPMs dime. Many only volunteer for one day, some the whole week. But they will be professional and take their jobs very seriously. I really don't think you will have to worry about them tanking you because they have a case of the Mondays or want to get out early Friday.

As for time of year...that may make a difference. As some have noted, hotels are more expensive at certain times. DC shuts down with the slightest snow dusting so if you go in January and February you may get stuck. October is usually the budget fight and if there is a shutdown its likely to be in that month.

But the biggest issue is what I posted the other day. you will not get your scores until all have tested. So, that likely means sometime in May or June. If you are the type that just needs to get it over with or you will obsess unhealthily, do it early. If you can put it out of your mind till March, do that and go late. that way you have less time between when you completed the test and when you get your scores back.

I went back to take a look at the schedule and it looks like the majority of us want to get it out of the way early...there are no dates left in September or October, but only 2 days gone in November and 1 day gone in December.  All of the dates are still available in January, February, and March.

last year I chose a date late in year right after thanksgiving and the first week of December. For my smaller cadre of testers this was about the last week of testing. The benefit very small group maybe 12 so likely quieter testing environment. Group so small we all had lunch together in cafe.