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Post by barkley on Jul 31, 2008 8:02:45 GMT -5
Two questions. . .
(1) Since OPM did not change any of the AR questions, think the procedures from the last round will hold true? i.e. about 300 of the 600 will advance, timing, forms, etc
(2) Think OPM, with its experience with last year and the smaller number of applicants, will make an effort to complete the AR scoring, WD and SI by the end of the fiscal year?
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Post by workdrone on Jul 31, 2008 8:24:02 GMT -5
(1) Since OPM did not change any of the AR questions, think the procedures from the last round will hold true? i.e. about 300 of the 600 will advance, timing, forms, etc That would be a logical assumption if OPM wants to keep the register size at about 600ish people. (2) Think OPM, with its experience with last year and the smaller number of applicants, will make an effort to complete the AR scoring, WD and SI by the end of the fiscal year? Last time the process started in late May and people got their NORs in early November or so. This time with half the number of applicants, OPM should be able to get it done by end of October like last round if they hire the same number of staff to do the WD/SI part of the test. |
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Post by lawandorder on Jul 31, 2008 8:27:31 GMT -5
That's my feeling too. I think that the NOR should be out before the end of the year taking into account the lesser number of applicants allowed.
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Post by belgrade on Jul 31, 2008 9:53:39 GMT -5
I second this. It will go much faster this time around. I think the Commissioner of SSA will ask for a certificate in January 2009 (by that time he will have a new budget). Again, assuming he sticks around and doesn't depart with the current Administration...
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Post by morgullord on Jul 31, 2008 9:54:04 GMT -5
SSA has made no secret of the fact that it desires to hire another 150-175 judges in FY09. After all of the FY08 hires, there are less than 450 names on the Register due to drop-outs, etc. Thus, refreshing of the Register is necessary. In my opinion, SSA will try to speed up its process to get new judges into place earlier in the fiscal year in order to get a bigger bang for its bucks. Last year we speculated about classes in November, December and January. This time around, January is a definite possibility. If you are on the register now, widen your list of acceptable locations to increase your chances.
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Post by nonamouse on Jul 31, 2008 12:40:02 GMT -5
I think that they may get a lot more applications than expected in a very short window of time. There was better communication this time given the posting in the middle of the week. Additionally, there are a great many people who missed the boat the last time who were merely waiting to hit the "submit" button this time around. I predict far more than 600 will get applications submitted before it closes.
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Post by Propmaster on Jul 31, 2008 13:02:18 GMT -5
I agree with nonamouse. And I further predict that many fewer people will make ineligibility-level mistakes. Anyone turned down for failing to provide a bar number, for example, will surely do it correctly this time. It would not surprise me in the least to see 1000 applications submitted in time, with fully 800 being eligible for testing.
(meaning, of course, that 550 of them will have higher scores than me).
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Post by extang on Jul 31, 2008 16:16:03 GMT -5
Regarding "In my opinion, SSA will try to speed up its process to get new judges into place earlier in the fiscal year in order to get a bigger bang for its bucks": what about the impact of being under a continuing resolution, which would seem close to a certainty in this election year?
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Post by morgullord on Jul 31, 2008 19:29:17 GMT -5
The budget in recent yearshas been passed in pieces. SSA is making a concerted effort to get its portion of the budget in place as soon as possible.
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Post by pm on Aug 2, 2008 14:36:09 GMT -5
(1) Since OPM did not change any of the AR questions, think the procedures from the last round will hold true? i.e. about 300 of the 600 will advance, timing, forms, etc That would be a logical assumption if OPM wants to keep the register size at about 600ish people. (2) Think OPM, with its experience with last year and the smaller number of applicants, will make an effort to complete the AR scoring, WD and SI by the end of the fiscal year? Last time the process started in late May and people got their NORs in early November or so. This time with half the number of applicants, OPM should be able to get it done by end of October like last round if they hire the same number of staff to do the WD/SI part of the test. The critical language is "if they hire the same number of staff". Personally I doubt they will. That was costly last year but OPM was under pressure. The pressure this year is much smaller. I don't seem OPM caring whether they finsih the process in 3 months or 6 months. If they don't staff up, it could take just as long this year as last year. |
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Post by southerner on Aug 2, 2008 18:58:05 GMT -5
Last week, when news spread about the opening, about half of us in the class expected the 600 cap to be met on the opening day and the rest anticipated it would close Thursday. I would surmise that the number is likely significantly greater than 600.
I agree with pm that there is no rush to select, so I think OPM will do most of the work and take its time unless prodded. The question is whether they will grade harder than last time.
For everyone's sake, I hope the process is expeditious, but would not bet on it.
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Post by okeydokey on Aug 3, 2008 21:34:26 GMT -5
Speculation abounds.
Perhaps OPM will decide the process is fair. Perhaps it has set a "cut-off" precedent and will allow those who have the previously established magic number to advance. If that is the case, there is no telling how many will go forward.
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