Written Exam

[vietnamveteran]

I assume the written portion of the examination process will be a social security disability case. Is this correct?

Also, are actual decisions published anywhere?

Thanks.

[workdrone]

No. The OPM registry is for all agencies to hire ALJs, not just SSA. So the test is not agency specific. As for the specific of the test, I don't think anyone who took it can tell you due to the confidentiality clause that's a part of the exam process.

Just think of it as a something like a bar exam.

[pm]

It's like a bar exam except that they give you the specific law to apply, but you are expected to know general legal principles. It's like the performance exams on the California Bar exam.

And the confidentiality clause does bar applicants from discussing the specific questions.

[vietnamveteran]

Thank you. My inquiry was not about specific questions, but the responses save me from doing research on social security cases.

[lawandorder]

Is it recommendable that we review things like Torts, Const. Law, Contracts, etc. or would that be a waste of time?

[jazz]

I would say that you would be wasting your time worrying about studying for the tests. Having said that, I think that anytime you spend doing something that allows you to exercise your brain, is always valuable. I know, I am a nerd.

[nonamouse]

I don't think it is betraying any confidentiality to tell you that at this point in your legal careers you will either be able to write the test or you won't. This is not something that cramming will help (even if you could know the subject matter/details/format).

Just get there the night before and get plenty of rest at your hotel. Do something that you find relaxing like knitting, reading, exercising or whatever. I suggest staying within walking distance of OPM to reduce the randomness of traffic and crazy cab drivers. Take ear plugs to block out the unusual city noises if that might bother you. Wear comfy layered clothing and walk over to OPM in plenty of time to have a little breakfast or coffee at their snack area and use the facilities before they call you in. You will be called in well before the testing time listed. There is an older but reasonable suite-type hotel right across from the State Dept. that will put you walking basically 2 blocks to OPM along a pleasant street/mini park.

Same deal for the structured interview. Be rested and have your mind at its best because this is all about your accumulated life and legal experience at this stage of the game and not cram sessions. If you are ready to be an ALJ and have some common sense and decent communication/testing skills, then you will be fine.

[aaa]

I think it's a breach of anything confidential to say that I think in part the written exam is somewhat an exam to see how well you take a test and follow instructions. My opinion is that you are expected to identify issues, make a stand, and apply the law you believe supports your decision, just like most law school exams and bar exams seem to be.

There's not a way to "cheat" on this and even if you were told some facts about the case (if I could even remember them), you wouldn't be any better off until you could read the whole exam and begin working on your answer.

It's done on a lap top at a less than ergonomic workstation in a room full of people. You can get up to go to the restroom or get a drink. You have 4 hours.

I prepared by asking the Admin Law professor at my former law school what book he used in class. I looked at it on Amazon and then ordered it - it was reasonably priced - Admin Law - Examples and Explanations, 2nd Ed., by Funk. I also got Admin Law in a Nutshell and Crunch Time: Life-Saving Help in the Final Days Before Your Exams - Admin Law by Beermann. I read through them although not in depth - I just wanted to refresh myself on the buzz words and phrases and general overview of Admin Law. They were my security blankets more than anything. I bought them before I even knew I'd make it far enough to take the exam. I also read some admin law decisions on line from different agencies to get a feel for the format I was most comfortable with to write so I could memorize it and use it for my format.

I still have the books if anyone wants to buy them. If so, send me a PM and we can work out details. They must have done something for me as my score was high enough for an interview with SSA and an offer and acceptance for the April ALJ class.

Another reference book I used, particularly to prepare for the interview, was The ALJ Manual I found on-line by Mullen. www.ualr.edu/malj/malj.pdf. There is a lot of good practical information in there. It's about 200 pages total I think.

I use a split keyboard due to carpal tunnel. If you request a reasonable accommodation, be prepared to submit a medical statement of necessity and be prepared for a delay in receiving your potential test dates. My testing was delayed because I requested the accommodation. Because I don't have a medical statement for the split keyboard, I couldn't have the accommodation and I ended up withdrawing the request. However, I didn't know that was why I wasn't getting my test dates and I was frantic - I got the original message telling me I'd move on and receive the dates. Everyone else heard and I heard nothing, plus more deafening silence from OPM when I kept inquiring. An acquaintence finally said something about reasonable accommodation and I sent OPM an email telling them I was withdrawing the request. I then got my test dates within a couple of days - actually the email came to my work email at 3:00 AM on a Saturday morning - I opened it on Monday to learn that my written exam was Wednesday (2 days later!) and the interview was Thursday. Again, it all worked out thankfully.

Good luck to you all. Been there, done that. The waiting is hell.

[belgrade]

lawandorder, everything you will need for the Written Demonstration (test) will be provided to you. Both the facts and the law. They will also provide a computer and a blank CD to save the work and a printer for all. No way you can really prepare for it so simply don't waste your time. By the way, at this point one still doesn't even know whether s/he will be "invited" for the WD and that weird Structured Interview - for which, by the way, you can't really prepare either. If you have already applied just kick back and relax and wait to see whether you will be found qualified "enough" to proceed further. Good luck to you and absolutely everybody else. (It's not that hard, trust me...).

[morgullord]

I stayed at the State Plaza Hotel the night before the WD and the night before the SI. It was a very comfortable, very convenient location. The walk to the Teddy Roosevelt Building was 5-6 minutes. One caveat: instead of eating at the hotel buffet, consider the snack bar on the ground floor of the TR Building. You can get a danish, coffee, etc., for a lot less money.

[vietnamveteran]

to aaa.

I will buy your books. I think your info. was helpful. You can e-mail me at [e-mail].

Thanks.

Timh

[lawandorder]

Thanks to all of you for sharing your valuable input. You are all great!!

[vietnamveteran]

Thanks for the tip on the State Plaza Hotel. I never eat the morning I am in court or before and exam. And I certainly don't drink coffee.

[aaa]

I stayed at the State Plaza Hotel also. It was great - felt safe and the room didn't close in on me. The walk to the OPM building was easy - I got there the day before fairly early in the day, checked in, and then walked to the OPM building. Others stayed further away and still made the walk with no problem. The State Plaza room I was in was a suites type - had a small old kitchen. There was a Wal-Green's next door so I picked up a few groceries since I was there from Tues - Friday because of timing of exam/interview and flights home. Worked well for me.

[morgullord]

You will be in the exam room from approximately 8:45 AM until at least 1 PM. I had a bottle of water with me and a snack. With IDDM, one must maintain a schedule; anyway, it was no problem for me.

[northwest]

Does the laptop have Microsoft Word on it? Or WordPerfect? Or both?

[pm]

Neither

[morgullord]

If memory serves (always a doubtful proposition), the laptop had a version of Word specially castrated for SSA

[lawandorder]

What's the attire required? i.e., jeans, casual, business?

[pm]

No particular attire is required. Some wear suits. Some wear t-shirts, jeans and tennis shoes. Some believe you should aim for comfort. Others believe that it is important that low level OPM employees should see you in a suit.