Speculation on the scoring process

[nylawyer]

hello, I am relatively new to this board, and a refugee from the old one. I am hoping to get some solid rumors and/or informed speculation about the scoring system being used by OPM. For instance, I have seen elsewhere that the initial application was worth as much as 70% of the final score. But exactly how are they scoring it? For instance, I have just barely over the minimum seven years experience that was called for- does that mean that the time I spent taking the written exam and interviewing was wasted, because I already had scored too low on the application? What other factors figure into the application score? I have an MBA along with my law degree, does that mean I got bonus points? Anything else like that which would add to the score? I am especially confused on this point since none of my references were contacted- exactly what are they using to score the application?

On a different topic, I have seen there are numerous threads regarding what offices might be hiring- I limited myself in my application to the New York metropolitan area; anyone know of any empty offices that seem to be getting cleaned?

Thanks for any info.

[chris]

The best rumor I saw on the old board was that the initial app was worth 60 percent. That rumor was allegedly based on inside info and that rumor makes sense. But we don't know how they are scoring it. Presumably they are scoring each of the six competencies and a large part of the score probably comes from them. I don't know where an MBA degree would fit into the application process at all unless you used it to provide support for one of the competencies. Clearly the verifiers will add nothing to the score. With barely 7 years of experience it is indeed possible that you had one of the lower scores going into the WD and SI but I am just guessing.

[learnedhand]

NY, no it does not. We have no idea how OPM is scoring this exam. Historically, the breakdown was 50 percent for the application, 20 percent each for the SI and WD and 10 percent for references. However, this time no references were required and it seems unlikely that OPM will be contacting verifiers. If you did well on the WD and SI, you may stand a chance. I have an MBA also and it would be factored into the rating for the application, including any of the competencies for which it was relevant.

[cinderella]

Learned- we were required to put down references on the mandatory OPM/resume. Wonder if they'll be contacted? It's all such a blur.

[doctorwho]

Actually, the references on the OPM resume are NOT required, they are optional. And, not all of us used the OPM resume function. In fact, you could upload a PDF file which some of us did.

[learnedhand]

I also uploaded my own resume without references. The only names required as part of the application were the verifiers.

[aljsouth]

When I went through the proess the Azdell litigation was in progress. At that time OPM gave 70 points for having a qualifying application. That may be where you got you 70% rumor. Then the written exam and interview was for the remaining 30 points. After these were scored and you had your score then OPM added 5 to ten points for veteran's preference. That was your final score.

OPM won the Azdell lawsuit but abandoned the exam and closed down its ALJ division entirely and then did nothing for years until last spring when congress raked them over the coals. OPM then announced it was debuting its new process. No one was fooled. OPM had done nothing to that point and would still have done nothing if not forced. Still, the point is that congress forced them to come up with something and something is what we have.

[hooligan]

aljsouth
You are not quite right on the previous scoring. Applicants who met the minimum requirements were afforded a base score of 70. There were 4 components to the additional 30 points, not two. The KSA experience essays were scored and the references in addition to the WD and SI.

The current announcement does not seem to give any hint about how the scores will be determined this time, which seems strange. When we see the first scores, the announcement letter will probably reflect where each point came from, but that is a bit late.

The less OPM explains, the less exposure they have to second-guessing. If no one can figure out what they are doing, it is very difficult to conclude that it was done wrong.

[odarite]

I dunno, the old system was pretty much a black box (your explanation is not wrong, it's just that I am not convinced OPM actually did what they said they were doing). Example: I was not pleased with my score. A friend who had been selected before me said to appeal my score for the WD, asking for copies of my WD and the scoring of same, because he had heard that when others did this, they got back by return of post a score they liked better. And guess what.....

[aljsouth]

No one contacted any of my references unil after I was selected, trained and at my hearing office. OPM may have said it scored this, but they are not telling the truth. Other judges have told me the same. I guess no one knew how the old system worked and this remains the same.

BTW, good idea Odarite in appealing.

[ruonthelist]

aljsouth said:

No one contacted any of my references unil after I was selected, trained and at my hearing office. OPM may have said it scored this, but they are not telling the truth. Other judges have told me the same. I guess no one knew how the old system worked and this remains the same.

aljsouth: My experience was different from yours. I applied before the Azdell suit was filed and my references were contacted within a few months of my submitting the application. About the same time that I took the WD and Panel Interview my references were responding to OPM.

BTW. I am a verifier for several applicants this time around and I have not yet been contacted.