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Post by zero on Oct 3, 2008 7:43:03 GMT -5
So what will they ask during the interviews? Oh, wait, you folks probably can't tell me that.
How about this: Will there be a lunch break during the WD? I assume there's a typical cafeteria in the basement where you can drop $10 for a small salad and a bottled water.
How long does the SI last? Is there a time limit? If you ask the interviewers to repeat the question, will they do that?
What's the best hotel to stay at? How many people actually interview you?
On the WD, do you have to write your answers in a blue-book or do you get a computer with a word processing program with spell check?
What's the best hotel to stay at?
Will we have the opportunity to chit-chat with other applicants?
Will the hiring agency require another interview or do they just pick you off a list?
Do ALJs actually wear robes?
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Post by morgullord on Oct 3, 2008 8:00:40 GMT -5
There will be no lunch break during the WD; it will be over by 1 PM. You may take snacks with you into the exam room. There is a snack bar in the lobby.
SI lasts 1 hour; questions can be repeated. 2-3 interviewers (supposedly three but in practice commonly two).
I stayed at the State Plaza; it was very nice and I walked to the WD and SI.
There may be a very limited opportunity; I did not feel like chatting.
If you make the register, and subsequently your name is on a certificate, expect another interview.
Yes, they wear robes.
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Post by zero on Oct 3, 2008 8:19:04 GMT -5
Mug:
Thanks for the answers! But you didn't tell me whether the WD will be on a computer or with a pencil?
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Post by barkley on Oct 3, 2008 8:22:21 GMT -5
OPM supplies computers and there is a shared printer. It is my understanding that there is no spell check.
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Post by nonamouse on Oct 3, 2008 9:50:00 GMT -5
The OPM supplied laptop uses Word pad for the WD and there is no spell check. Get to OPM early for each section because after you clear security someone must escort you to the test/interview areas of the building. The instructions were read to us (poorly) by an OPM person prior to the WD. In my session the lady stumbled through the instructions so slowly that she ran over into our test time by at least 10 minutes. We did not get that time back at the end. They just run the clock out and if you need to heed the call of nature or get more coffee or eat a snack, time continues to tick off.
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Post by okeydokey on Oct 3, 2008 11:50:12 GMT -5
Chit chat is good before the test. Pre-game jitters and all. I actually caught a ride to the airport with someone else who took the WD.
I stayed by the Zoo for the WD and near Dupont Circle for the SI. Both turned out to be good choices. I was able to get rid of nervous energy by walking to the mall (I took the subway back). In the morning, I took cab rides to OPM. Even though I went at 8:30, the trips were quick and relatively inexpensive.
No lunch during WD. No need for one.
You may have to wait a long time for your SI. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport (not before 3pm for the WD and 4 hours after your scheduled SI).
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Post by nonamouse on Oct 3, 2008 11:56:58 GMT -5
Basic questions about logistics are fine, but we all had to sign confidentiality agreements not to disclose any substantive information about this process. People like me who are currently on the register would not appreciate the later applicants getting any unfair advantage which might give them a higher score than mine. We are all intelligent adults here. We are all aware of what we signed. No one has given out anything that is confidential. |
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Post by ALJD on Oct 3, 2008 12:37:31 GMT -5
People like me who are currently on the register would not appreciate the later applicants getting any unfair advantage which might give them a higher score than mine. Relax. All information I have seen posted so far are kosher. We're all professionals here and I believe folks here take what they signed seriously. After all, as attorneys and judges, we live and die by the oaths we make. We already went through a whole cycle of ALJ testing and hiring this past year, and no one violated the confidentiality agreement to my knowledge. So I don't expect anything to be different this year. However, if anyone sees any forum posts that mention the substantive contents of the WD and SI, pm me and I'll moderate it as necessary. Thanks and good luck to everyone!  |
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Post by zero on Oct 3, 2008 14:02:09 GMT -5
Has anyone seen what they're charging for hotel rooms in DC! This process is getting expensive!
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Post by carjack on Oct 3, 2008 14:11:45 GMT -5
If you're booking a flight and room, try priceline. I stayed across the river by the Pentagon in a hotel where I was able to get a good deal. It's two or three metro stops from GW Hospital and foggy bottom, so not too bad.
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Post by okeydokey on Oct 3, 2008 14:17:40 GMT -5
Just did Hotwire for DC for Oct 21-22, $149 per night for a 4star.
I paid $129 for a 5 star on my first visit and $225 for a 3 star on my second.
I would say the hotel costs are not going up.
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Post by wallace on Oct 3, 2008 19:46:36 GMT -5
First off, for the WD, I got there early enough to not be stressed out by being on time (only you know your own tolerance - for me, I was there VERY early). I stayed with my sister-in-law in Vienna, Va. and hopped the train into town. There was no line to get into the TRB that early, and the guards asked me first if I was there for the WD. I spent the rest of the time chatting with some other applicants. Actually, everyone was quite nice. The WD itself is straight forward. There is "NO SPEEL CHECK " on the provided lap tops. You can come and go as you want to use the restroom or get food or use the phone (although my cell dind't work in the building) since there's nothing that could help you if you left AND there's really nothing you could study to help you. This is an actual image of me talking to one of the proctors during the WD:  For the SI, I got there early again and actually saw one of the peeps I chatted with at the WD, so it was nice to see him again. You already know the areas they'll be asking you about, so you may want to think of those things in advance. Good luck to everyone. [edit] and actually, zero, the cafeteria is right on the first floor when you walk in to the left. ;D |
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Post by odarite on Oct 6, 2008 8:18:41 GMT -5
Do ALJs actually wear robes? Some do, some don't. It's personal preference. No one can make you if you don't want to, and no one can prevent you if you do. |
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Post by decadealj on Oct 6, 2008 13:32:40 GMT -5
Every class evolution somehow seems to address robes/ no robes. Maybe Pixie or someone who is computer literate can link those prior discussions into a separate link.
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Post by traceb on Oct 7, 2008 9:27:04 GMT -5
At one point recently someone posted a link to some materials that they reviewed and found helpful in preparation for the WD. I can't find that link. Is it possible for that information to be posted again? As I recall it did not contain any information about the substantive aspects of the exam, only a link to a resource that the test taker thought was helpful in preparation.
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Post by aaa on Oct 7, 2008 14:08:07 GMT -5
I used Administrative Law and Process: In a Nutshell (Nutshell Series), CrunchTime: Administrative Law, and Administrative Law: Examples and Explanations (The Examples & Explanations Series). The Examples and Explanations book is my law school currently uses to teach Ad Law.
I found them to give a good overview. I didn't memorize cases or anything like that. I suppose I mainly used them as a security blanket. I spent a little over $100 to get them.
I also reviewed many Agency decisions on line to get a feel for how they were written as far as the shell and what they looked like.
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Post by westva on Oct 8, 2008 13:45:55 GMT -5
Any suggestions on taking materials into the WD such as dictionary, notepad or calculator.
Is casual dress appropriate at the WD
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Post by nonamouse on Oct 8, 2008 14:25:52 GMT -5
Any suggestions on taking materials into the WD such as dictionary, notepad or calculator. Is casual dress appropriate at the WD You cannot take any such tools into the test. You will have a bare desk with the supplied laptop and the test. Just get a good night's sleep, wear comfortable casual clothing and show up at least 45-60 minutes before your test time to accommodate security and being taken to the room early. |
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Post by zero on Oct 8, 2008 14:27:37 GMT -5
Good advice! Thank you!
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knownuthin
Full Member
Out of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.
Posts: 114
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Post by knownuthin on Oct 8, 2008 15:26:33 GMT -5
In preparation for the WD, I Googled "ALJ Decisions" and got hits on several sites for different agencies that had published ALJ decisions. I selected various decisions from different sites and printed them so I could study the format and structure. I was very familiar with ODAR decisions, but I wanted to see if there were any significant differences with other agencies' decisions. I don't know whether it help me in any way other than giving me a little boost in confidence because I had done some preparation for an examination for which I could not study.
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