Anybody completed/on the Civil Service fast stream?

[Tarantula40]

I'm currently an AO, a graduate and in my early 30s. Decided to apply for it this year, passed the first online tests and going to complete the work based scenarios.
I've applied for less competitive streams, however I've heard the fast stream overall is incredibly competitive and so I'm not expecting to get in.
Just interested to hear if anyone's currently doing it or has completed it? Did it lead straight to a G7 role? I'm unsure as to whether it guarantees you a permanent role at the end as I've heard different things. Were you allocated the location you wanted?

Anyone please?

DS got though when he graduated a couple of years ago. He had to give a preferred field at the very beginning. There were several layers of tests and interviews culminating in a residential 2 day interview which he passed. It took months then to be offered a post and in the end he was given no choice in location so decided to accept a grad scheme in the NHS which was more focused and not London.

Is there still an internal and external fast stream? Both are v competitive, and if you get through you work as a HEOD on various short term postings to gain experience across a range of areas. Its tough going. There is no promise of G7 at the end, I knew a few who up at HEO/Seo and more that just left the civil service as they decided they hated it all.

Thanks for your replies, it's the external stream I've applied for, not sure about the internal one.
Do they guarantee a permanent role at the end even if not at G7?
Yes it's the relocation thing that bothers me, I live with my partner in the North West, I've applied for streams based on the NW.
I'll see how it goes, I doubt I'll even pass anyway.

I considered it but I can’t easily relocate. It does sound very hard-going all round and ultimately I decided I didn’t want the stress.

I did the fast stream starting in 2018. You don’t get any say in location unless you have caring responsibilities and then you can apply for an exemption. In my experience, although you’re not technically guaranteed a G7 at the end almost everyone does get one. You have to pass an end of scheme assessment, it’s basically a long interview. Then you are considered to have passed a G7 interview and can therefore apply on level transfer for G7 roles. You are supported to find a G7. If you fail the end of scheme assessment you can resit and then if you fail again you are moved into an SEO role. Plenty of people don’t finish the fast stream but that’s natural I think for grad schemes - some will decide the civil service isn’t for them, some decide to leave early for an HEO/SEO job. Plenty of people leave early for a G7 - I left about 6 months before the end of my scheme because I got a G7 job. The fast stream is incredibly competitive, even the less competitive schemes are still very competitive. But saying that, there is lots of information online on the assessment process and helpful tips. I loved the fast stream, there’s no way I could have gone from graduate to confident G7 in two and a half years without it. I didn’t find it hard when I was on it, but it can be intense as you’re moving roles so frequently. It’s not for everyone but it suited me really well!