Written Policy exercise, HEO role for Policy Advisor. Civil service Assessment

[mumznet]

Got to pass this test before get invited for an interview. Has anyone got any advice on how I could prepare for this exercise?

Written Policy exercise for 75 minutes. The job description lists 3 behaviours, SEEING THE BIG PICTURE, MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS, COMMUNICATING & INFLUENCING.

There is also technical skills assessed:

Evidence - Analysis and use of evidence - Policy Framing

Politics - Politics and democracy - Advising, Briefing & Drafting

thank you in advance

It is not clear what you have you been asked to do?

thanks. That is all it says in the job description that there is a Written policy test and then they have listed the technical skills above.

From looking at the technical skills does anyone know what they can aks me so I could do some preparation? thanks

I went through an internal promotion assessment recently (different grade but suspect same principle) which had an exercise described in similar language

The exercise was an email from my 'boss' asking me to consider grant submissions from 3 organisations and email back my recommendation as to which should be awarded the grant. The info pack had details of the grant and it's aims, objectives etc.

In mine there wasn't a clear 'winner', it was a case of making a decision, explaining reasoning and setting out next steps (e.g. explore with the organisation options for addressing the objective they hadn't mentioned in their submission)

The advice I'd give is don't get bogged down in the detail, practice drawing key points out of written material and when doing the exercise start writing assp - there's no point having a perfected crafted answer if you don't have time to finish it

Good luck @mumznet

@PogoBob Thank you for the detailed response it is really helpful.

The role is at the Department for Transport DFT - RPE - Roads, Places and Environment Group.

Hi @mumznet

i just came across your message as I have one written policy excersise coming up. How did it go. Any tips or advise I should follow please?

many thanks in advance ☺️

Hi, have you had your exercise? I have mine coming up in a few days and I've been searching everywhere for tips

Mine's for Department of Transport as well. I'd appreciate any tips you can share please.

Hi
Glad to hear that you've been selected. Unfortunately I didnt get through I think scored a 2. Im not very good with writing we all have our strengths and weaknesses. My advice is to try your best and if it doesn't work then look for a role which doesn't have the test. Do the test just to see what it's like, in my opinion these tests are complex and not many get through. Thinking back it had some news articles and I had to pull out main findings and summarise the info for a minister. Do your best, hope it goes okay for you.

Thank you so much for your response. I actually like to write so I hope this turns out well, fingers crossed.

Will you let me know how it goes? You might pull through in that case. Is ot for heo grade? thanks