Civil service fast track grad scheme

[boredsolicitor]

Does any one have any idea on how to prepare for the assessment centre? DD set her heart in this scheme and is generally quiet /shy and I've no real idea how to help her prepare for this ? Grateful for any tips from anyone who may have been through the process or who has recent experience.

Can anyone help with this query?

DS went through it 2 years ago, successfully. I admit I was surprised as he is quite shy and unassuming. However he clearly gave the right impression. It was a residential over two days IIRC, so lots of opportunities to make the right impression rather than just one interview. Some group work and some individual. He said there was always someone supremely confident who " took charge " in the group and he didn't oppose them but made sure he expressed his ideas quietly and firmly.

Are these FAQs any help?

https://www.faststream.gov.uk/faqs/index.html

I did many assessment centres when I finished university. The tactic I always went for wasn't to rush straight in a lead the group, which if you've said she is quiet could work well for her. Wait until they mess up and then pipe up with your sensible comments.

Encourage her to think through what she wants to say before she says it. Even if the conversation has moved on slightly in a group activity and that's her chance to say what she wants to then she should. Constantly remind of the task, group activities usually go off the task and you can score well for being the grounded person trying to get on with the task rather than impress by being loud

Thank you all so much - all great advice.

The assessment centre is online now. The best advice I can give is get a mentor who has done it.

Oh ds also got through to this stage. He has read all the info online and I think they send additional info when they confirm the date. It is very competitive so pleased he has got this far. He has been accepted onto 2 of the 3 streams he applied for so not sure how that now works. He is currently doing his masters.

My dd waiting to hear if passed. Application stage.

congratulations for t use dc who got through. It looks tough!

DD did the assessment today - seems to have gone ok so fingers crossed for them all !

Is the assessment the next stage after completing the test sections on line? I’m thinking maybe dd hasn’t got through then.
the success rate is 1.8%?!

It seems ridiculously over the top to have such a low success rate . Crazy!
I'm not sure but I think there's a rolling programme - there must be loads of these assessment days going on if they are weeding down to <2 % !

Agree re success rate. That was in 2021. And it’s a downward trend since 2013.

DD had the CS FS ssessment centre yesterday and heard today that she is through to the final assessment stage.

She has another grad scheme offer starting in April, but she is desperate to join the Royal Navy as an officer. Sadly, the Royal Navy application and selection process is long and drawn out. She still is in limbo 8 months on with no likelihood of an offer or starting date in the near future.

She had one other grad scheme offer which she turned down and she has pulled out of about 5 at the last stage as she had no intention of taking them with the other offers on the table.

@boredsolicitor How did your DD get on?

Ds did his assessment day last week. He found it hard doing it online. He said the written part and the group exercise went really well but felt the 1:1 interview did not go so well. He has bot heard yet if he will get to the final interview, they said mid feb for a decision. It os such a long process!!

Fingers crossed @mumonthehill . DD heard she has the final selection board at the end of Feb for her first choice scheme- Property.

What schemes did your son apply for?

@Wintom science and engineering. He is just doing his masters. Glad for your DD! It is so competitive.

@mumonthehill DD has pulled out of the final selection board for the CS as she now has a start date for officer training with the Navy. She will be off to Dartmouth in the next couple of months.

She is doing the NHS management grad scheme final selection board today as a back up in case anything happens in the next couple of months to deem her medically unfit (a broken finger, torn ligament etc) for the navy. The NHS grad scheme starts in September.

Has your DS heard anything yet?

@Wintom yes he has got through to final interview for 2 streams, so he is very pleased. Congratulations to your DD it sounds as if she has such an exciting time ahead!

@mumonthehill Fingers crossed for your DS. Is his FSB in the next couple of weeks?

He has not had a date yet. But I know at the assessment day they said it could be May, it seems a waiting game.

DD has heard she's through to the final interview stage . Her feedback on scoring to date was not overly convincing though . She was mostly >2.5 but < 3 . And 2 is that there are "
A number of areas for development needed to make the candidate suitable for the Fast Stream."
So I'm pleased for her but also a bit surprised she's through to the next stage. Anyone know if these scores are carried forward or is it a clean skate at interview? What a long winded affair!

@boredsolicitor well you know far more than i do!!! DS also surprised he got through but you just cannot tell what they are looking for. He think I might ask ds for a bit more info!!! Well done to your dd.

If it helps, I think DD scored 10.2 which seemed quite low. However, she received a second email to say the score was out of 12 not 16 as previously stated.

Dd through with 8.83 score . It's baffling . I think she might withdraw as she not got the policy stream that she wanted and is through on property / commercial and something else I can't remember

What’s the starting salary does anyone know? Or does it differ according to which one?
its such a long process!