Civil service application scores

[Civilsjob]

Hoping for advice from anyone that's been through the application process or currently works as a civil servant.

I've recently completed the online assessments and my score was 77%

Do you think this would be high enough for me to be considered for the next stage?

I flopped on part c, which is hilarious considering this is exactly what I do now for work.

Looking for some hopeful reassurance 🤞

It might help if you said which of the online tests you did? I haven’t done these myself as my profession doesn’t use them, but FYI there’s a whole range you could mean.

What tests did you do?

From what I read on the gov guidance website, it is a generalised blanket test made up of psychometric and competency based questions. Your score, if high enough, is then banked for a period of time. Is this not the case for all roles? Or is it different depending on the role?

I haven’t done any tests as my profession doesn’t use them (I work in digital/tech)

There are 7 different tests, see here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/civil-service-online-tests

Just imagine it will be hard for anyone to advise without any context of which tests you did, what kind of role and what grade.

Or was it for the fast stream?

It was a mix between a few of these. It's not just one specific type of test thats listed. They tailor it to the role. I don't want to share what that is atm.

You are then given a percentage. So 77% means I sored better than 77% of people that took the test. Next the 'pass' score is set once the application date closes, so it could potentially end up higher than the average pass rate.

This is when they decide on who goes through to the next stage.

I have one week to wait for the next response so I was hoping that others could share their experiences with test scores and how it contributed to the next step or if they were successful with similar scores.

Perhaps reddit would be a better place for me to discuss it.

It depends. Usually higher than 77% of candidates would be enough to get you through to the next stage, but pass marks can be raised depending on number of applicants etc.

@GlorifiedChair Thank you. There's definitely no way of knowing if I'll make it through. The wait is killing me as I really want the job.

There is over 100 positions available, so I'm hoping I'll be lucky enough to at least get an interview.

I think I’ve seen that job advertised so I think you’ll stand a good chance with a 77 score. If there was just one job going you might need a higher score for an interview.

I think I got an 86% score and got to the interview stage when I applied for a job last year.

@GingerPaste That's very reassuring, thank you 😊

Note that the 77% result is in comparison to a specimen group.
Its a good pass of the test

I don’t recall seeing anyone’s test result during a recruiting process - you have passed the standard, and your application can therefore go to sifting for interview

(Depending on the test) it shows your line of thinking is along the expectations of that grade, which should imply that you are capable of writing a suitable application and handling interview questions

@Tomikka Thank you for your helpful insight. It's very much appreciated.

I am pleased to announce that I have been invited for an interview! I'm so happy I could burst!

Even if I don't end up getting the job, I am very pleased with myself that I've made it to this stage. It's completely out of my comfort zone and not something I've ever experienced with previous jobs.

...Now to prepare for my remote interview. I've only ever done f2f, so this is also new territory. Wish me luck 🤞

Ah congrats! That's great news.

You will probably find this helpful when prepping for your interview: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-civil-service-behaviours

Good luck!

Omg - I had a complete nightmare getting to grips with those profiles 😂

I agree. My interview is complete and I feel like I've flopped 😪

I spent 4 days preparing possible scenarios and responses and it was nothing like I expected. This was with me using the behaviours from the application.

Here's hoping they really don't mark the first 'practice' question as it caught me off guard and I froze 😅🙈

My interview was a nightmare. When I was prepping for it, I got so stressed I nearly cancelled the interview.

During the interview I kept losing track of what I was saying and had to keep asking them to repeat the questions 😬😂

I didn’t score highly - but enough to get the job!!!

I think I know the job you’re going for (I quite fancied it myself but I’ve had to do a lot of training for my current position so I’m pretty committed now)…

They’re employing a lot of people so you stand a good chance. Good luck 🤞

Did they tell you when you’ll hear?

@GingerPaste Thank you for the reassurance. I need it after today. I think it possibly is the position that you think it is.

That was my first ever remote interview. I've found F2F is much easier as you can often gauge their reactions and build some rapport. I have absolutely no incline on how it went and I'm a bag of nerves! At least if I don't get it, I now have experience with this type of set up so I'll hopefully do better in the future.

The deadline for completing my interview is the 1st. I should know fairly quickly as long as their isn't a high number of applicants. If there is I'll need to wait up to 3 weeks for my results.

I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for taking the time to chat and keeping me level headed.

I was bloody overjoyed when I got my job offer. I couldn’t believe it after my shabby interview.

I did have to wait 3 months or so to start (the onboarding process was quite long plus it was a planned intake of a group of newbies). Everything’s been pretty impressive though in terms of training, resources, professionalism (hopefully that’s true for all bits of the CS). The flexitime and pension are amazing (but it’s not very well paid - so a lot of people stay for the perks).

I wanted to come on and update, for anyone that cares 🤣

Pleased to announce i got the job 🙌 ☺️ I absolutely convinced myself that I messed up the remote interview, obviously someone seen something they liked 😅 I couldn't be happier!

Congratulations! It could be the best part of a year before you get offered a post though. There are threads in here saying as much. So don’t resign until you have afiem start date etc in writing.

I am wondering if you will be starting in my department.
If so, it is a brilliant job.
Well done!

Thank you! What area are you? I'll be in the G2 office 😉

hi! I’m in Birmingham.
I think what I do is the only area recruiting lots still. And I know we recently recruited for lots to start in September.