188体育

The application process includes both online and face-to-face exercises.

The steps of the application process are:

1. complete the online application form and then complete the online tests (we recommend you complete the practice tests before you do the actual online exercises)
2. attend a Fast Track Assessment Centre (a half day face-to-face event).

Before you begin each step, we鈥檒l let you know the date you鈥檒l need to complete it by.

Before you start

Decide which Fast Track Apprenticeship scheme(s) you want to apply for and which location(s) would be suitable. Check you鈥檙e eligible to apply for your chosen schemes.

1. Application form

You鈥檒l need to complete an online application form. This will take about 20 minutes to complete but you can save your progress as you go.

In this form, you will be asked to:

• provide your personal details
• select your preferred location(s) and scheme(s)
• tell us about any assistance you need to perform at your best through our assessment process.

You鈥檒l be invited to complete an optional diversity questionnaire to help us understand the diversity representation we are attracting to our schemes. Your application will not be affected by the answers you give or whether or not you choose to complete this questionnaire.

2. Online tests

You鈥檒l need to complete online tests to help determine your suitability for the Fast Track. The results of these tests will be used to decide if you can progress to the next step of the selection process.

If you鈥檙e applying under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) you only need to complete the situational judgement and competency questionnaires.

Verbal and numerical reasoning tests (guide time: 6 minutes each exercise)

These are designed to accurately test your ability to work with numerical and verbal information. For these multiple choice tests:

• you have 6 minutes to complete each exercise
• the numerical exercise has 24 questions
• the verbal exercise has 36 questions

Before the exercise, you can try out practice questions, and we recommend this.

At the start of each exercise we鈥檒l give you clear instructions and an example question. To do your best in these exercises you should make sure you have enough time to complete them and won鈥檛 be disturbed.

Situational judgement questionnaire (untimed, roughly takes: 20 to 30 minutes)

This questionnaire assesses how effectively you make judgements when presented with a range of different scenarios. Twenty scenarios are described and for each you need to select from 4 options which is the most and least effective for resolving the scenario. You鈥檒l also need to rate how effective each response is.

We recommend you try the practice questions, prior to completing the test.

At the start of the exercise, we鈥檒l give you clear instructions and an example question. The questionnaire is not timed, but typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Competency questionnaire (untimed, roughly takes: 20 to 30 minutes)

This questionnaire assess your ability to demonstrate the civil service competencies most relevant to a Fast Track apprentice role.

You鈥檒l be asked to read a series of statements and and rate how well it describes you on a 7-point scale from 鈥榮trongly disagree鈥� to 鈥榮trongly agree鈥�.

Before you start the exercise, we鈥檒l give you clear instructions. There are no practice questions for this exercise. The questionnaire is not timed, but typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

3. Fast Track assessment centre (FTAC)

If you鈥檙e successful at the online tests, you鈥檒l be invited to a half-day assessment at an assessment centre. These will be held in various locations and on various dates.

You鈥檒l be sent information about the assessment process and asked to bring along your exam certificates and documents to the assessment centre so they can be checked.

The assessment will give you an opportunity to show us you have the skills and personal qualities needed to join the Fast Track Apprenticeship.

At this half-day event you鈥檒l undertake various tasks which will reflect important aspects of being a Fast Track apprentice including:

• a group task
• a written task
• a strengths-based interview

The tasks and interview will measure your skills, abilities and motivation against the Civil Service competencies, as well as your interest in the available Fast Track schemes.

For some Fast Track schemes that you鈥檝e selected, you may also be asked to complete an additional assessment looking at specific scheme requirements.

If you鈥檙e invited to the assessment centre, you鈥檒l be given more details beforehand about the assessments, how to prepare and what to expect when you鈥檙e at the centre. You can:

• find more information about the Fast Track assessment centre
• read about the relevant Level 2 core competencies
• find a list of Fast Track assessment centre locations

Applicants with disabilities

We offer support through the application process for applicants with disabilities.You can find the details here.

Help with getting online

If you don鈥檛 have a computer or device from which to do your application, you may be able to get access to the internet and get online at your local library.

can give you a list of places in your local area where you can get online for free.

If you need more help, call us on 03000 54 22 11.

After assessment

We aim to let you know the outcome of your assessment by July 2018.

If you鈥檝e been successful, we鈥檒l be able to tell you about your role, scheme, department and location. You鈥檒l also receive information about the next steps, including pre-appointment checks.

If you provide us with all of the required documentation and your pre-appointment checks are successful, you鈥檒l start in your new role by October 2018.

Please be aware that the length of time pre-appointment checks take will vary between departments.

For more information please read our (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages)