Pre-Registration Degree Programmes in
Nursing/Midwifery
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet 2012
Selection Testing
This is an important document so please set some time aside to read it in advance of the
test session
Contact Details:
Address: Public Appointments Service
General Service Recruitment Unit
Telephone: 00353 (0) 1 858 7480 (business hours only)
Email:
maturecode12@publicjobs.ie
Dear Applicant
With reference to your application for the Pre Registration Degree Programme in
Nursing/Midwifery, we are supplying you with this year’s test familiarisation booklet.
The purpose of this test familiarisation booklet is to introduce you to the tests that are being
used in the written assessment of the 2012 Pre Registration Degree Programme in
Nursing/Midwifery.
This booklet contains information about the different tests being used, how the actual test
booklets and answer sheets work, the time limits for each test and how the tests are scored. By
familiarising yourself with the exercises in advance of the testing session, you can help optimise
your performance on the day.
The aim of this familiarisation booklet is to ensure that you are comfortable with the testing
format and are aware of how to do your best in the test situation.
Please take the time to read this booklet carefully as it is your opportunity to prepare for the
tests that you are about to sit and it should also help to reduce the additional time spent
clarifying instructions before the tests. Please note that in order to ensure that you will not
be detained for any longer than necessary on the day of the test, there will be a limited
amount of time allocated for instructions and examples on the test day.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for applying for the competition and to
encourage you once again to take time to read through the documentation carefully. We look
forward to seeing you on the test day.
Thank you
NURSING CAREERS CENTRE
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
2
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Tests Being used ........................................................................................... 4
THE TESTING FORMAT

Test Booklet & Answer Sheet Formats ................................................................. 4

How to complete the Answer Sheets .................................................................... 5

Sample Answer Sheets ......................................................................................... 6

Information about Practice Questions ................................................................... 7
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS AND SUGGESTED EXPLANATIONS

Paper 1: Skills/Experiences Questionnaire .......................................................... 7

Paper 2: Verbal Test............................................................................................. 8 - 9

Answers to Practice Questions for the Verbal Test .............................................. 10

Suggested Explanations for the Verbal Test......................................................... 10 - 11

Paper 3: Numerical Test ...................................................................................... 12 - 14

Answers to Practice Questions for the Numerical Test ........................................ 15

Suggested Explanations for the Numerical Test ................................................... 16 – 18

Paper 4: Job Simulation Test………………………………………………………….19 – 20
FINAL POINTS

Suggested Test Taking Tactics ............................................................................. 21

Equality Monitoring ................................................................................................ 22

Further Information About Selection Tests ........................................................... 22

Nursing Career Centre General Rules .................................................................. 23

Test Day Checklist & Directions to Venues .......................................................... 24
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
3
The Tests Being Used
On the day of the test you will be required to undertake four obligatory competitive pencil and
paper tests which will be in multiple choice short-answer format. They have been designed so
that they are fair to all candidates, and are objectively scored.
Paper 1: Skills/Experiences Questionnaire:
This questionnaire is about you and your experience, interests and achievements. The purpose
of collecting this information is to compare your preferences with characteristics that we have
identified as being necessary for this profession, in a way that is fair and consistent with
everyone.
Paper 2: Verbal Test:
This test is designed to measure the ability to understand relationships between pairs of words.
Paper 3: Numerical Test:
This test is designed to measure the ability to work out the relationships between numbers.
Paper 4: Job Simulation Exercise
This exercise attempts to identify your likely response when presented with scenarios typical of
what could occur in a job situation. It measures a range of skills and qualities required in the
student nurse role, ranging from taking care of someone, through to taking responsibility in a
situation. In this test you will be required to read through a number of scenarios and then
choose which action you would take, based on the information presented in the scenario. You
will be given a list of possible actions and will be required to select only ONE.
Test Booklet & Answer Sheet Formats
Each test is presented in an individual test booklet each of which contains brief test instructions
and example questions. The test questions will follow on the other pages. In order to ensure that
you will not be detained for any longer than necessary on the day of the test, there will be a
limited amount of time allocated for instructions and examples. The test administrator will call
out the basic instructions before each actual test commences. This will give you a chance to
adjust to the test situation.
You will be using three answer sheets at the test session. A space for your name and
Candidate ID will be contained on each of the answer sheets. Answer sheet 1: Side A - Test 1
‘Skills/Experiences Questionnaire’ Side B - Test 2 ‘Verbal Test’. Answer sheet 2: Side A - Test
3 ‘Numerical Test’. Answer sheet 3: Test 4 - ‘Job Simulation Exercise’.
The answer sheets are computer scored, this means they are put through a computer and are
scanned – the marks you make on the answer sheet are picked up and your scores are
automatically calculated. It is your responsibility to ensure that the marks you make are dark
enough to be read by the scanner and that any marks you erase are fully deleted.
Please remember to bring:


two soft pencils for marking your answer sheets as only pencil marks can be read by
the computer scanner;
a pencil sharpener & a white eraser to correct any mistakes.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
4
How to Complete the Answer Sheets:
When you receive your answer sheets you should enter your Candidate ID, and sign your
name, in the spaces. As in the example overleaf, when you are entering your Candidate ID you
should enter the numbers in the boxes and then mark the corresponding box in the column
below. You will be given specific instructions about how and when to do this at the examination.
All of the questions are presented in multiple choice format, which means that you will have to
choose from a set of answers labeled [ A ] [ B ] [ C ] and so on, depending on the number of
answer options given for the questions in each test. You must mark the boxes with heavy
marks [] that fill the box completely, in order for the computer scanner to read it. This is very
important as check marks [/] or crosses [X] cannot be interpreted by the computer scanner.
Here are some helpful tips for completing the answer sheets:

Listen carefully to the instructions for each test and ensure that you are completing the
correct answer section on the answer sheet for the test that you are doing;

Within each test, each question has a corresponding answer line. As you go through
the tests check that you are filling in the answer that corresponds with the question;

While these points may seem obvious, it is possible to lose your place on an answer
sheet and fill in the wrong box in a test situation. Unfortunately, errors such as these
will not be picked up by the computerised scoring process;

Paper 1, The Skills/Experiences Questionnaire is about “your preferences”. Marks are
available for most answer options. The marks awarded are driven by preferences, with
the least marks being awarded to the least preferred responses and the most marks
being awarded to the most preferred responses;

A minimum standard is required on each of the four tests.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
5
Sample Answer Sheet
Nursing Applications Centre
Signature:
Sam Lynch
Candidate ID
1
1
4
1
2
8
6
9
3
[0]
[0]
[0]
[0]
[0]
[0]
[0]
[0]
[0]
[]
[]
[1]
[]
[1]
[1]
[1]
[1]
[1]
[2]
[2]
[2]
[2]
[]
[2]
[2]
[2]
[2]
[3]
[3]
[3]
[3]
[3]
[3]
[3]
[3]
[]
[4]
[4]
[]
[4]
[4]
[4]
[4]
[4]
[4]
[5]
[5]
[5]
[5]
[5]
[5]
[5]
[5]
[5]
Fully erase any answers you wish to
change.
[6]
[6]
[6]
[6]
[6]
[6]
[]
[6]
[6]
[7]
[7]
[7]
[7]
[7]
[7]
[7]
[7]
[7]
Please make no stray marks on the
answer sheet.
[8]
[8]
[8]
[8]
[8]
[]
[8]
[8]
[8]
[9]
[9]
[9]
[9]
[9]
[9]
[9]
[]
[9]
Important directions for completing the
answer sheet




Use only soft pencils. Do not use ink or
ballpoint pens.
Make heavy black marks that fill the box
completely.
EXAMPLE [ A ] [] [ C ] [ D ] [ E ]
Verbal Test
P1
P2
Practice Test Section
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
P3 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
P4 [A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
1
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
14
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
27
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
2
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
15
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
28
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
3
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
16
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
29
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
4
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
17
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
30
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
5
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
18
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
31
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
6
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
19
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
32
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
7
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
20
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
33
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
8
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
21
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
34
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
9
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
22
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
35
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
10
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
23
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
36
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
11
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
24
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
37
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
12
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
25
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
38
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
13
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
26
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
39
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E]
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
6
Information about Practice Questions
Practice questions for each of the tests are presented over the next few pages. These practice
questions are similar in format to what you could expect to find in each of the tests. You should
try the practice questions for each of these tests using the mini answer sections presented
directly after the questions.
When you are finished, refer to the relevant page numbers indicated in the table on the next page
to see how many you got right. If you had any difficulty and you want to see how you could
improve your performance, then refer to the pages for suggested explanations to these practice
questions. There is no mini-answer or suggested explanations sections for the Skills/Experiences
Questionnaire as this paper is about your own personal experiences, interests and achievements.
Remember, these practice questions are only intended to help you familiarise yourself with the
format of the test questions. Please do not be alarmed on the test day if you find that the
questions are more difficult.
Paper 1 Skills/Experiences Questionnaire
This Questionnaire is about you and your experiences, interests and achievements. The purpose
of collecting this information is to compare your preferences with characteristics that we have
identified as being necessary for this profession, in a way that is fair and consistent with everyone.
This questionnaire will be scored the same way for all applicants. The scoring system is
designed to avoid discriminating against groups within the applicant population e.g. males,
females, people of different ages, etc.
Not all the questions score. There is no obvious way of determining which responses will attract
the most points. The marks awarded are driven by preferences, with the least marks being
awarded to the least preferred responses, and the most marks being awarded to the most
preferred responses. Please be as honest as possible when answering the questions.
Instructions:
For many of the questions in the booklet, only one answer is required. Where the questions ask
for one answer, please mark one box only on the answer sheet. For some questions you are
allowed to mark more than one box. If so, this will be indicated in the answer booklet. Please
make sure that you understand the instructions for each question before making any marks on
the answer sheet.
At the test you will have 35 minutes to complete the 68 questions of the questionnaire.
The following is an example of the type of question you will find in the questionnaire.
Which one of the following do you enjoy the most?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A
B
C
D
E
Going to the cinema.
Listening to music.
Reading novels.
Socialising with friends.
None of the above.
In this example, and for many of the questions in the questionnaire, only one answer is required.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
7
Paper 2: Verbal Test:
This test is designed to measure the ability to understand relationships between pairs of words.
Instructions:
In this test you are presented with a pair of words. Your first task is to decide in what way these
two words are connected. You will be presented with an ‘incomplete’ pair of words, where the
missing word is marked with a question mark (?). You are required to select a word, from the list
provided, which completes this pair similar to the way in which the original pair of words were
connected.
On the day of the test you will have 15 minutes to complete the 36 questions in this test.
See how many of the following 5 example questions you can answer in 2 minutes. Remember to
work quickly as well as accurately. You should mark your answers on the mini answer section
given at the bottom of page 9.
Ready to proceed: - take a look at the time and write it down here:
Good Luck ……. and begin NOW….
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet

Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
8
Q1
Keyboard
computer
Drawer
?
A office
D chair
B typist
E desk
C software
F handle
Bed
pillow
Couch
?
A legs
D cover
B cushion
E comfort
C quilt
F armchair
Child
adult
Seed
?
A leaves
D branch
B growth
E planting
C plant
F birth
Water
flow
Rain
?
A flood
D frozen
B stream
E fall
C splash
F hold
re-route
divert
pick-up
?
A choose
D reject
B leave
E collect
C reduce
F extend
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Verbal Test Practice Questions
Mini Answer Section
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[B]
[B]
[B]
[B]
[B]
[C]
[C]
[C]
[C]
[C]
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
[D]
[D]
[D]
[D]
[D]
[E]
[E]
[E]
[E]
[E]
[ F]
[ F]
[ F]
[ F]
[ F]
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
9
Answers to practice questions for the Verbal Test:
Here are the answers to the practice questions for the Verbal Test. Check to see how
many you got correct.
Q1 = E
Q2 = B
Q3 = C
Q4 = E
Q5 = E
Suggested Explanations for Paper 2 – Verbal Test Practice Questions:
These questions involve identifying relationships between pairs of words and deciding
on what way two words of a completed word pair are connected.
Q1
Keyboard
computer
Drawer
?
A office
D chair
B typist
E desk
C software
F handle
The words keyboard and computer are connected to each other because a keyboard
is part of a computer. Working with this relationship a drawer is part of a desk. The
answer is therefore E.
Q2
Bed
pillow
Couch
?
A legs
D cover
B cushion
E comfort
C quilt
F armchair
The words bed and pillow are connected to each other because a pillow can be found
on a bed. Working with this relationship a cushion can be found on a couch. The
answer is therefore B.
Q3
Child
adult
Seed
?
A leaves
D branch
B growth
E planting
C plant
F birth
The words child and adult are connected to each other because a child grows into an adult.
Working with this relationship a seed grows into a plant. The answer is therefore C.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
10
Q4
Water
flow
Rain
?
A flood
D frozen
B stream
E fall
C splash
F hold
The words water and flow are connected to each other because the verb commonly
associated with water is the verb flow. Working with this relationship the verb
commonly associated with rain is fall. The answer is therefore E.
Q5
re-route
divert
pick-up
?
A choose
D reject
B leave
E collect
C reduce
F extend
The words re-route and divert are connected to each other because they both have the
same meaning. Working with this relationship, the word ‘collect’ has the same
meaning as ‘pick-up’. The answer is therefore E.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
11
Paper 3: Numerical Test:
The Numerical Test measures the ability to work out the relationships between
numbers.
Instructions:
In this test you are presented with incomplete sets of numbers. All the questions have
an arrangement of numbers in a grid with one or two numbers missing. Your task is to
select the correct missing number(s). The missing number(s) are indicated by question
marks (?). Select your answer from the options given (A, B, C, D, or E). On the day of
the test you will have 20 minutes to complete the 36 questions in this test.
Note: The use of a calculator for this test is NOT permitted.
Try the following example questions - you should allow yourself approximately 3
minutes to complete these questions. You should mark your answers on the mini
answer section presented at the bottom of page 14.
If you are ready to proceed - take a look at the time and write it down here:
Good Luck ……. and begin NOW…. 
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
12
Q. 1
Q. 2
4
17
18
A
11
?
B
20
32
4
240
12
?
13
C
25
2
D
22
18
E
100
A
Q. 3
96
B
C
48
20
D
E
Q. 4
3
32
36
40
44
3
12
21
?
13
2
6
20
A
B
4
D
15
?
7
5
30
15
22
A
29
3
12
125
30
10
B
C
C
5
33
E
D
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
25
E
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
13
Q. 5
2
4
5
13
3
5
10
25
6
2
8
?
5
3
4
19
40
16
20
A
B
C
18
2
D
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
E
Test 3 Numerical Test
Mini Answer Section
[B]
[C]
[B]
[C]
[B]
[C]
[B]
[C]
[B]
[C]
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
[D]
[D]
[D]
[D]
[D]
[E]
[E]
[E]
[E]
[E]
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
14
Answers to the practice questions for Paper 3 – Numerical Test:
Here are the answers to the practice questions for the Numerical Test. Check to see
how many you got correct.
Q1 = B
Q2 = D
Q3 = A
Q4 = B
Q5 = C
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
15
Suggested Explanations for Paper 3 – Numerical Test Practice Questions
Here are suggested explanations for the answers to the five practice questions for Paper 3
Numerical Test.
Q1.
4
17
11
A
?
20
25
C
18
B
13
D
32
22
E
In this question you will find that as you work down the left hand column, the numbers are
increasing by seven (4+7=11, 25+7=32). The missing number can be found be adding 11+7. The
answer to this is 18. To ensure this is correct, 18+7= 25. The answer is therefore B.
Q2
2
4
240
12
?
18
100
A
96
B
48
C
20
D
E
In this question you will find that as you work around the circle in a clockwise direction the
numbers are multiplied by an additional number each time. (2x2=4, 4x3=12, 12x4=?, ?
x5=240).
To ensure that this is correct 12x4=48, and 48x5=240. This works out and it can be concluded that the missing number is 48. Therefore the answer is D.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
16
Q3
32
36
40
44
3
12
21
?
30
20
A
22
B
C
29
33
D
E
In this question, the numbers in the top triangles form a sequence which increases by 4.
(32+4=36, 36+4=40, 40+4=44).
The numbers on the bottom line form a sequence which increases by 9 (3+9=12, 12+9=21,
21+9=30).
The answer is therefore A, 30.
Q4
3
2
13
6
12
4
10
3
?
7
125
30
A
15
5
15
B
C
5
25
D
E
In this question, there are three sets of numbers in squares. Starting from the top of the
square and working clockwise three of the numbers form a sequence and the number at the
left is the outcome. This number is attained by adding the three numbers in the sequence.
(3+6+4=13, 2+3+7=12, 10+15+5=30)
The answer is therefore B, 30.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
17
Q5
2
4
5
13
3
5
10
25
6
2
8
?
5
3
4
19
40
16
20
A
B
C
18
2
D
E
In this question, you must work across the rows and decide on how the last number in each
row is attained. You may find that you have to try a number of combinations. The correct
combination is as follows,
(2x4+5=13, 3x5+10=25, 5x3+4=19, 6x2+8=20)
The answer is therefore C, 20.
ansa
nswer
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
18
Paper 4: Job Simulation Test:
The Job Simulation Exercise
In the Job Simulation Exercise you are presented with a range of questions related to
a variety of work related scenarios, which attempt to identify what you would most
likely do in a situation which you could face as a Student Nurse. These situations may
involve taking responsibility, caring and helping others, communicating and dealing
with others, teamwork, motivation to doing things well and your ability to make
decisions.
This exercise does not attempt to measure your knowledge of hospitals or their
procedures nor does it attempt to measure your knowledge of what a Student Nurse
does. It attempts to identify what you would be most likely to do when presented with
a scenario typical of what could occur in a work situation. The scenarios have been
chosen to reflect the variety of work found in the different areas of nursing.
Instructions:
Your task is to choose a course of action you would most likely carry out, based on the
information presented in each scenario.
Please read through the following two scenarios and then choose which one of the five
possible actions you would be most likely to carry out based on the information
presented in the scenario. You might want to do all five actions in some scenarios and
in others you might not want to do any of the suggested actions. However, you are
asked to choose one action only in each case. Each answer option presented is a
realistic course of action. There are marks available for each answer option
presented, with the marks varying in relation to the appropriateness of the action for
each particular scenario.
Please be as honest as you can in selecting your responses. You should not select an
answer on the basis that it seems the right thing to say. The questions are concerned
with determining your preferred course of action given a certain scenario. Choose
what you think you would do based on the information provided. Remember, there are
marks available for all of the options, so do not spend too much time on any one
scenario.
Indicate your choice of course of action by ticking the appropriate answer A, B, C, D or
E in the mini answer sections presented.
You should give yourself around 2 minutes to do these two practice questions.
On the day of the test you will have 30 minutes for the 28 questions in the Job
Simulation Exercise
If you are ready to proceed – take a look at the time and write it down here:
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
19
Job Simulation Exercise Practice – Questions
We do not provide you with answers to the Job Simulation Example scenarios in the
familiarisation material. The most appropriate answer options are dependent on the
particular skills or quality being assessed within the specific situation (scenario) and what
may be a good thing to do in one scenario may not necessarily be a good thing to do in a
another scenario. Therefore, we do not give you the answer as this may impact on how
you answer other scenarios and may impair your performance on the day of the test.
Scenario 1
You are a Student Midwife in a delivery room with a Midwife. Your patient is very unwell
after having her baby. The Midwife you are working with asks you to go directly and get the
Senior Midwife to come in and assist. As you are looking for the Senior Midwife you notice
a Student Midwife colleague, Carla, crying and upset in the corridor. She acknowledges
you as another Midwife walks by. What do you do?
A. Go over to Carla and ask her quickly what is wrong with her.
B. Ignore Carla and focus on finding the Senior Midwife.
C. Acknowledge to Carla that she seems upset but explain that you are dealing with an
emergency and you will catch up with her as soon as you are free.
D. Ask Carla to help you find the Senior Midwife.
E. Explain the situation to the passing Midwife and ask her to find the Senior Midwife for
you. Go over to Carla and try to find out why she is distraught.
Scenario 2
You are a Student Nurse working in a busy 24 bed Surgical Ward. You are responsible for
the care of 6 patients in your unit and have been assigned to take their temperatures. You
notice that one patient’s temperature is particularly high, but at the same time realise that
the Staff Nurses on the Ward are busy with other patients. This patient is due to have
surgery later on in the day and their temperature should be normal for the surgery. You
were due to go on your break 30 minutes ago and are feeling tired. What would you do?
A. Report the high temperature immediately to one of the Staff Nurses and offer to
phone the Medical Team/Doctor to come and assess the patient.
B. Report the high temperature to a Doctor and place a fan close to the patient. As you
don’t wish to bother the Staff Nurses when they are busy, wait until they have
finished and then report the high temperature. Make the patient comfortable in the
meantime.
C. Decide to go on your break and report the high temperature when you come back
as the ward might be less busy then.
D. Decide to take the blankets from the patient, check your other patients and then
take the temperature again after a few minutes.
Remember: Each of the five answer options presented is a realistic course of action.
There are marks available for each answer option presented, with the marks varying in
relation to the appropriateness of the action for each particular scenario.
STOP! – take a look at the time and write it down here
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
20
Suggested Test Taking Tactics:
Here are some suggestions which will help you to prepare for the testing session.
In advance:

Work through the practice items again and try to understand how to reach the correct answer
for each question.

Get a good nights’ sleep before the test session and allow yourself plenty of time to reach the
test venue so that you don’t have to rush. You will not be admitted to the test once the
session has started.

If you wear glasses/contact lenses, don’t forget to bring them with you.

Try to relax before the test session. If you are over-anxious you are unlikely to perform at
your best. Practicing tests so that you know what to expect in terms of tests themselves and
in terms of how the situation makes you feel, will help to control any test nerves.

Dress warmly – the temperature in the testing session may seem to decrease when sitting
for a long period of time.
During the test session:

A set amount of time has been allocated for each test.

Candidates must stop immediately when the Administrator announces that the time has
expired, failure to do so may result in disqualification. You are not permitted to make
marks on the answer sheet once the time has expired.

Each test will be preceded by a set of brief instructions and practice test questions.

Listen carefully to the instructions for each test, especially the numbers of questions and time
limits for each test.

Make sure that you understand how to use the answer sheet as outlined in this booklet.

As you go through the test, you should check that you are marking the correct space on the
answer sheet for the question that you are answering. In other words, when you answer
question 12 make sure that you fill in the space for question 12 on the answer sheet.

Read through the questions and answers carefully, paying attention to detail.

Attempt as many questions as you can, working quickly and accurately and to the best of
your abilities. You should try as hard as you can, as the more questions that you get right,
the higher your score will be.

Tests are usually designed so that the questions increase in difficulty throughout the test - so
work quickly at the start, even if you find the questions easy, you may need the time later.

If you find a question difficult, it may help to choose the correct answer by first eliminating the
wrong answers.

Do not waste time on very difficult questions, but go back to them at the end if you have
enough time.

If you finish within the time, use the remaining time to check your answers (you get no extra
marks for finishing early).
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
21
Candidate Profile/Feedback Survey:
You may be asked to take part in a feedback survey of the Mature Code Nursing/Midwifery
Campaign testing procedure.
Your comments on the testing procedure are important to the ongoing evaluation of the Public
Appointments Service and the Nursing Careers Centre selection procedures. This survey will be
totally anonymous and the information will be used for research purposes only. Responses to this
survey will not be linked to your test results.
Equality Monitoring Form:
The Public Appointments Service are committed to an equal opportunities policy and in
accordance with the Employment Equality Act (2004), aim to ensure that all applicants are treated
equally whatever their gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability,
race or membership of the travelling community.
As part of our ongoing commitment to equality, we want to monitor our selection process(es) in
order to ensure that our equal opportunities policy is effectively implemented. To this effect, we
are interested in collecting a range of information which will help us to understand further how
people are performing throughout the selection process(es), and to help ensure that our selection
techniques are fair to all people.
For this reason we will be asking you to complete an Equality Monitoring Form. With a view to
ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes are equality-proofed.
While the completion of this form is completely voluntary, we would encourage you to help us in
equality-proofing our processes by completing all questions on the form that relate to you as an
individual.
Neither the manner in which you respond to this request for information, nor the answers that you
provide will have any bearing on the manner in which your application is considered. The
information provided will be entered on confidential databases within the Equality Unit of the Public
Appointments Service and used to produce data in anonymous statistical format only.
On the day of the test you will not be permitted to leave until all documentation has been
checked. Candidates will not be permitted to bring any paper material (test relevant or otherwise)
either into or out of a test centre. Any attempt to breach this regulation will be considered sufficient
grounds for disqualification from the competition.
Further Information about Selection Tests:
Although these are not necessary in order to perform well at test sessions, you may find it useful
and maybe reassuring to have a look at one of the many books available which are specifically
aimed at people who are about to undertake selection tests.
‘How to succeed in Psychometric Tests’ - David Cohen, 2007.
‘How to pass Selection Tests’ - Mike Bryon & Sanjay Modha, 1997
‘How to Master Psychometric Tests’ - Mark Parkinson, 1998
- Good Luck in the Tests -
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
22
NURSING CAREERS CENTRE
GENERAL RULES GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF CANDIDATES AT TESTS HELD BY
THE PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS SERVICE
The purpose of these rules is to ensure that tests are administered in a fair and consistent way in an atmosphere that is conducive to providing candidates with an opportunity to perform to the
best of their abilities.
1.
Candidates must attend punctually. No candidate may be admitted to a test centre
once a test has commenced.
2.
Proof of identity must be provided and produced when you are signing in at your appointed
centre. In the absence of such proof, the candidate may not be admitted to the test(s).
3.
Candidates’ mobiles phones must be completely switched off on entering the test centre
and for the duration of the test(s).
4.
Candidates must, in all matters relative to the test(s), follow and obey the directions of the
facilitator and/or administrator.
5.
Candidates must get permission from the facilitator, prior to leaving the test centre. Failure
to do so will result in them not being readmitted.
6.
Direct communication of any kind between candidates shall not be permitted. Any
candidate who wishes to communicate with another candidate must do so through the
facilitator.
7.
Candidates will not be permitted to bring any material (test relevant or otherwise) either into
or out of a test centre. Any attempt to breach this regulation will be considered sufficient
grounds for disqualification from the competitions
8.
Candidates who copy from the paper of any other candidate or permit their own papers to
be copied, or give or attempt to give, or obtain or attempt to obtain irregular assistance of
any description, may at the discretion of the Public Appointments Service, be disqualified.
9.
Candidates must stop work immediately the administrator announces that the time has
expired. Any candidate who continues to work after stop is announced will be asked to
erase any marks they have made. Failure to comply with the rule may result in
disqualification.
10. Silence must be maintained in the test centre at all times. Any candidate guilty of disorderly
or improper conduct in or about the test centre will be liable to exclusion from the test(s).
11. Test booklets/answer sheets etc. are the property of the Public Appointments Service and
should not be defaced or damaged in any way. All test booklets/ answer sheets and rough
work paper must be returned to the facilitator at the conclusion of the test(s).
12. At the end of the test(s) all candidates must remain seated until all test materials have been
collected and accounted for.
13. The Public Appointments Service will not be responsible for any loss or damage to articles
brought or sent by candidates to, or left on premises where the test is held.
Candidates found to be in breach of any of the above rules may, at the discretion of the
Public Appointments Service, be disqualified from the competition process.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
23
Test Day Checklist:
Before you arrive at your test centre, please ensure that you have the following items with you:

Photographic identification e.g. passport / drivers license. (You DO NOT need to bring a
passport size photograph with you to the test centre).

A printed copy of your test call-up letter, which includes your Candidate ID, this will be
available on www.publicjobs.ie from 21st March 2012.

2 soft pencils;

1 eraser;

1 sharpener;

Your glasses, contact lenses or hearing aid if required.
For directions to the testing venues please see:
Leisureland, Galway: www.leisureland.ie
Croke Park, Dublin www.crokepark.ie
Neptune Basketball Stadium, Cork: www.neptunebasketball.ie
NB: The Public Appointments Service and the Nursing Careers Centre wishes to make it clear
that it has no function in relation to the provision of preparation courses for selection to the PreRegistration Degree Programmes and it has no connection whatsoever with organisations who
may provide such courses.
Public Appointments Service
Test Familiarisation Booklet
Nursing Careers Centre
2012 Pre-Registration Degree Programme
24