Administrative Officer
in the Civil Service
Pre-Test Information Booklet
This is an important document so please set some time
aside to read it in advance of the test session.
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your application for Administrative Officer. The Public Appointments Service
(PAS) is undertaking the recruitment process on behalf of the Civil Service. PAS is
committed to the principles of good recruiting practice. These principles involve the fair and
impartial selection of the best candidates for the job. This selection process has been
developed to assess candidates in a fair and effective way.
The initial selection stage will comprise a Verbal Reasoning test and a Numerical Reasoning
test which are in line with tests used previously by PAS at these levels. These tests will be
administered by SHL and taken on-line. You will be unsupervised when taking them. During
the testing window a helpdesk facility will be available to deal with any technical issues you
may have. Email UKTechnicalSupport@shl.com or phone 1800 947 745
We are supplying you with this pre-test information material to introduce you to the format of
the tests. By working with this information, you can ensure that you perform to the best of
your ability. Please do not be alarmed on the test day as it can be assumed that the actual
test questions will be more difficult.
Further details of the different stages in the selection process are available on page 7.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for applying and to encourage you once
again to take time to read through the documentation carefully.
Thank you.
PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS SERVICE
Public Appointments Service
Page 2
Selection Process
Stage 2

This stage will comprise a Verbal Reasoning test and a Numerical Reasoning test which
you will complete on-line.

Stage 2 on-line tests will be unsupervised and you can take the tests during the available
test window, in a venue of your choice e.g. at home or work, wherever you have access
to a computer and a reliable internet connection. The onus is on the candidate to ensure
that they have full internet access to complete the tests.

You will be able to take these tests at any time between 11am on 8th October 2013 and
3pm on 10th October 2013. Tests should be completed in one sitting; therefore you are
advised to set aside approximately 90 minutes to take the tests (this also includes time
for instructions and working through example questions). Once 3pm on 10th October,
2013 has passed, you will not be able to commence the test.

As the tests will require your full concentration, please ensure that you take the tests in a
quiet environment where there are no distractions and where you will not be disturbed.

You are advised to take the test on a PC or laptop and to use a mouse you are familiar
with. You should not attempt to take the test on a smart phone, mobile or tablet device.

A link to the actual on-line test will be e-mailed to you from SHL on Demand at
approximately 11am on the 8th October 2013. This link will be sent to the email address
on your www.publicjobs.ie profile. If you do not receive the email please check your junk
or spam email folders. If it is not there and you haven’t received it by 1pm on the 8th
October, 2013 please contact the on-line assessment support team (from 8am to 6pm):
Email: UKTechnicalSupport@shl.com or call 1800 947 745.

The email you receive will also contain your username for accessing the on-line
assessment as well as further details on the assessments you are about to sit.

The first time you visit the system you will have to create a password. To safeguard the
confidentiality of all the information held on the system, please do not share your user
name or password with anyone else.

You should then log in with your username and password.

Before proceeding you will be required to accept the data protection and terms and
conditions by ticking the relevant boxes.
Public Appointments Service
Page 3

You should then see a page similar to that below:

Please note the Numerical Reasoning test is activated only after you have completed the
Verbal Reasoning test.

The overall time suggested is 45 minutes per test. This includes reading the instructions
and completing the practice questions. The actual timed tests are 19 minutes for the
Verbal Reasoning and 25 minutes for the Numerical Reasoning.

There is also a ‘prepare for the assessment’ link which has a great deal of information.

Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning practice test material is available online at
http://www.shldirect.com/example_questions.html .

SHL Projects Managed Services will provide support during office hours i.e. 8am to
6pm for the duration of the test window. Their contact details are given below:
Email: UKTechnicalSupport@shl.com or call 1800 947 745.
Public Appointments Service
Page 4
Verbal Reasoning Test
In this assessment you will be presented with a series of text passages, each of which is
followed by several statements.
Your task is to read the passage and evaluate each statement according to the following
rules:



Select TRUE if the statement must be true based on the information in the passage.
Select FALSE if the statement is definitely false given the information in the passage.
Select CANNOT SAY if you cannot say whether the statement is true or false without
further information.
Base your answers only on the information given in the passage.
After each question there are a number of different answer options. There is one, and only
one, correct answer to each question. Click on the answer that you think is correct. When a
response has been selected a black dot will appear in the centre of the button.
Once you have answered a question and clicked the Next arrow:


You will not be able to go back to the question or change your answer.
Do not use the ‘back’ button on your browser – this will end the assessment.
Sample Question:
Further examples are available at:
http://www.shldirect.com/example_questions.html
If you choose to complete a full length practice test you will be asked to register with SHL.
Please be advised that your log on details for the actual assessment tests will be different.
Public Appointments Service
Page 5
Numerical Reasoning Test
In this assessment you will be using facts and figures presented in various statistical tables
to answer questions designed to assess your ability to evaluate numerical data.




After each question there are a number of different answer options.
There is one, and only one, correct answer to each question.
Click on the answer that you think is correct.
When a response has been selected a black dot will appear in the centre of the
button.
Once you have answered a question and clicked the Next button:


You will not be able to go back to the question or change your answer.
Do not use the ‘back’ button on your browser – this will end the assessment.
Try to work quickly but accurately. Do not spend too long on any question. If you are not
sure of an answer mark your best choice and go on to the next question.
What you will need


You may use a calculator if you wish.
Make sure you have a pen and some paper available for your calculations.
Before you start


Close down all other applications, except for your Browser windows and internet
connection.
Stop all other applications on your computer. Running other processes, e.g. printing,
could cause the assessment to terminate.
Sample Question:
Further examples are available at:
http://www.shldirect.com/example_questions.html
If you choose to complete a full length practice test you will be asked to register with SHL.
Please be advised that your log on details for the actual assessment tests will be different.
Public Appointments Service
Page 6
Stage 3

Those to be invited to Stage 3 will be called on the basis of their results at Stage 2. The
number of candidates to be invited will be determined by PAS. PAS will notify those to be
called in respect of the time, date and location of the Stage 3 tests.

Stage 3 will comprise a supervised Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning test.
You will also be required to complete a Job Simulation Exercise.

It is important to note that your performance at the supervised Stage 3 Verbal Reasoning
and Numerical Reasoning tests will be compared with Stage 2 results and tested for
consistency. If your level of inconsistency is of significant magnitude, you will not be
invited to Stage 4.
Stage 4

Stage 4 will comprise a competitive interview and presentation exercise. All information
about this stage will issue to candidates from the PAS.
NOTE:
Candidates should note that in order to avoid anyone achieving unfair advantage through
practice effect at future competitions, scores achieved on any test(s) taken as part of this
campaign may be carried forward to subsequent interdepartmental or other campaigns. This
will be determined by the PAS on a case by case basis.
Please note that all test materials are subject to copyright and all rights are reserved.
If you have any questions in relation to this pre-test information material please contact
AO2013@publicjobs.ie or telephone: (01) 8587572.
Public Appointments Service
Page 7