Junior Diplomat (Third Secretary)
in the
Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade
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 Junior Diplomat (Third Secretary). The Public
Appointments Service (PAS) is undertaking the recruitment process on behalf of the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 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 Analysis test and an Abstract Reasoning
test which are in line with tests used previously by PAS at these levels. These tests will be
administered by Saville Consulting and taken on-line. You will be unsupervised when taking
them. During the testing window a helpdesk facility will be available from 8am to 6pm (Mon –
Fri) and from 9am to 11am (Sat & Sun) to deal with any technical issues you may have.
Email support.manager@savilleconsulting.com or phone 01 5549665
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 6.
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 1

This stage will comprise a Verbal Analysis test and an Abstract Reasoning test which you
will complete on-line.

Stage 1 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.

Please be aware that taking your test within a secure IT network e.g. your workplace or
college may cause you technical difficulties. You might consider taking your test in your
home or other environment outside a secure IT network. The onus is on you to ensure
that you have full internet access to complete the tests.

You will be able to take these tests at any time between 11am on Thursday 31st
October 2013 and 3pm on Monday 4th November 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 4th November, 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 Saville Consulting at
approximately 11am on the 31th 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
31st October, 2013 please contact the on-line assessment support team (from 8am to
6pm):
Email support.manager@savilleconsulting.com or phone 01 5549665.

You will receive a separate email containing your username and password 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
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
You should then see a page similar to that below:

The overall time suggested is 45 minutes per test. This includes reading the instructions
and completing the practice questions. The actual timed tests are 24 minutes for the
Verbal Analysis and 16 minutes for the Abstract Reasoning.

Verbal Analysis and Abstract Reasoning practice test material is available online at
https://www.savilleconsulting.com/products/aptitude-practice-preparation-advice

Saville Consulting will provide support during office hours (Mon to Fri) i.e. 8am to 6pm,
and (Sat & Sun) 9am to 11am for the duration of the test window. Their contact details
are given below:
Email support.manager@savilleconsulting.com or phone 01 5549665
Verbal Analysis Test
In this assessment you will be presented with a series of text passages, each of which is
followed by several statements.
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. Base your
answers only on the information given in the passage.
Verbal Analysis: 24 minutes time limit
8 testlets with a time limit of 3 minutes each, each containing 4 questions
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.
Once the test is downloaded it is not affected by loss of internet connection.
Public Appointments Service
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Abstract Reasoning
This is designed to assess your ability to understand patterns and find logical rules.




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.
Abstract Reasoning: 16 minutes time limit
8 testlets with a time limit of 2 minutes each, each containing 4 questions.
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.
Once the test is downloaded it is not affected by loss of internet connection.
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.
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.
Public Appointments Service
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Stage 2
Candidates who reach a satisfactory standard at Stage 1 will progress to Stage 2. The
number of people invited to Stage 2 will be determined by the Public Appointments Service.
This stage will involve candidates taking tests in a supervised environment. Candidates
must reach a minimum standard on these tests. Scores achieved will determine if a
candidate is to be invited to the next stage.
If a candidate’s performance at Stage 2 (supervised) test is outside the expected scoring
range from their Stage 1 test, it will call into question the validity of their unsupervised test
scores and they will be excluded from the next stage of the selection process. The decision
of the Public Appointments Service on this will be final.
This stage will also consist of a group exercise and a written exercise, both of which will take
place on the same day as the supervised tests. Candidates will also attend an orientation
providing them with information on the role of a Third Secretary. Information on this stage of
the process will issue when candidates are invited to attend.
Stage 3
The third stage may consist of a competitive interview for those candidates who reach a
satisfactory standard at stage 2. The number of people invited to the preliminary interview
will be determined by the Public Appointments Service. Candidates will be requested to
submit an Interview Preparation Questionnaire prior to this stage. All information about this
stage will issue to candidates from the PAS.
__________________________________________________________________________
Stage 4
The fourth stage may consist of a second round interview for those candidates who reach
satisfactory standard at stage 3. The number of people invited to competitive interview will
be determined by the Public Appointments Service having regard to the number of vacancies
to be filled.
Should you come under consideration to proceed to Stages 2, 3 and 4 of the selection
process, information will be forwarded to you at the appropriate time.
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
JuniorDiplomat2013@publicjobs.ie or telephone: (01) 8587572.
Public Appointments Service
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