GovWire

There are seven online tests available in vX:

• Civil Service Verbal Test (shortened in this document to: Verbal Test)
• Civil Service Numerical Test (Numerical Test)
• Civil Service Judgement Test (Judgement Test)
• Civil Service Management Judgment Test (Management Judgment Test)
• Civil Service Work Strengths Test (Work Strengths Test)
• Customer Service Skills Test (Customer Service Test)
• Casework Skills Test (Casework Test)

Adding tests to a vacancy

A recruiter can add tests to a vacancy using the Online tests section in the Create New Vacancy page.

Test grade - ensure that the grade is correct based upon the grade for the job.

Progress options:

• Auto-progress after each test - Candidates will automatically progress to the next test or recruitment stage if they meet the minimum standard for the grade. This can help to speed up the initial part of the process, but at a cost of being able to manually sift on numbers progressing. .
• Manual sift after each test - Enables you to raise the pass mark above the grade pass mark. This can help to raise the quality of the candidate pool and reduces numbers moving to the next test/stage. It may be a slower process, and raising the pass mark too high can risk discriminating against some candidates.
• Deadline option - this will default to the same deadline for all tests, but can be manually altered.

Deadline option - this will default to the same deadline for all tests. If the tests come before the full application form, set the test deadline to be the same as the application form deadline.

Setting the order of the tests

The tests are arranged into three groups:

You can select the order of the groups, and the order of the tests within each group.

You can choose any number of tests from each group. All tests within a group must be completed before the candidate can start the next group. For example:

• you can select 2 tests from group B, followed by 2 tests from group A
• you cannot select a test from group A, then a test from group C, and then go back to another test from group A

In the online tests section of the vacancy creation form:

1. Select the order of your groups
2. Within each group, select the number of tests you want to use
3. Select the order of the tests within each group

Candidate guidance

Candidates get full instructions about how to complete tests on Civil Service Jobs.

You can refer candidates to these pages if they wish to know more about the tests, including taking practice tests:

• Numerical and Verbal Tests guidance
• Judgement Test guidance
• Management Judgement Test guidance
• Work Strengths Test guidance
• Customer Service Test guidance
• Casework Test guidance

Reasonable adjustments during tests

Some candidates may need assistance during test stages. Vacancy holders are responsible for making an informed decision about adjustments, taking into account the law, departmental policy, the Workplace Adjustment Guide, and the test takers individual needs.

There are two guidance documents, and your recruitment teams should be familiar with both:

• For candidates - Reasonable Adjustments guide for online tests
• For recruiters - a detailed guide is available from the vX vacancy form, which is different from this document

Most tests are not timed, except for the Customer Service and Casework tests - which contain timed sections.

If the candidates session is interrupted, they can re-open the test page unlimited times within the test deadline, except in the Judgement Test, which can only be re-opened twice (further re-opens will require a reset).

The Judgement test will timeout after 25 minutes of inactivity, but the other tests will not timeout.

Some common alterations are:

• Varying the screen display, including text size, colour and contrast - depending on the browser used, applicants should be able to alter these themselves
• Video alternatives - questions in video format include a written transcript and optional subtitles
• Paper-based alternatives for the Verbal and Numerical tests. The other tests do not currently have a paper-based alternative, but using a personal readers support may be an option.

Extending a test deadline

To let a candidate take an online test after the test closing date:

1. Find the candidates Application Summary.
2. Select the Deadline options button.
3. Select Yes for Bypass test/form deadline and enter the reason.
4. Submit.

The candidate can launch their test, even though the deadline has passed.

Time extensions on the Casework and Customer Service tests

1. Find the candidates Application Summary.
2. (Optional) If the candidate has already started or completed a test, move them back to the Invited to [Casework/Customer Service Skill Test] status, go to their Test Results tab, and select Delete for that test.
3. Select Deadline and time extension options.
4. Select the time extension required for each test. Extensions of 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% can be applied.
5. A deadline override can be selected if required. If no deadline override is required, select No for Bypass test/form deadline.
6. Submit.

Contacting a candidate

After making changes for a candidate, send them a confirmation.

1. Select Communication, then Send Correspondence.
2. Select the Blank template and enter your message confirming the new deadline or other change.
3. Send Correspondence.

Resetting a test

The process to allow a candidate to retake a test differs between the tests.

Resetting the Verbal, Numerical, Management Judgement, Work Strengths, Customer Service, and Casework tests

Candidates can access these tests unlimited times (within the deadline), without needing a reset.

• Find the candidates Application Summary.
• Select the Test Results tab, then the Reset link for the test.
• Select the Administration button, then Other Status.
• Select
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